Zawadi's Pacific Adventure 14-31 Aug 2014 (21/22 Kaua'i)

[Zawadi]

More photos have been added to Zawadi's photos from Hawaii.

Nawiliwili on Kaua'i was our last port of call before returning to Honolulu. It was another overnight stop.

After the relaxation of the previous day, we were back to the early morning regime to get on the "Heaven & Earth" tour.

We boarded a 12 seat mini bus, and headed to the heliport. The first part of this tour was a 45 minute helicopter flight around the island. At the start of the cruise we had been asked to supply our weights. Hmmm. This is a cruise and we'll all be a bit heavier. At check in we were weighed again so that the helicopter could be balanced.

We took off and flew over the ship before heading inland over the valleys and waterfalls filmed for Jurassic Park. Then down other valleys until we reached the 3400 foot deep Waimea Canyon, aka The Pacific's Grand Canyon. We then headed north, past Lihue (birth place of the surfer Bethany Hamilton) to the Na Pali Coast. The following day the ship would also sail past this section of coast. There were so many jaw dropping sights, that the 45 minutes was over way too quickly.

We returned to the heliport and enquired about the personal HD video. The helicopter was fitted with 4 cameras, forward, starboard, port and internal. The pilot selected the cameras during the flight. A SD card containing the avi files and a BluRay of Hawaii cost under $50. A bargain!

Back in the mini bus we hit the coast road starting of at the pier in Hanamaula Bay where the sugar cane was transferred from the coastal narrow gauge train to the waiting ships. We then headed north to the Kealia Lighthouse before having a picnic on the beach.

We returned to the ship just in time for our Latitudes perk of a behind the scenes tour of the ship. We waited in the atrium, to be met by Lauren, the Latitudes rep, and Holly who was taking over from Lauren. We asked who else was on the tour. The answer was no one. Oh! Need to think of some questions pretty darn quick! We went through the galley, freezer stores, laundry, theatre and route 66 (then main crew corridor that runs the length of the ship). We ended up on the bridge and a female 3rd officer gave us a tour of the port wing bridge controls and the main console in the centre. You need a head for heights on the wing bridge since the floor has a transparent section showing the sea 100 foot below. As we were about to wrap up the captain appeared and photos were taken. One photo was with DW donning the 3rd officer's hat and I donned the captain's.

We return to our cabin to be greeted by a towel monkey just hanging around. We just creased up laughing. On our way to dinner we thanked our cabin steward.

Friday morning, the last day of the cruise . Nothing was planned for this morning except a walk around the bay, watching the surfers and a looking in the shops.

The ship was due to set sail at 14:00. At 13:30 we assembled at in a designated area to be escorted to the foredeck. We were warned that it would be breezy and bright. One lady didn't realise how breezy and after several Marilyn Monroe impression left to get changed. We were offered champagne in magic glasses (they kept refilling) and watched as the ship did an about turn and headed out to sea. We were permitted to say out until the ship made open water. However, we we were not permitted a "Titanic" pose against the foremast as it was beyond the gated area where we were.

On leaving the foredeck we headed to the pool. The magician Charles Bach was performing a Houdini style underwater escape. We had learnt on the tour of the ship that the 4.5 foot deep pool could be emptied in 3 minutes. After being chained up Charles jumped in and was submerged for over 2 minutes before climbing out free of his chains.

At 17:30 the ship sailed along the Na Pali coast. A different perspective from that in the helicopter. We sailed from about 40 minutes before performing an about turn to head south to Ohau.

That night we used our second complimentary dining voucher at Moderno. This venue has a salad bar then 10 meats that presented on skewers. For us it was an unbalanced protein heavy meal. We had to give up after the 4th skewer. Much preferred the Bistro.

[faline]

Wow!! I thnk I'm in need of a Hawaiian cruise!!

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

I love that you got a private tour - how fun!

[LVT]

Thank you for reporting. This is a dream of mine.