Okay, Sunday was the day that our trip changed directions...just a bit.
The ship should have departed Honolulu Saturday evening at 8pm. When it was 8pm the ship was still in the harbor. We thought nothing of it. These islands are not huge distances apart. You aren't dealing normally with big tidal changes so that a ship must be out of a port before the water level decreases, etc. Claude and I both left on this trip with colds so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to turn in a little early and sleep a little late before the daily shore excursions began.
When we woke up Sunday the 6th, Claude said, "We're still in Honolulu!" I said, "That is impossible the ship was supposed to leave last night." I looked out the window and, sure enough, there was the hospital on the hill that was pointed out to us the day before.
Okay, we decided to check our mail spot by our door. There was no notice there. We got showered and dressed and headed up to Deck 11 to the Aloha Cafe breakfast buffet. No notice was posted anywhere we could see.
After breakfast we headed back to our room and somewhere closer to noon we finally heard the Captain giving an announcement on the PA system but it was in the halls and not in our state room. I opened the door and heard him talking about the huge waves that were along all the islands north shore. No ships could go there. They were working with their Florida office to set us a new course.
Claude and pulled out the newspaper we received on Saturday and there were reports of huge waves. We saw some of them on the north shore on Saturday when we were on the North Shore of Oahu for lunch and shopping. Now these waves were in the 60 to 80 foot heights. The Hawaiian's were very happy because now they could have the surfing competition call the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau. This is usually shortened and called the 'Eddie'. The end result was our cruise ship would stay in the Honolulu port all day Sunday. We could get off the ship and tour if we so chose. Claude and I spent a bit of time by the pool. Then we took a LONG nap in the afternoon. This was great for the adjusting to the time change and getting those pesky colds to go away.
We finally got a change of schedule in our mail box by our door. We would depart Honolulu Sunday evening at 5pm and head to Kauai. This should have been the last 2 days of our cruise. Nonetheless, we would have 2 days in Kauai. Then we would sail to the Big Island of Hawaii and hit Kona the 1st day then round the point of Hawaii and hit Hilo the 2nd day in Hawaii. Then we would have only 1 day in Maui instead of two. Then return to Honolulu and disembark Saturday, December 12th. For this change each guest was given $25 credit at the ships stores.
The picture below is of Honolulu from our cruise ship with an airplane in the sky. The other picture is of Claude and I on Deck 12 with Diamond Head in the background.
Please note the cute necklace I'm wearing. It is made of Kukui beads. These are very popular and come in necklace and bracelet varieties. A class was taught by the Hawaiian on-board Ambassadors, China & Kekai. I spent a bit of my day making this cute necklace. All supplies were furnished for free. I purchased 2 kits so that Katelyn and Aubrey could each make a necklace when I got home.
These Kukui nuts were very useful to the Hawaiian people. They are filled with an oil. A hole was drilled in the end of the nut and the oil was burned to provide light. The oil was also used for their skin and hair to keep them healthy. Then a 2nd hole was drilled in the opposite end and they were used for leis. The nut is actually heart shaped.
When we were at the airport waiting to fly home from Hawaii, Claude and I found one with purple turtles painted on each side of each nut. Well...my favorite color is purple and I collect turtles (my favorite word). Claude purchased that Kukui lei for me right away.
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