Waiting to sail by the volcano.
Some thoughts while waiting to see the Kiluea by night.
Everyone has been looking for whales. We saw a spout. Nothing else. There are some people on this ship who are as big as whales. And they just keep eating.
A woman lost her shoe in the ocean while getting into the tender. It was really funny. I hope this ship doesn't sink because these tenders don't appear very seaworthy. Jerry and I were just kidding around with the crew members. They are so cute. I think they like us because we stay up after 9 pm. The rest of the passengers eat dinner at six and are in bed by eight. It is like a ghost ship at night. We have the whole place to ourselves.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Maui and Kona on the Big Island
Century
Maui and Kona
Maui is stll laid-back. Lahaina is still the lazy old place I remember. There are just some more shops. ABC Shops have taken over the islands. They have everything but mostly Hawiian things. We went to Ka'anapali Beach for four hours. This is a beautiful horseshoe-shaped beach which goes on for miles. There is a very nice high-end shopping center in the middle with good restaurants. We ate a pineapple hot dog (sounds gross but is not) and Maui potato chips...really healthy.
We had to tender for these two days which has been hellish to say the least. The seas are a little rough and the crew practically throws us on and off the tenders and we have to sit there in the sweltering tenders (lifeboats) till they are full, bouncing around like corks. Some people were getting sick but not us. We were just sweating like pigs.
When we finally got to the beach the water was great for swimming, although at one point I thought the current would take me to China. It really was nice.
The Big Island - Hawaii
Today in Kona I have been drinking Kona coffee all day and bouncing off the walls. We have been shopping for tourist junk all day. In between these activities we took a trolley ride around Kona and enviorns to see whatever there is to see. Kona is very laid-back too. In fact, half the locals look like they are barely alive. Just like the majority of the passengers. That's o.k. We are still in the kiddie program and are hanging out with others from the program. We are laughing and having fun, probably at the expense of others.
Tonight we are doing a drive-by of Kiluea, the active volcano, at night. It should be exciting if the clouds allow it. Tomorrow we actually go up to the volcano with a guide. I'm so excited about that. I can't wait to see it. I hope I don't turn into a lava statue of myself.
Maui and Kona
Maui is stll laid-back. Lahaina is still the lazy old place I remember. There are just some more shops. ABC Shops have taken over the islands. They have everything but mostly Hawiian things. We went to Ka'anapali Beach for four hours. This is a beautiful horseshoe-shaped beach which goes on for miles. There is a very nice high-end shopping center in the middle with good restaurants. We ate a pineapple hot dog (sounds gross but is not) and Maui potato chips...really healthy.
We had to tender for these two days which has been hellish to say the least. The seas are a little rough and the crew practically throws us on and off the tenders and we have to sit there in the sweltering tenders (lifeboats) till they are full, bouncing around like corks. Some people were getting sick but not us. We were just sweating like pigs.
When we finally got to the beach the water was great for swimming, although at one point I thought the current would take me to China. It really was nice.
The Big Island - Hawaii
Today in Kona I have been drinking Kona coffee all day and bouncing off the walls. We have been shopping for tourist junk all day. In between these activities we took a trolley ride around Kona and enviorns to see whatever there is to see. Kona is very laid-back too. In fact, half the locals look like they are barely alive. Just like the majority of the passengers. That's o.k. We are still in the kiddie program and are hanging out with others from the program. We are laughing and having fun, probably at the expense of others.
Tonight we are doing a drive-by of Kiluea, the active volcano, at night. It should be exciting if the clouds allow it. Tomorrow we actually go up to the volcano with a guide. I'm so excited about that. I can't wait to see it. I hope I don't turn into a lava statue of myself.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Honolulu
We are running around Honolulu like maniacs trying to see everything before the ship leaves at midnight. We are doing a great job of it. The beaches are spectacular. It's busy and fun here and the shopping is unbelievable, not that I am buying anything. We love it here.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Century April 25, 2012
We were invited to visit the bridge to meet the captain this morning. Now I have to practice my Greek as well as my Hawiian. I hope I don't curse in Hawaiian at the captain when I meet him. I actually saw him at breakfast this morning but I just smiled and nodded and told him I would see him later. He looked at me like I had two heads.
The other issue here is that we are in the childrens' program on the ship. The other passengers, except for our friends, are really OLD. They shop a lot. They line up for sales. It looks like a feeding frienzy. I don't even think they know what they are buying. And they talk about each other telling their spouses or companions how old everyone else is. It's hysterical!
I am having trouble finishing my ribbon lei. Now they want me to make a lei out of dollar bills. Jerry will faint!
We are nearing the Hawiian islands now so I think I will start looking for dolfins and humback whales. They are all over the place.
We were invited to visit the bridge to meet the captain this morning. Now I have to practice my Greek as well as my Hawiian. I hope I don't curse in Hawaiian at the captain when I meet him. I actually saw him at breakfast this morning but I just smiled and nodded and told him I would see him later. He looked at me like I had two heads.
The other issue here is that we are in the childrens' program on the ship. The other passengers, except for our friends, are really OLD. They shop a lot. They line up for sales. It looks like a feeding frienzy. I don't even think they know what they are buying. And they talk about each other telling their spouses or companions how old everyone else is. It's hysterical!
I am having trouble finishing my ribbon lei. Now they want me to make a lei out of dollar bills. Jerry will faint!
We are nearing the Hawiian islands now so I think I will start looking for dolfins and humback whales. They are all over the place.
Century April 24, 2012
Things are very hectic. I haven't had a chance to relax yet. The Hawiian cultural activities are consuming my life. Today we had dance practice, lei making followed by mah jongg intersperced with meals of all sorts. The ocean is living up to it's name today...pacific. The air is a lot warmer and my veranda door is now permanently open. It is glorious. One more sea day before we reach Honolulu. Tomorrow morning we have dance class, rehearsal and then it's showtime at 2 pm. I can't wait. Maybe then I will have a chance to take a nap. Oh no. I have to make another kukui nut lei. I feel like I am at camp.
Things are very hectic. I haven't had a chance to relax yet. The Hawiian cultural activities are consuming my life. Today we had dance practice, lei making followed by mah jongg intersperced with meals of all sorts. The ocean is living up to it's name today...pacific. The air is a lot warmer and my veranda door is now permanently open. It is glorious. One more sea day before we reach Honolulu. Tomorrow morning we have dance class, rehearsal and then it's showtime at 2 pm. I can't wait. Maybe then I will have a chance to take a nap. Oh no. I have to make another kukui nut lei. I feel like I am at camp.
Century Day Four
My Hawiian and Tahitian dance lessons are proceeding nicely except for the fact that we learned today that we have to perform in front of the whole ship on the main stage. Just another time I will make a fool of myself. My two friends are doing it with me, along with several other passengers. Our Hawiian lei and jewelry making class is going well too. I made a necklace and bracelet and bought some materials to make several others. I think I have taken this Hawiian culture thing too seriously. It is consuming my life. Everytime I walk by the mirror I practice my dance moves. I think I will call myself Leilani from now on.
The seas are running at about seven feet today so the ship is rocking a little. I love it. The barf bags are all strategically placed througout the ship. I think it's funny. I haven't even heard of anyone being sick but there are a lot of old people so I am sure some of them are.
We have been playing mah jongg everyday for a few hours; not too long. It's a good group of women and we all play at the same pace which makes for a nice game. We laugh a lot.
The food is good. The entertainment is good. I have no negatives.
My Hawiian and Tahitian dance lessons are proceeding nicely except for the fact that we learned today that we have to perform in front of the whole ship on the main stage. Just another time I will make a fool of myself. My two friends are doing it with me, along with several other passengers. Our Hawiian lei and jewelry making class is going well too. I made a necklace and bracelet and bought some materials to make several others. I think I have taken this Hawiian culture thing too seriously. It is consuming my life. Everytime I walk by the mirror I practice my dance moves. I think I will call myself Leilani from now on.
The seas are running at about seven feet today so the ship is rocking a little. I love it. The barf bags are all strategically placed througout the ship. I think it's funny. I haven't even heard of anyone being sick but there are a lot of old people so I am sure some of them are.
We have been playing mah jongg everyday for a few hours; not too long. It's a good group of women and we all play at the same pace which makes for a nice game. We laugh a lot.
The food is good. The entertainment is good. I have no negatives.
At Sea Day Two
We woke up very early to heavy fog. Can't see a thing. Hope there are no icebergs. We had a great dinner last night. I am in love with Alex, our waiter. He is from Ukraine and he is about twelve. His service is fantastic and he is just adorable. He has a great personality and can handle Jerry with humor and respect, not an easy task. Of course, he treats me like the Imperial Empress, Catherine the Great.
We are still on East Coast time so we went to bed early. That's why I am up at the crack of dawn writing this blog. Today our schedule is as follows: cappuccino, breakfast, more cappuccino, Cruise Critic party at 11, lunch, Jerry' ukulele lessons, Phyllis' hula lessons, nap, cocktail hour, dinner, show, 50's party.
Jerry just came back to the cabin and said he wa warmer in Alaska. Guess I won't go to the pool yet.
We woke up very early to heavy fog. Can't see a thing. Hope there are no icebergs. We had a great dinner last night. I am in love with Alex, our waiter. He is from Ukraine and he is about twelve. His service is fantastic and he is just adorable. He has a great personality and can handle Jerry with humor and respect, not an easy task. Of course, he treats me like the Imperial Empress, Catherine the Great.
We are still on East Coast time so we went to bed early. That's why I am up at the crack of dawn writing this blog. Today our schedule is as follows: cappuccino, breakfast, more cappuccino, Cruise Critic party at 11, lunch, Jerry' ukulele lessons, Phyllis' hula lessons, nap, cocktail hour, dinner, show, 50's party.
Jerry just came back to the cabin and said he wa warmer in Alaska. Guess I won't go to the pool yet.
At Sea. Day One. The Celebrity Centry is a stately middle-aged lady. We have a veranda cabin on the port side, midship. Although small, the cabin is well-appointed and I have enough room for my many pairs of shoes. As usual, I packed too many clothes.
So far, the seas are calm and Jerry is not sea sick yet. We had a sail away party with the message board folks and it was fun to match names with faces. There is another party scheduled for tomorrow. I am determined to relax on this cruise. We'll see.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
San Diego Day 2
We had a lovely dinner with old and new cruise friends. Lots of laughing and a good time was
had by all. Good food, beautiful view and good company.
Submarine in the harbor, San Diego.riear the restaurant
had by all. Good food, beautiful view and good company.
Photos of San Diego
San Diego Day Two
I forgot just how beautiful this city really is and it only took me one day of running around to realize it. We especially love Coronado, which was the last place we lived before moving to Florida. The weather is glorious and we are walking miles in the sunshine. his morning we walked along the Embarcadero and down the Path of the Greatest Generation, past war memorials and a World War Two carrier, the Midway. In the afternoon we walked along the beach at Coronado and went through the lovely old Hotel del Coronado, built in 1888. The original electricity was put in by none other than Thomas Edison himself. It was where the movie Some Like it Hot was filmed. I pretended I was Marilyn Monroe hanging around the lobby and staring up at the beautiful chandelier. We also went through Balboa Park which is as lovely as ever with it's beautiful foliage. We are meeting friends for dinner this evening and will board the ship tomorrow after some more running around. We are going for a great seafood meal at Anthony's Fish Grotto, a local landmark.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
San Diego
It's so nostalgic to be back here in San Diego. It's the same but it's different. Some new buildings here and there. The drivers are such a pleasure. The exact opposite of Florida drivers. No horn blowing. No drifting over to the next lane. Stopping for pedestrians. How nice it is. The people are polite and smiling. Tomorrow we will have another full day of running around trying to see everything. So much fun. Tonight we had dinner in Old Town. Yummy Mexiccan food. Took the trolley all over town. We are having a lovely time.
Houston Airport
We left at 4 am this morning. Ugh. Too early. We are now sitting in the United First Class lounge for a long layover. We got two free day passes when we got our new United credit cards. It's good...bagles and cream cheese, good strong coffee, yogurt, cereal and fruit and a great internet connection. It was hard to leave the grand kids last night. We will connect with them via Face Time on the ipad. I plan to sleep on the next leg so I can party in San Diego.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
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