This morning we go out on the bow as the sun is rising and we approach the port of Nawiliwili. There is a brisk wind on our starboard side, the air temperature about 70. The humidity very high. Only a dozen or so passengers brave the early time and the elements.
The surise is non spectacular, in fact it isn't even worthy of a picture. A crew member raises our flag. We head for breakfast.
They usually have most stations open by 6:30 even though the scheduled opening time is 7.
We have a 3 hour morning sightseeing tour. The process is the same. Check in at the theater, get a bus number, wait to go to the busses. As usual we cheat and go outside where we will catch the group on the way to the bus.
There are several free shuttles to town, you can walk the 2 miles, or there are taxis starting at $30.00 minimum. Few use taxis. A tour precludes having to make that decision.
The island is by far the nicest we have visited in Hawaii. Uncrowded, lush green vegetation, picture perfect views. The only navigable river in Hawaii looks tempting. Parts of the island get 40 or 50 feet of rain per year. Some years as much as 70 feet. Yes that is feet of rain not inches.
Our tour takes us to several scenic overlooks and then to a former sugar cane plantation to view the manor house and several gift shops before taking a short train ride around what remains of the once vast sugar cane plantation.
The tour is a little disorganized. Before we even leave the pier several people get on and off the bus after being told they are on the wrong bus and then no, they were on the correct bus. The driver does not do a head count until after the first stop. She has 1 less passenger than the staff at the pier says she has. None of the passengers feel we are missing anyone. We move on.
At our last stop, the remains of a very large sugar plantation, we take a short ride on a narrrow gauge railroad around the plantation. Pulled by a 1945 GE 25 ton diesel engine, an engine that is as mature as me. Obviously restored several times, she runs pretty well. At the conclusion of the train ride we indulge in some pineapple ice cream. Excellent!
Our tour is running late. The driver asked us to board the bus at 1:30 in spite of the fact we were supposed to be back to the ship by 1:00. Oh well, it is a ship sponsored tour, they will wait for us.
People gather to board the bus. Several head counts. Definitely missing two passengers. She checks several places and finds no one. We head back to the ship. Not the drivers problem. The fate of the missing remains undetermined.
We finally untie from the pier and sail at about 3:30, just a little late, leaving behind our last glimpse of the hawaiian islands and an unknown number of passengers. The band is playing on the aft deck, and special beverages and appetizers are served for the occassion.
The harbor is one of the more challenging for the captain given its small size and zig zag path. As we leave we pass under the approach to the airport. Several planes coming in to land pass directly above us..
As the island fades in the distance we can see rain falling. Rain that has completely missed us since we left Florida almost three weeks ago.
BBQ pork ribs for dinner tonight. Personally one of the best meals so far. The food has really been very good. The hot food has always been served hot, even in the buffet. One of my primary quality measurements.
Entertainment tonight is the ships dancers. The first show I remember where the house hasn't been completely full. I quickly learn why. No story, no vocals, just 45 minutes of excellent dancers. Kinda boring for many. Yes I slept through part of it.
As we head east towards San Diego over the next 5 days the seas are gentle with about a 5 foot swell. We see an occasional shower in the distance. The air temperatures several hours after dark are still in the uppr 70's.