As we pull into Honolulu harbor the sun is rising over the city. I look at where we are heading and realize that what I see is not what I expected. The docks don't match the description of where we were supposed to dock. Soon an announcement from the captain says our pier assignment has been changed.
Dr. Google provides the rest of the story. The Coral Princess is still in the slip we were supposed to occupy. Yesterday she lost all power for several hours and is awaiting inspection before she can continue. We anticipate that we will change docks during the night.
After breakfast we take a shuttle to the Ala Moana shopping center, the 8th largest in the world. A hawaiian shirt is a must from Hilo Hattie, a producer and retailer of Hawiian garments for years.
The sales clerk is good and Lynn gets a matching one for 50% off. Even though hawaiian, they will be fine for tropical nights anywhere.
At one point 4 or 5 fighter jets roar over the ship as they leave on a routine training mission. I am sure the locals adapt to the thunderous roar.
The weather is again perfect.
We enjoy a special dinner outside on deck 10. Beef, chicken and lamb starter, coconut chicken soup, and beef tenderloin or baked snapper for the main entree. Dessert was pineapple mango and almond crumble with a chocolate coconut.
Food and service very good, the sunset enjoyable. The only problem was that the portions were way too big, but I suffered through it. It has been hard but I have learned it is ok to leave food on the plate.
While we are finishing dinner the Coral Princess finally leaves. In the middle of the night we will move to the pier we were originally assigned, and in the morning the Anthem Of The Seas will take the dock we are in. It is all about size.
Main stage entertainment tonight is a local group of Hawaiian drummers and dancers. Who doesn't enjoy hulu dancing.
On our second day in Honolulu we take an 8 hour bus trip around the island. I remember nothing from my previous visits over 30 years ago. There has been a lot of growth. Many highrise apartment buildings and very congested traffic. Honolulu even has a lighr rsil sytem opening in 4 days.
The scenery is nice, but honestly 8 hours on a tour bus is too long.
We stop for lunch on our own about 2:30. We choose a close by mexicsn bar and have chips and salsa and chese dip. The service was exceptional and the food excellent. Then the fun begins.
We wander back to the bus a few minutes early, we are still missing 12 passengers. By departure time we are still missing two. 15 minutes later, no one in sight. The driver calls his contact on the ship. After a few more minutes he is given permission to leave them. We drive to the exit of the parking area just as the two stragglers wander towards the bus. "Are we late?" I wonder if they will remember next time how close they were to being left behind.
Our next stop was supposed to be Dole Pineapple, but of course we are late. Late because of accumulated traffic delays all day and late because of two inconsiderate passengers. We find the entrance gates closed. Our driver shares with us that now nearly all pineapple grown in Hawaii is consumed locally. Little or non is sent to the mainland or other markets.
We continue back to the pier where we arrive a few minutes before all aboard time.
With lunch so late, we skip the dining room and enjoy two sets of the "The Dam Band" in the crow's nest bar as we sail from Honolulu towards our next Island, Kona.
I grab a meatball sandwich at the New York Deli on deck 10 before going to the "late show" at 8:00. It is comfortable and not busy. Our entertainment tonight is a comedian that joined the ship today. He is enjoyable and plays to an overfull house.
Seas are cal and skies are clear as we sail to Kona.