Circle Hawaii cruise | FindPenguins

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Trip start
October 7, 2022
Circle Hawaii cruise Traveler
Vancouver
October 7, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Elfriede graciously drive us to the airport, picking us up at 3:40 am. Smooth driving all the way. Printed luggage tags and dropped off our bags. Spent the next hour and a bit in the Plaza Premium Lounge. This is a benefit of having an AmEx card.

Had a lovely breakfast buffet and coffee and enjoyed the quiet space before our flight.

Arrived without incident and with all our luggage on time. Took the Skytrain to Waterfront Station. Were advised to get off at Burrard Station but this was much quicker. Three minutes’ walk to Days Inn on West Pender Street. This hotel is over 100 years old so the rooms are quite small but very adequate and clean. Lovely continental breakfast. The ladies at the front desk allowed us to check in early without additional charge.

Walked down to the waterfront and then decided to rent bikes. Had to run back to the hotel to change into a skort so I could ride. On our way by 10:30. Biked the sea wall. Great bike and pedestrian paths, clearly marked and safely separated from each other.

Lunch at Cactus Club after we dropped off the bikes. Vic had fish tacos and I had butternut squash ravioli with prawns in an amazing bearer blanc sauce. Heavenly!

Called dad from the hotel then had a nap while we waited for Garry and Carolynne to arrive. They had rented a car so had to return it to the airport. They arrived at 3:35.

Had dinner at The Butcher and the Bullock, a sports bar attached to our hotel. Quite tasty. Vic had a burger and I had a kale salad with chicken . Took a short walk to the waterfront to pick up some Zzzquil. Hope it works well.Read more
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Circle Hawaii cruise Traveler
At sea - day 2
October 8, 2022, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
After a good sleep, we lounged in the pool area before breakfast in the Dining room. While we waited for Vic to finish his shower I got a text from Sharon Marshall whom I had seen walking up the stairs the day before. We invited her and Eric to join us for breakfast and had a lovely visit.

Garry and Carolynne went for their first spa visit and Vic and I wandered through the ship, stopping to call to make reservations for dinner for the following few days. Because the times were all around 7:30 or 7:45, we stopped at the kiosk to speak with a staff member in person. Susie was very sympathetic and asked that we leave it with her.

Had lunch in the Lido after walking one lap around the promenade deck in a very cool wind and rocky seas and checking out the top decks, etc.

Met up with Garry and Carolynne after their spa experience and sat with them while they had lunch. Had a visit from Susie who delivered a lovely card confirming a table for four in the fixed-time dining room, then had a very nice nap.

Dressy night tonight so menu was more special. Escargot was delicious and filet mignon tasty though overcooked. Next time I’ll order it rare.

The Captain’s welcome in the showroom at 7:15 followed by a very energetic dance show. Walked outside for part of a lap then went up to the Crow’s Nest for happy hour.

Watched the end of the Disney movie in the pool area about bears and the salmon run and tried out the caramel pretzel and brisket sliders. Went back to our room at 10:15. Clocks back tonight.Read more
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Circle Hawaii cruise Traveler
At sea - Day 3
October 10, 2022, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
The clocks went back an hour so it’s now 5:20 am. True to form, I have been sleeping well on the ship. Thank God!
We have enjoyed breakfast in the dining room but today it was a major event. We arrived at 8 am and were only finished at 9:30. Wow! Vic went to the Birds of the Pacific presentation and I wandered the shops. G and C went to the spa and we met for lunch at noon.Read more
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At Sea Days 4 and 5
October 12, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Today is Garry’s birthday so we have reserved dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. Spent the morning walking through the ship, listening to a port talk while Garry and Carolynne went to the spa. Lunch at Dive-Inn and later Carolynne and I went to the wine tasting that is complementary for 4 Star Mariners. Vic and Garry went last time to Vic suggested that we go this time. At 3 we walked to the other side of the dining room for afternoon tea. Vic joined us. Dinner at 7:30 at The Pinnacle Grill. Had to try the clothesline bacon appetizer that people rave about. It tastes good but would have enjoyed the crab cakes more. I had scallops and Vic had filet mignon. The crème brûlée was delicious and they brought Garry a chocolate mousse cake with dark chocolate ganache. So delicious! As was the coffee.
Started to watch Mrs. Harris goes to Paris by the pool but it was difficult to hear the words so went to bed. Have been sleeping a lot, finally catching up.Read more
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Circle Hawaii cruise Traveler
Maui
October 14, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
We arrived in Maui early this morning after five days at sea. The weather has cooperated and the seas have been smooth, though they did close the outside decks for a day and a half. Called Dad and had a brief chat.
We were ready for breakfast by 6:40 as the clocks were set back again last night.
We were off the ship shortly after 7 and took a cab to the airport to pick up our rental car. On our way by 8:30 in the Toad to Hana. It is a small, well-paved road that is at times only one lane over very narrow bridges. The views of the ocean, waterfalls and flora are outstanding. Stopped to watch surfers at a beach and further on a large pod of dolphins playing in the sea. Must have been at least 20 of them. Got to Hanna around noon and had lunch at Hilo’s food truck. Vic chose grilled Mahi mahi. Good flavour. Unfortunately I had a sinus headache and experienced motion sickness for the first time in my life which made the winding road challenging to endure. Stopped to watch people jumping from the top of a waterfall into a pool of water.
Returned to Kahului by 3pm and topped up the gas and returned the car to the airport.
I ended up spending the rest of the day and evening in bed.Read more
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Circle Hawaii cruise Traveler
Hilo
October 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
After a good sleep, good coffee at Explorations Cafe, birthday phone call to John A and text to Ruth, we met for breakfast in the Lido. It’s a rainy day with haze and forecast of 50% chance of rain all day. Garry and Carolynne had booked a Shore Excursions Group excursion and we booked Historic Hilo and Akaka Falls excursion through HAL. Had originally booked a bike excursion but changed our minds. We are glad we did!
First stop on our tour was Big Island Candies where we were greeted at the door with samples of shortbread and nut-filled chocolate as well as fresh Kona coffee. Beautiful, expensive boxes of candy and cookies but I’m sure we will have ample opportunity to buy some in Honolulu.
The rainfall average here is 144 inches annually and Hilo is known as the tsunami capital of the world. The Hawaiian saying goes “as the skies weep, the earth flourishes”. This is apt because everything we see is lush and green. Many banyan trees near the port, planted by famous people like Babe Ruth and others. The photo is of a very small one.
Next stop Akaka Falls named for Chief Akaka who went to visit his paramour near Kahuna Falls while his wife went to the sea to trade goods for fish. He heard his wife call and so ran to meet her with his dog. Alas, he fell over the falls, hence the name, and met his doom. The dog remained at the top of the falls, barking a greeting to the wife. There are a large rock and a small rock at the top of the falls representing the wife and the dog as well as a large one at the bottom representing the Chief.
Maluna akole is a toast meaning bottoms up.
Made a stop at Rainbow Falls. If you stare at the falls for 10 seconds then look at the rocks and trees beside it, it will seem that they are moving upwards, like a stairway to the sky. This is actually an optical illusion called persistence of vision. Next stop downtown Hilo. Since today is Saturday, there is a farmers’ market with draft booths similar to St Norbert Market. Beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables. Stopped to share a smoothie at Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack.
Final stop was at the Mauna Loa Macadamia processing plant and visitor Center which has just opened after Covid lock down. Macadamia nuts are ripe when they fall off the tree. Special tractors sweep up the nuts into a line and another one vacuums them up. The processing plant is self sufficient as they use the shells to burn to roast the nuts.Read more
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Honolulu and Waikiki Beach
October 16, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
After a leisurely breakfast we left the ship and walked toward Waikiki. Saw a free shuttle turning toward the ship so went back and took it to the large mall where we bought souvenir dresses and a tshirt for the littles. Continued our walk to Waikiki Beach and got my feet wet in the surf - shoes and all. Lunch at Denny’s and walked back toward the ship. Vic and Garry decided to continue to walk back and Carolynne and I took the free shuttle back. I have develop a blister from the wet socks and shoes.
Called to wish Dan and Roran Happy Birthday and checked in with Stef and Amelia. Got the shuttle back to the ship at 2:45, in time for the Kornelsens to prepare for their luau.Read more
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Oahu North Shore
October 17, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Rented a car today so took a cab to the airport to pick it up $26.50. Drive north on the H1. Stopped at the Dole Plantation and enjoyed a Dole soft serve. Stopped also at the Green World Coffee place and bought some salted caramel coffee. At Matsumoto Shave Ice we shared a shave ice with pineapple, coconut and banana flavours. Along the road we ran into a traffic jam. There was construction so only one lane of traffic could drive at once. After a 45 minute delay we were on our way again.
Stopped at Sunset Beach to watch the surfers. Then Fumis Shrimp Hut for garlic shrimp and tempura shrimp. Both came with two cups of rice.
Drove through the gardens of the Laie Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Next stop Laie Point with a sea arch and amazing lava formations. Then Kualoa Beach Park for beautiful photo op of Chinamen’s Hat and to put our feet in the ocean. Found a piece of coral to take home.
Have decided to take the South Shore route home and enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the shore. Drove around the bottom of Diamond Head before returning the car to the airport. A good day. Cab back to the ship $23.75.
Finished with dinner in the dining room and watched Bohemian Rhapsody before an early night while Garry and Carolynne went to the spa.Read more
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Kauai
October 18, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We were greeted by musicians and two dancers. We were given the all clear over 30 minutes late so left on our hiking adventure late. We had to sign a waiver but did not receive paper copies so had to electronically sign on the tour guide’s phone.
Arrived at the trailhead and were given bottles water and the option of using their walking sticks. I had brought my own so gave Vic one. The hike was 4.5 miles over a rise of 700 feet. Amazing views through the rainforest. Stopped part way for granola bars and water. Keona, one of the guides took photos of the participants with a toy dinosaur. The photos looked like we were fighting off the dinosaur. This location as used to film Jurassic Park. Finished the hike by 12:30. Were provided with bananas, potato chips and beer, juice and water beside the stream where we washed off our shoes and poles. Returned to the ship before 2 pm. Had the option to stop and shop but chose not to.
Showered and washed my shoes before going to the spa for a Fire and Ice manicure. We had each received a $70 voucher for spa services that had to be used by today. Cost for the service was $69 so we paid only $12.68 for the gratuity. Went to the Crow’s nest for happy hour then met the guys for dinner in the dining room. Walked outside after dinner. Starting to feel the swells in the sea.Read more
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At sea - October 19
October 19, 2022, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Had breakfast n the dining room today then listened to the hotel manager Q & A before watching the flower arranging presentation.
Had lunch in the dining room for the first time and watched the waves for a bit. Saw flying fish and a bird. The colour of the water is amazing!
Read by the pool and watched Vic and Garry play ping pong. Went for afternoon tea then had a nap before dinner in Rudi’s Sel de Mer. Garry and Carolynne went to the Cellar Master’s dinner in the Canaletto. Our dinner was outstanding as well as the service.
We were happy to go back to our room to watch some tv before bed.Read more
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At Sea -October 20
October 20, 2022, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
After a good sleep woke up at 7:30 and walked with Vic on deck 3 outside. 2 miles. Rained a bit, just enough to mess up the glasses and hair. Showered and got a text from Garry that they had slept in. Breakfast in the dining room. Cutting back in the amount of food we are consuming and trying to move more.
Enjoyed the aft hot tub and it’s Carolynne while Vic and Garry played ping pong then had a nap til dinner at 5 in the Canaletto thanks to Evelyn and Canada One Travel.Read more
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At Sea - Oct 21
October 21, 2022 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
Clocks went ahead again this night, so woke up at 7:30. Sent out laundry for the last time and redeemed our HAL gift cards we bought in July. Since the bonus cards expire in June of next year it was suggested that we redeem them all and whatever we didn’t use would be refunded to the credit card in file.
Carolynne and I went to the spa then met the men for lunch around 1 pm. Tried to walk the Promenade deck but they were working and had an area blocked off so we sat outside aft on Lido in the sun. Went back to our room at 3 and napped til 4:45. Vic had gone to the Captain’s Q & A. He says to expect higher swells tomorrow and is trying to get around it tonight.
Dinner was lengthy this evening. Dressy night. Carolynne and I went to the spa in the evening. Vic planned to watch the rest of his movie. Nice way to end the day.Read more
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Circle Hawaii cruise Traveler
At Sea - October 22, 2022
October 22, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Another lazy day at sea. I’m ready to start packing so we can be ready to go home. Texted Linda to change my work day for the coming week.
Visited with Sharon Marshall for a while this morning. So nice to catch up. Lunch from Dive Inn. Excellent burgers.
Watched the Q & A with the BB King Band and knit by the pool.Read more
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Final day at sea - Oct 23
October 23, 2022, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Last day on board. Knit and read and walked and enjoyed dinner at Tamarind. Listened to BB King band and went to the chocolate surprise. Packed before dinner and had a short nap. So ready to go home.
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Going home
October 24, 2022 in Canada
Up by 6 and at breakfast before 7. On the train by 8:30 to YVR. Raining in Vancouver but glad to be going home.
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Trip end
October 24, 2022