Hawaii & down to New Zealand

Its been 3 years since we were on a cruise ship. We took the extra points and will be cruising with our friends, Rick and Darla plus Laura and Wayne. We'll travel from Hawaii to Fiji, Bora Bora then to Australia and back to New Zealand. Read more

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Trip start
November 24, 2022
Hawaii & down to New Zealand
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Day 1
Thursday, November 24, 2022 at 4:47 AM
🌧 55 °F
Altitude: 545 ft
United States Tyler Pounds Field 32.350997, -95.40948732°21’4” N 95°24’34” W
Heading to Honolulu
November 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 55 °F
Bed 12:15
Alarm 3:00
Pulled out of Eagles Nest 4:10
Arrive at Tyler Pounds Airport 4:30
All checked in and heading to DFW and then Honolulu 4:38

I can’t wait to hand out these homemade Turkey Tootsie Roll pop to some AA employees today as we fly. I am thankful for the ability to fly, to travel and to explore this world.Read more
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Day 1
Thursday, November 24, 2022 at 3:00 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 39 ft
United States Honolulu International Airport 21.329742, -157.9203421°19’47” N 157°55’13” W
Luggage and new friends
November 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Our flight to Dallas was extra long because of intense rain in the metroplex. But we got through it.

We enjoyed meaningful conversations with 2 new passengers and hearing their life experiences.

The nonstop flight to Honolulu was 8 hours. Long. We talked at length to one flight attendant that joined TWA back in the day.

Because Glenn and I only got 3 hours of sleep Wednesday night. we did sleep off and on. I watched Father of the Bride and my favorite, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

We met George from Sulfer Springs, Texas who met his wife in the military in Hawaii and was returning with family members to celebrate and walk down memory lane. Note the matching shirts.
All of our luggage arrived, however my big piece was heavily damaged. Glenn got a form to fill out and return to AA. In the mean time duc tape will have to work.

We took an Uber ride to Stephen and Daisy’s home, a couple we met with A Candle in the Window. It was about 4pm and their Thanksgiving dinner family celebration was winding down. There were tables set out in the yard, kinds running wild and playing games then about 25 adults sitting around talking. A fun filled home.

This is our home for the next two days. A small traditional Hawaiian 🌺 family that is full of love and character. Daisy homeschools 3 of her 4 kids. Stephen is a night nurse. The Rohrs attend a small Southern Baptist church. They are loaning us their car on Friday so we can visit Pearl Harbor.Read more
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Day 2
Friday, November 25, 2022 at 9:28 AM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 79 ft
United States Helumoa (historical)21.283779, -157.83112621°17’2” N 157°49’52” W
Dads apartment in 1952
November 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Dad was stationed in the army back in 1952. They lived in this apartment C. It’s still here.

And in typical Judy and Glenn style. We knocked on the door. Met the tenet.

We FaceTimed dad with the tennet. He loved it. Dad paid 85.00 a month. Now the rate is 1,100 per month. She said there had been some recent upgrades with AC unit installed.Read more
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Day 2
Friday, November 25, 2022 at 1:25 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: Sea level
United States USS Arizona 21.364971, -157.94999721°21’54” N 157°56’60” W
Pearl Harbor
November 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Spent the day at USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL. Heart breaking and reflections.
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Day 2
Friday, November 25, 2022 at 5:38 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 33 ft
United States Pākī Playground 21.274288, -157.8160421°16’27” N 157°48’58” W
Waikiki
November 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Wonderful afternoon with Wayne and Laura.

After the Memorial, we cautiously directed Glenn back downtown near Wayne and Laura’s hotel. We had read reviews of a Bonzi burger at a mall. We found the place. Good burgers and fries. We walked around. Then I wanted to see Waikiki beach. Check that off my bucket list.

After dropping off Wayne and Laura at their hotel, we filled up the car with gas. 5.19 a gallon. Next your standard photo of us with Diamond Head in the background.

Fun filled dayRead more
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Day 3
Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 12:26 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 95 ft
United States Puohala Playground 21.41302, -157.79229521°24’47” N 157°47’32” W
State Park
November 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
The family took us for a quick ride to the State Park near by. Simon was showing us his climbing skills.
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Day 4
Sunday, November 27, 2022 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: Sea level
United States Kalapakī Beach 21.960335, -159.35067721°57’37” N 159°21’2” W
Kauai Excursions by Darla
November 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Sunday morning we arrived into island of Kauai

Rick and Darla picked up a large 6 seater car for us to explore the island. Also we had a guided tour through the radio that gave us rich history of the island. We saw three different waterfalls, stopped at a Buddhist temple that just closed and walked down a path of Rainbow eucalyptus trees.

For lunch we stopped at a fish food truck and ate right there on the picnic table. Glenn ordered a “tacos a pastor”. Delicious.

We made a quick stop along the side of the road on a golf course to cut up the walnut banana bread that Laura had purchased at the first waterfall stop.

Fun day. Bad jokes by Glenn. Lots of laughs.Read more
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Day 6
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 9:23 AM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 13 ft
United States Hobron Point 20.896972, -156.4668920°53’49” N 156°28’1” W
Relaxing day and travel to Maui
November 29, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Sunday after returning from our afternoon adventure with our friends, we came back to the state room for a quick Power Nap - however we slept from 4:30-6:30. We slept through our dinner reservations at Gagneys.

Monday, we stayed on the ship. We had breakfast in The Windows and then for lunch we were joined by Jon and Cindy Edwards. We sat there from 12 noon til 2:30. The Spirit left the dock at 1:30 and we were at the back on the boat. It was a cloudy and raining day

We attended the 8:30 showing after our wonderful Cagney steak dinner. We recognized the manager of the restaurant as benign on The Spirit with us in 2020.

This morning was a beautiful sunrise as we ate bfast out on the deck.

Glenn is trying to watch as much of the World Cup as he can. Yesterday after riding the stationary bike and watching 1 game, he watched another game while soaking in the jacuzzi and the game was on the big screen.Read more
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Day 6
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 11:37 AM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 509 ft
United States Hoolawaliilii Stream 20.911233, -156.24282820°54’40” N 156°14’34” W
On the road to Hana part 1
November 29, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
First waterfall
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Day 6
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 2:41 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 843 ft
United States Papaaea Reservoir 20.885048, -156.20706220°53’6” N 156°12’25” W
Road to Hana Part 2
November 29, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Yes, the road was very curvey.
Beautiful views.
Narrow roads.
Waterfalls everywhere.
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Day 7
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 1:08 PM
🌧 61 °F
Altitude: 6,667 ft
United States Pu‘uhuluhulu 19.68988, -155.4734819°41’24” N 155°28’25” W
The Big Island
November 30, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 61 °F
What a fantastic day.

Glenn was the designated driver. A quick drive through a Japanese garden and Banyon trees.

We took a side trip to a quaint and winding road with lots of waterfalls and 1 lane wooden bridges.

We stopped at Drive-in Tex for a Hawaiian donut.

We continued on and stopped at some lava caves. Cool.

Then back to the port by way of a lava flow.Read more
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Day 7
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 6:27 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: Sea level
North Pacific Ocean 19.623472, -154.75291419°37’24” N 154°45’10” W
Sea Days 1 and 2
November 30, 2022, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
We headed out of Hilo Hawaii and was connected for the longest time as we traveled near the Hawaiian coast line. I talked with Karen.

Our first sea day was busy with Cruise Critics Meet and Greet and also the Latitudes Social where we meet the big officers of the ship. We also met Pier and his wife from Canada. He’ll be riding his bicycle from Acapulco to Canada next April.

And at dinner last night, we met Kristen from Michigan. While at dinner I was able to receive text messages and learned about moms fall.

During the magic show, Sherrie texted me again with additional and helpful information about moms surgery. At the same time we went to the internet guy so he could set up my iPhone and he told us that iPhone to iPhone can receive text messages. That’s extremely good news.

On the 2nd Sea Day, Glenn and I met Mike and Terry from Frisco, Texas. We invited them to the worship service we’ll be doing on Sunday.

I went up to the Sit and Stitch and visited with Laura and chatted with Joshlynn from Canada.

We watched the last half of Its a Wonderful Life. And played 2 rounds of Left, Center Right. I won the second game.

We can not receive emails and attachments unless we sign in and use some “free” minutes we are allowed - not very minutes

I’ll add more photos when I’m connected to Wi-Fi while on the land. Meanwhile we have 2 more Sea days.Read more
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Day 11
Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 11:28 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: Sea level
South Pacific Ocean -10.89387, -151.46704210°53’38” S 151°28’1” W
Day 3 and 4 at Sea
December 4, 2022, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
2 more relaxing days at Sea.

We had dinner on Saturday night with Rick and Darla plus Wayne and Laura. We then went to the 8:30pm show.

Another round of L, C, R. We lost.

Glenn and I hosted the worship service, then got the 2nd half of England vs Some Africa team. England won.

We enjoyed sunset dinner. I’m trying potato pot pie for dinner.

The Edwards are not going on the excursion tomorrow, so we’re trying to find a replacement for them so they don’t loose their money.

Tomorrow Glenn and I will be swimming with the sharks, snorkeling off of a catamaran, and cruising around the small island of Raiatea, French Polynesia.

We just ran into an employee that worked on the NCL Star that we were on in 2017. This is the cruise where we “were a drift at sea” where the isopods went dead and we completely missed New Zealand and got fully refunded.Read more
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Day 12
Monday, December 5, 2022 at 5:32 PM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: Sea level
French Polynesia Passage Est Teruaheve -16.701867, -151.46328716°42’7” S 151°27’48” W
Raiatea, French Polynesia
December 5, 2022 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Perfect and fun day. Check this off my bucket list. I swam with the sharks. Glenn and I are on an all day excursion with Darla.

Then we went to a vanilla farm. Learned a lot.

Then snorkel. Beautiful.

Lunch. And Pearl farm.
Mauro helped me navigate thru the corals. He was the best.

It was a very special day.Read more
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Day 13
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 11:02 AM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: Sea level
French Polynesia Tahi -16.465978, -151.74484216°27’58” S 151°44’41” W
Biking on Bora Bora
December 6, 2022 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Today was all about renting a moped scooter to tool around this beautiful island.

We had to walk about 1/2 mile to find a family owned business. $50.00 for the whole day. It only took us 2 hours to drive around with stops.

At first I was sitting behind, then we switched and I sat in front with Glenn still driving.

We tried to get on Wi-Fi at st James restaurant but I wasn’t successful.Read more
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Day 14
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 9:51 AM
⛅ 81 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
French Polynesia Vallée d’Opunohu -17.520678, -149.84823717°31’14” S 149°50’54” W
Moorea Island
December 7, 2022 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
The name of this island is Moorea, which means “love”. Personally, I think it is just as beautiful as Bora Bora.

We contracted a gal with 10 passenger van to take 2 other couples around. One couple (mike and Ann) from DC - use to work for Washington Redskins.

A view from a mountain top.

We stopped at a pineapple distillery.

Then several stops along the road.Read more
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Day 15
Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 8:57 AM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
French Polynesia Terua te Auea -17.539063, -149.57037417°32’21” S 149°34’13” W
The US Embassy
December 8, 2022 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
As we’re we’re finishing bfast, Glenn ran into Jon and Cindy Edwards. We had dinner together the first night in Honolulu and then again 2 days later.

After that, we never saw them. Cindy tested positive for Covid and was in isolation down on the 4th floor. The next day, Jon joined Cindy. They were in “prison” the whole trip. Quarantine! Their initial plans were to get off here in Tahiti and stay at a resort for 2 nights.

We are here in Papeete, Tahiti for the day. We found a farmacia for a bandaid for Glenn, then we stumbled upon the US Embassy-McDonalds. - no Wi-Fi.

So we walked along the boardwalk and found a cute cafe called Wonderland. We chatted with Ellen via video. Then we walked along the boardwalk. It’s pretty hot here. We walked back to the boat among the crowd that was embarking today. Lunch in The Windows!Read more
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Day 16
Friday, December 9, 2022 at 1:16 PM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: Sea level
French Polynesia Pointe Mufila -16.520885, -151.78271716°31’15” S 151°46’58” W
Shark Tank
December 9, 2022 in French Polynesia ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Today, we swam with sharks and stingray. Pretty cool. We went to 2 coral gardens and watched the G bcorals and colorful fishes.

Then another place where the sharks and stingrays would swim right between our feet. Way too cool.

We had sushi for lunch as our guide showed us how he prepared the tuna with lime and vegetables served in the coconut CV bowl..Read more
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Day 18
Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 7:23 AM
🌧 77 °F
Altitude: Sea level
French Polynesia Vaitape -16.506894, -151.75240116°30’25” S 151°45’9” W
Bora Bora Snorkling Day
December 11, 2022 in French Polynesia ⋅ 🌧 77 °F
Wow! Wow! and Wow!

A full day of swimming with stingrays and sharks.

It was snorkeling in the reefs. I held onto Glenn’s hand as he guided me through the corrals. At one point, the guide had given us some stale bread to feed the fishes. The beautiful striped fishes were swarming around Glenn’s hand.

We had a banquet feast where the main dish was an whole pig cooked underground. We had fresh pineapple, tapioca root, bananas and bar b que fish served on large green palm leaves. We ate with our fingers. The color of the blue waters here is indescribable. And the water is so so C.L.E.A.R.Read more
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Day 19
Monday, December 12, 2022 at 7:31 AM UTC
⛅ 81 °F
Altitude: Sea level
South Pacific Ocean -14.775383, -159.60845914°46’31” S 159°36’30” W
International Date Line
December 12, 2022, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
Today, we jumped forward 1 whole day, then back 1 hour for Samoa Island.

Beautiful sunset.

We were suppose to go to America Samoa, but the island didn’t want the NCL Spirit docking there, so we’ll be going to a new country for me. Samoa.Read more
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Day 21
Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 10:10 AM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Samoa Apia Harbour -13.827283, -171.76251213°49’38” S 171°45’45” W
1
A day in Samoa
December 14, 2022 in Samoa ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Very friendly people.

A bicyclists gave me his baseball hat.

Everyone is so friendly!

We couldn’t find any internet service on the island. And it’s very HOT here.

We finally found the 1 internet Wi-Fi place.Read more
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Day 23
Friday, December 16, 2022 at 2:53 PM
☀️ 88 °F
Altitude: 52 ft
Fiji Nadi International Airport -17.771666, 177.43615717°46’18” S 177°26’10” E
Fiji - orchids
December 16, 2022 in Fiji ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
We traveled to a orchid and farm plantation of the Scottish family that settled here in Fiji 4 generations ago.
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Day 23
Friday, December 16, 2022 at 6:07 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 39 ft
Fiji Vio Island -17.604559, 177.43812617°36’16” S 177°26’17” E
Traditional dance
December 16, 2022 in Fiji ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Additional fotos

Misc fotos from the ship- Glenn watching World Cup soccer while eating bfast on the pool deck.

Manuel made me crème brûlée.

Sunset in Fiji
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Day 24
Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 9:26 AM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Fiji Waivariri Reef -18.760452, 178.51954718°45’38” S 178°31’10” E
Dravuni, Fiji
December 17, 2022 in Fiji ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
This day, we stopped at the island (population 250) and only 1 mile long. Lots of good snorkeling nearby.

Glenn and I paid 10.00 each for a 30 min boat ride around the island.

The water was so so clear. Unbelievable.

We returned to the NCL Spirit for a quiet afternoon.

We’ve been meeting new friends and enjoying the SEA days ahead, before landing in Sydney Australia.Read more
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Day 27
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 5:04 PM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Coral Sea -29.235222, 158.89564129°14’7” S 158°53’44” E
Sea Days
December 20, 2022, Coral Sea ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were Sea days.

We played LCR, had a
Private Philippino lunch with about 20 new friends.

And then at 5pm we met with some Australian friends where on the 2020 NCL Spirit during the beginning stages of Covid and heard their heroic stories of flying back to their home in Brisbane Australia.

We attended the 8:30 NCL cast production of Christmas Spirit with holiday songs and dances.”

Glenn has started to wear his Santa Claus Christmas hat. He also watched the World Cup final while soaking in the hot tub. Argentina won.Read more
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