Kauai is our first port and my second visit to this island.  Car rental works best to explore most of the island, visiting beautiful water falls, Waimea Canyon (Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and the Spouting Horn. In Hawaii, a rain shower is called a “blessing” and Kauai known as the “Garden Island”, has been blessed many times over with the rainforests, Fern Grotto (formed by lava rock) and botanical gardens.  Brightly colored chickens roam free. A helicopter ride will take you to areas that you cannot see by driving and it is well worth the money.

 

Many popular movies have been filmed in Kauai: Donovan’s Reef, Blue Hawaii, The Decendants, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park and Lilo and Stitch to name a few. Puddy had a great day visiting a coffee plantation, eating at a local food truck and driving to the top of Waimea Canyon.

Honolulu, Oahu is our second port and my third visit to this city. In 2015 Lisa and I took a cruise to Hawaii from San Francisco. The engine caught fire just before we were to enter Hilo.  After 12 hours of no electricity, the ship slowly headed for Honolulu so we could be towed in with three tug boats.

A visit to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial is a very emotional experience but should not be missed. 

The Polynesian Cultural Center and the Mormon Temple is another popular visitor attraction and one of my favorites.  Each Polynesian Island is represented with history, music and dance.                    

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My first visit to Honolulu in 1990 included body surfing at the famous North Shore and hiking to the top of Diamond Head Crater for a 360 degree panoramic view of Waikiki Beach, the emerald green mountains and the sparkling aquamarine water of the Pacific Ocean below. A much younger and adventurous me.

We toured the Iolani Palace, the former residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs. This  is the first palace in the world to have electricity and bathrooms and the only Royal Palace in the United States.

We enjoys visiting churches during our travels and St. Andrews Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii had beautiful stained glass.

Our third port is Hilo on the Big Island which is known as the volcano Island. We drove through Hawaii Volcanos National Park to the top of Kilauea Crater where we had lunch at The Rim Restaurant at the Volcano House. The views were spectacular.

 

I am ready to sail to French Polynesia.