Goodbye Pride of America. Until We Meet Again.

Aloha Everyone,

I wanted to add a couple of more photographs of the places I frequented while I was on board the Pride of America.  Here is a picture of the on-board gym where I practiced Pilates.

Yoga was held on the top roof area on a basketball court. Of course this can be extremely difficult to do when the wind is blowing, the ship is sailing and the rain is hitting you! I took this photo this morning when the weather was much more cooperative.

At the start of the cruise, we were each given a plastic card for us to use to disembark and board the ship at each of the neighbor islands.  We also needed to present this card whenever we made purchases on-board such as paying for drinks, island excursion, professional photographer and specialty restaurants.  Some people were so well prepared that they wore a plastic tag with their card around their neck.

My last healthy breakfast on board consists of Greek yogurt with fresh cranberries, stewed apple and prunes, mini croissant and fresh squeezed orange juice.  I ate the fresh orange at 9:00 am prior to disembarkation.

As we bid Aloha, a hui ho (goodbye) to the Pride of America, the loud speaker started to play the song, "Closing Time" by the band Semisonic.  The line, "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here," made us chuckle. And of course the final line of the song goes, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

We will miss our cruise, just as we will miss living in Hawaii, but we are also ready to start our new adventure in a few days when we buy a brand new RV and start our senior adventure.  Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

Aloha -- Cathi

Last Day at Sea and the Na Pali Coastline

Aloha Everyone,

You live a pampered life on board a cruise ship. The main decisions you have to make is where and what to have for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This morning I had Greek yogurt with fresh cranberries, an assortment of stewed fruits and brown oatmeal muffin plus coffee and water.

Sherween, our cabin steward made our stay comfortable.  Taken here with one of his "towel animals".

Travis, one of the servers at the Aloha Cafe showed us to tip your chair to indicate to other servers that the place is being occupied.

For some passengers, this was where they spent most of the day and night. 

Philip, responsible for maintaining all of the outdoor deck areas with Bartolomeu who was in charge of issuing pool towels.

Dramatic cliffs of the Napali Coast was the highlight of this cruise. The are so close yet so far away.

J.J. and I conversed with a litigation attorney as we sailed along this amazing coastline.  He was not too keen about going back to New York.

Aloha -- Cathi

Welcome to Kauai

Nawiliwili Harbor

Aloha Everyone,

Kauai is the most beautiful island in the Hawaiian chain. When you sail into Nawiliwili Harbor, you step into the ultimate image of a tropical paradise.

Legend says that if you throw your lei into the ocean and it returns to shore, you are destined to return to the islands. To assure our return visit, here is a picture of me throwing a lei into the water of Kalapaki Beach.

All that lei throwing was quite a workout.  Here is my healthy breakfast.

Kalapaki Beach with Marriott Resort in the background

J.J.'s Healthy Snack

What a wonderful and relaxing day. Until we return, Kauai.

Aloha -- Cathi

L'Chaim! To Life!

Aloha Everyone,

The Hebrew phrase "L'chaim" translates in English as "To Life!" It is generally used to toast a couple when they become engaged, or when people get together with friends and family to celebrate.

This morning we shared a tender (life boat) with 10 fun-living Israelis.  They appeared to be all in their mid 60's and were all very close friends.  One of them told us that they take all take a three week holiday together once a year. Everyone was exuberant, giddy, singing, clapping hands, taking photos of each other and laughing all the way from the ship to the shore.

J.J. and I thought, "Here is a group of people who really know how to live!" Israel is always in a state of readiness and preparedness for attacks from one of their neighboring countries, so when their citizens are away from their homeland on a holiday, they put their mind and soul into enjoying what life has to offer.

It was an emotional experience to watch such a passionate group of people.  We certainly can learn from them how to live our life fully.  "L'Chaim!"

Aloha -- Cathi

L'Chaim!

Hilo, Hawaii - Wonderful Greeters

Aloha Everyone,

Welcome to Hilo

Our port of call today is Hilo, Hawaii.  At the bottom of the gangplank, there are a group of smiling women who greet and welcome the passengers to the Big Island of Hawaii.  As the other guests rush out to partake in various tours and activities, J.J. and I hang back to chat with them.  It turns out that these welcoming women are all volunteers. They come in all sizes, ages, shapes and ethnic backgrounds, but what these ladies shared in common were their wide smiles, open hearts and genuine Aloha spirits.

The Wonderful Greeters in Hilo

J.J. and I have been to the Big Island many times, and we especially love to return to Hilo because it feels like nothing has ever changed.  For us, Hilo has been frozen in time and epitomizes the Hawaii of old.

When J.J. commented this to our bus driver, Auntie M, who took us to the nearby farmers, Auntie M agreed that nothing has changed, with the exception of gas prices.  She pointed to a sign in downtown Hilo where gas prices were currently $4.16 per gallon.  "They just keep going up," Auntie M. laments.

Rob, a retired U.S. Military soldier who has lived in Hilo "forever", disagreed with our assessment.  According to Rob, Hilo is no mo.  "No mo tour company.  No mo Western Auto. No mo Naniloa. No mo Farmers Exchange. No mo mom and pop eateries and shops that were washed away by the last tsunami (occurred in 1960).  However, even if Hilo is "no mo", Rob will always live in Hilo.  

I hope Auntie M, Rob and the volunteers who greet the cruise ship passengers will be here with their big smiles and warm aloha when J.J.. and I return to Hilo next.

Aloha -- Cathi

Farmers Market