Thread: Kona

March 31
Kona - a tendering port. The day started out cloudy but by 9:30 the sun was strong and it got a little humid. For awhile around 8:30 tender service had to be stopped because of some large swells making it difficult to board the tenders. We went ashore around 9:30. We were surprised to see how much the area has grown. Once again we are using only 3 tenders. The Norwegian Wind was also here with us. They were able to anchor a closer to the pier than we were. We were anchored about 2 ½ miles from shore and they were about 1 mile away. We didn’t take a tour - just walked and walked and looked at the many new plazas and stores. Once again there is a free shuttle to Hilo Hattie and Wal-Mart and K-Mart. Within walking distance of the pier is Ahuena Heiau - King Kamehameha I’s temple seat (you can see it from the pier), Hulihee Palace ($6 per person to visit), Mokuaikaua Church, Kona Marketplace, Kona Inn Shopping Village and lots, lots more. And if you don’t mind walking about ½ mile more, there is the newest area - Coconut Grove which has a Hard Rock Café for those of you who collect their guitar pins. We did go to the Sweet Ohana Candy Factory in the Kona Marketplace as it was one of HAL’s recommended stores. You get sample some of the candy - it is very good but oh - their prices - $20 for a half pound! We were originally to have been here till 6 but the time was changed and we left at 5. Around 2 we noticed that the Norwegian Wind lifted anchor and moved further out to sea. They moved twice. They were to leave at 5 with us. They had all but 1 tender up and all but 1 hatch closed when we left. At 5:30 we could still see them and they hadn’t left yet. Don’t know what happened. The daily program listed as going by Kilauea Volcano between 10:30 and 11 PM. But by 10:05 we could the red lava glowing against the night sky in the distance. We were directly in front of the volcano between 10:20 and 10:25 - just as a Celebrity ship passed between the volcano and us. What a wonderful display the Kilauea Volcano put on for us! We stayed out on our verandah until we couldn’t see it anymore. A commentary was made on the open decks - we weren’t able to hear it. Tonight was also a production show. But because of our passing the volcano, the main dinners had their show at 6:45 instead of their usual 10:15 time. In the morning we had received our dinner menu and on the top it was listed as the Mariner’s Dinner and certain items were stared indicating special Mariner Signature dishes: 1 appetizer (avocado & bay shrimp); 1 soup (Bahamian cioppino); 2 entrée’s (sesame crusted tuna steak or Mariner’s pot roast); and 1 dessert (chocolate & almond opera cake). When we got to the dinner, the menus were plain - no special heading - no stared items. So we asked about this Mariner’s menu thing. We were told that it was celebrated on the last couple of cruises but Seattle didn’t think much of it so it was stopped. Another new towel animal - in this case - animals - 2 loving swans.

We were supposed to go there on Dec.31st but the waves prevented tendering.

We spend a lot of time in Kona, but I usually like to stay away from that shopping strip area near the pier. Too many tourists! I have to admit, I always do go by there to buy little souveniers for friends...but then I hightail it out of that entire area. There is so much else in that area that's really wonderful to see.

I noticed that cruise ships always recommend places like the candy factory...or Hilo Hatties...where the prices are so high. I think they must be getting commissions from sales from cruise ship customers! We do buy a few shirts at Hilo Hatties because they have the biggest selection of Hawaiian shirts anywhere...but the rest of their souveniers (most of which are made in China) are just outrageously expensive.

We enjoyed seeing the volcano from the sea at night. It is quite as show that has been running for a long time. We saw it in 1993.

We have been to Kona before - when we did a couple non-cruise trips.

Really love the place.

But it has certainly changed over the years!!

The volcano viewing was probably the highlight of most of the passengers and many crew members. The viewing decks were full on the volcano side that night.

For the most part, we don't pay attention to the "recommended stores." It seems if you walk a bit farther, you'll find the same stuff at probably a much lower price. It's just that the cruiselines don't get a kickback.

The volcano at night is great...but I like flying over it in a helicopter even better!

That a fantastic picture!!

Our helicopter pilot was a little bit of a hot dog, and said he was going to angle the helicopter first to the right and then to the left so each side could take some good pictures. He tilted that thing on it's side so much I was praying the door stayed shut! It was a little strange too because I could actually feel the heat from the lava vent when I was on the 'down' side as he hovered sideways. But it made for some great photos!

Sounds like an adventure to me