Day 96 Pago Pago, American Samoa

August 23

Today we arrived at Pago Pago, America Samoa. The island certainly looks lovely from the ship, however we didn't book any tours, because we weren't interested in what was on offer. Instead we just walked about the place looking for a good picture opportunity. We only saw a limited part of the island, however it didn't seem like there was much here for tourists.

There were stray dogs everywhere, we saw at least 20 or more, some in terrible condition.

The photos below we're taken whilst we walked around in the heat.

Taken from the ship.

Some houses have graves in the front garden.

The main road.

Tomorrow we are at sea.

Day 90 Nawiliwili, Hawaii

August 17

Today we arrived at the port of Nawiliwili, which is on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. We spent most of the day driving around the island, taking in the beautiful surroundings. We visited Waimea Canyon, the Opaekaa Falls, followed by a river cruise on Wailia River to the Fern Grotto.

I loved spending the day in Kauai, our tour was brilliant. This has been the first time we have tipped a tour guide, he was most entertaining, in fact, the tour guides from Polynesian Adventure Tours on each of the 3 Hawaiian islands we have visited, have been the best we have had on our world journey.

There were chickens and roosters everywhere, except at major traffic intersections.

Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. It's over 6 million years old. Many movies have been filmed here. I would have liked to see some of the popular beaches on the island.

Common view during our travels.

More views.

Hanapepe Valley. This site was used in Jurassic Park.

Waimea Canyon. The following pictures collectively make a panoramic view from left to right.

Waimea Canyon is located on the southwest side of the island.

Waimea Canyon, nicknamed "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."

Waimea Canyon is 3,567 feet deep and 12 miles long.

View from the bus.

Views on the way to the Blowhole.

Views on the way to the Blowhole.

Spouting Horn Blowhole.

View just near the Blowhole.

Opaekaa Falls.

Wailua River.

Our cruise boat.

Wailua River cruise.

Wailua River cruise to the Fern Grotto.

Fern Grotto.

Fern Grotto. There have been over 10,000 weddings at this site, the first was in 1962. People travel from all around the world to get married here. Not sure I would, I was pretty hot standing in this spot.

Apparently this is the site where the Polynesians first discovered the island of Kauai.

View from the ship.

Now another five days at sea.

Day 89 Honolulu, Hawaii

August 16

Today we arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii. We experienced a narrated tour through the city, followed by a visit to the historic Pearl Harbor, and a drive to a stunning lookout up in the mountains. When our tour finished, we took a taxi to the Ala Moana shopping center. We had plenty of time to shop today, because the ship didn't leave until 10pm.

I would like to come back to Honolulu one day, wouldn't mind checking out the beaches. I found Honolulu to be a clean city with lovely trees, many with colourful flowers. The shopping was great.

Honolulu port.

Honolulu port.

Iolani Palace, built in 1882 for King Kalakaua. This is the only Palace in the U.S.A

State Capital Building with the King Kamehameha statue. We were told his robes are real gold.

View from the bus.

View from the bus.

Punchbowl National Cemetery, the final resting place for 35,000 Americans who gave their lives in service of their country.

Punchbowl National Cemetery.

USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. This memorial commemorates the 1,177 crewman, 75 were recovered, 1,102 remain entombed on the USS Arizona which rests under the memorial building. 

View from the bus.

Pali lookout in the Ko'olau Mountains.

Pali lookout in the Ko'olau Mountains. The following pictures are in a panoramic sequence from left to right.

There are chickens and roosters everywhere! They just wander about the place, cross the road, come up close to see if you have food.

Day 88 Hilo, Hawaii

August 15

Today we visited the island Hilo, Hawaii. We visited the Volcanos National Park, and had a walk through a lava tube. We also visited a Macadamia Nut Farm, however I would have given this a miss given the chance, yawn.

A lovely park in Hilo.

Kilauea Caldera. The most active volcano in Hawaii. This one is overdue for some action.

1974 Lava flow from a fissure in Kilauea Calderas rift zone. A path was cut through the rainforest within two hours.

Lava flow from fissure in 1974.

You are not permitted to remove any Lava rock from Hawaii, to remove the rock is to bring you bad luck. Apparently hundreds of rocks get sent back to Hawaii from around the world each year, because the people who took them believe the bad luck they received is because of the rock.

Entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube.

Wall of the Lava Tube.

Lava tubes form on lava flow channels. Fast moving central currents keep the core hot, while the slower moving edges cool and thicken. As the surface cools, the top of the flow crusts over from the sides, like the way ice freezes on a river. The interior flow is now insulated and when the eruption stops, lava often drains from the interior tube to leave the vacated conduit beneath the surface. 

When active, the lava flowing through this tube exceeded temperatures of 1,090 degrees centigrade, and after the eruption ceased, the walls took a year to cool.

Picture taken for our walk to the Lava Tube.

In the distance you can see Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth. It stands at approximately 17,000 meters above its sea floor base. There are five volcanoes on the island of Hilo.

Halema'uma'a Crater on the Kilauea Caldera summit. The last activity here was in 1982.

Kilauea Caldera.

Steam vents. You can see the steam just left of centre in this picture.

Just some pictures taken from the ship as we were leaving Hilo. 

Tomorrow we arrive in Honolulu.