Honolulu

first of two today

After six days at sea from Osaka, we both woke up at 5 a.m. without a wake-up call anxious to see the arrival in Honolulu. It was still dark when we went to the top deck, where it was a beautiful tropical morning with a light breeze blowing across the bow. On the horizon, the lights of Honolulu grew brighter and larger as we approached. The city was just waking up, with light traffic on the highways and lights in the high buildings just starting to come on. There were clouds hanging above the mountains, but the city itself was clear as the sun rose. We watched as tugs gently pushed the QE2 towards the pier and the terminal building. As a 40-year old ship, the QE2 does not have the side thrusters of the newer cruise ships. She is however the fastest merchant ship at sea, easily maintaining a speed of 28 knots for days. We were soon joined at the pier by the gorgeous Diamond Princess and although she is one of the newest ships in the Princess fleet, the QE2 can go faster in reverse than she can go forward.

After breakfast at 6 a.m., we joined a queue so the US customs and immigration people could see the passport and ship’s id for each passenger, all 1800 of us. Once the queue began to move, it moved quickly but the entire process took well over an hour. Finally, the ship was cleared. As people began to disembark, each one received a lovely orchid lei. We were down the gangway and aboard the free shuttle bus to Hilo Hattie’s, a store specializing in Hawaiian clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. From there we walked to K-Mart for toothpaste, a phone card, fresh batteries and playing cards. From K-Mart, we walked back to Hilo Hatties, where we tried unsuccessfully to use the pay phone. I think our families are never in their homes. We took a different shuttle from there to Maui Divers, a jewelry store, where we saw a really interesting video about coral mining and jewelry making. We toured the area where they design and produce the jewelry, including where they give the final polish to the gold pieces under a powerful exhaust system, recovering hundreds of thousands dollars worth of gold a year.

By this time, you know who needed food. We boarded the Maui Divers shuttle and were fortunate enough to get the same driver, who was already a friend of Jerry’s, of course. They discussed politics, economics and restaurants. At first the driver suggested The Cheesecake Factory but we said no, no, something more Hawaiian. He dropped us off at the door of his recommendation, Fatty’s Chinese Restaurant, consisting of a take-out counter and 6 stools at a bar surrounding the food preparation area. The cook prepared each dish individually in a huge wok. When we got there it was very crowded and we got the last two seats at the bar. The vegetable fried rice was fabulous.

We crossed the street and walked to ocean and Waikiki Beach where thousands of people were surfing the breakers, swimming, sunning, playing and having fun in the sun and water. Back onto the shuttle and a sight-seeing tour of the downtown area, we were soon on board the ship again in time to dress for the World Cruise Dinner held at the Honolulu Convention Center for passengers on the full world cruise. Buses were waiting at the gangway at 5:45 for a tour of historic Honolulu narrated by a guide accompanied by recorded Hawaiian music. Soon we were at the Convention Center circular entrance and being greeted by torch bearing men in traditional Polynesian costume and by a couple dozen adorable little girls also in traditional costume. They presented us with more leis to wear throughout the evening over our formal clothes. We had to ascend two double floor escalators to the roof-top garden and the cocktail hour under the stars. Miss Hawaii and other lovely people stood on pedestals around the garden for informal photos with guests. We were entertained with hula dancers and traditional music while we enjoyed champagne, cocktails and delicious hors d’ouvres.

We were led by the entertainers to the ballroom for dinner and dancing and more entertainment. Lucky us! We sat at table number 2, right next to both the stage and the dance floor. Captain David Perkins and the President of Cunard, Carol Marlowe, sat on the opposite side of the room at table number 1. The room was spectacularly decorated, the entertainment non-stop, and the food outstanding. Even the vegan food was outstanding! We had vegetables wrapped in puff pastry with a wonderful light tomato sauce.

After five hours, at least one of which we were dancing, it was time to return to the bus and the ship. We were still wide awake and wired so we joined some friends at the midnight buffet and enjoyed a plate of fruit.