Two ports down 10/08/2023

We have spent the past two days at ports on the Big Island, Hawaii.  On Friday we were in Kona and on Saturday we were in Hilo.

Kona is our only tender port on this cruise, meaning that the ship cannot dock and must anchor offshore.  We then take the lifeboats, tenders, into the town.  The trip in and out took only about 10 minutes each way.  The seas at Kona were fairly calm, Kona being on the leeward side of the island.  Once ashore, we walked most of the length of the town, a small town.  We found and bought a locally make Christmas ornament for our tree.

Hilo required a shuttle bus into town to the farmer’s market.  Taking a shuttle means a long wait in line.  Apparently, this particular driver is always late to the irritation of the local officials.  It came and we got to town safely.  All we did in town was stroll through the crafts part of the market and took a cab back to the ship. 

John hid one of his humpty dumpty painted rocks in each port and will do so in the next two.  We have done this in Alaska and out of four hidden we got Facebook notice that two were found.  Surely the others were found but the finders may not have known how to post.  Regardless, it is fun to do.

We are still winning quite a few of the trivia games, but largely due to our partners who cruise 6 months out of the year.  So, they are exposed to many trivia questions and the answers.  Both have great memories.  Occasionally we are able to help them with a USA question.  They are Canadian.

We are using a nasal spray that is touted as stopping Covid and other viruses in the nose, before they get to the lungs.  There are a few studies regarding it but the ones that have been done indicate success.  We have to put two squirts into each nostril three times a day.  A little sniffing and off we go.

Sunday is Honolulu and then Kauai.  We do not have any excursions for any of the posts this cruise.  Just into town and walk around and look.