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Hilo
Hilo, HI Wednesday March 6th 2013
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Hilo, Hawaii
Saturday 2nd March On the Way to Hilo
It is hard to remember what day it is! Is that the sign of a really relaxing holiday?
Today was much like any other, though it was too windy to spend much time out on Deck 3. I had my first coffee since before Tahiti, this morning, so I must be feeling better.
Tonight’s show was La Danza with the resident dancers. It was extremely good. Of course we were envious of their youth, energy and fitness. Most of the passengers are neither youthful nor energetic.
Some say that the average age of the passengers is 70, but my guess is that is quite a bit older. There are more than just a few wheelchairs!
It was a formal night so everyone was dressed up. Those who chose not to, had dinner at the Lido buffet.
We have been thinking just how much Dori (Gray’s Mum) would have enjoyed this voyage with all the dressing up, the concerts and shows and dancing at the balls. She would have reveled in all of it.
Sunday 3rd March Two Days from Hilo
This morning we braved the presentation about our next destination, Hilo. Gavin, the tour manager has a most unfortunate way of speaking English despite the fact he comes from England. Never the less we did glean the information we needed.
Six more cases have been reported, so now everywhere we go, we have to sanitise our hands. Until now the units were only at the entrances of restaurants, cafes and bars.
The afternoon concert with the Albek twins was very good.
Tonight’ show was a US singer, Valerie Perri who as OK.
Seas are becoming quite rough and once again the stabilisers are out.
Monday 4th March More Sick People
Today the captain announced that officials from the US Health Department are coming on board when we arrive in Hilo before anyone is allowed off the ship. As you can imagine the rumour machine is working well. Some say we will not be allowed off the ship until we leave USA! So we may be flying back from Southampton in a few weeks time???
The Albek Duo concert was very interesting today. They introduced us to composers we’ve not heard of; in particular a Czech. composer whose music was pure emotion (despair – his reaction to the beginning of WW1) The music was raw!
We went down to the Queen’s Room for afternoon tea – very 1950s with dainty sandwiches and cakes.
We’ve booked our shuttle and dayroom for LAX to come home, in anticipation that we will leave the ship.
Tonight’s show was a flautist, Suzanne Godfrey who was very talented, playing many Mancini pieces then moving onto more complex music that we’d heard James Galway play many years ago in London. It was a great concert.
Tuesday 5th March Deck 3 Still Closed
We are getting a little tired of the windy, cloudy weather. Not being able to go for our deck walk every morning is quite frustrating. We did, however, manage to grab a chair each on the upper deck this morning, so at least we got some fresh air.
There have been no more cases of sick people which is great. It is interesting that it is no longer referred to as norovirus, but gastro-intestinal upset. Maybe it’s to be in line with the Queen!
Tonight the variety show was quite good.
Is tomorrow Census Day? We won’t be in the count!
Wednesday 6th March Hilo
This morning we woke early as we had to be ‘processed’ by US immigration before we went into Hilo (the tsunami centre of the world).
We did manage to get out onto deck 3 before breakfast only to see a coffin being unloaded! Not a great start to the day! Rumour has it, that there were 10 empty coffins on board at Southampton and now there are 8!
Immigration was very straight forward even though many passengers tried to jump the queues. I won’t mention their nationality!
We went on a tour called Waves and Waterfalls. We actually enjoyed going through the countryside and heading into the hills. It was also good to take photos.
It poured with rain as we left the ship but the sun came out for us when we were at the waterfall – so lush colours and sunshine were quite stunning. We enjoyed a really interesting presentation at the Tsunami Museum.
We watched the sail away then off to dinner.
Tonight there is no show so we think we’ll go to the movies. Tomorrow is Kahalui where we hope to shop.
