Taking Stitch to Hawaii and NOT Leaving Him There

[tiggrbaby]

Lovely update! I remember forcing my boys to have their pic taken with that nut guy in '02. Your dress is very pretty and the white background pics came out great!

[Chilly]

bargain dress. They had a couple of adult only tours on my Alaska cruise as well.

[LindaBabe]

Love your report, Corinna! (today, especially, because I see what else my husband missed on that tour because his bus broke down - they never made it to the orchid place) Your photos always come out SO well, and the love between you two is clear.

[JLSE50]

Originally Posted by LindaBabe

Love your report, Corinna! (today, especially, because I see what else my husband missed on that tour because his bus broke down - they never made it to the orchid place) Your photos always come out SO well, and the love between you two is clear.

What did you do on Hawaii day, Linda?

Corinna--we were on one of those bicycle excursions around Kilauea.

We did not get heavy rain, only a few drizzles while biking but did see wet pavement and one biker slipped and hit a stopped car. Before the ambulance got there she was taken care of by the two biking leaders (sons of the owner) and when she was taken to the ER the owner came to make sure she was not kept waiting. All tests were done pronto and read by MDs who the owner knew personally so that lady and her husband were back on board the WONDER that night.

I was IMPRESSED!! I think the measure of a good excursion is how they handle emergencies, not how they react when everything is normal.

Jan

[Pinkocto]

What a fabulous excursion. The lava tubes looked especially fun. I hope the acupuncture helped the next day.

[dolphingirl47]

Originally Posted by tiggrbaby

Lovely update! I remember forcing my boys to have their pic taken with that nut guy in '02. Your dress is very pretty and the white background pics came out great!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Chilly

bargain dress. They had a couple of adult only tours on my Alaska cruise as well.

I could not believe it when I saw the price of the dress and just knew I had to have it. I have to keep my eyes out for the adult only excursions for Alaska.

Originally Posted by LindaBabe

Love your report, Corinna! (today, especially, because I see what else my husband missed on that tour because his bus broke down - they never made it to the orchid place) Your photos always come out SO well, and the love between you two is clear.

We saw the broken down bus on the way. Other than the Orchid Garden, did he manage to do everything else? I think we were the only bus that ended up at the Orchid Garden. It was nothing to write home about.

Graham is definitely the love of my life. We have our ups and downs, but that is pretty normal.

I am curious, too, what you did that day.

Originally Posted by JLSE50

What did you do on Hawaii day, Linda?

Corinna--we were on one of those bicycle excursions around Kilauea.

We did not get heavy rain, only a few drizzles while biking but did see wet pavement and one biker slipped and hit a stopped car. Before the ambulance got there she was taken care of by the two biking leaders (sons of the owner) and when she was taken to the ER the owner came to make sure she was not kept waiting. All tests were done pronto and read by MDs that the owner knew personally so that lady and her husband were back on board the WONDER that night.

I was IMPRESSED!! I think the measure of a good excursion is how they handle emergencies, not how they react when everything is normal.

Jan

I agree that the best way to see what a company or organization is like is to see how they react when something goes wrong. Looks like the tour company got full marks there.

Did you enjoy this excursion? I know that this is something Graham really wants to do the next time we go to Hawaii. Unfortunately the Pride of America no longer has an overnight stop at Hilo, but stops at Kona the next day. So he may stay ashore at the end of the Hilo day, do an excursion that includes cycling down the volcano at sunrise and then rejoin the ship at Kona. As the Pride of America is American registered and therefore not tied to the Passenger Services Act, this should be OK.

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

What a fabulous excursion. The lava tubes looked especially fun. I hope the acupuncture helped the next day.

It was a great excursion, but ended up being my least favourite of the lot. However, this is in no way meant to throw a negative light on this excursion, but the others were absolutely amazing. I am in the process of typing up our Maui day at the moment so you should find out on Thursday with a bit of luck if the Acupuncture helped.

Corinna

[franandaj]

I was glad to read this report, at some point we plan on visiting Aulani, but will precede the trip with a visit to the Big Island. Sorry to hear about Crater Rim Road, that has always been a highlight of a visit to that park, but the lava tube is probably the coolest part of the trip.

Love your dress!

[JLSE50]

Originally Posted by dolphingirl47

.......

I agree that the best way to see what a company or organization is like is to see how they react when something goes wrong. Looks like the tour company got full marks there.

Did you enjoy this excursion? I know that this is something Graham really wants to do the next time we go to Hawaii. Unfortunately the Pride of America no longer has an overnight stop at Hilo, but stops at Kona the next day. So he may stay ashore at the end of the Hilo day, do an excursion that includes cycling down the volcano at sunrise and then rejoin the ship at Kona. As the Pride of America is American registered and therefore not tied to the Passenger Services Act, this should be OK.

.......
Corinna

Yes we enjoyed the excursion. The van driver was SHAWN, if memory serves, and the Bike Leader was NATE.

There was an uphill that I had to walk my bike but no one minded. They all wandered about the scenic overlook and considered the view until I got there and we headed to the lava tube together.

The company is: NUI POKAHU *
http://hawaiivolcanoadventuretours.com/index.html
and they provide other tours besides the biking. Some people have arranged for private tours according to the blog entries and comment page.

Jan

* Nate told me that NUI POKAHU means "many rocks" and if the words were reversed POHAKU NUI it would mean "big rock".
Interesting?


.

[LindaBabe]

Originally Posted by dolphingirl47

I am curious, too, what you did that day.

Corinna

First, I got a taxi downtown Hilo - very nice driver - he stopped at a mailboxes type place for me so I could get some mailing boxes. Then I went to the scrapbook store - Island Scrapbooking - and walked up to Long's drugs to buy Kona Coffee, and some sundries. Called the Taxi when I went in and he was there with an umbrella to meet me when I came out.

By afternoon, the skies had cleared. I went on the Disney excursion to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Not nearly long enough, of course, but I loved it.

Next time, we will rent a car and do both his excursion and mine, together, on our own.

[dolphingirl47]

Originally Posted by franandaj

I was glad to read this report, at some point we plan on visiting Aulani, but will precede the trip with a visit to the Big Island. Sorry to hear about Crater Rim Road, that has always been a highlight of a visit to that park, but the lava tube is probably the coolest part of the trip.

Love your dress!

The lava tube was pretty cool. I have to say I am looking forward to seeing the other side of the island.

Originally Posted by JLSE50

Yes we enjoyed the excursion. The van driver was SHAWN, if memory serves, and the Bike Leader was NATE.

There was an uphill that I had to walk my bike but no one minded. They all wandered about the scenic overlook and considered the view until I got there and we headed to the lava tube together.

The company is: NUI POKAHU *
http://hawaiivolcanoadventuretours.com/index.html
and they provide other tours besides the biking. Some people have arranged for private tours according to the blog entries and comment page.

Jan

* Nate told me that NUI POKAHU means "many rocks" and if the words were reversed POHAKU NUI it would mean "big rock".
Interesting?


.

Thanks, I have bookmarked this for future reference.

Originally Posted by LindaBabe

First, I got a taxi downtown Hilo - very nice driver - he stopped at a mailboxes type place for me so I could get some mailing boxes. Then I went to the scrapbook store - Island Scrapbooking - and walked up to Long's drugs to buy Kona Coffee, and some sundries. Called the Taxi when I went in and he was there with an umbrella to meet me when I came out.

By afternoon, the skies had cleared. I went on the Disney excursion to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Not nearly long enough, of course, but I loved it.

Next time, we will rent a car and do both his excursion and mine, together, on our own.

Sounds like you had a productive and enjoyable day.

Corinna

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by tiggrbaby

Originally Posted by JLSE50

Why did you get out of the boat??

.

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

I would have flipped out too!

Originally Posted by dolphingirl47

Thanks. I have never won one of Ducky's drawings either, but I just love listening to him. Having this opportunity is a gift in its own right.



Thanks. Making jewellery is my big passion.



I have the first port day ready and will post it on Sunday.



I know. I have met him three times now and he is so down to earth.



The Grand Marnier Soufflé is amazing. I love this, but don't like the famous Palo Chocolate Soufflé at all.



I can absolutely understand that he freaked out.

Corinna

Because you guys know that I am a little crazy right?









This is me trying to get my feet out of the mud, they were suctioned to the mud at the bottom...

[dgbg100106]

Wonderful update, and I love the dress.. For $20 that is a true steal!

The lava tubes, look like much fun, I will have to do that on my next trip to Hawaii. I have that same "Nut Guy" picture! I bet everyone that goes there snaps he mug...

Very busy but wonderful day for you both.

[Pinkocto]

Brandi,

[dgbg100106]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

Brandi,

Pam.....

The guide told me I was safe.....

[Shell54]

Fun update. I would have been all over that 20dollar dress too..what a buy. Looking forward to more