Trip Report - destination Hawaii
May 15th, 2009, 02:45 AM
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Trip Report - destination Hawaii
Arrived home Friday 8th from cruise Sydney-Hawaii stopping in Cook Islands and French Polynesia.
Just a simple trip report for those who helped me along the way with information.
Rhapsody of the Seas departed Sydney on April 13 bound for Honolulu. We encountered a couple of days of rough weather before things settled down and we were able to enjoy full shipboard life. No-one I had met was seasick, but apparently there were some unfortunates.
Beautiful ship, great public areas, lots of space, food was fantastic both in the main dining room and the casual dining cafe/buffet. Staff were polite and so helpful – everyone was very happy and friendly.
Met some really terrific people on board – Aussies, Americans, English, Canadian, Kiwi – there were also many people from other European countries, making for a very diverse, international and interesting passenger list.
First stop Rarotonga, Cook Islands – weather beautiful, hired a car (little Nissan Cabriolet, Island Car Rentals) and toured the small island snorkelling along the way. If we returned, which we probably will, we were advised by Cook Islands travel people to get a cheap flight and one or two cheap nights close to the town and airport then book locally for other, more resort oriented island such as Atiutaki. V.cheap especially with AUD v NZD strong exchange rate.
Another day at sea then it was onto the big ticket destinations in French Polynesia. Tahiti was first. If you know nothing about FP Papeete is the capital of the country and is pretty much just that, a capital city. It is not the destination. If you wish tour around the island of Tahiti, lots of options available on arrival, or, as we did, take the ferry to Moorea and take a local bus to one of the big hotels (not cheap if you want to eat or drink there) or check out the tours available on that island – there’s lots on offer – Albert Transport, Dr Michael Poole etc.
Next day we docked at Raiatea. This is an island with limited choices for things to do, but it’s sister island (in the same lagoon), Tahaa has other things on offer Bruno’s tour I believe is well known. Some people on our cruise did this tour and enjoyed their day. Tahaa is also well known for sailing. There are lots of opportunities for snorkelling around Tahaa.
Our group were fortunate enough to be able to visit a private island (a motu north of Tahaa). This was a magical day swimming and snorkelling, but because it was a private arrangement I can’t provide any specifics.
Suffice to say if you are looking for a REALLY high end place to stay for that very special occasion without the crowds, Vahine Island is worth contacting. Only 3 overwater bungalows and 9 island bungalows. So if small and expensive is your thing – go for it.
Our final stop in FP was Bora Bora. This is a tendered port so if you decide to hook up with a tour company as opposed to a shore excursion organised by the ship (if you are cruising that is) just be careful you don’t fork out too much dough in case there is ever a problem getting you to shore.
We did Patrick’s tour (there were 30 of us so we had all his three outrigger canoes). Fantastic day, snorkelling, feeding rays, swimming with black tipped reef sharks – awesome. Then we motored to a private motu in the lagoon for our Polynesian lunch sitting in the lagoon. This day was definitely the highlight of our cruise.
Some more days at sea before we arrived in Hawaii. We were tendered into Lahaina which is a very historic, attractive town. Many people took the bus up the coast to Ka’anapali to snorkel, others did ship tours to the Iao Needle, Haleakala ... We just strolled around town and got a feel for the place as we were to return ...
We departed the ship in Honolulu the following day and spent four wonderful days on Oahu staying in the Waikiki Parc. More than happy with hotel, felt it was a good location.
We toured the island with newfound friends who were also staying on before flying home. One was a local so we had a real treat being escorted around small coves and beaches many would not know about. But having said that – get a good guidebook (I do recommend the Revealed books) and what we saw is written up in that.
Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl Cemetery, Mt Tantalus/Round Top drive (spectacular) and of course the shopping were all fitted in before we flew over to Maui.
Alamo was obviously having a fire sale because we were upgraded to a Mustang convertible for $US11/day!!! Amazing value. We had such fun. We were staying in Ka’anapali Shores at Honokowai, were upgraded to a two bed apartment with full kitchen and laundry facilities. It was clean and comfortable but the fittings are in need of upgrading, they were tired and old. It was also interesting that the front desk staff were unable to provide us information on the exchange rate USD/AUD – only USD to YEN!!!
As we were staying in a condo and self-catering, it was lucky we were able to speak with someone in the airport who pointed us in the right direction of a supermarket in Kahalui (cheaper than West Maui). There was a Safeway in Lahaina which we used as well.
First night we had Old Lahaina Luau booked – brilliant! Great location, great food, great welcome and service, wonderful show. We had been to Polynesian Cultural Centre on Oahu and preferred OLL. PCC was enjoyable and a very different experience, but we felt it was overly commercial. Also if you don’t want to be part of the recite after me brigade it’s not for you.
Next day we took the Skyline Eco Adventures zipline on Mt Haleakala – so much fun, very safe, the best! From there we drove to the top of the volcano and were treated to great views across to the Big Island with snow capped Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa peaking above the clouds. Don’t be put off by the fact that you can’t see the top of Haleakala before driving up. We spent our time at the summit in clear sunny conditions. It is also quite amazing looking down on the clouds.
Sunrise I’ll leave to those of you coming in from the mainland. I’d rather see the volcano.
Our third day we drove to Hana. It’s not scary so long as you do as everyone suggests and take it slow. If you are used to driving on straight highways every day of your lives and feel a winding road is too much of a challenge – take a tour, but you won’t get to see some of the stuff we saw (courtesy Revealed). It’s as simple as that. We were lucky enough to be travelling the route when the tide was coming in or high which made for some quite spectacular coastal scenery. This was also the reason we spent some time stopping along the coast near Paia to watch the surfers and kite surfers – compelling watching.
We enjoyed the Hana experience so much that on our last full day we drove around the top of West Maui – now that genuinely comes close to scary!!! It was such a wonderful drive though and I can highly recommend it. Please ignore the tourist brochures – there’s nothing to void your rental car agreement about the route. It is fully sealed BUT there are some very narrow winding stretches and some single lane sections (give way to traffic travelling up hill). The scenery is amazing and if you use Maui Revealed you will find some scenic gems.
All in all we had a marvellous trip. I thank you one and all for your help, guidance and suggestions which all went a long way to making it such an enjoyable trip.
Just a simple trip report for those who helped me along the way with information.
Rhapsody of the Seas departed Sydney on April 13 bound for Honolulu. We encountered a couple of days of rough weather before things settled down and we were able to enjoy full shipboard life. No-one I had met was seasick, but apparently there were some unfortunates.
Beautiful ship, great public areas, lots of space, food was fantastic both in the main dining room and the casual dining cafe/buffet. Staff were polite and so helpful – everyone was very happy and friendly.
Met some really terrific people on board – Aussies, Americans, English, Canadian, Kiwi – there were also many people from other European countries, making for a very diverse, international and interesting passenger list.
First stop Rarotonga, Cook Islands – weather beautiful, hired a car (little Nissan Cabriolet, Island Car Rentals) and toured the small island snorkelling along the way. If we returned, which we probably will, we were advised by Cook Islands travel people to get a cheap flight and one or two cheap nights close to the town and airport then book locally for other, more resort oriented island such as Atiutaki. V.cheap especially with AUD v NZD strong exchange rate.
Another day at sea then it was onto the big ticket destinations in French Polynesia. Tahiti was first. If you know nothing about FP Papeete is the capital of the country and is pretty much just that, a capital city. It is not the destination. If you wish tour around the island of Tahiti, lots of options available on arrival, or, as we did, take the ferry to Moorea and take a local bus to one of the big hotels (not cheap if you want to eat or drink there) or check out the tours available on that island – there’s lots on offer – Albert Transport, Dr Michael Poole etc.
Next day we docked at Raiatea. This is an island with limited choices for things to do, but it’s sister island (in the same lagoon), Tahaa has other things on offer Bruno’s tour I believe is well known. Some people on our cruise did this tour and enjoyed their day. Tahaa is also well known for sailing. There are lots of opportunities for snorkelling around Tahaa.
Our group were fortunate enough to be able to visit a private island (a motu north of Tahaa). This was a magical day swimming and snorkelling, but because it was a private arrangement I can’t provide any specifics.
Suffice to say if you are looking for a REALLY high end place to stay for that very special occasion without the crowds, Vahine Island is worth contacting. Only 3 overwater bungalows and 9 island bungalows. So if small and expensive is your thing – go for it.
Our final stop in FP was Bora Bora. This is a tendered port so if you decide to hook up with a tour company as opposed to a shore excursion organised by the ship (if you are cruising that is) just be careful you don’t fork out too much dough in case there is ever a problem getting you to shore.
We did Patrick’s tour (there were 30 of us so we had all his three outrigger canoes). Fantastic day, snorkelling, feeding rays, swimming with black tipped reef sharks – awesome. Then we motored to a private motu in the lagoon for our Polynesian lunch sitting in the lagoon. This day was definitely the highlight of our cruise.
Some more days at sea before we arrived in Hawaii. We were tendered into Lahaina which is a very historic, attractive town. Many people took the bus up the coast to Ka’anapali to snorkel, others did ship tours to the Iao Needle, Haleakala ... We just strolled around town and got a feel for the place as we were to return ...
We departed the ship in Honolulu the following day and spent four wonderful days on Oahu staying in the Waikiki Parc. More than happy with hotel, felt it was a good location.
We toured the island with newfound friends who were also staying on before flying home. One was a local so we had a real treat being escorted around small coves and beaches many would not know about. But having said that – get a good guidebook (I do recommend the Revealed books) and what we saw is written up in that.
Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl Cemetery, Mt Tantalus/Round Top drive (spectacular) and of course the shopping were all fitted in before we flew over to Maui.
Alamo was obviously having a fire sale because we were upgraded to a Mustang convertible for $US11/day!!! Amazing value. We had such fun. We were staying in Ka’anapali Shores at Honokowai, were upgraded to a two bed apartment with full kitchen and laundry facilities. It was clean and comfortable but the fittings are in need of upgrading, they were tired and old. It was also interesting that the front desk staff were unable to provide us information on the exchange rate USD/AUD – only USD to YEN!!!
As we were staying in a condo and self-catering, it was lucky we were able to speak with someone in the airport who pointed us in the right direction of a supermarket in Kahalui (cheaper than West Maui). There was a Safeway in Lahaina which we used as well.
First night we had Old Lahaina Luau booked – brilliant! Great location, great food, great welcome and service, wonderful show. We had been to Polynesian Cultural Centre on Oahu and preferred OLL. PCC was enjoyable and a very different experience, but we felt it was overly commercial. Also if you don’t want to be part of the recite after me brigade it’s not for you.
Next day we took the Skyline Eco Adventures zipline on Mt Haleakala – so much fun, very safe, the best! From there we drove to the top of the volcano and were treated to great views across to the Big Island with snow capped Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa peaking above the clouds. Don’t be put off by the fact that you can’t see the top of Haleakala before driving up. We spent our time at the summit in clear sunny conditions. It is also quite amazing looking down on the clouds.
Sunrise I’ll leave to those of you coming in from the mainland. I’d rather see the volcano.
Our third day we drove to Hana. It’s not scary so long as you do as everyone suggests and take it slow. If you are used to driving on straight highways every day of your lives and feel a winding road is too much of a challenge – take a tour, but you won’t get to see some of the stuff we saw (courtesy Revealed). It’s as simple as that. We were lucky enough to be travelling the route when the tide was coming in or high which made for some quite spectacular coastal scenery. This was also the reason we spent some time stopping along the coast near Paia to watch the surfers and kite surfers – compelling watching.
We enjoyed the Hana experience so much that on our last full day we drove around the top of West Maui – now that genuinely comes close to scary!!! It was such a wonderful drive though and I can highly recommend it. Please ignore the tourist brochures – there’s nothing to void your rental car agreement about the route. It is fully sealed BUT there are some very narrow winding stretches and some single lane sections (give way to traffic travelling up hill). The scenery is amazing and if you use Maui Revealed you will find some scenic gems.
All in all we had a marvellous trip. I thank you one and all for your help, guidance and suggestions which all went a long way to making it such an enjoyable trip.
May 15th, 2009, 05:44 AM
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Enjoyed your report! Thanks for sharing. I've been to all the places you listed (other than that private one). I really do like the Cook Islands. And yes, DO go to Aitutaki sometime. I hope to get back there some day. FP (Tahiti, Bora Bora) is beautiful, but very costly. Once is enough for me...
On my way to Hawaii in September. I, too, like the "Revealed" books. I'll be doing that road to Hana and will also look for some of the book's suggestions.
The idea of the repositioning cruise (you suggested it on another thread) from Hawaii to Sydney sounds fantastic. I'd love to do that trip sometime. I need to re-connect with some dear friends in Sydney, and that would be a great way to do it... besides getting back to the Cook Islands as well!!
Have a great day.
Carol
On my way to Hawaii in September. I, too, like the "Revealed" books. I'll be doing that road to Hana and will also look for some of the book's suggestions.
The idea of the repositioning cruise (you suggested it on another thread) from Hawaii to Sydney sounds fantastic. I'd love to do that trip sometime. I need to re-connect with some dear friends in Sydney, and that would be a great way to do it... besides getting back to the Cook Islands as well!!
Have a great day.
Carol
May 15th, 2009, 01:40 PM
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Put the book down......
Kidding, what a wonderful report and how blessed are you to experience life's gifts. Thanks for reporting back.
I love that you returned to revisit Hana. I hope someday you have the means to return and spend a few nights. It is truly magical. Look up iamq's trip report!
About the blue book. Very controversial. Some great advice, but at a price to locals and land and life. They have failed to be the responsible visitors and guides they claim to be and have.....well that's for another thread.
Thank you again for sharing you blessings with us!
Kidding, what a wonderful report and how blessed are you to experience life's gifts. Thanks for reporting back.
I love that you returned to revisit Hana. I hope someday you have the means to return and spend a few nights. It is truly magical. Look up iamq's trip report!
About the blue book. Very controversial. Some great advice, but at a price to locals and land and life. They have failed to be the responsible visitors and guides they claim to be and have.....well that's for another thread.
Thank you again for sharing you blessings with us!
May 15th, 2009, 02:25 PM
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Ah gyppielou I wondered about the wisdom of encouraging people around West Maui. Not being from your part of the world perhaps that is what you feel.
It is often a fine line between encouraging tourism and maintaining a level of amenity in the local lifestyle.
Take FP as an example granted they have the benefit of lots of motus. Our guide taking us to his motu joked with us about the biggest industry in Bora Bora was growing overwater bungalows. LOL But he certainly had an idyllic lifestyle and encouraged his guests to understand how to commune with nature.
It is often a fine line between encouraging tourism and maintaining a level of amenity in the local lifestyle.
Take FP as an example granted they have the benefit of lots of motus. Our guide taking us to his motu joked with us about the biggest industry in Bora Bora was growing overwater bungalows. LOL But he certainly had an idyllic lifestyle and encouraged his guests to understand how to commune with nature.
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