MPC

Dec 21st 2007 my family and I embarked on a vacation to Hawaii starting with a 3 day stay in Honolulu where we spent some great time on the beach and did some snorkeling in Hanauma Bay where I was able to free swim with a Green Sea Turtle and some beautiful fish including Jacks and Parrot Fish and many other native reef fish.

Dec 24th, we embarked on the Pride of Hawaii cruise ship for a 7 day cruise through the Hawaiian islands. The boat was wonderful for the kids considering there was 4 jacuzzi tubs and 2 pools plus waterfall on the entertainment deck of the boat.

Dec 25th, we reached port in Hilo early in the morning but due to a very rainy day as expected on this site of the island we stayed on the boat and relaxed around the pool.

Dec 26th, we entered port on Maui for a 2 day stay, what a beautiful island and some amazing surf. Here we rented a convertible and headed out for a journey along the main highway stopping at beaches along the way for swimming and suntanning. We ended our journey in Lanai where we saw the Bubba Gump Shrimp company restaurant.

Dec 27th, was an early start as we embarked on a SNUBA excursion of the Maui coast. SNUBA is a form of Scuba diving using a regulator attached to a 20 foot air hose which feeds air from a surface tank floating on a small zodiac style boat. What an awesome experience this was, the first dive was in the crater Molokini were I played Peekaboo with a Morray Eel and saw a large assortment of marine life. The second dive was in Turtle Arches where we were able to swim and experience the joy of watch the Green Sea Turtle in its natural habitat.

Dec 28th, we arrived in Kona today where we took tender boats to the shore and took a Scuba dive on the Kona reef. This was my first time Scuba diving and I much like I expected I took to it like a fish and was soon investigating the reef and scoping out the local marine life. A quick dive with a school of Yellow Tangs and Butterfly fish I realized that I was on an introductory dive and was dragged back to reality by the clanging of the instructors tank telling me to come back to the group. ( I am definitely going to take the course and get certified. ).

Dec 29th, we arrived in Kauai for a two day port. This is without a doubt the most beautiful island of the islands. There seems to be little industry here other than resorts and golf courses. The first day we spent on the boat recovering from all the previous excursions.

Dec 30th, We ventured off the ship again to spend the day at the beach doing some body surfing and snorkeling. We disembarked early this day to take a tour of the island where we saw the areas that Jurassic Park and many other movies where filmed.

Dec 31st, today we returned to port in Honolulu and disembarked from the ship to our hotel where we walked to the beach and partied in the new year on Waikiki beach bear foot and watching some amazing fireworks.

Here are some pictures form the trip.