Honolulu

We took a VIP tour with a company called "Home of the Brave". This is the young man that took us on the tour. This family has collected WWII memorabilia for many years. They have a museum set up in downtown Honolulu.

A view of Honolulu, and Diamond Head in the distance.

The Punch Bowl. It over looks the city and was very beautiful. It is a fitting monument and resting place for the men and women of the service.

The Arizona. The memorial for the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is beautiful and very quiet.

This was the last stop in the Hawaiian Islands. Four days, four islands. It would have been nice to spend more time. They is so many wonderful things to see and do. Each time we go, one more thing is crossed off my list. I had never visited the Punch Bowl. It was a beautiful visit, even though it was short.

I am still catching up. When you are gone for 30 days so many things change. My husband was great in taking care of the bills. Yea!!! Have to catchup on my siggies. Now I can send e-mails to see of more ladies would like to trade with me. I loved reading the letters and receiving the siggies from about 20 ladies while I was gone. I am so glad I am participating in the "International Siggie Exchange". Several magazine have come while I was gone, so have a lot of reading material. The dining room table is a mess with my mail sorted all over it.

I feel like I want to clean out and up my sewing room. Christmas is coming. I have Christmas cards to make, and all my card things to organize. I even found some scrapbooking things from Hawaii and the South Pacific. I still have to go through my pictures to see which ones I would like to print and put in an album.

Enough for tonight. Now to sort through the things from the South Pacific Islands. ( I am still unpacking my suitcase, and working on laundry.)

Lihue, Kauai

Hawaiian Children. I have this pattern from a previous trip to Maui. They added a lot more children and all sorts of fun embellishments. Right up my alley.

Hawaiian quilting. There were so many patterns and beautiful fabric at the Kapaia Stitchery, that I wanted to take it all home. There was a pattern that looked fun. Postcards from Hawaii. I had met another couple from the ship that were buying fabric too. We all kept walking around trying to decide which ones to purchase. We did decide we would each make the postcards quilt. From here on the hunt would be on to get fabric for the quilt.

My purchase at Kapaia Stitchery. It is a fantastic store. I spent way too much money. They have three signature fabrics, exclusive to them. I did purchase the flower print, but could not get the two batiks. They were out, but were expecting a new shipment. (They called last week, and it was in. So more fabric is coming.)

The ladies here were wonderful. I got mixed up. I was supposed to take a bus to the Walmart, which was down the road from them. I got it in my head that I was to take the K-mart bus. When I called, they were so nice they came and picked me up. Quilter's they are wonderful no matter where they are.

Lahaina, Maui

Quilts and Fabric, on Front Street is where I aquired these fabrics. It is close to the harbor.

Tendering into Lahaina.The view was gorgeous. We had a wonderful day there. We checked out Hilo Hattie's. Dad bought a new shirt. I just bought fabric.

The Banyan Tree. It used to be the largest in the world, but recently it was moved to second. It practically covers the whole city block. It is where everyone meets. Across the street is the Pioneer Inn, where Dad and I had lunch. Everything is open air. We could watch the boats coming and going in the harbor, and people walking along the street.

When we sailed away that evening we had a barbeque on the lido deck. Gorgeous scenery, food, and Maui sunset, what more can you ask for.

First Stop, Hilo

Fabric Impressions was the quilt shop I visited in Hilo. This is my purchase. I took a shuttle van into town from the cruise ship. Also, visited another shop "Dragon Mama's". Beautiful Japanese fabrics.

Rainbow Falls, Mani-Mau Gardens

Mauna Loa facility

Our first stop was Hilo. It was an interesting town with lots of history. We did visit the Mauna Loa factory. Naturally we had to sample and purchase nuts!!

We visited the Nani-Mau Gardens. It was beautiful. The flowers and the setting for the Gardens was gorgeous. I took lots of pictures. We took a tour of the gardens and had a mini rest stop.

The Akaka Falls were so pretty. I love to stand and watch them. It seems strange that they are not far from the downtown area of Hilo. Somehow I always expect them to be in an out of the way place. These are close for everyone to enjoy.

Home Again, Home Again

Just as an update, I am home. We (Dad and I) arrived at Midway Airport last evening at 9:00 p.m. It was a long day. It was a wonderful trip, a once in a lifetime. We had a great time, the weather was wonderful, the seas were calm, most days the skies were blue. I have lots of pictures to sort through. Lots of everything to do, mail, laundry, sorting through all my treasures from the trip. As soon as I can I will start posting about the trip.

I am going to start a new quilt "Postcards from Hawaii and the South Pacific". I purchase fabric from to make the quilt, and naturally collected "things" to put on it.

Looks like I am going to have to clean up the sewing room, so much to catch up on.

Cruising South Pacific

It is a Good Evening here, but still have not figured what time it is back home. All is well. We had a stop at Raratonga yesturday. It was a rainy misty day. But it did not stop anyone from going ashore in the tenders, let alone shop!! I did find a couple of pieces of fabric. I did get a pattern "Hawaiian Postcards" So naturally it will have fabric from the places we visit. Plus I have been picking up "dodads" to put on the quilt. I have gotten coconut buttons. I think I can make "postcards" from some of the pictures I have been taking.

Tomorrow, we arrive at Raiatea & Taha'a. Then on to Bora Bora. We are in the French Polynesia Islands for several days. I have excursions set up for ways to see the islands. The color of the water is deep blue right now. Holland America, gives info everyday about the places we are visiting. There is a lot of interesting history. I am enjoying all of it very much.

Still not a lot of sewing, but sure have gotten the reading done. I haven't read this much in years. It has been good.

Sorry there aren't any pictures, that has to wait until I get back. The flowers have been beautiful, as well as the scenery.

Cruising the South Pacific

No pictures, As I have not figured how to load them from the ship. I have been on the water and land already. Hawaiian Islands were beautiful. Last evening we crossed the International Dateline at midnight. It is Sunday, Oct 3. For everyone at home it is Saturday, Oct 2. Today the sea was like glass when my Dad and I woke up.

We have been having a great time. We went on a land trip when we were at Hilo, and one at Honolulu. The crossing was beautiful. We have not had any bad weather. Sleeping is perfect. I have already read 2 books. Today I have been doing some handwork.

The food is wonderful. We don't miss any of the meals. I have been walking the stairs and around the ship. We reach Fanning Island tomorrow at 10:00 am. It is always good to get off the ship and walk around on land. I have taken lots of pictures. Trying out the new camera, and still using the old for some. I think we have a full ship. There are still people showing up that I had not seen.

I have managed to get to a couple of quilt shops in the Hawaiian Island. The most amazing one was on Kauai. Now I have another quilt project in the works. Have met several quilters on board. Seems like we are all doing different things. There are folks on board from around the world.

Oh, I did play the slots the second night out, and won $540.00. I could not believe it. So, what should I spend it on????? I am sad that my husband and son are not here with me, but I am having a good time. 30 days is a long time to be gone.

This is it in a nutshell so far. Off to lunch.