This morning we awoke to the ship gliding into harbour of the Island of Kaua’i. Famous for 60 Hollywood movies using its setting.
Today we have action pack day of viewing the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” followed by Hawaiian feast and cultural experience😁.
The Alhoa Cafe is mad this morning with everyone seek breakfast before going ashore. We survived.
Jacqs managed to get the co-pilot of the bus as a verbal aide.
Sam our driver wanted us to see “the real Hawaii “ on the tour. As a result we passed through some less than scenic places. Personally I enjoyed the contrast.
The Canyon was scenic and worth the long road trip. Our bus driver (called Sam) was extremely knowledgeable and witty. He took Jacqueline to task, slowing her down in social media by engaging her personally in conversation on the loud speaker. Jacqs enjoyed his wit greatly.
Our return trip took us back across the Island. We learnt that tourism is the main industry of the Island. Once the Island was agricultural powerhouse for pineapples and sugar but both are now gone due stiff overseas competition. Also people’s discovery of fresh verses canned pineapple in the 60s made exporting of fresh pineapple financially unsustainable and frieghting at the right stage of ripeness very hit and miss. Only 1/3 chance of getting it right.
The island has 70000 people scattered across numerous villages and small towns. House prices medium is about $700000 and cheap home (chook house falling down around your ears) perhaps $300000 USD. Local struggle to pay morages as a result. The island has more wild chickens than people. (Jacqueline tried to catch one but no joy!) And about 4x as many wild pigs as people. Though they do have a hunting season between 1st Jan and 31st December. They are a real pest and big. Much like Australian feral pigs I guess.
Our return trip we saw blowhole by the shore.
A quick return to the ship, to get changed into our Hawaiian shirts. We boarded a bus for the Luau and ranch tour on a closed circuit train.
The ranch was the former mansion of a local sugar and cattle Baron🙂.
After train tour we headed into Luau.
Luau food was plentiful and great. If you wished, you were able to return to the buffet as many times you liked. The meal included some local dishes as well as standard fare.
The dance started with couples dancing.
The entertainment was Hawaiian Story telling by dance.
For 2 hours we were entertained by a troop of dancers. A highly enjoyable program.
On return to the ship Jacqueline made friends with a somewhat wild grand mother called Grammy. (I half expected hear canned laughter because she was part of some American Sit-Com being secretively filmed).
Jacqs head to teen pool party while we headed to the ship’s wine bar for a nightcap. In the process of our nightcap we met a older couple from Liverpool who discussed their travels with us. Always enjoyable meeting new people, especially from new places.
On return to the cabin we finished our wine from our balcony.😊
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