Come sail with me on a virtual cruise to Hawaii on Ruby Princess

[AF-1]

Here is volcano when I visited the Big Island

Edited December 2, 2020 by AF-1

[AF-1]

2 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Here is volcano when I visited the Big Island

Akaka Falls.  I believe it's 355 feet

[ellie1145]

2 hours ago, Papa Yoda said:

The SS Lurline (photo from the Aloha Tower):

 

 

My Father sailed in her from San Diego on his way to Guadalcanal in 1943.  I once asked him if he'd want to go on a cruise with us, he said: "been on too many cruises to ever want to go again."

 

How amazing to see the Lurline/Ellinis all those years ago. No wonder your father didn’t want to cruise after his experiences.

 

Ellinis was a beautiful ship, very elegant with a lot of Hawaiian influences. We loved cruising on her and have many happy memories Thank you for posting the photo, Papa Yoda.

 

Edited December 2, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

15 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

ellie 1145;  great pics.  Love the scenery.  Rain is there but it doesn't stop you from venturing out.  Did you know Mcdonalds sells Macadamia milkshakes.  Or they did when I was there.

 

Thank you AF-1. Glad to hear from you! Hope you are keeping well. 

[ellie1145]

11 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Akaka Falls.  I believe it's 355 feet

 

Thank you for the stunning photos, AF-1. The sunshine certainly makes a huge difference. 

 

The Akaka Falls are really spectacular. Great photo! Thank you so much.

[AF-1]

always glad to share photos;  they tell us so much about places we've visited; or places we want to visit.  

[ellie1145]

    Akatsuka Orchid Gardens.

 

Breath of an Angel

So breathtakingly beautifully, so adorned,

Captured upon a stem, scent shared, adored, 

Breath of an angel poured.

 

We walk back along the water logged path and climb back into the van.

 

 

Now we are in for a treat!

 

As you know, I love photographing flowers, and our next stop is the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens. Now I have to admit that normally I am the kiss of death to orchids, and over the years have accidentally exterminated many plants given to me as presents. So seeing these beautiful flowers flourishing here is a great pleasure.

 

 

The owner, Mr Moriyasu Akatsuka was born in Japan and worked in his family’s orchid nursery. He is a very experienced orchid grower, and has been growing Cattleya orchids for over 30 years. He cultivates orchids and we will see his ‘mother’ plants and their hybrid offspring.

 

Orchids, of course, are epiphytes, which grow on trees or rocky crevices, taking nutrients and moisture from the warm, humid conditions of the surrounding rainforest. The can live a long time, sometimes as long as 50 years in the right conditions - unless of course they live with me! They don’t even need soil as they are happy to grow in bark or rocks or perlite.

 

 

Ricky parks the van and we walk into the building where we will see over 500 orchids on display.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2020 by ellie1145

[cr8tiv1]

Mongoose were introduced to combat the rat problem.  Only problem was that mongoose are diurnal and rats are nocturnal.  Some wise state person wanted to introduce snakes to combat the mongoose population.  Bad idea....Hawaii State remains snake free and rabies free.

 

I remember the Lurline and Matsonia.  Those were the days of true luxury cruising with china, crystal, and silver.  I was on the Lurline around the islands.  Going through the Moloka'i Channel (Ka'iwi Channel) without stabilizers was like an E ticket ride at Disneyland.  Boat days were filled with music, hula dancers, and coin divers!

 

Years ago, on one of my land trips to Hilo, I happened to be at the right place at the right time.  The rangers offered a guided walk to see the moon rise above Halemaumau Crater.  It was eerie but very spiritual.  Were you able to walk into the Volcano House across the street from the visitor's center?  Add that to your list of places to stay when you return for a land tour.

 

 

[ellie1145]

39 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Mongoose were introduced to combat the rat problem.  Only problem was that mongoose are diurnal and rats are nocturnal.  Some wise state person wanted to introduce snakes to combat the mongoose population.  Bad idea....Hawaii State remains snake free and rabies free.

 

I remember the Lurline and Matsonia.  Those were the days of true luxury cruising with china, crystal, and silver.  I was on the Lurline around the islands.  Going through the Moloka'i Channel (Ka'iwi Channel) without stabilizers was like an E ticket ride at Disneyland.  Boat days were filled with music, hula dancers, and coin divers!

 

Years ago, on one of my land trips to Hilo, I happened to be at the right place at the right time.  The rangers offered a guided walk to see the moon rise above Halemaumau Crater.  It was eerie but very spiritual.  Were you able to walk into the Volcano House across the street from the visitor's center?  Add that to your list of places to stay when you return for a land tour.

 

 

 

I didn't realise that Hawaii is snake free, and I very glad they decided not to introduce them into the island. 

 

I have a great affection for the Ellinis. I cannot believe that you are old enough to have sailed on her when she was the Lurline! You look way too young! 😉

 

 But what a wonderful experience you must have had! Those were the days!

 

By the time it had become a Chandris cruise ship, of course, many of those things associated with luxury cruising had disappeared. However, there were still things like wooden loungers on the open air promenade deck, where cups of hot bouillon were delivered to you each morning at 11.00 pm from a trolley. Dressing for dinner was, of course, required every night. 

But I shall always remember those days.

 

We didn’t manage to walk across to the Volcano House as we were there such a short time, but I will definitely put it on my ‘bucket list.’ Thank you!

 

 

[ellie1145]

It’s a jaw dropping moment when we see these exotic orchids.

 

They are so colourful and gorgeous, many of them frilled, in every colour of the rainbow, some tiny and fragile looking, others strong and richly hued.

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Love, 

like an orchid

is tender and precious.

Neglected it will

wither and die

but well tended

with nurturing dedication

will blossom into

a beautiful thing.

 

 

We are able to wander around the huge greenhouse where the orchids are cultivated.

There is row upon row of orchids at various stages of growth.

 

 

 

There are notices which describe the stage that the orchids are at. It can be 4 years before the young adult orchid blooms. These baby orchids are aged 2 and a half years, and will not be ready to flower for another year and a half. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

There are vivid homochromatic orchids in shades of pink and purple, blue, yellow and orange, or pure white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AF-1]

wow those flower pics are beautiful;  thanks for brightening up my day

[ellie1145]

There are bold spotted orchids, fragile looking striped orchids, and everything in between. As we walk round we are surrounded by such beauty. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[RLK33853]

Too bad you didn't have more time at the Volcano National Park to do some walking around.  Not far from the visitor center are a series of lava tubes that you can walk through.  

[AF-1]

2 minutes ago, RLK33853 said:

Too bad you didn't have more time at the Volcano National Park to do some walking around.  Not far from the visitor center are a series of lava tubes that you can walk through.  

Those lava tubes were closed when we visited the park.  The ranger said the volcano was too active and didn't want to endanger the tourists

[ellie1145]

 

Some orchids are delicately frilled. It is no wonder that these beautiful flowers are often chosen by brides for buttonholes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

36 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

wow those flower pics are beautiful;  thanks for brightening up my day

 

Thank you, AF-1  It's good to know that you are enjoying them and that they are brightening up your day. It's pouring with rain here, and very chilly so seeing them again is lifting my spirits here, too! 🙂

[ellie1145]

16 minutes ago, RLK33853 said:

Too bad you didn't have more time at the Volcano National Park to do some walking around.  Not far from the visitor center are a series of lava tubes that you can walk through.  

 

Yes, it was a shame. There was so much to see that we could only have a snapshot of each place, but it has whetted my appetite to return, so maybe one day......

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

 

Some exotic ferns

 

These fern buds curl round like amonites.

 

The tour finishes in the orchid themed gift shop where you can buy an orchid to take home, or you can sample their delicious ice cream. 

 

 

These fridge magnets are certainly very different, but surprisingly pretty.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[RLK33853]

We have visited the Park on three different trips and each time we not only return to what is familiar, but always find new and interesting things to see and do at the Park. 

 

Next time rent a car so you can spend time where and when you want - it is easy to drive on the Big Island and there are lots of little places to stop on your tour. 

 

Just outside the gates of the Volcano National park (four or five blocks into the little town of Volcano) is a little grocery store called the Kilauea General Store.  Not only is it a quaint place to stop, but If you want to pick up wine for the cruise ship take a wander through the General Store's selection.  While not overly extensive, the owner is obviously into wine - great selection and price points.

 

Next go outside the store, and attached is an exceptional sandwich shop which makes huge homemade sandwiches.

[USCcruisecrazy]

These pictures of the flowers are incredible.  They remind me very fondly of my wife's Uncle Freddie that had a renowned Day Lily Garden, visited by many tourists as they passed near Savannah Georgia. The beauty of a flower is hard to surpass!  Thanks for sharing!  And I recommend you try your hand once again at cultivating an orchid!! 

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, USCcruisecrazy said:

These pictures of the flowers are incredible.  They remind me very fondly of my wife's Uncle Freddie that had a renowned Day Lily Garden, visited by many tourists as they passed near Savannah Georgia. The beauty of a flower is hard to surpass!  Thanks for sharing!  And I recommend you try your hand once again at cultivating an orchid!! 

 

They are such beautiful flowers, with such a variety of colours and shapes, they are very photogenic. 

 

Oh, talking about Day Lilies reminds me of when we had a house in Florida and we planted them in our garden. So beautiful. We loved seeing them. 

 

As for me trying with an orchid again, I had better tell you about my poinsettia.....

 

A dear friend gave me a lovely poinsettia a couple of weeks ago. It was a splendid example. However, every time I so much as look at it, petals and leaves fall off it. I’ve tried everything - watering, not watering, too hot, too cold, I’ve even spoken nicely to it! But no, every time I enter the room it looks at me and drops another leaf. It is now quite skeletal, with a long bare stem and a few red curling petals....so perhaps I should give orchids a miss..😉