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

[ellie1145]

Let the party begin! 🥳

 

 

The bus pulls into a large car park and we all get off. I’m not sure what we expected but as we look around we can see bus after bus following us, and hordes of people milling about. We seem to be early, which as it turns out, is very lucky.

 

 

 

We pass an area where a buffet is being prepared. 

 

 

It’s a beautiful evening and we follow our group into a large area where tables and benches are set up on the sand, in front of a stage.

 

 

There is an area right at the front which is reserved for those paying extra for a good view, but we manage to find a great table right in the middle and near to the stage, with an uninterrupted line of sight.

 

 

 

We are given a necklace of shells to wear, and while others are arriving I leave DH to mind the table while I take a look around.

 

 

 

It’s a huge place, with table after table. There must be hundreds of people expected. There is a large bar area and behind the stage a shop.

 

 

Edited February 16, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

15 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

If you are military, The Halekoa Hotel puts on a good Luau.  Interestingly, the principal of a local high school is also the headline entertainer.  (He used to entertain with Frank DeLima, went on to education, and has his doctorate.). 

 

It all depends when the ship docks in Honolulu.

 

Poi has become very expensive.  Maybe that is why they stopped serving it.  It is quite labor intensive to grow, harvest, and prepare.  I hope you enjoyed all the other tasty delights.

 

We certainly did! It was a lovely way to finish the day. 

[azbirdmom]

38 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Do you have a favourite?

 

We loved the Old Lahaina Luau and have done that one a few times.

[ellie1145]

5 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

We loved the Old Lahaina Luau and have done that one a few times.

 

Is that doable on your own?

 

[azbirdmom]

Just now, ellie1145 said:

 

Is that doable on your own?

 

 

It's in Maui and fairly close to where you would tender to in Lahaina (maybe 2 miles).  But it starts late afternoon / early evening and from recollection the ship would depart before the luau ends.  Looking forward to your experience at Germaine's.  It looks fabulous!

[ellie1145]

A walk in the sunset

 

I stroll towards the sea which is visible to the right of the stage.

 

It’s a gorgeous beach and with the sun low in the sky, and palm trees silhouetted against a blue sky, it is a stunning sight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish there was time for a paddle, but I must get back to our table as the luau is about to start. 

 

Edited February 16, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

5 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

It's in Maui and fairly close to where you would tender to in Lahaina (maybe 2 miles).  But it starts late afternoon / early evening and from recollection the ship would depart before the luau ends.  Looking forward to your experience at Germaine's.  It looks fabulous!

 

Sadly, I think you are right, as the ship leaves too early. 

[cr8tiv1]

There's just too much for you to do.  I, personally, welcome you back to the islands.  I'll be your tour guide on Oahu when. you get back (we will have to plan ahead for that meeting).  One up to McD's!

 

[AF-1]

cr8tiv1;  I have stayed at the Hale Koa and it is a great hotel.  It was built when I was stationed in Hawaii in mid 70's

[cnd crsr]

After the long drive to the luau, that walk along the beach was perfect. We received the same beads when we were there several years ago. The beads made their way to our granddaughter's dress up trunk after we arrived home. She always referred to those beads as her hula beads.

I am looking forward to the entertainment we will be experiencing and of course the food. I don't recall having poi ...

[cr8tiv1]

4 hours ago, AF-1 said:

cr8tiv1;  I have stayed at the Hale Koa and it is a great hotel.  It was built when I was stationed in Hawaii in mid 70's

 

It is one of the best (for military) hotels in Waikiki.  Off the beaten path but close enough to everything.  Glad you had a chance to stay there.  The military has prime locations in Hawaii !

[cr8tiv1]

2 hours ago, cnd crsr said:

After the long drive to the luau, that walk along the beach was perfect. We received the same beads when we were there several years ago. The beads made their way to our granddaughter's dress up trunk after we arrived home. She always referred to those beads as her hula beads.

I am looking forward to the entertainment we will be experiencing and of course the food. I don't recall having poi ...

 

The beads are really small shells.  Hilo Hattie used to give them out to store visitors.  I would make it a point to visit the store upon every visit.  My collect was quite "extensive".  

[ellie1145]

22 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

There's just too much for you to do.  I, personally, welcome you back to the islands.  I'll be your tour guide on Oahu when. you get back (we will have to plan ahead for that meeting).  One up to McD's!

 

 

We would so love to return to Oahu, and as soon as this awful pandemic is under control we will be back. That thought keeps me going when everything seems a bit hopeless, and a future without cruising seems to stretch in front of me. But, with a fair wind and following seas we will step onboard a ship again and cruise across the Pacific and visit these beautiful islands again. 

 

How wonderful it would be to actually meet you! 

 

In fact it would be fun to meet all you Cruising Adventurers one day! Who knows - it might actually happen! Fingers crossed. 

[ellie1145]

6 hours ago, cnd crsr said:

After the long drive to the luau, that walk along the beach was perfect. We received the same beads when we were there several years ago. The beads made their way to our granddaughter's dress up trunk after we arrived home. She always referred to those beads as her hula beads.

I am looking forward to the entertainment we will be experiencing and of course the food. I don't recall having poi ...

 

I thought you might enjoy the walk, feeling the sand between my toes, and with the gently lapping waves, and the gathering dusk it was quite delicious! 

 

So time for the luau now! 🙂

 

 

[ellie1145]

3 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

The beads are really small shells.  Hilo Hattie used to give them out to store visitors.  I would make it a point to visit the store upon every visit.  My collect was quite "extensive".  

 

I love this shell necklace. I am an avid collector of shells and have many displayed around my home. My little grandson loves to touch them and hold them whenever he comes. We have a routine, after his bath, he sits on my lap and chooses which ones he wants to take back to his bedroom. He is very choosy, and we have to go through them until he finds his perfect shells, and then he is happy. He is very careful with them and treats them as precious.

 

These shell necklaces are hanging from a mirror in my bedroom, and every time I brush my hair I look at them and remember our time in Oahu, and it brings a smile to my face.

Edited February 17, 2021 by ellie1145

[azbirdmom]

4 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

The beads are really small shells.  Hilo Hattie used to give them out to store visitors.  I would make it a point to visit the store upon every visit.  My collect was quite "extensive".  

 

Sad that they stopped.  They were still handing them out a few years ago at the Lahaina Hilo Hattie.  We used to visit a couple times a year and still have some of those.  I've given some away to nieces and others but I guess the ones I have left could qualify as collector's items!

[ellie1145]

 

A little history...

 

Germaine’s Luau is an institution, which goes back 100 years, and since 1976, over 3 million visitors have taken part in it. Originally located on Makapu’u Point, the family relocated to a property near the Barber’s Point lighthouse in 1976.

 

This beautiful beachfront property belonged to the Stephenson family, who used to host family luaus regularly. It must have been a stunning place to live and bring up children, surrounded by sugar cane fields, and lush vegetation, with the ocean on the doorstep.

 

There is a wonderful story that the Stephenson family planted individual coconut trees for each member, around the estate, and that the different generations are represented by the various heights of the trees. There is even a single pine tree which the family decorated each Christmas.

 

 

Although the property is now beside the Campbell Industrial Park, these trees are properly maintained and continue to flourish as a reminder of the Stephenson family traditions.

 

 

We sit and wait for the beginning of the luau, and there is plenty to see. This beautiful lady moves among the guests, chatting to them. Hawaii has a culture of tattooing, which can be traced back two thousand years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This lady has a symmetrical pattern on her chin. She has luxuriant hair which cascades down her back and the most beautiful smile. She is very animated and friendly.

 

There are several men wearing flower leis who pass along the rows.

 

 

The evening's festivities begin with the sounding of the conch shell. On stage, a band starts to play. The luau has begun!

 

 

 

Edited February 17, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

The Royal House of Polynesia arrives.....

 

The Royal Court of Polynesia makes its entrance, and there is a sense of anticipation as they arrive on the stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, azbirdmom said:

 

I've given some away to nieces and others but I guess the ones I have left could qualify as collector's items!

 

They could be a small fortune one of these days, azbirdmom! 😉

[trbarton]

On 2/16/2021 at 2:59 PM, ellie1145 said:

A walk in the sunset

 

I stroll towards the sea which is visible to the right of the stage.

 

It’s a gorgeous beach and with the sun low in the sky, and palm trees silhouetted against a blue sky, it is a stunning sight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish there was time for a paddle, but I must get back to our table as the luau is about to start. 

 

Thanks for your report. I plan to do the same things. 

 

Tom😀

Edited February 18, 2021 by trbarton

[cr8tiv1]

You definitely had great seats.  It's "cold" where I am now (62 degrees).  My heating bill was over $100 this past month.  Waiting to get back to the islands where it will be warmer.  What a difference a day makes (from Hilo).

[AF-1]

Ellie if you go back to Hawaii;  you would have to take a few days;  flying from London to Honolulu in one day is too long.

[cr8tiv1]

3 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Ellie if you go back to Hawaii;  you would have to take a few days;  flying from London to Honolulu in one day is too long.

 

Fly from London to NYC....spend a couple of days in the city (or Boston/Orlando).  Then take a direct flight to HNL.  Hawaiian Airlines lay flat first class is wonderful!  

[JF - retired RRT]

13 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

The Royal House of Polynesia arrives.....

 

 

That cape would have been covered by beautiful feathers...back in the day.

[cr8tiv1]

5 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

That cape would have been covered by beautiful feathers...back in the day.

 

When I was growing up, I was told this story (isn't that how information is passed on to the next generation?).  

 

There were two native bird feathers that were used for the cape.  

 

https://kapionews.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/alii-history-woven-together-in-feather-cloak/

 

The birds would land on a branch covered with sap.  "Bird catchers" would gently pick the red and yellow feathers from under their wings.  Then they would "wash" the birds' little feet to remove the sap and set them free. That's the story I was told (in purple).