As we mentioned, last evening we dined in the Crystal Dining Room rather than eating at the special themed Hawaiian Buffet up on the Lido Deck. We had open seating in the dining room but we ended up sitting at our regular table. We had a different waitstaff as our Senior Waiter and Waiter were working at the Buffet but our Senior Waiter made sure that Keith's standing order salad and even our steamed vegetable order were all taken care of for us.
We wanted to begin by, once again, conveying how much we enjoyed the two tours we took in Honolulu. They were so very meaningful to us and ones that we would recommend to those traveling to Honolulu whether it is their first time visiting Honolulu or like us they have visited here many times before.
In many ways these tours are like bookends.
The tour of the USS Missouri represented closure as it was on this ship that the treaty that ended World War II was signed. It many ways it was fitting that we along with Bob and Glo danced to one of the 1940's songs played by the band as it did represent the end to a horrific war.
The tour of the battlefields, military bases and memorials represents the start of our countries involvement
in World War II. It represents a time where people truly put country first and actually the world first and it represents a time of sacrifice for the good of the "whole". The event in our lives that comes the closest to Pearl Harbor is certainly 9/11.
During each tour we thought of our parents and of what is considered the Greatest Generation. We know that because of their sacrifices and the sacrifices of so many who lived during this time that we were provided with opportunities that they never had. It was a very moving 36 hours in Honolulu and we are thankful for having the opportunity to take these two outstanding tours.
We have posted some additional photos from yesterday's tour which you will come to after we post about last evenings dinner and entertainment on board the ship.
Since it was an Hawaiian evening on board the ship we thought we would dress the part.
The theme of the dinner was Hawaiian Specialties.
We each began our meal with a nice salad. Keith had his standing order salad and Anne Marie had the Crunch Island Greens Salad. We each selected the Gingersnap-Crused Seared Fresh Ahi Tuna Entree and it was another one of those fantastic fish entrees that was very tasty. It was accompanies with yummy tasting Mashed Molokai Sweet Potatoes, Baby Bok Choy and Pineapple Salsa. For dessert Keith enjoyed mixed berries while Anne Marie just had a decaffeinated cappuchino coffee.
We stopped by the Hawaiian Buffet just to say hi to some fellow guests.
Later in the evening there was a special performance which included Crystal's own entertainers along with local entertainers. Complimentary Hawaii Beverages were served. Weather on deck was gorgeous.
Anne Marie with fellow passenger Urma.
Some of the local entertainers who performed for us.
Cruise Director Rick Spath and World Cruise Hostess Elise Ivy
Dancers Curtis and Beverly
Assistant Cruise Director Scott Mitchell and Pianist Colin Salter
These are some additional photos from our stop in Honolulu.
We slept well last evening. The ship departed for Maui at around midnight last night and we were already asleep prior to departure.
Keith was back at the Fitness Center early in the morning after taking one day off from fitness. He spoke briefly with friend John as he finished his workout. While having some coffee in the Lido Cafe, Keith spoke with John's wife and our friend Linda.
Anne Marie also got her morning workout in before we both enjoyed breakfast in our room.
We did not have any tours for Maui and took one of the morning tenders over to the Island. We have been to Maui several times by cruise ship and also stayed on Maui for almost a week with our two children in the late 1990's.
We first walked through the local town and then about twenty additional minutes over to a Mall which also had a grocery store as we needed to picked up a couple of soap related items. As we walked back into town we stopped off at various places. There are many art galleries in town so we visited some of them and also a few other shops. Whale Watching tours are also popular and more on that when we get to lunch.
We think this is the Luau that our son and daughter in law, Eric and Kara, when on their honeymoon last May.
Keith was struck with this telephone booth as it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere and his sense is that in just a few more years it will be removed.
When we arrived back to the ship we enjoyed lunch up at the Lido Cafe. We each had a nice salad entree and we sat outside. We were in for a special show and that was Whale. We saw several whale as we enjoyed our lunch.
In the afternoon, Anne Marie took a long walk on the Promenade Deck while she also spoke with our daughter Jennifer and our friend Ricki. Yesterday, Anne Marie also spoke with Ricki and we both spoke with our son and our daughter, Eric and Jennifer.
Keith played paddle tennis for a very long time. By the end of the last game he felt like he was in the last round of a heavyweight boxing champion as he and his partner's legs were feeling a little like mush. The humidity didn't help. He had a great time and is really enjoying the game.
This evening we will be dining at the Crystal Dining Room and will post more about that tomorrow.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY........
“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start now, start slowly, changing the world. How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution toward introducing justice straightaway. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” - Anne Frank
Keith and Anne Marie
Keith, Ann Marie; Thanks--as a retired Soldiers, Ida and I very much enjoyed this post, also thanks for the timely reminder of the sacrifices, exceptional valor of our greatest generation. Recommend, (if u have not read) E.B. Sledge's, With The Old Breed as a must read describing in exceptional detail grueling combat in the Pacific.
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