Blog 8
4th February
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
As we docked late last night due to the medical emergency we were up and ready for an 8am meet up with Lynda and Norman as we asked them if they wanted to come out with us for the day in our hire car. The Enterprise office was just 2 blocks away so walked down and our convertible Mustang was waiting for us. Loaded up the boot with our bags and all looked good until we took the roof back and realised there was no way on earth Lynda and Norman were going to fit in the back seats! In the end they decided for us to go off and they’d hire their own  car!
We set off with the roof down, the gentle breeze blowing and the sun shining down on us and feeling like the bees knees.!  Headed out  through Waikiki to see the beach and then up past Diamond Head crater and out onto the east coast road. Our first stop was at Hanauma Bay then on to Makapuu Point where you could see right up the coast. An absolutely stunning view with an island just off shore where hump back whales can be seen. We then stopped at Wainanalo Beach which was long with waves crashing on the sandy beach and palm trees along the back. Various other stops were made, one being the Halona  Blow Hole Lookout where, when the wave comes in it crashes through the hole in the rocks and the force spurts the water high into the air. We carried on driving up the coast until about half way up and then we cut right across the centre of the island to the west coast. This road was right through the rain forest  with stunning views. Once on the west coast we headed towards the very select hotel area where the Hawaiian Disney Hotel called Aulani is. Parked up and went inside to have a wander round and it was beautiful. Huge high ceiling lobby with views out over the pool  and beach beyond. The pools had a lazy river, chutes and slides and the beach was stunning. Stayed for drinks and looked round some more then decided to start to head back. The hotel was wonderful, great for children ( of all ages!) and spotlessly clean but......it didn’t have the Disney magic. It could have been any hotel as there were no Mickeys or Minnie’s, no Donald or Pluto. Not even pictures or any reference to them. We really loved seeing it but for the prices you have to pay to stay there I don’t think it’s worth it but that’s just my opinion. I just thought it'd be more “Disney”.
Anyway, after leaving we headed back along Highway 1 when I suddenly spotted a shopping mall which included a Ross no less!!!! Yippee! So swerved off the road and had about 1 1/2 hours shopping as there was also a huge Target there too !
Took the wrong turning when trying to get back to our road that led to the ship and ended up in a queue to get into the USA Navy Military Base!!!!
Eekkk! They had guns and looked very serious as we pulled up and they asked what we were doing there! I just said”We’re very sorry sir, we’re English ...... and lost !!!!! “ He needed to see ID from us both and pulled us over to one side then went to make a telephone call. I seriously thought I’d never see my family again ! I was prepared to beg for mercy and sell my sole but he returned and held up all the traffic coming in the opposite direction, then made us do a U turn and sent us on our way. So much for trying to look cool in a big flash car !!!!!
After returning the car ( which I wanted to bring home with me!) we returned to the ship to watch a local Hula dance school come on  and perform for us, they youngest being just 6 years old.
We had the most brilliant day with fantastic weather and saw so many beautiful places and it still remains one of my most favourite places.

5th February
Honolulu - day 2
Woke early and what a joy to open the curtains to a view like that! The sun was just raising above the mountains and it was already 24 degrees out.
Set off early to walk over to the old town at just before 8 am as we have got to be back on board by 11.30am, departing at midday. No time to do much else and thought it best to stay near the ship.
Visited a small Ross and Walmart’s after walking round to see the older buildings and statues. All too soon it was time to head back and after boarding we sat out on deck to watch our sail away from Hawaii. Just as we were leaving some turtles were spotted just by the ship and on the other side there were whales! The Captain also came over the speakers and told us the patient taken off, thankfully survived and is recovering well. 
Absolutely loved our stay there and quite sad to leave. Now for a rest and recovery with 4 days sailing across the Pacific, our next stop Pago Pago.     

6th - 9th February
AT SEA
After going to bed quite early last night as I was tired we were woken up at about 2.30am by an emergency call for the medical team to go to a cabin. Well, it turned out to be yet another very poorly man and as we had only just left Hawaii the Captain turned the ship round to hopefully sail some way back and a helicopter would meet us to take the passenger off. Unfortunately this was cancelled after a few hours as the poor person didn’t make it. We’re now informed we’re about 8 hours behind which we hope to make up over the next few days. This ship is beginning to resemble the TV program Midsummer Murders !!!!!
Also, we had to leave 3 passengers behind in Hawaii as they were late getting back. The Captain waited for nearly an hour for them and put out numerous calls for them but eventually had to leave without them. Goodness knows what happened to them but if I did unfortunately miss the ship I’d definitely choose there !!!!!

As we got nearer the equator the weather got more and more humid and hotter. On the 7th we had our round the world lunch hosted by our Captain. We had a lovely meal and after, we needed a little sleep to get over drinking wine at lunch time!

On the 8th we crossed the equator and had the traditional ceremony performed by the Captain and a lot of the crew out on deck. It was all good fun with the Captain as King Neptune who has to get permission to cross the line.
Later in the afternoon we were all informed that very bad weather was in front of us and we needed to change course to try to avoid it. This will result in us missing Pago Pago. Not very happy about that but you can’t do anything about the weather and it’s best to be safe. Fingers crossed we miss the worst of it but the Captain said we might have rougher seas in a day or two.

11th February- crosses the International Date Line so this day didn’t exist for us!

12th February
Well, we’ve survived the huge cyclone which developed and we’ve lived to tell the tale!
Thankfully our Captain steered the ship away from the centre and even though we missed our stop in Pago Pago because of it, we are safe. The wind reached a Force 10 last night with very rough seas and huge waves. We have sailed through a Force 12 before ( which is hurricane strength) so this was a walk in the park !!