Last full day on the ship today. We had actually anchored at the Molokai Pier last night so no rocking last night. We actually turned the AC off and just left the window open. Little bit quieter but not quite as nice a view. Today was a pretty full on day. After breakfast we were taken in vans to Halawa Valley. Our driver Rudy did not stop talking for the full 1hr trip. Given so much information about the island, the population, the shops and the history. Really interesting, especially regarding the leprosy colony that was here on the island. Some beautiful views along the way too.

The valley was stunning. From the beach up through the terraced land to the waterfalls over the mountain edges. Picture perfect. This is one of the last places on the island where the family tries to keep the culture alive...they say "our culture is sacred, not secret' and like to share it. Two volunteers were chosen to be the gift bearers, usually packets of meat or food wrapped up in local leaves. We also were all given the traditional welcome which is forehead to forehead, nose to nose and then you breath in through the nose.

Once we arrived at the homestead, we had two options. To stay at the homestead and be shown some cultural activities which mum chose to do or hike to a waterfall which I did. We had been warned the night before that there would be two stream crossings and be prepared to get wet up to the shorts and have muddy shoes. We didn't quite get wet up to the shorts, more like knees but our shoes definitely did get muddy. In some places the path was pure mud. There had been no trees here prior to the 1940s when a tsunami wiped everything but walking through you wouldn't know that. So many trees and shrubs. Much cooler down in the valley and the sun was also behind some clouds so when we got to the waterfall, it wasn't that inviting to go for a swim which was a shame. I did stick my feet in but the thought of getting out and hiking out wet wasn't appealing. Lunch had been packed for us along with dessert....eaten so much food this past two weeks. Lucky my clothes still fit.

Hiked back out and met up with the few who had stayed back with mum. They said they enjoyed it but it was too long and it was very hard to understand Uncle who had stayed with them to do this part. He is almost 80 and mum said you could barely hear him and they didn't really get to do anything themselves and just hoped they didn't doze off which is a shame.

Back to the boat and time to start packing and also get ready for our Pa'ina tonight which is what a Luau should be called. Luau is actually one of the traditional meals that get served at a Pa'ina but for tourists they call them Luaus. Surprisingly, we have also found out that Aloha does not mean hello or goodbye but love. In Hawaiian culture they say A Hui Hou which means 'till we meet again' either in this life or the next.

We got about 75% packed and then ready. Everyone really made an effort tonight which was nice. The cruise is so informal you can wander down barefoot for meals with no problems. Dinner was about 20mins drive away and was held in a local museum which tells the story of Kalaupapa, the leprosy colony. We were greeted with leis, but not flower leis. Locals try not to use flowers because if they pick them the next person can't enjoy them. Men were given candlenut leis, and the women were given shell leis. We were warmly greeted and advised of the food we would be served tonight which all sounded delicious and introduced to the two musicians and 3 hula dancers. It was a lovely evening. Nothing touristy about it really. Local music, some hula dancing through the night but no forcing anyone to get up and join in. They did teach us one verse while we were sitting down though. Food was delicious. Hawaiians actually start with dessert so we were served fresh fruit and a coconut cream that that been baked in the underground oven. Mains consisted of Chicken Long Rice, Squid Luau (cooked taro leaves, octopus and coconut milk), Imu Kalua Pua'a (Pig cooked in underground oven), Poi (pounded cooked taro), Koele Palau (purple sweet potatoes baked and mashed with coconut milk), Lomi Salmon, Raw crab, Ahi Poke, Mango Chicken and Venison Teriyaki along with salads and picked vegetables. So much delicious food. The highlight surprisingly was the Squid Luau...who would have thought and even mum liked it and got seconds.

It was a really lovely evening. Just a shame the tables were only for 4 and we didn't really get the opportunity to sit with those we would have liked for our last night together.

Back to the ship afterwards for our photo slideshow. The expedition leaders had been taking photos all week and had put them together for tonight. Fun looking back and remembering what we had seen and done and making us want to do it all over again. You look forward to these trips for so long and then all of a sudden they are here and then finished. We then hung around the bar and had some fun chats with Julia and Paul who were on our Alaska trip and then Ashley, one of the staff, bought out her earring collection which has us all in fits of giggles that she had so many. Was a fun evening and probably the first night we've all stayed up later then 9pm in the bar. Very different to Alaska.

Time to finish packing and get ready to say goodbye tomorrow.