Merry Maui

Hawaii has us in its thrall ... last night we attended the Hawaiian deck party, drinking Pina Coladas with the best of them (well, virgin Pina Coladas with no alcohol, anyway!) and having our photo taken with the captain - great fun. Today we're in Maui, for the first of 4 days - two this cruise, and another two next week.

This morning we hired a car and set off, first from Kahlui on the mid-north coast to the beautiful Iao valley, where incredibly steep green mountains dripped all around us as we drove to the revered Iao Needle, pointing towards sunny skies. Then we headed across the island, looking for waves ... how disgusted the boys at Coolum would be with the gentle seas we found! The other side of the island is much drier - but that pleases the thousands of holiday-makers who throng to that shore seeking sunshine.

We stopped for lunch at Cove Bay, ready to dine on sourdough bread, meat and pickles, with "apple bananas" (Lady-fingers, we reckon) and a huge pomelo, which we bought from a farm. All was wonderful, except that we couldn't get through the 3cm deep pith of the pomelo with our paltry knife! A nearby Hawaiian fisherman, Maurice and his partner Jenna came to our aid with a large cane-knife, and we shared the pomelo (like a sweet grapefruit, but the size of a cabbage) with them, and a black lass now living in Hawaii, and a couple from Boston, James and Emily, who were due to be married on the beach an hour later!! We had quite a party!

We love life on the ship - but it's nice to see the real world, too - tomorrow we may travel on the local bus - life's fun! Hope it's good for you, too!