I finally got around to uploading some photos from my trip to my Photobucket account. I took almost 600 photos, but uploaded 15. They're just mostly scenery photos. But everything looked so much better in person!

Did I mention I got sick on my trip?? I couldn't taste for a few days, which was disappointing.

So we set sail from Honolulu, Hawaii on August 21, 2006 on NCL's Pride of Hawaii.

We hit 4 ports, and in each one, I did some sort of shore excursion as well as taking some walks near the piers:

1. Hilo - horseback riding. It was my first time horseback riding, and my horse, Thunder was extremely slow. These horses knew the trails so well that I didn't have to do anything. I couldn't hear the guide because my horse was so frickin' slow, and we were so far behind! I wore some new jeans on this ride. I hadn't brought anything suitable! My butt bones were a lot sore after, but I didn't get that bow-legged feeling like I was expecting!

2. Kahului (Maui) - luau. The luau was okay. We saw the usual hula and fire dancers. There was a big buffet, and of course they brought out a roasted pig to show everyone. The setting was beautiful. 

3. Kona - snorkeling at Molokini and Turtle Bay. Here I discovered I didn't like water. I was freaked out going in the deep water. I had a noodle and some floatie thing around my waist at Molokini. I didn't use it at Turtle Bay because I was floating too much. I would have preferred shallow water so I could see more marine life, but it was neat to see fishes and coral. Turtle Bay was cold!!! I also got badly sunburnt because I didn't think I'd need sunscreen. I will use sunscreen next time. The beaches there were beautiful.

4. Nawilili - kayaking. We were supposed to go kayaking and check out some waterfalls, but right before our excursion started, it rained heavily! They said we couldn't go because the mountain would have been slippery to walk on, and being in the water during heavy rain wasn't recommended either. The "shower " lasted about an hour. We also missed out on a helicopter ride, too!

The shopping during the cruise was pretty much nil. It was only touristy souvenirs that you could buy. I came home with some salad tongs and macadamia nuts.

Before the cruise, we spent 3 days in Waikiki. I spent several hours at the Ala Moana Shopping Centre to get in some power shopping. I picked up 2 pairs of jeans, 2 things of perfume/lotion, and lots of Stila makeup. Stila hasn't adjusted their prices here with the exchange rate, and I found that buying the in the States was cheaper. 

After we disembarked the cruise ship, we had one more tour, and we did the Circle tour, and we went all around Honolulu. We stopped at a few pretty spots for taking pictures. I liked going to the Dole Plantation the most but only for the pineapple. I ate so much pineapple on my trip, but I wasn't sick of it by the time I got home. I miss pineapple. 

Actually, I also miss the tropical weather and hanging out with my family! 

Oh, one thing that was nice was that the crew members weren't sleazy! Maybe it's because they were new to the business, but a lot of the crew on international cruise lines are doing their best to get laid.