QUEEN ELIZABETH

Day 16 Wednesday 06 March in Hilo

Our ship docked at 7.00am, Hilo is also a maiden port of call for Queen Elizabeth.  There were a few showers here and there and a temperature of 21C.  Later in the morning the weather cleared to nice blue skies.

Before disembarking the ship everyone had to complete U.S. Customs clearance which I must say was carried out very efficiently.

We were all given a plastic poncho in a pack as we walked off the gangway, fortunately we didn’t need them but what a nice idea, never had that before on a ship.

There were complimentary coaches transporting everyone to the shopping plaza, only a 10 minute ride with a commentary on the local area by the driver. Hilo has been wiped out twice by tsunami’s once in the 1940’s the other in 1960. They have warning sirens everywhere on standby. It’s the only island of the Hawaiian Islands that has a mountain high enough that it snows at the top, and it did yesterday.

I’m sure those on the ship, like us who weren’t taking a tour were in Wal-Mart, Sears or Macy’s. A good day for them today with 1900 plus people buying left right and centre.  You should have seen everyone on the bus on our return they were all loaded up with their purchases.  There were some great sales to be had and also the sales tax here is only 4%, much less than elsewhere in the USA.

We sailed at 6.00pm and immediately came across about 6 whales frolicking just out of the bay from Hilo.  The Captain slowed the ship to almost stop so we could take photos but I tell you whales don’t like having their photo taken as they don’t warn you when they’re going to appear and when they do we’re not ready so I’ve got a lot of blurry photos….lol. Then while we were all looking in one direction one appeared right next to the ship but again we were all looking further away and missed a great photo opportunity.

After a most enjoyable day it was a quiet evening for us, enjoyed a couple of Budweiser’s on the balcony then off to dinner and an early night.  More shopping tomorrow…. Anyone would think I liked shopping?

Tomorrow, Kahului on the island of Maui.