North Shore, Oahu

On the last day before Jack left for Israel, he and I rented a little Jeep with no roof and drove across the island of Oahu, to the North Shore. The North Shore is one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world. It is known for 30 foot waves and surf competitions, and in fact, there was a competition going on while we were there. It was pretty amazing to see.

We guessed that the waves on this day were about 22 feet. Those little black spots are people, and the bigger one is a jet-ski.



We gave these guys a drive up to another beach. One was from California and one was from Brazil.





This guy was huge, probably 20 feet tall. Very cool.

We had such a fantastic day driving across the island, listening to Bob Marley and stopping at beaches.... this is definitely up there in my list of favourite days out here. :)

And I wonder why I’m getting fat….

Okay, so I know I’m not fat. But I’m definitely gaining on myself. Why, you might ask?

Because sometimes I don’t wake up in time for breakfast, or occasionally miss lunch or dinner because of a nap. Stomach growling, I will eat four granola bars, or a dozen mini Hershey treats to hold myself over. In the mess I eat reasonably healthy, but meals that definitely lack variety. Sometimes for dinner we go up to the grill by the pool, where they serve hotdogs and hamburgers and other such badness.

Late at night, before I get off work, I might venture upstairs for some pasta and garlic bread, with the pasta made to order… pesto, cream sauces, tomato sauce, veggies, and meat, in whatever combination you like. If for some reason pasta is not to my taste for the evening, there is also a variety of pizza and Caesar salad to satisfy the cravings of my fat cells.

I drink lattes, cappuccinos, frozen mochas and ice coffees from the Cova Café, which I make my way to once, often twice a day. Coffee or tea, and sometimes fresh mint tea in Jack’s office, always with chocolate or cookies to accompany.

In the casino, every night, waiters stroll around with trays of h’or doeuvres. Hot mini quiches, spanikopitas, meatballs, fishsticks, wraps and rolls, baguettes with cheese and fruit and meat and different spreads. Sushi. Not to mention the desserts… bite-size strawberry shortcakes, brownies, apple crisps, and lemon tarts. Cream puffs in the shape of delicate little swans. How can one resist such delectable mouthfuls? They store platters of them in fridges in the back stairway of the casino. I once came close to electrocuting myself trying to get into these fridges.

And this is just ON the ship.

As soon as we get off the ship, our appetites reach new heights. The food in the mess is terrible and there is no variety, we say (it’s true). We will eat GOOD food on land, at least. Forgetting all the random food I gorge on at every opportunity, I eat with a vengeance. Beer battered fish and fries, sushi, burgers, smoothies, ice cream and more ice cream, and maybe, well... I think I feel like more ice cream. For breakfast I once ate two eggs, toast, ham, hashbrowns, bacon and five pancakes. No, that is not a typo. Five pancakes. Don’t forget the fresh-squeezed orange juice.

In Honolulu we like to visit a restaurant, ominously called the Cheesecake Factory. We have appetizers, huge bowls of fresh pasta, cheesecake for dessert, cheesecake to take back to the ship. The cheesecakes have names like Godiva, Belgian chocolate, Oreo mocha and mudslide supreme. They arrive smothered in whipped cream. They are divine. We have been to this restaurant three out of the four times we’ve visited Honolulu.

We drink beer, wine, and blended tropical drinks with every meal. In the staff bar on the ship, Heinekin costs a dollar. A cold one goes down beautifully after a long night of work. Or when you are stuck waiting to get off the ship at 10:30 am. Cheryl and I have actually done this, once.

And I wonder why I’m getting fat.

Jack

The first and most important thing I have to do in this entry is introduce you all to Jack. Jack and I have been together for a month and a half or so. He turned 28 on Valentine's Day and is the Chief of Security on the ship. Jack is from Israel, and that is actually where he is at this moment, on his vacation. He left on February 6th and is coming back on March 20th. I miss him a lot.
This was New Year's Eve
Us in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii








Kona

The next few were taken in Hilo, which is also on the Big Island.


I love this picture Cheryl took in the Ala Moana shopping centre in Honolulu. From left to right are Steven, me, Sean and Lindsay. We are all on the phone calling home.

In Honolulu, walking back to the ship after dinner one night

Waikiki Beach



On very rare occasions, we go shopping. Ahem.


These are all from the Normandie specialty restaurant on the ship. The food here is divine. The person you don't recognize is Jack's best friend, Tal, who was on the ship for a cruise.

Last minute work before we go out in Oahu.

These two are backgammon-crazy. I could tell you how crazy, but you wouldn't believe me.

Lahaina, on Maui... it is so beautiful here.

Eating lunch at a beach restaurant called Duke's, in Nawiliwili, on the island of Kauaii.


These are koi. Did I spell that wrong?


















Anyway everyone, I think that's more thank enough for now... again, please leave me some more lovely comments, so I know someone is still looking at this thing! Miss you all!!!