Here's Jan about to take a picture somewhere south of Monterey on Hiway 1
 

The white sand at Carmel City Beach

Here's another small bay south of Carmel, Pt Lobos in the distance.
Catholic Monastery at the bottom of the bay
 

The views along Hiway 1 were just stunning

Looking South, note Pt Sur in the distance
 

Bixby Bridge

Looking North
 

Glass of wine at an outdoor restaurant in Carmel. The local red wines were just excellent. The next day we visited Bernardus winery in Carmel Valley and bought a bottle for the cruise. Bernardus Website

Had to stop and take a look at Point Sur Lighthouse.
Dave served 4 yrs with the USCG in Monterey and spent many hours at this lighthouse working on the electronics.
 

Point Sur

On the other side of Big Sur looking North
 

Carmelite Nun Monastery at the end of Carmel bay.
Home to a community of sequestered meditative nuns who live a life of devotion.
This 81 year old monastery is a spectacular building which contains a lovely cathedral and peaceful gardens.

Honolulu
 

Shot of the beach where we spent most of our time. It was the closest beach within walking distance of our condo - 4 blocks -
The sun was so intense that we had to get under shade. We rented this blue umbrella for $6/hr, chaise lounges were extra.
 

Tropical plants were awesome
 

Downtown Honolulu, the only place you see a diagonal crosswalk.
Note the limo, it was a common sight
 

Jan had never been to a commercial Luau. So she had to do one to see what it was like.
 

Everyone seemed to have a good time. We were a bit disappointed.
The 3 included Mai-Tai's helped. About 200 people were with us at "Germaines Luau" at the SW part of the island where  they do a commercial Luau every night. website
 

Here we are at Kaneohe Bay being towed halfway across the bay for a kayak/snorkel adventure by Holokai Snorkel. website
 

Jan paddled while I took pictures with the tuff camera.
Later I dropped it in 3 ft of water. It survived.

Tied up at Coconut Island, looking across the bay. It's a private marine sanctuary owned by  the University of Hawaii Dept of Oceanography and Marine Biology.
We snorkeled along the edge of the coral reef. Note the cut-off Mangrove tree.
They are invasive in Hawaii and are cut-off wherever they are found. more on the island
 

Another shot of Kanehoe Bay. Note the blue-green color of the water.
Honolulu is on the other side of that mountain.

Our excellent kayak and snorkel guide, Parker
 

Royal Caribbean Radiance
9 night sailing. Three island visits and then straight for Vancouver so they could begin the Alaska Cruise season.
Our stateroom was just above the 3rd lifeboat. 2000 passengers..   cruise critic review
 

Dave and hamburger on the back deck
 

Lighter ashore at Kona, Big Island

Took this bus into the town of Hilo and walked around. Dock was too far to walk.

Shot of ship's main lobby from 5 decks up, dizzying!

Surfers at Lahaina, Maui ...ship in distance
 

Practicing Yoga

This guy had birds and would set them up for a photo.
The bird on her arm kept taking bites out of her Lei.
 

Middle Pool
 

Top Deck

Lost again...
 

Getting ready to do the climbing wall
 

Main Pool
 

Another shot, Main Pool

Lunch
 

5 Laps around the deck after dinner every night

Waterslide was closed whenever we checked..
 

Making tracks for Vancouver

No bad weather, Pacific was calm for this crossing.
 

Arriving in Vancouver BC
We gave this cruise a 7.9

Vancouver BC
 

Riding bikes around Stanley Park

View of Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park.
 It took about an hour to ride the whole perimeter.

Jan boarding the Cascades Train to Everett

Amtrak Home
 

5-22-15