Feelin' Low in Hilo

Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Begun with great promise, today got completely derailed by unexplained pain and a trip to the ship's medical center for a physical exam. Thankfully, nothing was wrong; maybe it was gastro, maybe something else. Anyway, it was nothing.

The resulting delay, however, meant that the Rudd/Russell helicopter tour of the volcano had to be scrapped because , by the time health returned, no seats remained. Mark and Keith got the last two seats and even had to split up to make their flights with one flying at three o’clock and the other at four o’clock. Keith borrowed my camera and got some spectacular shots.

So, with our medical mystery cleared up, Gloria and I, along with Mark and Keith, headed into downtown Hilo for some shopping. Some wine and a nice lunch followed and while we messed with WiFi. Mark and Keith with their last two chopper slots ran off to the airport; G and I then shopped some more. I DO love to shop.

While shopping, Mark and Keith came across a hand-painted war mask between three and four feet long and about six inches wide. A bargain at only $20, they had to have it along with sundry t-shirts, refrigerator magnets, cards, cut glass and sea glass window doodads. We graciously offered to carry these treasures back to ship for them so the helicopter wouldn’t be unsafely overweight.

Having run out of wine, the one thing I wanted to acquire was vino. The first grocery we found had none, the second grocery we found had only crap and the third grocery we found had only slightly better. We bought the slightly better because the nearest liquor store was "quite a distance" away.

Schlepping the entire load back to the ship necessitated a taxi which we shared with a local named Rodney who regaled us with tales of the guitarist from The Ventures, a person he did not know nor know much about. Ahh, local color. Dropped at the port security post because our driver was not approved for admittance to the side of the ship, we walked the last bit home. The wine went to the fridge and Mark/Keith’s goodies got delivered to their stateroom.

A task forgotten, we then returned to the town for a bit more shopping and, finally, we were back aboard QE for good. Up to Deck Nine for afternoon tea we were distracted by whales outside the window. I attempted photographs but the whales were far off and not showing their tails.

As we sailed off we were lost in conversation with our running mates while seeing the award-winning volcano pix Keith captured. We did not do much on this day but enjoyed ourselves regardless. Not demanding much of your day results in satisfaction at a high level. I doubt I will be able to sustain this at home.

Back in the United States, our mobile phones worked. Both of us spoke with our kids—a much longed for activity. I also got in an office call or two. Our phones will be functional one more day on Maui and then they are out of commission again while we cross the Pacific back into Los Angeles. We are beginning to be aware that our trip is drawing near to an end.

An update: Norovirus Code Red continues but new cases have dwindled to only one. They are still sanitizing tables, however.
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