A long 8 days at sea led to our arrival in Honolulu, Hawaii. On the way we painted some Hula Girls and some Vintage Travel Posters so had a little mini exhibition to welcome everyone in.

I got up early for our arrival in the hope that I’d see a few whales, but sadly I didn’t, by the time there was any light we we’re practically in port

I had no tour, so I headed to the piano bar to pick up my number to clear immigration which was a much smoother operation this time. I collected my ticket just before 8, had breakfast and was called and off by 10. I really try not to complain, but immigration was a bit of a joke, the ship’s company worked so hard to get us organised, and through in a timely fashion for the border guards to barely look at our passports, but hey Ho, that’s how the US wanted to do it….

Shuttle bus to the shopping centre where I had a quick walk round & bought a drink as we weren’t allowed to take anything ashore (wasn’t checked) but I got the change in $1 notes for the bus

Sadly, while I was walking, looking for bus stop, the old arthritis decided to play up and I’d a lot of pain in my right knee. I thought the 2 hour bus journey would let it settle, but no, I ended up buying a knee support and a stick in the drug store and am off for some acupuncture tonight, but enough of my boring moaning!

The bus costs $3 per journey, if you are a pensioner tell the driver and it’s around half price. You can also buy a day pass, I didn’t find out how till afterwards but I’m told they cost $7 and you buy them at 7/11 stores. My first journey to the town of Haleiwa took over 2 hours, driving up through Jurassic Park country and then hugging the island’s spectacular North Shore – this was bus no 60 which you can get at a stop just behind where the shuttle bus left us (first street on left)

If I were to go again, without a sore leg, I’d get off at the Sugar Mill as it looked amazing with lots of market stalls and food trucks. I might also stop at one of the beautiful beaches as buses are regular and reliable

As it was I continued on to Haleiwa where I needed to change buses, It was a really pretty town plus I saw a sign for a drug store so I hobbled over and bought my essentials. There were also lots of beautiful galleries, independent shops and lots of restaurants, I did struggle to find a coffee shop, when I asked someone gave me directions but it was quite far away so I settled for the Italian next door where I’d a slice of Hawaiian Pizza, obviously, and a lemonade

It was then just a few steps back to the bus stop where I picked up bus no 52 which brought me across the island and back to Honolulu affording us a glance over Pearl Harbour on the way

Again, if I wasn’t in such pain, I’d have got off at the Dole Plantation, but such is life.

When bus 52 comes back into town it drives up the street with all the palace’s & monuments so at least I got to see these.

I really enjoyed my bus trip and $6 was certainly a budget day out. The pizza & drink was only another $7. I used google maps to follow where I was on the journey, however if you do a tour or the trolley you get a guide to tell you where you are & pass on information.

After a good nights sleep the leg still ached so I stayed onboard for day 2, maybe some day I’ll come back and make it to Pearl Harbour as well

On the way out we spotted 2 whales swimming alongside a little yacht behind the ship and the captain called a couple of sightings from the bridge, my whale photo is so bad though I’ll not be showing it off!

We had 2 coastguard vessels see us out, they were surprisingly heavily armed, obviously us recycled teenager cruise passengers are more dangerous than we look!!!