Hilo Bay, Hawaii Trip Day Nine: Sunday, September 30, 2007   NCL Cruise Ship Approaches 7:56 AM ~ While the another cruise ship chases the rainbow just outside Hilo, and our neighbor on his balcony, enjoys getting his cell phone connectivity back, our passengers (above) disembark for a day in Hilo or the visits to some of the nearby scenic wonders. Volcanos Nationas Park is a popular destination and one which we visited during our cruise of the islands in 2000. Some may take a helicopter tour of the island like we did out of Kona on the west coast on that previous cruise.

NCL Pride of America In the twenty minutes that have elapsed since the rainbow shot above, the brightly painted Norwegian cruise ship has navigated the entry channel through the reef and glides toward her berth at the Hilo docks inside the breakwater. Today we will explore the windward side of the island. That is the east coast that enjoys exposure to the trade winds that bring moisture out of the northeast on a regular basis. We will see waterfalls and lots of foliage in the tropical rainforest.

We observe the ambulance waiting to take a fellow passenger off the ship with mixed emotions. Too often we see unfortunate passengers having to leave the ship for health care that is beyond the capabilities of the medical facilities aboard. It's good that expert help is available, but we hate to see that someone has had to cut their trip short. Their companions are often faced with very difficult decisions.

9:11 AM ~ We're ashore and on our way through the city. In this view Sun Princess seems to be anchored just off shore. She didn't move from the dock. The port is very close to the center of town.

A Hilo Park

Pepe'ekeo Scenic Drive By 9:30 AM we are on enroute to the Windward Shore north of the city. Click any image above for the next page.

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