Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas is one of my favorite places on planet Earth. The views are astounding, the boating tours are legion, the locals are welcoming, and a sense of happiness envelopes you as you arrive.

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Cabo San Lucas, daybreak

Tour boat heading to the Arch of Cabo

 We were hungry and I was ready for a good cup of coffee. Early in the morning there were few options on the main promenade so we headed for the back streets and stumbled upon the Cabo Cantina. The coffee was incredibly good, and my huevos rancheros meal was a stand out.

Breakfast at Cabo Cantina, Cabo San Lucas

Huevos rancheros, Cabo Cantina, Cabo San Lucas

The Cabo Cantina turned out to be where all the Caboholics hang before heading out to their next tour. They are a fun bunch of people from around the world; many of them escaping colder climates for a few glorious weeks. Angel, from the tour office adjacent to the Cantina is their goto tour guide. Here they are having just returned from their head-spinning trip to The Arch with Angel, and eager to be waited upon by one of their favorite bartenders, Justin Blok. Their exuberance was magnetic, and I happily joined this warm, welcoming group of Caboholics

Friendly Caboholics at the Cabo Cantina

Cabo San Lucas is an aquatic playground. There is always a tour boat leaving in the next few minutes; some of them only taking an hour or so before bringing you back to the marina, others such as fishing tours taking the whole day

Tour boats docked at Cabo San Lucas marina

Fishing tours returning with their catch

And if you don't want a boat trip, the sparkling waters of the beach next to the marina is a pretty place to relax and soak up the Baja California Sur sun

Cabo San Lucas beach

 Jewelry shops abound in Cabo San Lucas and one has to be careful not to be cheated or juped by eager folk wanting you to buy from them. But it's worth taking a chance by at least browsing in some of the shops. On our way out of Cabo I was hustled into the Real McCoy gold and silver jewelry factory. Despite feeling annoyed by the pushy tactics of the owners, I discovered the most beautiful ring I had ever seen; an orange opal that sparkles so brightly, so iridescently. We bought it and I am so grateful we did. It stands out in the sea of gorgeous rings around the world. Where else would I find such a lovely silver ring with an orange opal. Just one more reason for being a Caboholic.

One last look at Cabo San Lucas, until we return

Cabo San Lucas

Cruising the Hawaiian Islands

The Pride of America cruises the Hawaiian Islands all-year round; embarking from Honolulu on a Saturday evening and stopping at Maui for two nights, Hawaii (The Big Island) for two nights (Hilo and Kona) and Kauai (Lihue) for one night. The other two nights are spent cruising the Pacific Ocean. On the way back to Honolulu the ship takes a detour to showcase the spectacular Na Pali Coast. Below are a few photos I took on our recent trip (when I remembered to pack my camera for the day).

Maui

We took a scenic bus trip to the beautiful town of Lahaina. Stores of well-known brands such as Patagonia and Lush and waterfront restaurants stretched along the main street from the Banyan tree to the small outlet mall. We had lunch at Lahaina Fish Co, just a few doors down from Kimo's Restaurant. I had the MahiMahi fish plate - cajun seared over brown rice topped with tropical salsa and balsamic drizzle.

Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

 

View from the Lahaina coastal walkway - puppies playing fetch

Walkway along the volcanic coast, Lahaina, Maui, HI

 Locals crammed into the back of their ute, Lahaina, Maui, HI

 

Hawaii, The Big Island

It was a bleak morning the day we arrived at the Port of Hilo. Thick cloud blanketed the hills and together with the lava landscape the atmosphere was dark and eerie. We were soon to learn about Pele, the goddess of Hawaii's volcanoes.

The view from the ship's balcony, arriving at the Port of Hilo, The Big Island, HI

Lava rocks along the coastline, Hilo, Hawaii

 

The work of Pele - A lava mound with the imprint of a tree inside

 

Walking on lava - Hilo, Big Island, HI

After the lava tree mounds we visited a lava beach - nothing like the golden beaches of Queensland, Australia - they were lava grey and very pebbly (it couldn't be called sand by any stretch). But the sun did finally shine as we arrived at this beach and it was very tempting to take a couple of the smaller pebbles for keepsakes. Our guide convinced us that it would not be wise to do so; it would likely make Pele angry. She recounted stories of the bad luck that fell on such hapless visitors who dared to remove what Pele had created. I have a little anecdote of my own to add to the Pele stories: we took the lead on this trek to the beach because a young boy had been stung by a bee and needed the guide's assistance. As we arrived at the edge of the ocean I spotted what I thought was a shiny piece of blue paper...the only made-made object on the beach. It was a very light-weight poncho still in it's packaging. I felt the warmth of Pele shining on me and accepted it as a gift.  I was very glad that I didn't disappoint her by taking a tiny pebble as a souvenir.

On our night cruise to Kona, we were treated to the spectacular coastal scene of intense heat and steam caused by hot lava mixing with the sea water - Kilaeua.  Pele was putting on a show for us. We were too far away from the site for a decent photo but there is a picture in my pinterest folder, Take me there.

Since it was cold and rainy for most of the time we were docked at Hilo, we were heartened to learn that our next stop, Kona, was sure to be sunny and warm. We were also excited by the fact that tenders (small orange boats carried on our ship) would be ferrying us across to the shore because there was no place to dock a cruise ship at Kona harbor.

 

Sunrise - arriving Kona, Big Island, HI

Tender boats ready to serve

View of Kona through the front window of the tender

View from Kona foreshores - searching for a cup of Kona coffee

Pride of America anchored and waiting for our return

Kauai

The sound of a rooster greeted us as we docked at the port of Nawiliwili (near Lihue), Kauai. It kept crowing. Later we realised that there was more than one rooster. In fact there were many chickens and roosters free ranging across the island; they had escaped during a hurricane. We also learned that the underground sport of cock fighting was alive and well on Kauai.

Kauai had several attractions for us. There was a beautiful beach in walking distance from the port with a Duke's barefoot bar close by. There was a well-stocked yarn shop called Twisted Turtles across the road from Dukes in Lihue. While there were plenty of natural wonders to explore on Kauai we chose the Wailua river boat ride to the Wailua Falls and Fern Grotto. Next cruise we'll do the Waimea Canyon.

Wailua River cruise

Ginger plant with pink flowers, Wailua River State Park, Kauai

  

Fern Grotto (Cave), Wailua River State Park, Kauai

  

At the viewing deck - Fern Grotto, Wailua River State Park, Kauai

 

The beach at Lihue, Kauai - sailboards, canoes, volley ball

The view from Dukes Barefoot Bar, Lihue, Kauai

  

Leaving Nawiliwili Port, Kauai

 

Flashing my new Kauai T-shirt - Deck 11, Aft, Aloha Lanai Bar

 Honolulu

On the way back to Honolulu we did a detour to the majestic Na Pali Coast. We viewed it from the Gold Rush Saloon, Deck 11, mid,  as we toasted the Pride of America for taking us on a most amazing journey. We were sad the cruise would soon be over but we were excited about spending a few more days in Waikiki before heading home to Brisbane, Australia.

Just one more magnificent sunset on Waikiki Beach, Oahu, HI

Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

Byron Bay is a beautiful northern NSW beach town 2 hours by road from Brisbane. Golden sand, blue-green ocean water and rolling surf make Byron a great family holiday destination.

The lighthouse on Australia's most easterly point

The view to the north

Byron's Main Beach

Byron's Belongil Beach

Pandanus tree on Main Beach

The rolling surf

The old train station - no trains come here anymore

Byron's Thursday Farmers' market

Juzzie's One-Man Band playing at the markets

Juzzie's quiver of harmonicas

Fundies (fundamental food store) at Byron

Kids playground at Byron's Main Beach

Byron's Surf Life Savers' Club Function Room

The deck of the Surf Life Savers' Club Function Room

Oahu revisited - beach holiday Hawaiian style

Direct flights on Hawaiian Airlines from Brisbane to Honolulu now make Hawaii a very accessible holiday destination for Queensland families. There is no place quite like Hawaii for the ultimate relaxing holiday experience.

Waikiki Beach viewed from Duke's Bar with Diamond Head in the distance

Waikiki Beach viewed from our balcony at the Circle Hotel

 

Lu'au at Paradise Cove

 

The SWIM bar at Waikiki's Hyatt Regency (very close to the Circle Hotel) hosts live music at happy hour - this is ManoaDNA playing their originals and covers