Cruising Hawaii

ALOHA!! Close your eyes for a moment and let the peace and warmth of this greeting consume your inner soul. Let it wisk you away to the land where tropical breezes blow, sunsets paint the evening skies, and volcanoes add color to the night as the glowing lava journeys to the sea. Keep your eyes closed and listen to the waves pounding against the shore, the wind blowing through palm trees, the distant beat of drums calling you to this island paradise.

Open your eyes and step from the ship's gangway into a land where warmth, friendliness, hospitality, and generosity will greet you, and remain with you throughout your visit and long after you return home. A friendly native greets you with a flowered lei as you disembark the ship. ALOHA!! Welcome to Hawaii. You graciously smile, returning the greeting. ALOHA!!

From this moment, your life has changed. It has been transfigured to something perhaps beyond your understanding. You feel very peaceful. All your worries have been carried away by the gentle trade winds.
The greeting you have just experienced is one of many that you will receive throughout your visit. The people of Hawaii are very friendly and want to share with you the spirit of Aloha. They also want to share their culture with you so that you understand their way of life and the deep rooted traditions that guide them on their journey.

It is time for your first exploration. You have heard about the lava flows that have shaped this part of the world. Your tour takes you to Volcanoes National Park to see the facinating world of active volcanoism. Later that evening the captain of your ship will pass the same volcano as your journey to your next port of call. The glowing lava moves so slowly as it heads towards the sea.
You unwind in your cabin and reflect on your first day in Hawaii. Tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to visit Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is hard to imagine what lies ahead as you continue to explore Hawaii. It is time to rest now, since you have another marvelous day in paradise tomorrow.

Each island has something unique to offer. A cruise offers the opportunity to explore many of the different facets of Hawaii. We have just scratched the surface of this marvelous destination. In future articles, I'll revisit Hawaii and take a closer look at the various attractions. Aloha!!