Hawai'i Day 10 - Cruise disembarkation [Honolulu] ⋆ Superb Vacations

Today was a sad day as I said goodbye to my new friend the Pride of America. Unlike other ships this is likely the last time I will be on it.

After a causal breakfast (and a lot of packing) I took an Uber to the hotel.

The sign at the port…. although we never left Hawai’i…

I booked an ocean view balcony room at the Ritz Carlton Residences. It was the same number of points as some of the other hotels that didn’t have an ocean view. The room wasn’t ready, but they gave me a welcome drink (with alcohol) and a cool face towel as well as a kukui nut lei.

After reorganizing my belongings so I had my camera I took an Uber to Diamond Head state park. I’ve done this mostly tame hike before. The sun was pretty brutal as I arrived at 11 am, but luckily there was some shade in some of the hiking paths. The view of Waikiki from the top of Diamond head is really wonderful. I could also see some of the neighboring islands.

Diamond Head State Monument

Visit Hawaii’s Iconic National Landmark

You can see a couple of pill boxes on top of the high spots of the tuff cone

You can see another island in the distance

The dreaded narrow stairs…. after I climbed them.

The stairs with a view of the mountains in the background

Might be hard to see in the picture, but there is a lighthouse below

Panoramic photo of Waikiki. You can see a pill box in the center

If you look closely you can see the tunnel I walked through to enter the tuff cone to start the hike.

After the hike I rewarded myself with shaved ice from a food truck at the park.

The menu. I went for the rainbow shaved ice

The next stop was Iolani Palace. I’ve visited this palace years ago as well. It has a lot of history as it was a palace for the kingdom of Hawai’i. It even had electricity before the White House.

Iolani Palace – Discover Hawaii’s Royal Heritage

Planning a trip to Hawaii? Learn about Hawaii’s Royal Heritage by touring the only official royal palace in the United States. Book your tour today!

Statue outside the palace. You can see part of a tremendous Banyan tree in the background.

Iolani Palace. Due to the Banyan trees it is hard to get a good photo of it.

The ticket office is in the basement and there are some artifacts you can view without paying for the tour.

A chair from the palace that hasn’t been restored

I think they liked to drink….. lots of glasses

Another room in the free area downstairs

Another room downstairs in the free area

They are serious about protecting the palace. They provide show covers to keep the palace clean before you can go on the tour.

I tried to take a picture at an artistic angle

A better view of the room with the grand staircase

The pocket door between the blue room and the dining room

The door between the blue room and dining room

Dining room. The King actually sat in the middle of the table

I think you can figure out what this is for…. no not a large snow cone

Peacock feather dress in the throne room

Statue on the staircase…. you can’t walk on the stairs, you must use the lift (elevator)

Upstairs in the Iolani Palace…

Large table in the area near the staircase

You can see the tower room that you can enter from the corner of the room

Lens flare destroyed the picture. I tried to clean it up a bit

A really nice crest on the gate, but the light wasn’t cooperating too much

After Iolani Palace I walked to the Aloha Tower. Before arriving I found a good spot to take a picture of the ship.

Aloha Tower has a free observation deck on the 10th floor. It had a great view of the cruise ship and Honolulu. It was built in 1926 and was originally attached to other buildings on 3 sides, although now it stands by itself.

Another view of the harbor from the Aloha Tower

Returning to the hotel by Uber I found the room to be excellent, on the 18th floor with a nice view. It even has a fancy washelet toilet.

Shower and tub – the blinds are on the outside

Fancy toilet. Even had a dryer built into it.

The family pool. It had a nice infinity edge overlooking the ocean

I can see an ocean…. unlike the last “ocean view” room

Washer and dryer. I did some laundry before leaving.

Water and Champagne. If they ask you if you are celebrating anything – just say yes.

I set up the GoPro on the balcony to take a time lapse video of the sunset

After briefly visiting the hotel room I walked to Waikiki beach to see the Hula dancing show at 6 pm. The show had dancers of all ages (even as young as 3) and was quite good.

Sunset on the beach before the Hula performance

I attempted to find dinner. The first stop was unsuccessful as it was closed. The second stop was a quick serve line with a tremendous line (grinds must be ono brah). I finally wound up at the “Hideout” at the Laylow hotel (an Autograpgh Collection hotel in the Marriott chain). I had the Ahi Tuna which was awesome.