Re-Entry and Reflection: April 18th

Last night we departed Hilo, Hawaii and began our final leg of the
voyage; crossing the Pacific ocean to our final destination, San
Diego, California with arrival on April 24th.
Hilo was a perfect place to gently reenter the US. A small, all
american university town coupled with soft tropical rain and laid back
locals. We had 2 days after 11 at sea from Taiwan so everyone was
determined to make the most of the time ashore. Frankly, we were a bit
more relaxed about the visit then most everyone else. We, after all
had crafted a longer stay in China then everyone else and had spent
ten nights off the ship. So we elected to spend our one Hawaii night
aboard and spend the two days site seeing with a rental car. Also, we
will be back on this big island in late June for LNco. meetings so we
were doubly relaxed about seeing everything; not needing to get to the
Kona side for great beaches, etc. So on our first day we drive north
enjoying waterfalls, shoreline views and horseback riding. The clean
smooth highway was perfect for drivers who had not been behind the
wheel for sometime! We relished our meals of fresh and local greens,
fruit and fish with Karen, Kiri, Jim, Ellen and Jeffrey, our favorite
new friends. Once again, our port side cabin was perfectly poised to
deliver us a fabulous view while docked. This time the view was of
Mauna Kea, sailboats at anchor and palm tree's swaying along the
shoreline. Hilo harbor of today must resemble Honolulu of days gone
by. There is only one tallish condo building on the horizon and three
small hotels, otherwise the vegetation dominates the skyline. It is
quiet and devoid of bright lights which all contributed to a soft,
lovely evening experience from our cabin deck. On day two we ate
macadamia nut pancakes then set off driving south and west. This time
our destination was the southern most point in the US. Did you know it
was in Hawaii? I still think the Florida Keys must be further south,
but what do I know. This coastline is windswept, rugged and stunningly
beautiful. We three imagined it might be similar to Ireland. Next we
dipped our toes into the black sand beach where the sea turtles fed
right at the edge of the breaking waves. The water here was a bit
chilly. Just as well we were not planning to swim. We continued our
drive back toward Hilo and stopped next at the volcano park. Steam
vents in the parking lot sent sulfur smelling clouds into the air and
the crater below. Our most surprising stop prior to returning our
rental car, was the one to the Wallmart. This was made in order to
pick up macadamia nuts for the cheapest price. This stop however was
noteworthy because it delivered the biggest douse of culture shock of
the entire voyage! Wow; huge, bright, plentiful, overwhelming variety,
noisy, busy.....more then any other place on this around the world
experience, Wallmart topped all by delivering the surprise punch.
Re-entry on steroids!
The shopping mall experience was saved by the fabulous health food
store which I discovered at the last minute. Oh, how I drooled! We are
not allowed to bring fresh food items aboard when in port. For the
first time on this trip I was devastated because I knew I could not
buy the fresh carrot juice! Maybe it is time to go home....

So, homeward I come. I have much to process and contemplate regarding
this voyage around the world. It is not easy to sum-up the experience
nor pick a favorite port. Re-entry may be a mixed bag of high's and
low's. We shall see. For now, the ocean is calm, again and the
students are studying for their finals. We have a busy few days ahead
with the formal dinner and dance, graduation (for the few seniors
aboard), and a dinner with the captain which Peter and I have been
invited to, much to my surprise. So, what else? Home, family, Lars and
Oscar. Seattle spring, Perry returning in late May...Friends to the
pool. Work. Life returns to "normal". But this also has been normal
and familiar and I will miss life aboard the MV Explorer. The tight
proximity of strangers has become the close knit community of friends.
I can easily run into them while walking the ship and strike up a
conversation over a meal. So easy and spontaneous verses the planning
and driving needed to facilitate gatherings at home. I may be lonely
at home in my big single family house. So, come. I will need you! I am
looking forward to cooking and eating my own food using fresh, tasting
ingredients. But I will miss the dinning room staff. They are from the
Philippines and Jamaica primarily and always cheerful, helpful and
efficient. I will enjoy sleeping in my own bed again without the
constant rumble of the engines as background. But I will miss Soltero,
our cabin steward. Can I bring him home with me?!? I appreciate that
everyday, twice a day, he attends to our private space with such kind
attention. And imagine, all I have had to do laundry-wise, is put a
bag out and mysteriously it is returned as pressed clothes on hangers!
Yes! I will miss that a lot! I wont miss the constant announcements
over the P.A. system which I can not control in my cabin. I look
forward to the quiet of home. It seems that most of this voyage has
had varying levels of noise; the ocean, the engines, the "voice", the
horns honking, etc. I will relish quiet and appreciate it now more
then before. The spaciousness of home and the cleanliness of it as
well.
But what of the revelations? More will be revealed....
melissa
Sent from my iPad