4-12-13

Another sunny day in Honolulu.  Today went a little bit differently.  I helped with a busy morning clinic before heading out.  I drug Sarah and the kids on a little pilgrimage.  We walked about 2 miles inland from the ship to go to the Nu'uanu mortuary and I visited the grave of the founder of Kajukenbo, Sijo Adriano Emperado. 

Then we went to Wal Mart. 

It was a pleasant walk through the Palama area of Honolulu.  I was second call, so we got back just in time for me to run the afternoon clinic.  We got one of our disembarked passengers back aboard to continue the cruise.  It was their 40th anniversary cruise, so that makes me happy. 

Tomorrow I am first call, but thanks to the incredible generosity of my LMO, Susan Holtom and the generosity of Laura Johnston, the other MO (as well as an odd rule of US customs), I am going to get part of tomorrow off so we can take Michael on a special birthday trip.  It should be fun.

Sailing away with Diamond Head in the background.

Kids climb trees. 

Sijo.

Just a lovely little stream we passed on the way.

4-11-13

Ahhh, Honolulu. 

I came through here twice in the Navy.  I came once with Sarah right before we got married.  Each time I was convinced I would never make it back again. 

Well, I made it back.  This time we brought the kids. 

It was a busy last sea day with me as first call.  We went from one potential disembarkation to five disembarks yesterday.  They all left this morning around 1100.  Then I changed clothes and we headed out into the town where we caught a bus (two transfers) that took us to Diamond Head crater and we went hiking.  It was nice.  We made it up by distracting Max with enough questions that he was too busy to complain about how tired he was.  Once distracted, he powered right up like it was no big deal. 

On the way down I noticed an older lady who didn't look too well so I stopped and talked to her.  One thing lead to another and she ended up being airlifted off the slope.  I was well down and by the park ranger station by then.  This medical thing seems to follow me around.

Then we took another bus back to Waikiki beach where we had Hula dogs and then fruit and gelato crepes.  They were awesome. 

Now we are back on the ship and the kids are already sleeping.  Tomorrow we will still be here.  I think there is a WalMart resupply run on the agenda and I'm not sure what else.  Since I had such a wonderful day and the team will be helping me out on Michael's birthday, I will offer to stick around so someone else can leave if they want. 

Now, let's see if I can get some pictures up. 

At the park entrance.

Walking up the path leading to the ascent path.

A little over halfway up the climb. 

At the top!  We made it.

I don't know why this one came out of order.  This was a spiral staircase on the way up. 

 The helicopter evacuating the lady.

A beautiful banyan tree in the international marketplace that I remembered from other visits.  One of my favorite trees in the world.  It is amazing. 

More pictures later.  This is the best I could do for now. 

4/9/13

Had a bit of a blow up yesterday.  Just a personal thing really.  I had some vile, putrid, ichor that needed venting about this job.  I think I was understood somewhat.  I know I was heard.  So, incised and drained of the purulence, today is better. 

Sometimes this job can get to you. 

So today is 2nd call.  Middle of nowhere Pacific ocean.  The nearest land is a little over 14,000 feet away, straight down.  The weather finally improved some.  The first few days have been high 50's temperatures and overcast.  Today the sun came out and we saw the low end of the 70's.  The water is a brilliant blue color. 

It is nice to have the laptop here.  I am writing again, at least a little.  It is still hard to fit writing in as I haven't figured out where or when is a good time.  It will take a while until I realize that any time is as good a time as any other and just write whenever I have the opportunity.  I will get there though.  I want to get the rough draft of the Adventure Nickel book done before I continue the fiction I am working on.  It just seems wrong to divide my time between the two. 

We have another sea day before we pull into Oahu.  It will be nice to see Hawaii again. 

4/7/13

Busy first call today.  I am going to call that a good thing though because it allowed me to see that the team is good.  Everyone seems to know what they are doing or be very interested in learning something new.  We all seem to get along.  I think it will be good.  Already though, we have two potential problems heading into Hawaii.  I see what everyone was afraid of.  It's OK though.  Like I said, good team.

Things really nosedived for me when Chris and Jeanne left the Zuiderdam.  I was talking it over with Susan and I noticed where things really started turning and why.  It has taken a long time, but I think I may be finally pointing back in a positive direction.  Still not where I want to be, but heading that way.  It will help if the phone doesn't ring too much tonight.  But, if it does, I'll just deal.  See, getting better already.  It will be nice to get back to my happy go lucky self. 

My new phone doesn't have the same ring tone as the last few.  Awesome.  By the time I get sick of this one, I may go back to the old one. 

Kids are happy, Sarah is happy and I am improving. 

Things sure are different from the last time I was onboard a ship heading for Hawaii.