October 16: No pictures today, as we didn't bring the digital camera on our 4 hour trip to Kealakekua Bay, aboard the Fair Winds catamaran, Hula Kai, with Captain Kirk :) and his crew. About a 45 minute cruise to the national marine reserve and the site of Captain Cook's monument.
It was here that Captain Cook first landed in the Hawaiian Islands, and where he first encountered the Hawaiian people. In the Hawaiian calendar of seasons, it was the season of peace. An old Hawaiian legend talked about he coming of a great king on a barge with great white banners (sign of peace) during this season of peace. Along came Captain Cook and crew on his great sailing ship with billowing white sails. For the Hawaiian's it was the fulfillment of the legend. He was welcomed by 10,000 Hawaiians and about 1500 canoes. Cook spent about 18 days with the Hawaiians, then continued his search for the Northwest passage to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He sailed up the western US coastline to the cold waters of Alaska. Failing to find the passage, Cook returned to Hawaii to warm up. Unfortunately for Cook, the season had changed from the season of peace to the season of war, and his second welcome at Kalakehua Bay was not as warm as the first. There was an altercation between Cook, his crew and the Hawaiians. Cook and 14 of his crew were killed. End of the Cook's expedition to find the Northwest passage :(
Moored at Kalakekua Bay, we enjoyed an hour or so of snorkeling over the coral, along the shoreline , many varieties of colorful tropical fish, some eels, a Honu (rare in the Bay), and of course the beautiful coral formations. Then back aboard the Hula Kai for BBQ lunch (hamburgers, cheese burgers, hot dogs, with all the trimmings, and beverages. After lunch back in the water for another hour snorkeling around the bay shoreline. But first we needed to jump off the catamaran's second level high dive platform. Two old geesers (sp) took there turns to the cheering of the 30 other shipmates. Momma Connie was the winner of the dive/jump competition, not sure if it was her jumping style or her splash. Her jump earned her a free Mai Tai on the return trip. We passed on the water slide, to get back in the water for our second hour of snorkeling.
It was a great trip, execellent snorkeling, great crew, good food, and friendly shipmates. We arrive back at our port on Keauhou Bay about 2:00 pm.
There will be underwater pictures, and a DVD our our experience on our return home.
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