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Tiki Central / Tiki Travel / Trip Report: Sydney to Honolulu Cruise, April 2024

Post #812835 by coldwarspacemonkey on Thu, May 23, 2024 9:58 AM

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The trip was a repositioning cruise planned from Sydney to Lifou, Mystery Island, two stops in Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, Maui, ending in Honolulu. Unfortunately, last year’s wildfires in Maui meant a change in itinerary – a full day and night in Honolulu instead. I don’t know if the change was a good thing or a bad thing for the folks on Maui, but still wishing them the best.

We left Jacksonville on Saturday the 6th, then through Atlanta and Los Angeles, arriving in Sydney on the 8th (Monday morning). At this point I figured somebody owed me a Sunday (and a summer).

The incredible view from our hotel room in Sydney. IMG_20240407_165022337_HDR

Since we arrived a day early, we had some time to wander around Sydney Harbor. IMG_20240407_182614954_HDR

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The ship was due to depart the evening of the 9th, but the weather was not cooperating. 100 kph (62 mph) winds were blowing outside the harbor and the harbor master closed the port. So we got to spend another evening in Sydney. A bit disappointing but the scenery was great! IMG_20240409_025655692_HDR

The delay meant we’d miss Lifou. A medical emergency then kept us from Mystery Island. Onward to Fiji. First the port of Lautoka, and a tour to Nadi. IMG_20240413_224212453_HDR

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These guys seemed a little out of place. IMG_20240414_172014435_HDR

Next day Suva and a tour down the east coast. We were greeted by a rainbow. IMG_20240415_115056442

We stopped in the village of Tonga Levu, and after a kava ceremony were adopted into the village. This is a shot from after the ceremony. IMG_20240415_154915390

Next stop: Apia Samoa, and the Samoa Cultural Village. IMG_20240417_141148579_HDR

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The men do all the cooking. Here prepping coconut milk and taro. IMG_20240417_134404075_HDR

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And a few for the carvers. IMG_20240417_133712330_HDR

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Then a stop at the Robert Louis Stevenson museum. The tapa wallpaper in the study is a reproduction of the original. IMG_20240417_153412161

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Then across the international date line to American Samoa. Got my Sunday back, although I think it was actually a Wednesday.

The villages have an annual 40-man canoe race. As we were pulling into Pago Pago harbor we saw some of them out practicing. IMG_20240418_105123684_HDR

Then into the latest in island transport. IMG_20240418_134314937_HDR

Beautiful island! Mandatory tourist shots. IMG_20240418_134427356_HDR

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Fatu-ma-futi IMG_20240418_132247029_HDR

What the well-dressed peace officers are wearing this season. IMG_0978

Onward across the equator (anyone else kiss a fish?) to Honolulu. IMG_20240424_105816242

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Tourist swag.

Fiji mask IMG_20240427_142256135~2

Tourist war club and cannibal fork IMG_20240427_141302066

Various tapa IMG_20240427_142341279

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A few for the Missus IMG_20240427_141734360_HDR IMG_20240427_141837722

And some shirts IMG_20240427_140343026_HDR

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I must say we were guests of some of the nicest folks that I've come across. Everyone from Australia on was cordial and welcoming. We loved the whole trip! This was supposed to be a "bucket list" trip, but we'll be back!