Keipu Falls - Kauai

Every week I get a few days where I don't go to work until 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., which is excellent because I get some time to go onto shore and explore. We got a group together including the broadcast technician, A.K., stage crew, Jimmy and Paul, our cruise director. We took about a $15/7-minute taxi ride to Keipu Falls where we hiked through sugar cane, navigated across white water rapids, jumped off of cliffs and swung on a 30-foot rope swing.



The water was running down the waterfall very quickly because they had received a lot of rain that week, which made it very hard to cross. The rapids took a lot of strength because the rocks were covered with moss and you would slip on them very easily. You had to turn your back to the falls and grab a tight hold on the black lava rocks. I also went adventuring with Liko, the Hawaiian Ambassador onboard. We body surfed downstream, went hiking in the sugar cane and we found ourselves on a rice plantation.



Check out the pictures of our group. I especially like the first pic...check out my abs. Don't they look amazing! Also, there's a picture of Liko who made a lei for the falls. It's tradition to give back to the Hawaiian Gods by offering them some sort of gift. Liko made a lei and left it on the rocks as a "thank you" to Pele.

Hallow's Eve at Sea

So...I'm back folks! I'm going to tell you about my Halloween on the ship. I know it's a bit belated, but better late than never right?!

The ship had a halloween party for crew members on the back (aft) of the ship at the Waikiki Bar. We had a live DJ and costume contests...as well as alcohol...and you know what that means! Each crew member was issued two drink tickets, but when you're members of the cruise staff you have an in with the bar mafia...and they definitely hook you UP! The alcohol was flowing like the "Salmon of Capastrana" as quoted in Dumb and Dumber.



My roommate, Emily, went as a scary, demented Pippi Longstocking. She sprayed her hair with red dye and it ended up turning her hair pink for nearly a month. She looked like a leopard with pink polka dots. The whole cruise staff went as pirates...and we went all out. I was a wench, DJ Drew went as Captain Morgan, Michelle (one of my really good friends) went as a spanish-styled pirate and Liko (our Hawaiian Ambassador) went as a giant peacock.

The next night, we hosted a haunted house for our guests and crew members. It took us three days to build/create the haunted house. We used one of the bars onboard to host the scary wonderland. One of our tech guys had 3 boxes of decorations sent to the ship for us to decorate with. We had costumes, spider's webs, flying bats, heads, mummies, black lights and fog machines to enhance the atmosphere. The best part was dressing up as a monster and jumping out at the guests! I think that'll be one of my next careers...in the Halloween biz. Just kidding! I couldn't only work for one month out of the year...I'd get too bored!

It was definitely a great Halloween! Check out the pictures!

Walking on water

One of my first adventures in Hawaii was on my favorite island of them all, Kauai! I took a tour of the rainforest...the wettest spot in the world. They get over 400 inches of rain a year...and on the other side of the mountains is a desert...how bizarre!

We first stopped at this waterfall...and then the 4x4 took us up the mountain. Along the way, our guide stopped to pick all of these tropical flowers and fruit...it was absolutely amazing! I tried a Hawaiian cherry...which supposedly is packed with tons of vitamins. Then we learned that the yellow hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii...random trivia for you out there! And ladies, if you're going to wear the flower in your hair...wear it to the right if you're single, or to the left if you're taken.



Finally, we made it up to the top. It was a scary trip up, because the roads were dirt and we skid a few times...thankfully I was buckled in. Safety First! Then, we got out of the 4x4 and started to hike. We crossed the entrance, where Jurassic Park was filmed...and beyond the entrance lie heaven! The view was incredible. Unfortunately, pictures don't do justice to this wonderland!

In the rainforest, I ate guavas right off of the trees, walked on water and soaked up the misty sunshine. Check out the pictures. That day, I felt like a local...and really connected to this beautiful place.



Stay tuned for more stories...I'll be back to write later about Kipu Falls, Hawaiian Gods (and my gift) and snorkeling in the ICE pond. Hope to hear from you all soon!

Hawaiian Adventures

So...I know it's been awhile, but I'm back on the bandwagon and blogging again. I'm sorry I've kept you waiting so long. I have so many stories to tell...so I'll have to write lots and lots.

First off, ship life is amazing. I compare it to college without the responsibility of studying anything. All you have to do is show up to work the next day. Though, I do have to admit I'm having an awful time keeping up with the boozers. But don't fret...I'm definitely trying to keep up! Eek! You should've seen my bar bill. It's dangerous, because you put your bar tabs on your ship ID card...and if you don't keep track you get your bill at the end of the 2 weeks and scream...just like I did yesterday when I found out I had spent nearly $200 on alcohol! Oh MY GOD!

"What's wrong with Red?," you ask. Well, funny thing is...it's about the only thing we can do here besides hook up with people. But that's questionable as well because there are so many love triangles here. The more and more I get to know people, the more and more I've learned to stay away from the opposite sex. Though, to be honest it's very hard...when you're hormones are ragin' and the boats a rockin'!



Basically, I'm livin' la vida loca on the Pride of America. Stay tuned for more stories.