Monday, July 16, 2012

Catamaran ride to the Na Pali Coast

Today we explored the northwest of the island by a boat ride on the catamaran to the Na pali Coast.  The Na Pali Coast is only accessible by boat, plane or by hiking.  Our ship's name was The Lucky Lady and I think it was a great name for the ship because we got a lot of luck. On the Na pali coast we met some playful Spinner Dolphins.  The captain told us that the Na pali Coast is the dolphins territory so they only do tours there.  The dolphins swam right next to the ship and turned and did different tricks.  Since it's the dolphins territory the dolphins race the ship and scratch its back on it.  We also met some slow sea turtles who looked like they were sleeping
on top of the water and swaying on the waves.
Standing in front of Lucky Lady

The boat ride was very rough and it was so much fun standing in the front of the ship and getting splashed by every wave.  We were rocking back and forth on the ship but still enjoying the gorgeous view of the 4000 foot cliffs.  The definition of Na pali is cliffs.  There were also many caves and waterfalls formed by the water and streams.  The captain pointed out everyone of them.

Long ago there was this fishing village called  Nu'alolo Kai.  This is where the captain anchored down the ship and let everyone snorkel in the reef.  The boat had a waterslide that went into the ocean.  My siblings and I slid down the slide and plopped in the water.  The fish we saw were amazing!  I saw my favorite color fish a huge yellow fish that was very easy to see through this school of gray fish called Nenue Lowfin Chub. It looked just like the Nenue fish, but yellow.   There was also a brown fish that had a flapping fin on the top and on the bottom called Humuhumu-Ele'ele Black Durgon Triggerfish.  We also met two sea turtles sleeping on the bottom of the reef.  Then we head back to our dock.  It was a very exciting day!

Spinner Dolphins


Caves near the coast












Have you ever been on a boat? Where did you go?

21 comments:

  1. Dear Miriam,

    I really have loved reading about your wonderful holiday you are having with your family.

    You sure have packed a lot into this holiday and have gone on some wonderful adventures.

    I was glad to read that you went on a boat however I really felt sorry for you all when you mentioned that it was a bit rough.
    Did you feel sea sick?

    As you know we are planning a trip to Port Douglas and we are going on a boat to view the coral sea at that way. Port Douglas in located between the Great Barrier Reef. We also are planning to go snorkeling, not to sure if I will attempt that. Maybe I will sit in the boat and watch from above.
    What do you think Miriam?

    Thank you for sharing with us all your awesome holiday Miriam.

    Have fun in the sun.

    From your pal,
    AA

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    1. Dear AA,

      I hope you are having a wonderful holiday! At one point on the ship when it was about to get extremely rough the captain made every person find a seat. That was when my sister and I got a little bit sea sick. But right after the rough part all the kids ran back to the front of the ship to enjoy some smaller waves.

      That will be quite an adventure going on a ship and getting to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. It sounds incredible! You will probably see many sea animals. I think you should try to go snorkeling. BB will have a lot of fun!

      Sincerely,
      ✿Miriam✿

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  2. Dear Miriam,

    Wow! Another great adventure in Hawaii! Mahalo!

    We hiked a bit of the Na Pali coast, and we saw lots of boats like your Lucky Lady taking tourists along the cliffs. Both Mr. Yollis and I are prone to sea sickness, so we did not do this excursion. It was fun for me to experience it virtually with you and your family! :-)

    I love dolphins. We saw schools of them at different times. One time, we were standing on our lani watching two snorkelers drift and explore. Suddenly, a small pod of dolphins came to check out the snorkelers! There were about five dolphins in the group. Apparently, many other people were watching because as soon as we spotted the dolphins, lots of people ran out of the building and swam out to meet the dolphins. Of course, the dolphins took off! :-( What an amazing encounter that must have been for those snorkelers! Probably a little scary at first!

    How long were you out on the Lucky Lady?

    I wonder how many different kinds of dolphins there are?

    Your Hawaiian-loving former teacher,
    Mrs. Y♥llis

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    1. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

      It is so nice that you got to explore the Napali Coast. We also did the same hike that you did, and Sarah will be doing a post about that adventure. It was gorgeous seeing the turquoise water from above.

      We were on the ship from 6 in the morning until 1 in the afternoon.

      The captain told us that the dolphins that we saw were Spinner Dolphins. I think dolphins are adorable and playful sea animals. We didn't see any dolphins while we were snorkeling and I am not sure if I want to swim with them as I think I would be scared.

      I found out that there are several species of dolphins that can be found in Kauai, but Spinner Dolphins are the most common.

      Sincerely,
      Miriam

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  3. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. You are such a skilled writer. Your writing helped me to feel like I was there with you. Excellent job!

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    1. Dear Mr. Guymon,

      Thank you for leaving me a complimentary comment. I had quite an adventure on the Lucky Lady tour. I hope you get a chance to visit this island too.

      Sincerely,
      Miriam

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  4. Aloha Miriam,
    What an action packed trip you had on that boat! Were you scared up there on the bow or was it really, really fun? Personally, I think standing up front and getting splashed is the best place to be!
    I went to Hawaii once but I didn't do this trip. Your descriptions and photos brought back some fond memories of my vacation.We went snorkeling one time and fed peas to the fish! I never saw any dolphins! You are so lucky!

    Enjoy your summer!
    Mrs. Hembree
    http://bellbulldogreaders.edublogs.org

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    1. Dear Mrs. Hembree,

      Thank you for the comment. It was actually a lot of fun standing on the bow and get splashed by the waves. It was really hot outside and the water was the perfect temperature, not too cold and not too hot. Sometimes the captain would make us sit down when the waves got larger.

      Seeing the fish and feeding them was one of the highlights of the day. Please visit again soon!

      Sincerely,
      Miriam

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  5. Dear Miriam,

    It looks like you're having a wonderful time on your holiday! I'd love to go to Hawaii someday and explore the Na Pali Coast.

    I have never been fond of boats as I sometimes get sea sick.

    I have been to the Great Barrier Reef where AA is going a few times and it is spectacular. Luckily, the boat ride out to the reef isn't too long.

    I have also explored the Bay of Islands at the top of New Zealand by boat. Your picture of the caves reminded me of the Bay of Islands.

    Another boat ride I remember was in Thailand. We caught a very fast speed boat out to some islands where you could go snorkling. The boat went so fast that my hat flew off and I lost it!

    How is the weather in Hawaii?


    Best wishes,
    Mrs M☀rris

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    1. ♕♔Miriam♕♔July 23, 2012 at 8:18 PM

      Dear Mrs. Morris,

      Thank you for the comment. The weather in Kauai is very humid and warm and it rains at least a little bit tomorrow. The center of the island has the most rainfall in the world. One day when we went canoeing, my sister Hannah's hat got tangled in the bushes nearby and she lost her hat. How did you enjoy your vacation in the US? Do you think you will come back soon?

      Sincerely,
      Miriam

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    2. Dear ♕♔Miriam♕♔

      Thank you for your excellent reply. You've been so busy writing all these responses to people.

      The weather sounds so interesting. I can't believe the centre of the island has the highest rainfall in the world. That's amazing!

      I absolutely loved my holiday in the USA. I'd love to come back soon and spend some more time with Mrs Yollis. I'd also like to meet you and your lovely family! I'm not sure when that will be but hopefully sooner rather than later.

      Best wishes,
      Mrs M☀rris

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  6. Dear Miriam,

    Without doubt, Hawaii has some of the most remarkable landscapes in the world. The Na Pali Coast looks stunning and worth the voyage to see but to be able to top it off with a reef swim amongst the fish would be an experience to remember. You are certainly packing a great deal into your vacation.

    Your questions...

    Have you ever been on a boat?

    I have been on a number of boats from rowboats and canoes to large ships capable of carrying trains an trucks although I've never been on a cruise. From my town, many tourists go on trips out to sea to watch migrating whales. They pass my town when they migrate north in Fall and south in Spring.

    Where did you go?

    One of my favourite boat trips was around the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. We saw dolphins and penguins as we journeyed around the bay. This run is to deliver supplies to the small islands in the area. On one island we stopped for lunch but I was more interested in walking to the top of a peak to see the island and surrounding waters.
    The biggest ship I have been on was also in New Zealand. It sails from Wellington on the North Island to Picton on the South Island carrying people, trains, cars and trucks. I have made this journey a number of times.
    One time, the sea was so rough, the bow of the large ship would nose down into waves. The resulting spray would be thrown up high over the ship's funnels. On that trip I stayed inside happy to be protected behind glass since it was early Spring and the water was very cold.

    Thanks for sharing more experiences with us. Your photos are wonderful. :)

    @RossMannell
    Teacher, NSW, Australia

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    1. Dear Mr. Mannell,

      That is so interesting that you have seen whales migrating. How many whales did you see? I have never seen a penguin but always wanted to. That must have been an incredible sight.

      That trip must have been a lot of fun as the bow of the ship would dive under the wave. On our trip, my younger sister Sarah was standing at the bow as a big wave came and she went flying up, which really scared us all. She nearly fell over board.

      Thank you for always sharing your interesting experience and teaching me something new.

      Sincerely,
      Miriam

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    3. Dear Miriam,

      ** Wow, what was I thinking in the first reply? I listed Phillip Island as in the state of South Australia instead of Victoria. Luckily, Mrs Morris pointed out it is part of her Victoria. :)

      Sometimes the whales are so close to shore you need only look out to sea. There is a large bay tot he south of my town where the local town, Eden, sounds a horn when whales come in Locals and tourists gather on the lookouts to watch.

      I have seen a number of penguins in the wild over the years. Not too far from my town there is a small colony of Little Penguins some call fairy penguins. On an island called Phillip Island in the state of Victoria, tourists gather each night to see the Parade of the Penguins as little penguins come in from the sea.

      When I was about your age, I learned the hard way not to stand on the bow of a ferry when it hit a wave. I wasn't nearly washed overboard but I was soaked by the spray. :)

      @RossMannell
      Teacher, NSW, Australia

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  7. Dear Miriam,

    Wow what an awesome holiday you are having with your family.

    So much to see and do. I hope to be going on a holiday soon and I hope to be doing some of the things that you did.

    Your boat ride sounds like a lot of fun until it got rough. :(

    What has been your favourite bit about this holiday?

    From your friend,
    BB

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    1. ♕♔Miriam♕♔July 23, 2012 at 8:21 PM

      Dear BB,

      I am having a great vacation and I hope you are had a great holiday also! How has it been to be back in school? Do you like your classes? Do you get a lot of homework?

      It was still fun to go on the boat even during the rough periods. One of my favorite activity of the vacation is this boat trip.

      Sincerely,
      Miriam

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  8. Dear Miriam,
    I'm glad you have such a great vacation and now you can blog and post beautiful pictures. This trip had many adventures and you could do many different activities and learn the flora and fauna of Hawaii.
    I never been on a small ship in the open ocean. It's little scary for me because of the big waves.
    Love you,
    Grandma Tanya and Grandpa Eugene

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    Replies
    1. ♕♔Miriam♕♔July 23, 2012 at 8:20 PM

      Dear Grandma Tanya and Grandpa Eugene,

      Thank you for leaving me a comment. You taught me a new word the flora and fauna of Hawaii. Our ship wasn't too small and the waves weren't too big, so most of the trip wasn't really scary. We also had a really good captain who let us know what to expect.

      Sincerely,
      Miriam

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  9. Hello Miriam
    How lucky you are to be able to take such a memorable trip. I live in Australia and like AA and Mrs M I have been to the Great Barrier Reef. I went snorkeling there and was amazed at all the fish and animal life just below the surface of the water. I have learnt so much about Hawaii in particular Na Pali Coast. Thanks for sharing such an informative post. Enjoy the rest of your time and I hope one day you manage to travel south and visit our beautiful coastline.
    from Mrs B (Brisbane)

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    Replies
    1. ♕♔Miriam♕♔July 23, 2012 at 8:19 PM

      Dear Mrs. Brisbane,

      Thank you for the comment. The Great Barrier Reef must be the most amazing place to see fish and different sea animal life. I hope maybe one day I will be able to travel to Australia and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. Visit again soon!

      Sincerely,
      Miriam

      Delete

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