#129 NOW October 26, 2006 16:15 (UTC -10 hours Hawaii Standard Time) Docked in Ko Olina Marina, Oahu, Hawaii Greetings, Well, obviously we made it to Kailua on the big island of Hawaii. We called customs on the cell phone and they said they would be out at noon. Mike was hoping to make an earlier flight back to California, so we asked if he could come to the airport and clear customs there. They agreed to this, and I dropped him off at the pier. Kailua was a bustle with good-looking bodies everywhere. I was beginning to think that America had changed her ways while I was gone and everyone had gone on a diet. Actually, the world championship Ironman contests were being held there, thus the abundance of the trim and fit bodies. I walked up to a grocery store and picked up some fresh lettuces and tomatoes. It was so good to get some fresh veggies. A big salad was on the menu for supper. The next morning I went the few miles up to Honokohau Marina. I found it to be packed full of boats, all tied stern too. Even the gas dock was a stern too affair. When you are single handed, stern too tie-ups are a real pain. I could not raise anyone on the radio for help, so I left and went back to Kailua and anchored out for another night. At 0200 the next morning, I departed Kailua for Maui. As expected, crossing the channel between the islands was rough. By evening, I was dropping anchor in Maalaea Bay. Since there was still a small southerly swell, it was not a very restful night. The next morning I cruised the few hours over to Lahaina. Since it was still early, I got the kayak down and paddled into this historic old whaling town. Now there are tourists everywhere. >From Lahaina I went to Honolulu with an overnight stop at Lono, Molokai. Once again, it was rough on the passages between the islands with seas running 10 to 12 feet. I pulled up to the gas dock and took on 200 gallons of fuel for $686. At $3.43 per gallon, this was the most expensive fuel I have ever purchased. However, my luck changed when I pulled up to the Hawaii Yacht Club to see if they had a dock for the night. Ron DuBois, manager of the Yacht Club, could not have been nicer. He squeezed me into a spot and gave me a complimentary membership card for the use of all their facilities. What a nice welcome back to the good old USA. The next morning I departed Ala Wai Harbor, and going several miles off the coast to stay out of all the restricted and prohibited areas around the airport and Pearl Harbor, I made my way to Ko Olina Marina. This lovely marina is near Barbers Point, and to my knowledge is the only marina with any slips available on the island of Oahu. While it is rather pricey, and there isnt much around, it is a quiet secure place to leave the boat for the winter. Next spring I will be taking the boat back up to Vancouver Island, although I have been giving some thought to selling it. I have had the boat almost five years, and my dream of exploring the South Pacific has been fulfilled, although I would really like to make another trip to Alaska. For now, I will have some time to visit friends and relatives, and get to know my grandson. While this will be my last NOW for a while, you might want to check back in a week or so as I hope to have a bunch of new pictures posted. It has been a pleasure sharing my adventure with you, and for those of you that have a similar dreamjust get out there and do it. Life is a Cruise, Larry -- Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/Dads%20Web/doneDreamnHome.htm