Hawaii

I was not looking forward to Hawaii, and did not have plans.  But when I woke up, day was dawning as we were drawing close to the island!  Oh my gosh!  It was so exciting to see land, beaches, and palm trees!

I scrambled to think of what to do as we went through the immigration process.  A student who lived in Hawaii told me where to rent a kayak.  Unfortunately the shop was closed, but I walked to a row of banyan trees along a beach, and saw a man launching two wood kayaks that he had built.  I did not go out, but had a good time talking kayaking and island living.

Then I walked in the other direction, away from Hilo.  At the first park, the maintenance man told me about the whales that had been in close  the day before!  I kept walking (maybe a mile or so) to a bike rental place that I had learned about from a staff member on the ship.  From there I asked about getting lunch, and found a sandwich shop with a real hummus wrap (none on the ship). 

I went to the nearest beach, and climbed up on a big rock to look for whales while eating my lunch.  A fellow came by with his lunch and joined me.  He had brought binoculars to look for whale, and generously shared them.  There were splashes on the horizon off and on for quite a while!

Before he headed back to work, he told me where to look for the sea turtles.  And indeed there was a big turtle resting in a protected backwater.  He swam out a couple of times, then he came back to more or less the same spot.

I biked on the road that paralleled the beach – there were a variety of beaches – mostly volcanic rock, with occasional patches of black sand.  Richardson’s Beach has a lot of Semester at Sea students, and some protected swimmable water that I took advantage of.

On the way back, I walked out on a lava point, and saw whales in much closer, including a good view of a fluke.  A man with a 6-maonth old baby was showing her the whales.

Great day.  I am glad that I thought about what I had liked best on my two trips to Hawaii – going from beach to beach.  I loved going along the named and unnamed  volcanic beaches.  And the day was drawing to a close as I returned to the ship.

The haze gradually lifts.

I arrived back in the US on Jan. 4, and boarded the ship Jan. 8.  I thought I was OK on jet lag, though knew I was under the weather with a sinus infection.  Two weeks, and three rounds of antibiotics later, the cloud lifted.  Only by looking back did I realize how out of it I was at the start.  I only worked on my classes and slept.

From this perspective I was not really looking forward to Hawaii.  We only had 12 hours in Hilo, and what can you see in Hawaii in one day?

Train service in Japan and the US

It was easy to book Amtrak on line, and the price was good.  I thought a leisurely trip down the coast of California would be scenic, and arrival in San Diego from San Luis Obispo mid-evening would be perfect.  After lots of train travel in Japan, it all sounded quite charming and civilized. 

After we mailed boxes back to Arlington from the San Luis Obispo Post Office, Nick dropped me off a bit before noon for my 1:30 train, then he headed for his first day of class.  I was able to check my two large duffels inexpensively, and head for a nearby lunch with just the small rolling bag and backpack.  I took my time because the train was posted as an hour late.

Actually the train was more than two hours late.  That shortened the daytime for watching the coast, and brought me into San Diego close to midnight.  There was a good sunset over the Pacific!  I had paid a bit extra for business class, and was welcomed by name.  The person who served me kept offering drinks and snacks, and telling me her life story – all seemed to be in service of a good tip.

When I arrived, Amtrak was very helpful in getting my duffels to a cab, and the evening ended OK, if late.

Communication

Students have very limited internet.  Apparently they spread out on arrival at port like worker bees, and do a happy dance when they get back to ship to tell their classmates where the internet cafes are.  I can do internet as needed for my academic work.

It was a little cumbersome getting set up with my MAC, but I am more or less OK with e-mail.  Internet is very limited and of low quality.  For all intents and purposes students and faculty are unplugged.  It is great living without all the electronics!

Teaching on a ship

The podium is bolted to the floor, and the finish is worn off on the top edge from gripping by many years of faculty. 

The podium was supplied with barf bags.  Only one student asked to leave class because of seasickness.

Where else do students get to watch their professor stagger around?

Rolling view of the ocean out the classroom window.

And did I say that today, the first day of classes, is Sunday?

Food on board

Vegan is not a category.  They do have lots of things for vegetarians, but these options include egg and/or dairy.  And no soy milk.  I do eat fish, and they do have it for some meals.  There is lots of fruit at breakfast, and small bagels with peanut butter.  There are lots of greens, tomato, cucumber, and grated carrots at lunch and dinner.  Lunch and dinner include some rice/pasta/potatoes.  I don’t have this completely figured out, and am hungry for each subsequent meal – but that is probably not a bad thing.

Today at lunch they had a bean casserole – great for vegans, and a lentil soup.  Great food for vegans, but perhaps they could have been at different meals since there is so seldom vegan food.  The couscous with pine nuts included ONE nut.

I will stock up on some things (in single serving containers) when I am ashore.