Sometimes a picture can make you smile...

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Or in this case a Web Cam picture. here is a photo of the Zaandam in Kailua Kona Hawaii I took a few minutes ago. Seeing this I can just smell those flowers and hear the waves crashing the shore. I know this area so very well and it make it even better seeing a HAL ship there.

[cruisinjudy]

"Oh yes, I remember it well"

[Mpowered]

I've never been to Hawaii, but it still made me smile. :-) Thanks for sharing.

[hulamoon]

I used to work just inside that location..a long time ago..

[azrose]

Thank you for that picture!!! We'll be there on Nov 16th on Zaandam!!! This makes it even more real and more exciting....MAHALO!!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

hula moon I am jealous I have always wanted to live in the Kona area. If I am picturing this right that is right behind the Kona Inn or pretty close to that area. I can just picture looking to the left and seeing the RKR (Royal Kona Resort) I do miss going there. For at least 7 years in a row we would go every year about this time just missing the Triathalon or arriving the day of. Then for several years we would return Christmas week. But then we found cruising and that is where all our vacation dollars went We were last in Hawaii in Maui in 2005 and last in Kona Christmas 2003 but I can close my eyes and still smell the plumeria

[hulamoon]

Aloha Lisa,

I have been following your posts since iI found Cruise Critic but didn't realize you were a Kona fan. Where did you stay when you went?

I moved there in 1988 from Montana, and worked there until last year.After I sold my business I haven't been back, that was a year ago. but I have found memories. Now I live in Oahu full time.

Yes I think this picture is out on the lawn at the Uncle Billy's shopping center. Commonly it was known as the Kona Inn, pretty sure that is the resturant on the left. For a minute I thought it could be the palace, but then I noticed the green paint, so I think it is the lawn of that shopping center. It was shabbier than usual last time I was in town. After I sold my business I haven't been back, that was a year ago. I have found memories. Now I live in Oahu full time.

Where are you going next Lisa?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Sharie would you believe the first time we went to Kona was in 1985 and we stayed at Uncle Billy's A few times we would stay out at the Kohala Coast at what was the Hyatt turned Hilton in Waikoloa but in all honesty we preferred staying in town so we would stay at the RKR, they got to a point they knew us and we would call up and when I said our name they new what Corner King Suite we wanted in the Main tower Not the most luxious hotel on the Island but certainly the absolutely best location I am guessing we probably stayed there at least 9 or 10 times. Long before I found Cruise Critics I use to be an active member of the Kona Web forum.
Our next cruise is just a little two nighter on the NCL Star next month and then we are straying from HAL in January and cruising on the Crown Princess doing the Western Caribbean. I look forward to doing a little comparison cruising.

[Copper10-8]

Originally Posted by azrose

Thank you for that picture!!! We'll be there on Nov 16th on Zaandam!!! This makes it even more real and more exciting....MAHALO!!

We'll be there with you on that same cruise! Looking forward to it!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Originally Posted by Copper10-8

We'll be there with you on that same cruise! Looking forward to it!

John, now I am really jealous And to think while you are cruising on the Zaandam to Hawaii I get to enjoy a fun packed 2 nights on the NCL Star I think you have the better end of this

[sail7seas]

Oh my ...... Is that ever a beautiful photo, Lisa. Thanks for it.

[Copper10-8]

Originally Posted by LAFFNVEGAS

John, now I am really jealous And to think while you are cruising on the Zaandam to Hawaii I get to enjoy a fun packed 2 nights on the NCL Star I think you have the better end of this

Time for some comparissons between the Dutch (HAL) and the Norwegians (NCL), Lisa!

[PathfinderEss]

It made me smile, thanks Lisa

[hulamoon]

If I can help anyone while in Hawaii drop me a line.

Lisa I know there is a reason you are on a two day cruise, I can't wait to hear how that came about. I have been going back and forth between the Coral and a HAL Panama Canal or whatever else is out there. Feel free to share your experiences from the Sea of Cortez and PC.

I torture myself with every booking as to which way to go. So can't wait to hear your critique.

You are making me homesick, I may have to get back to Kona soon before the air wars get worse here.