Just Back from Hawaii!

Just back (ish) from a 19-night adventure to, around, and back from Hawaii, I’m sharing the best moments, biggest surprises, and everything in between. From snorkeling with manta rays to discovering Spam musubi (yes, it’s delicious), to watching steam rise from the edge of a sleeping volcano—this isn’t your average island recap. 

Hear what makes each Hawaiian island unique, how sea days on SilverSea’s Silver Moon became a highlight, and why one taxi driver left us speechless (and not in a good way). If you’ve ever dreamed of Hawaii or wondered if cruising’s the way to do it—this episode’s for you.

Transcript

Manta Rays, Volcano Gods and Spam: Cruising to the Real Hawaii

[Episode description]

Just back (ish) from a 19-night adventure to, around, and back from Hawaii, I’m sharing the best moments, biggest surprises, and everything in between. From snorkeling with manta rays to discovering Spam musubi (yes, it’s delicious), to watching steam rise from the edge of a sleeping volcano—this isn’t your average island recap. Hear what makes each Hawaiian island unique, how sea days on SilverSea’s Silver Moon became a highlight, and why one taxi driver left us speechless (and not in a good way). If you’ve ever dreamed of Hawaii or wondered if cruising’s the way to do it—this episode’s for you.

What do manta rays, Spam sushi, and a volcano goddess named Pele have in common?
 Apparently… my Hawaiian vacation. Stick around.

Hey there! I’m Russ, and welcome to Explorations All Over.  If you’re new here, I’m so glad you joined me!  If this isn’t your first time tuning in, welcome back!  And if you like travel stories with a personal twist, go ahead and follow Explorations All Over so you don’t miss an episode.  I also want to thank Ned, Alissa and Justin for the great feedback.  I really appreciate the support!

Okay—full disclosure. This episode is called “Just Back from Hawaii”, but the truth is… we’ve been back for a while. I meant to record this right after we got home, but, well… life happened. So let’s just say this recap has aged like fine poke.  If you don’t know what poke is, you’re missing out.

If you’ve ever dreamed about a trip to Hawaii—or wondered what it’s like to cruise there and back again—this episode’s for you.

So today, I’ll tell you what we loved, what didn’t quite go as planned, and some tips and surprises you might not expect… including an evening night snorkel with 15-foot manta rays, the unexpected joy of Spam musubi, and a brush with a mythical goddess who leaves glass hair all over your rental car.

Duncan and I recently spent 19 nights aboard SilverSea’s Silver Moon, crossing the Pacific, visiting the islands, and slowly sailing home through some of the most beautiful water I’ve ever seen. And a few of you wrote in asking, “Russ—how was it?”

Let’s dive in.

We departed Los Angeles aboard the Silver Moon and crossed the Pacific—five nights at sea—to reach Hawaii. We then spent six nights cruising the Hawaiian Islands before heading back to Vancouver—another six nights at sea.

Funny thing—we’d actually visited many of the same spots 23 years ago. When Duncan and I got home, we looked at old photos from that trip alongside the new ones… and wow, so much was just as we remembered it.

Let’s talk cruise line. SilverSea is, hands down, our favorite. We’re a gay couple in our 60s and have been traveling for more than 30 years. What do we want in a cruise? Great service. Great food and drinks. A well-maintained ship. And, most importantly, a genuinely friendly crew. SilverSea delivers on all of that—and then some.

Want the full rundown? Check out the Explorations All Over Facebook page. I documented the whole trip there.

Most Memorable Experience?

It’s a tie.

First: the night snorkel with manta rays in Kona. You board a boat just after sunset, gear up, and float facedown as massive floodlights illuminate the water. Suddenly, these giant manta rays—some as long as 15 feet—glide right up to you, inches from your mask. It was breathtaking. Truly unforgettable.

Second: visiting the Arizona Memorial on Oahu. It was moving. Knowing that the bombing of Pearl Harbor changed the world so profoundly instills in you a sense of gravity. The site is part of the National Park System, with videos and exhibits that set the stage before you even reach the memorial. It’s something I’ll remember forever—and it makes me appreciate December 7th all the more.

Most Surprising Experience?

Ever heard of Spam musubi?

Picture a big piece of sushi wrapped in seaweed—but instead of raw fish, it’s cooked Spam. I know, I know. But trust me, don’t knock it till you try it. It’s delicious. Spam has been a staple in Hawaii ever since World War II, when rations were often all locals had access to. Somehow, it stuck—and now it’s a cultural icon.

Most Disappointing Experience?

We were on the Big Island—also called “Hawai‘i” (confusing, I know). We took an excursion to Rainbow Falls, the Mauna Loa macadamia nut factory, and finally Volcanoes National Park, home to Kīlauea.

Our guide said it had erupted every Tuesday for the past month. But it was Thursday. Of course. We saw some steam and smoke, but no dramatic lava. That’s just how it goes. Sometimes Pele, the volcano goddess, is active—sometimes not.

Fun fact: when lava melts sand, it creates long, sharp glass filaments that float down and cover everything. Locals call it “Pele’s hair.” It looks delicate but is as sharp as fiberglass—so handle with care.

What Makes Each Island Unique

One thing we loved about this trip was how each island had its own vibe—sometimes in subtle ways, sometimes dramatically different.

Maui felt relaxed and upscale. The road to Hana is still iconic, and the beaches around Wailea are some of the most beautiful we've seen. It’s where you go if you want luxury with a laid-back spirit.

Oahu, on the other hand, is where city life meets island culture. Honolulu has the high-rises, shopping, traffic—and then, just a few miles away, you’re at Pearl Harbor, standing in solemn silence at the Arizona Memorial. It’s a real contrast, and that makes it fascinating.

The Big Island (Hawai‘i) is rugged and raw. It’s volcanic. You can drive through black lava fields that look like the surface of the moon, then suddenly find yourself in a lush rainforest. It’s the only island where you can go from snow-capped mountains to tropical beaches in the same day.

Kauai was my personal favorite. It’s green, lush, and feels more untouched. The pace slows way down. You see more chickens than people, and that’s not an exaggeration. If you want nature, waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs like the Nā Pali Coast, this is your island.

Every stop gave us something different—and having them all in one trip made us appreciate just how rich Hawaii’s diversity really is.

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Thinking about Planning Your Own Trip?

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Hawaii is Expensive
Almost everything is shipped in, and Hawaii’s popularity keeps prices high. Think: restaurants, hotels, activities—all at a premium. It’s a splurge. But it’s beautiful, so depending on your budget, it could be worth it.

2. Transportation Is Easy
Ubers are widely available. Taxis too, though we did have one unfortunate encounter in Honolulu. A taxi driver started yelling at us because we didn’t want his tour. Not a great ambassador. But every Uber driver we met was lovely.

3. Island Geography
Here’s a surprising stat: if you laid out the Hawaiian Islands end to end, they’d stretch from San Francisco to Houston. Yet, in terms of land mass, the entire state is smaller than Connecticut.

Should you visit just one island—or several? Each island has its own personality. Some travelers pick a single resort and settle in. Others prefer island hopping for variety. Smaller islands may offer fewer attractions, but if you just want a beach and a book, you’re golden. And flights between islands are pretty affordable—shoutout to Southwest for that.

Life at Sea

We love sea days. You can sleep in, relax, and unwind. SilverSea recently introduced a new program called S.A.L.T.—Sea and Land Taste—offered exclusively on Silver Moon. We took cooking classes using local ingredients. We made tuna poke, ceviche, salmon cakes, and pan-seared snapper. Classes were short (30 minutes), and yes, you got to eat your creations!

Other offerings: dance classes, towel-folding workshops (hard pass), nightly shows (we went to two), and a small casino (also not our thing). Most days we just lounged on deck, enjoying the view—until we hit Canadian waters, when it got chilly.

One cold day we ordered popcorn from room service and watched a movie in the suite. Perfect.

That’s our Hawaiian cruise in a coconut shell. Looking back, it wasn’t just the stunning views or the gourmet meals—it was the rhythm of the sea, the surprises on land, and the feeling of stepping into a completely different world every time we docked.

If you’re dreaming of Hawaii, I hope this gave you a little inspiration—and maybe a few helpful tips, too.

If you want to see more—including food pics, travel tips, and some jaw-dropping sunset shots—check out the Explorations All Over Facebook page. I posted a ton from this trip, and I’d love to hear what you think.  And if this episode brought some wanderlust your way, take a second to follow the show, leave a quick review, or share it with someone who’s dreaming of their next big getaway. It’s a small gesture that helps Explorations All Over reach more curious travelers like you.

Thanks again for tuning in. Once again, I’m Russ.  Thanks for joining me on my Explorations All Over.  I’ll see you soon.