Hilo, Hawaii - Exterior of the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm

This is one of the entrances to the production area.  The property is owned by Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, the world's largest producer of macadamia seeds. It has been a subsidiary of the Hershey Company since 2004. The company takes its name from the volcano Mauna Loa. Their headquarters and main processing plant are near the mountain, south of Hilo in the Puna District of the island of Hawaiʻi, known as the Big Island. (source wikipedia)

Hilo, Hawaii - Drive to Mauna Loa Nut Farm

We continued the tour at the Mauna Loa Nut Farm.  Here are some typical scenes along the way.

The tall grasses are cut so that there is clearance along the road.

Hilo, Hawaii - Big Island Candies

Our first stop on the Hilo tour was at the Big Island Candies.
This is a photo of a home along the way.

Hilo, Hawaii - Road to Kamehameha Statue

Our tour guide explained the upcoming day, time schedules, etc.  Our first segment of the tour gave us views of the local area, homes, business, parks.

Hilo, Hawaii - Morning Sail-In

Land ho!  Our first stop after a four day crossing.  I am very excited to see Hawaii (I've never been here before) and go to the top deck to see what I can see.  There is an overcast sky as we approach Hilo, and I can see a tall mountain in the distance.  The pilot tugboat comes out to give us a helping hand.

Pacific Ocean - Day 4 at Sea

Last full day at sea for a while.

iPhoto pics

Check out the Princess Patter and see that we will be pulling in to Hilo, Hawaii at about 9AM tomorrow.

 The water is very calm so I walk outside to get an interesting cloud photo.

 I try to take a selphie with the ocean and clouds in the back ground but this camera struggles with the bright brights and dark darks.  The shadow works for me!

 Took some time to read up on Hilo.

Out for the night for a little fun, then off to get a good night's sleep so that I am ready for my first foot step in Hawaii.

Pacific Ocean - Day 3 at Sea

Another day at sea as we sail from Los Angeles to Hawaii.

iPhone photos:

Day starts early with yogurt and Cappuccino at the International Cafe.

Check out the Daily Patter and plan to do a lot or nothing at all.

The sea and sky.

The champagne tree.  Fancy entertainment on Formal Night.

Pacific Ocean - Day 1 at Sea

After a good night's rest, we were up and moving to take advantage of a full day's activities at sea.

Zumba class in Club Fusion with Brit Karen.

A coffee break (it was really water) after an hour of Zumba.

Yes, I took a class on how to make these.

The ship was decorated for the winter holidays.

I had an ID tag on my favorite water bottle so that it would be returned to me if I lost it.

 And mid afternoon...a warm cookie and milk.

Then off to dinner and a show.

Los Angeles, California - Ship Departure

Leaving on the Sapphire Princess bound for Hawaii.

Los Angeles, California - Sail Away

We had finally made it from the Los Angeles airport, checked in at the dock, and were ready for the Sail Away and a few relaxing days at sea on the way to Hawaii.

I bought my coffee card (about $30) so that I could have my cappuccinos and started my adventure off right.  Up on deck, the sun was sinking "slowly in the west" and the harbor looked beautiful even though it was a working area.

These photos were taken with my iPhone.