Current Coordinates: 21 18.09 N 157 51.96 W
Breaking east and across the horizon – the bright morning sun shone with an intensity that we had not seen since the beginning of our Pacific crossing. Its intense rays reaching clear across the warm waters as we gently docked in Honolulu bay.
However the capital city was not our final destination during our furlough in America’s 50th state: we were merely here to bunker, pass through immigration, take on some much needed supplies, and finally gather our mail.
The return to tropical temperatures was without a doubt a welcome relief – but not as welcoming as our return to US waters which meant an end to international roaming charges: as it seemed the entire shipboard community gabbed away on their cell phones.
The breakfast buffet hosted what seemed like an endless drone of the personal chatter: shouldered mobile phones completely surrounding me.
But our arrival in Hawaii didn’t change the fact that it was still a class day as usual: as students hurried off to their various lectures, workshops, and seminars.
I took solace by lounging for a few hours in the rapidly intensifying sun and enjoying the mountainous view surrounding the metropolis of Honolulu – seemingly just a few feet from the gangway. But as a whole off limits for shore leave.
After taking on our much needed fuel and sundries we departed the port and began heading southeast towards the “big island” of Hawai’i and our next stop of Hilo.
We only have eight hours in port tomorrow before we again depart for another nine day sail across the North Pacific Ocean.
So we’re going to have to make the most of it.
And while quick one day furloughs are nothing new to the MV Explorer’s passengers and crew – it is compounded by the fact that tomorrow’s Thanksgiving turkey day festivities have rendered the normal tourist services and attractions closed.
However after doing some research we discovered that one key vendor would be open during the holiday.
A place so ubiquitous, well stocked, and accessible that it could not possibly be left off my Hawaiian to-do list.
A place called: Walmart
My shopping list is simple: a personal re-supply of postcards, stamps, sodas, chips, and candy.
There is no part of me that doubts that I will be able to find all this and more at this gargantuan representation of American consumerism – and while I recognize that my identity as a US citizen is very relieved to see something as familiar and as comforting as Walmart – the other part of me is still excited to do some speed sightseeing in this tropical archipelago.
Chowing down on Thanksgiving dinner tonight – a rare treat of creamy macaroni and cheese, cornbread stuffing, and succulent turkey: I thought about tomorrow and the very briefest of glimpses we will have of this island refuge.
A heritage and community for many – but an oasis in the vast expanse of the sea for us.
TL;DR arrived in Honolulu today for bunkering; a return to tropical temperatures; took solace in the mountainous views against the capital city; took off and started heading southeast towards Hilo and the big island; because tomorrow is Thanksgiving most things will be closed; everything except Walmart which will be my primary stop for personal resupply; part of me is relieved to see something as familiar as Walmart; the other part is looking forward to adventuring for a short eight hours in this tropical oasis across the sea
davengisonaboat 
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