Monday Feb 2, 2026
Hi Gang! Today we are docked in the town of Nawiliwili which is on the Hawaiin island of Kauai. They get lots of rain here which is why they call it the Garden Isle. It has a location that’s known as the wettest place on earth and one year they got 721 inches of rain! But we got lucky and avoided the rain. The island is 80% mountains and is the oldest and northern most Hawaiin island.
Our excursion today was a river cruise down the Wailua River to a place called Fern Grotto. I know, you’re thinking we’ve been on a cruise for 24 days, we got off and got on a different cruise? Well it was a really cool experience floating down this river where they filmed parts of Raiders of the Lost Ark. We saw the rope swing where he swung out onto the river!
As we floated down the river, they played and sang Hawaiin music and taught us to do the hula dance (I didn’t film that!). When we got to Ferm Grotto they played more Hawaiin music. Fern Grotto is a natural lava rock cave famous for its lush hanging ferns. It’s where many Hawaiin Royalty get married as well as many locals.
But there was a major event today! Big news… very Big news… Kathy and I got married today!! OK, OK, kinda sorta kinda… we got married Hawaiin style! Lol. The legend of Fern Grotto is that when they sing the Hawaiin wedding song, after the song if you kiss the person next to you, you’re considered married Hawaiin style! Not sure if that hold up in court!
After Fern Grotto we went to visit Opaeka’s Falls. It is 151 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Really nice. On one side was the Falls on the other side was the river we had just sailed down!
After that we got back on the ship and had lunch. Then took the free shuttle to a local mall where we did a little shopping (I’m looking at you grandkids!). We got back in time to play another game! We won another Regent point playing Baggo. We then got ready for our big evening. A little surprise I’ll post about later tonight. Happy Monday to all!
PS: I feel bad for my friends and family on the East Coast based on today’s news from the state where I was born. Pennsylvania’s “official state meteorologist,” Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow Monday morning, predicting six more weeks of winter!!!! Nooooooo…
The Wandering Italian 