Our plane to the West Coast leaves before dawn on Saturday, and for the next two weeks, home will be the "Infinity," a cruise ship of the Celebrity line. This is the same ship we were on for our Panama Canal cruise. That was also two weeks so we really got comfortable, and it was hard to say good by to the ship and her crew. Needless to say, we will know our way around on this trip. We have also taken week-long trips on her sister ships, Millennium and Summit. They differ from Infinity only in decor.

Through the canal, we had a cabin with a balcony, but this time we are inside. Not even a porthole. But who cares? We don't spend much time in our room anyway.

This trip is L.A. to Hawaii and back. We well visit five ports on four islands. Our other trips to Hawaii, have been by air, so this will be an entirely different perspective. I don't expect to see anything we haven't seen before, but things sometimes look different from the sea.

I'm sure the ship will take on a Hawaiian flavor before San Pedro sinks below the horizon. There will be a slice of pineapple on every plate, and Hawaiian music, played on a slack-key guitar, will fill the air. Leis will hang around every neck, and I expect to make full use of my Aloha shirt.

After about four days, and 2800 miles, we will see the islands rise out of the sea, and then the fun will begin. It will be luaus, with poi and roast pig. Did I mention pineapple? Everybody will be saying "Aloha" and "Mahalo" like native Hawaiians.

I just know I'm not going to want to leave that ship again.
Howard