Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-03-23
A Letter from Mrs. R. W. Thrill.
AT SEA 1900 MIEEs FROM HoNoLuLu.
FEBRUARY, 18th, 1904.
DEAR FRIEND Mrs. PREussNER.

| commenced my letter here will
nothing in sight but the dullest o
skies and restless waters. The Sc;
has been somewhat rough for tire,
days, good many Of the passenger.
are ill, some keeping their beds two
days. r. w. and myself escaped will
only slight symptoms.
This morning the sea is more
calm but there are breezes enough
all the time.
AS the days at sea are rather un-
eventful | will go back to San
Francisco to February I'd when we
set sail on the Khrea for Hong
Kong via Honolulu.
It's quite an event when a great
ship leaves for foreign port and
the interest was as intense on a
Pacific steamer as when one departs
from Atlantic shores for there are
always some doubts whether she
will weather all gales"
AT IL o'clock we went on board,
all was hustle, jostle and excitement
with the handling of freight; and
passengers and baggage arriving at
the last moment; but the whistle
sounds, adieus are said, and amid
waving handkcrchiefs the Korea
backs fro,n the harbor and the
journey had begun.
The dining hall was radiant with
gay flowers, adding beauty to the
tables with their snowy damask and
glittering silver.
Our cabin has good ventilation
and is fair size, the social hall is
roomy and pleasant, writing room
large and airy and all is "spick and
span" clean, as the days have passed
the untiring industry of the Chinese
servants keep all part of the great
ship in good order. The passengers
seem to be fine class of people,
some young, but mostly middle aged
and are very much given to books,
and what should we do if we had
no reading matter? We could not
look at the waves all the time as they
surge increasingly.
A short distance out we passed a
small island, that in the distance
looked like mere pile of rocks,
yet fishermen and their families call
the place their home, and teacher
is provided for their children.
After this was passed no sail was
seen and nothing special occurred.
We ate, drank and in general were
merry excepting those having slight
attacks of sea sickness, and we soon
became forgetful that any danger
could Turk to mar our anticipations.
True to hope and expectancy the
early morning of February 9Th, gave
us sight of land. We were nearing
the island of Oahn whose capitol is
Honolulu. Its harbor was before us
and the city, half hidden by a fog,
was almost within reach. At the
foot of Diamond Head Promontory a
light signaled to beware of shallow
water. Our great ship moves slow
ly but surely onward, and at 8
o'clock touched land. A crowd
awaited, and waving handkerchiefs,
welcomed those particularly interest
ed.
All fastened to leave the ship.
After the usual salutations when
friend meets friend, wreath of
flowers, a veritable poisoning chain,
was thrown about the neck of in
coming guests, an expression of Joy
for safe arrival and future good
wishes. The ceremony was new to
us and it seemed pleasing and appro-
pirate.
The night before the city had been
visited by heavy rain and clouds
yet hung dark" but few hours
later bright sunshine and the blue
skies were over all. This is much
more ola metropolis than | expect
ed, good business blocks and spa
cious hotels are not lacking. A fine
system Of electric street railway Of
fers speedy communication from
city to suburb, rendering sightsee-
ing far more enjoyable than carriage
hire" Pacific Heights" is noun
tain suburb whose handsome houses
attract the eye far out at sea. 1t
lies between two valleys and over
looks punch Bowl, an extinct
crater, whose top shows grass and
foliage and cultivated spots. An
electric railway connecting witt the
city system winds up the Heights
nearly thousand feet. This ride
was charming and the views from
the summit magnificent, and all
other SHOW places, grow pale in
comparison. Before you the Pacific
reaching far and wide. At your
right, mountains Of different hiphts
overlapping one another with sides
one mass of shaded foliage where
gloom and grandure and silence
reign. Jungles of wild growth APP
pear in the distance and pasture
lands slope to the base Of the noun
tains. Dwellings of farmers and
dairymen add variety to the scene,
while below on the slope and valley
are vegetable gardens; from our
point of view they seem like the
smallest patches and so divided and
sub-divided are they that they seem
like green crazy quilts. Waikiki
Beach at the foot of the Diamond
Head is noted resort. Hotels with
ample rooms are not wanting. We
pass the former residence Of Queen
Lip. Schools and colleges are
noticeable and museum is one of
the attractions; parks are frequent
and we pass the government nursery,
also banana orchards, rice fields,
fields OF sugar cane. beautiful homes