Hawaii: O'ahu Day 3 - Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial

July 30: Pearl Harbor

Today we visited the Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri. Our bus picked us up from the hotel about quarter to 7. The drivers name was Kioa and he was delightful. He’s a native to O’ahu and knows the island very well.

Upon arriving at Pearl Harbor, Kioa checked us in. Because of September 11^th, no bags are allowed inside any of the tour site. When we were there, they were working on building a new visitors center and museum. It should be open now. Before going to the Arizona Memorial, we watched a 23-minute video about the attack on Pearl Harbor, complete with video of the bombing of the Arizona and capsizing of several other ships (Oklahoma). This moved me to tears thinking about all the lives that were lost and how unnecessary it can be.

Outside there are several plaque memorial areas dedicated to the lost submarines, those who died aboard other battleships, and civilian casualties. It was a 10-minute ferry ride over to the actual memorial. The opening room had all the military flags. The middle room is the part that stretches over the Arizona remains. To either side you can see parts of the ship and there is a cutout to look down upon it. The far side has a wall with the names of all who dies when the ship was attacked, as well as a few who survived and have now passed away. It was solemn to look at the wall knowing we were standing above their final resting place. You can also see where oil is still leaking from the ship. 

After leaving the Arizona, Kioa drove us over to Ford Island, where the Battleship Missouri is located along with the Aeronautical and Aviation Museum. The Missouri was commissioned in the early 1900s and was finally decommissioned in 1992 after Desert Storm. It was impressive, with its massive turrets and low casualty record. Yet after being at the Arizona, where there is so much reverance and loss, I'm not sure I fully appreciated it. Our guide Sam had some great stories about the ship and could repeat the words spoken when the Japanese surrendered. We also were able to walk through several of the decks and observe life aboard.

On the active base, the Coast Guard and Navy were running Rim Pac Games. This is basically an internationl training exercise run by over 100 nations. The day we were at the Memorials, we saw the Japanese coming into harbor. Quite a change from the last time they came in.

To be continued...

Hawaii: O'hau Day 2

July 29, 2010

Woke up around 8. Sunshine was out and we could see surfers catching waves from out balcony. There’s something peaceful about watching them, moving with the ebb and flow of the ocean, then suddenly getting a surge of power as a good wave hits.

We went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, MAC 24/7. Our waiter was a very nice half Hawaiian guy. I had the Mac-Attack: French toast, eggs, bacon, and sausage. Drew has their pancakes, which was the largest stack of pancakes I’ve ever seen. They had to be close to a foot in diameter and were topped with walnuts, chocolate chips, and banana slices. He finished a little under half of it.

After we decided to walk around Waikiki and do some shopping. I got a Hawaii jacket and a maxi dress. I also found a really pretty coffee mug with Duke Kahanamoku on it. Drew got several pairs of board shorts.

Later in the afternoon we went over to Waikiki beach. Ocean was maybe 80, so a little chilly when you first waded in. Drew and I climbed on the breakers and were hanging out until a big wave hit and I wiped out, scraping my thigh and hand. I ended up with some nice bruises.

We had dinner at Duke’s, named for the same man from my mug. He’s known as the Father of Surfing and 5 time gold medalist in swimming. My cousin Derek recommended this as well. I had an amazing fish dish. It was like a white salmon sautéed in a lemon butter sauce with capers. 

Hawaii: O'ahu Day 1

July 28, 2010

Today we flew out of Charlotte with a direct flight to Hawaii. We’ll we be flying back six time zones. Our flight left a little before 10 AM and should land around 2.

We actually landed at 1:30, a bit ahead of schedule. My mother bought Drew and I lei’s, mine was purple and white orchids. We later learned that after Hawaiians wear the leis, they’ll place them on the statues of Hawaiian gods as an offering to them.

After getting checked in to the Hilton Prince Kuhio, we cruised down to the beach for a sunset Catamaran cruise. My cousin recommended that we do this our first night because its relaxing, but also a beautiful way to see the island. So we sailed around aimlessly, listening to music and drinking. They had a specialty drink that was pineapple, mango, cherry, and a good amount of rum. Derek and Double Down were our deckhands and drink masters and made sure everyone’s glass stayed full. To ask for a refill, they told us to put our cups on top of our head. Lets just say this became funnier as the night went on. Sunset was about 7:15, so the total trip was about an hour and a half.

Dinner was at a pizza joint. Fell asleep around 9.

Christmas Came Early

Now that my time studying abroad is done, I've decided to convert this blog into my travel blog. I used to keep journals of my trips, what I did each day, ate, saw, ect. I'll most likely keep one still for my own personal pleasure, but I enjoy sharing my travels with others and this is an easy way to share my adventures. 

Because of this conversion, I may be backdating some of my pervious travels, like Hawaii, Greece, maybe Australia, and a few smaller trips. I have all of my old journals, and lots of pictures. I'd like to share some of the amazing places I've been.

Lastly, I just found out that my immediate family will be traveling to Bonaire for a week long diving trip for New Years. We'll be there from December 28th to January 4th. Not a bad way to ring in the new year if you ask me. 

If you don't know where Bonaire is, its part of the Dutch Caribbean about 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela. All the waters around Bonaire form part of the Bonaire National Marine Park. The south western coast is protected by the natural bay and Klein Bonaire, it offers great diving and swimming condition with very little waves or currents. The rugged north eastern coast line, on the other hand, bears the burden of the trade winds and waves.

That's the news for now. Keep your eyes open to adventure. Until next time.