Hawaii trip with some pics!

The next day was our Oahu historic city tour and Pearl Harbor tour. We woke up to a rainbow!

We learned some neat facts while on the bus with our driver! Oddly enough, we sat next to another honeymooning couple, from New Jersey, who were also both teachers, and also both had July birthdays- freaky!

Our tour took us past some neat sights

This mountain was called the "punchbowl" by early visitors. It's a crater. Early Hawaiians used to take their royal dead up there to be burried away from commoners. They would actually tell servants that if they carried their dead up their, they would earn their freedom. However, it was their belief also that the "mana" or power of their royalty could somehow pass to the servants on the trip so upon reaching the crater the servants were sacrificed. No one tells you that in a guidebook!

Statue of Father Damien who helped develop Molokai for the lepers and eventually contracted the disease himself- amazing story! There is a book called Molokai which is a great read if you are interested- I couldn't put it down!

We then took the bus ride up to punchbowl to see the national cemetery.

On the way back down and to Pearl Harbor we visited the old palace. They make you wear booties over your shoes and you may only take notes in pencil- not pen.

Our next journey was through China Town- yes they have a China Town in Oahu! We learned an interesting story during that part! Apparently it was overrun by rats at one point. The US Government came up with the idea of releases tons of mongoose because they would stop the rats. However, rats are nocturnal and the mongoose were day hunters! So now the city was overrun by both! Then they decided a controlled fire would fix the problem- so they set one but never accounted for unpredictable island winds and the fire spread and burned down china town. Sound about right!

Now we were on our way to Pearl Harbor which I will upload next!

Pearl Harbor was beautiful but very sad. They have two museums there- the pre-war and pearl harbor museum. They also show you a short video with clips before boarding the boat to go the the USS Arizona. The whole experience was a bit indescribable and sad. We learned that there are few survivors left and as they pass away many ask to have their ashes scattered over the wreckage to be with their crewmates. After closing the park takes the family out at sunset, has a ceremony, and scatters the ashes.

at the museum

Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor Ship

I never thought I would see Pearl Harbor since I'm afraid of flying and what a flight from NJ it is! I'm glad I made it there though because it was an experience. I picked up a tshirt for my dad since he's a war veteran and he was super excited!

That afternoon we hot the pool and Waikiki beach and got some snacks! Yum. Then we explored town a bit and went to Duke's for dinner- Duke's was delicious and what a view!

Poolside version of Spinach Artichoke dip with Taro Tortilla Chips
http://s478.photobucket.com/albums/rr143/jessadams/Oahu/?action=view&current=IMG_0344-1.jpg

Tasty Poolside Skewers

Taro Bread at Duke's

View at Duke's during Sunset

Dinner!

We headed to bed early after this since we were hiking Diamond Head the next day!

Diamond Head was a must do for me- a challenge! We took the local bus to the state park prepared with hats, water, and sunscreen!

Diamond Head is an old extinct volcano. You basically hike into the crater and from there up to the top to a lookout. You even climb through an old world war two bunker on the way. They named it diamond head bc from the sea when the light hit it, it sparkled like diamonds to the sailors.

View of the top from the street before climbing

Climbing up!

View from the top! We made it!

After Diamond Head we explored that part of the Island. My favorite was the giant Banyan Tree- they are amazing! Banyan Tree's grown trunks from the branches down into the ground so they have multiple trunks!

This is one tree!

We checked out the beach there which was great for me- it had a "wall" like a man made reef so there were no waves! (I'm afraid of the ocean but oddly enough I love man made wave pools haha)

We headed back to the hotel after some swim time to get ready for a dinner I was super excited about. It was on the beach at the Hau Tree Lanai. You kind of sit under these mangled, twisted trees while you eat. Our travel agent (who was beyond amazing if anyone, anywhere needs one since she willw ork by phone, got us sunset seatings at front tables every single night)

This was tied with the beach house on Kauai for my favorite meal of the trip- just because of scenery!

The next day we were off to Maui- and our pictures starting getting more and more beautiful island to island ending with Kauai our favorite of them all!

Bella- waiting for the photog's disk to arrive this week and then I will post!

I'll be getting to the photos from Maui and Kauai this week- Kauai was the best!