HAWAII

On Sunset Beach

On a sunset cruise

At dinner before the Magic Show

Where we went snorkeling

Well folks, we made the trip and it was AMAZING!!!! If you haven't been, you need to visit. We had such a good time. The flight there wasn't too bad since we flew from the West coast...everyone else had 9 or more hour flights while ours was 5 1/2 hours. We arrived to a greeting of fresh flower leis and were taken to our hotel. We were in Waikiki Beach and were a block or so from the beach. In between the beach and our hotel were stores like Gucci, Prada, etc.

The first night we had drinks on the beach and watched the sunset. The next day we went to an Orientation where we could sign up for tours and activities. After that we enjoyed Mai Tai's at the mall and then took in a Luau that night. We got up the next day to take our Grand Island Tour where we drove all around the Island of Oahu. There was so much to see- the North Shore, the Dole Plantation, Beaches, Hanuama Bay, National Cemetary of the Pacific. It took most of the day but was well worth seeing the entire island. Then we enjoyed some dinner and took in a Polynesian Magic Show. Afterwards we visited the International Marketplace that stayed open until about 10pm (as did most of the stores!). John was able to bargin very well and we purchased lots of goodies here.

Day 3 had us up EARLY because we had to be on the bus to head to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. We were on the bus at 6:30am and in line until 8:30 when we finally were in the museum. Then they show you a short documentary and take you out to the memorial. It was quite the experience and I was really glad we took the time to visit. We then went by the Palace where the Hawaiian Royal family resided. There are many things around Honolulu that are named for the family, including a private school, women's hospital and other state buildings. That evening we took a Sunset Cruise where we ate dinner and sat with a couple who were starting their trip around the world. We were also able to see our Louisiana friends who were booked on all the same activities and tours we were.

By the time we were on day 4, we were kind of tired of being touristy but our activity that day was by far the neatest. We went on Uncle Bob's Snorkeling trip which took us out of Honolulu and to a near by bay. We jumped on a catamaran and set out on the ocean. We traveled along the shore where we were soon upon a large sandbar. As the water turned from blue to turquoise, you could see sea turtles swimming along. We anchored by the sandbar and all got out to enjoy some swimming and water volleyball. Then we enjoyed some lunch over looking the ocean and spectacular shore. After lunch, it was time to snorkel and we headed to a coral reef. Where the boats anchored there was deep water and then a coral reef appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Of course, as scared as I am of the water anyway I was waiting until lots of people got in the water. John was already in the water and some people were making their way around the reef. Just then someone on the boat yelled, "shark!" You know how I feel about sharks- freaked me out completely!!!!!!! It was a tiger shark that was swimming over the far side of the reef. I didn't get in the water for a little while longer and everyone else seemed ok so I jumped in. It was still scary- I didn't want to look! I finally did and saw the reef and all the fish and several eels. The eels were scary to me, but I held my own. All in all it was a wonderful experience.

The next day and our last day, we slept in and packed up so we could check our lugage at the hotel. We went out to the marketplace again and purchased some last minute gifts. Did I mention that over the course of our trip John purchased 12 Hawaiian (as they call them- Aloha) shirts? Then we had a red-eye flight back to Portland that left at 11pm.

What a trip it was and I enjoyed every single minute of it. We were already talking about our next trip out. Maui next time I think. But who knows, everyone told us to visit the big island and see the volcano. While we live in Oregon we might as well take advantage of the cheap airfare and shorter flights, right!?!?!