Pearl Harbor

My last Hawaii post, covering our last day in Hawaii. After we left our cottage and headed to Honolulu, we visited the sites on Pearl Harbor. The Missouri is a big battleship. It's cool, and you can wander around a lot more of it than I expected.



The highlight of Pearl Harbor, though, is the Arizona Memorial. As a young country, we probably don't have too many "special" sites (at least outside of the east coast), but this memorial is practically sacred ground.



The movie you watch before taking the boat to the memorial was excellent. A well done piece that set the perfect tone of reverence. So much so, in fact, that even eight year old kids showed solemn respect.



One interesting note, based solely upon my personal observation and no statistical analysis at all, is that the percentage of tourists at the USS Arizona Memorial who were Japanese was significantly less than every other place on the island.

At least there were a few who were sticking up for the motherland.



Hawaii, done.

Tarzan Vines!

Maunawili Falls Trail

After we hiked up Diamond Head Crater, we got lunch, and then explored to find the hike to Maunawili Falls. Here's the falls:



In this case, the journey was much better than the destination. Tons of people, no room to move. Michelle surveys the area:



Somehow somebody got a baby stroller here. Either we're complete wimps, or there's a shortcut.



After leaving the falls, and climbing up a couple hundred stairs, Michelle says, "Shoot me now."



One of many "a photograph won't due it justice" views.



An hour and a half of either this:



or a few of these:



And some Jurassic Park ferns.



A good time, a good workout, and muddy shoes.

A True Hawaiian Tourist

Diamond Head Crater

Since we were on Oahu, we were required to hike to the top of the Diamond Head Crater. It was a good time. Michelle is happy to get to the top.



You get great views of Honolulu and Waikiki.



And a lovely couple.



A relative sampling of Hawaiian tourists.



The excitement for this trip was after we had hiked back down the trail. While we were eating our Hawaiian Ice (far and away the worst we had the whole trip) a whole bunch of emergency vehicles came into the parking lot. After they milled around (the people who came in the vehicles, that is, not the vehicles themselves) for a while, a rescue helicopter landed.



Some Search and Rescue guys hopped in, the helicopter went to the top of the trail, and then came down trailing a basket.



There was an old Japanese lady who they helped out of the basket. She was able to walk, so obviously she wasn't too hurt, so that's a good thing. It provided entertainment, though.

Hawaiian Wildlife

We also saw lizards, sea turtles, big slugs and a wild pig. Not exactly Yellowstone.

Terrible Underwater Photos

I mentioned that I took some terrible underwater pictures while snorkeling in Hawaii. It's true. For example:



It was a cool fish, I think.



The camera I used was a Fujifilm Quick Snap Waterproof camera. Which is probably a better camera if in better hands.

I mean, seriously, look at this terrible framing:



So, here were my problems, in retrospect.

Problem 1. I couldn't frame the picture properly. I know now that I was always aiming too high and to the right.



Of course, I can't possibly screw up the self portrait, can I?



Michelle barely makes it in the photo, though.



Fishies!



This picture would have been amazing, if taken properly!



Wow, it works out of the water, too!



If we were using a digital camera, this would be deleted.



Shark's Cove, from the water.



Again, terrible picture framing.



At least I can prove that we saw colorful fish.



Problem 2: Waves. Made it hard to stay still, and dirtied up the water. Some times were much clearer than others. I think this camera would work much better in calm, crystal clear waters.



Half a fish!



Part of a very pretty bright blue fish!



See? I told you they were terrible.

Problem 3: Me. I mean really, what did you expect?



Whee!



Let's just pretend that this fish was three feet long, OK?



OK, there you go.

Shark's Cove Snorkeling

One of the highlights of the trip for Michelle and I was snorkeling at Shark's Cove. Lots of fun. Here are people snorkeling who aren't us.



The cove.



The starting place.



I brought along disposable underwater cameras, and I have some really terrible underwater pictures that I will be sharing shortly. You will be underwhelmed, I promise.