Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Hooliganting: Hawaii: Navatec Whale Watching and Diamond Head
Hooliganting: Hawaii: Navatec Whale Watching and Diamond Head: Hawaii. The land of Hawaiian Time. Today was an early start to catch the bus to catch the Navatec Catamaran to go whale watching. Actually, ...
Hawaii: Navatec Whale Watching and Diamond Head
Hawaii. The land of Hawaiian Time. Today was an early start to catch the bus to catch the Navatec Catamaran to go whale watching. Actually, it was the promise of being out on the water with minimal opportunity for seasickness - even in rough seas that won me over. I really love being out on the water, provided I feel safe and like the boat is really on dry land. I know, I'm crazy. But I was so pleased that I wasn't seasick - despite me forgetting the copious amounts of gravol that I usually take. I digress.
This morning, we boarded a lovely Catamaran, complete with photographers and naturalists. It was an interesting tour, and we learned a lot about the endangered Humpback Whale. The waters were calmer than they have been and we were part of a slickly run operation. The boat went out and we found three humpback whales to photograph. Or in my case, attempt to photograph. I always seemed to be on the wrong side of the boat. The views to Diamond Head were appealing. So, I took a lot of pictures of blow spouts, cityscapes and humped backs. The breezes were fresh and the sky slightly cloudy. It was close to perfect. Of course, at the end I felt obligated to buy a print from the professional photographers who did manage to get some decent shots. Who knew what I had at the time. There was $20 of insurance if you like.
Then, it was back on the bus and back to the hotel for lunch. Diamond Head was calling so it was off to find the bus stop and wait for the bus. Fortunately, it came quickly. So, we rode the bus and then climbed the Diamond Head volcano to the crater and then to the peak. It was an awesome hike. The views were amazing and the observation posts left over from the Second World War were appealing as well. They provided a wind channel and that elusive thing called shade! I still have to wonder at the energy of my youngest who pretty much ran up the hill. I was huffling and puffling, but I had one of my workout bosses voices in my head, so that kept me going (and chuckling).
Of course, after such a hot climb, the next reasonable thing to do was visit the ColdStone Creamery for dessert. It was cold, creamy and necessary. Then, we walked the waterfront of Waikiki beach, visited the market and window shopped. Found an art gallery and a restaurant that looked amazing as well, before finally coming home to eat dinner. The kids crashed and all is quiet. Now to plan for the Polynesian Cultural Center for tomorrow.
This morning, we boarded a lovely Catamaran, complete with photographers and naturalists. It was an interesting tour, and we learned a lot about the endangered Humpback Whale. The waters were calmer than they have been and we were part of a slickly run operation. The boat went out and we found three humpback whales to photograph. Or in my case, attempt to photograph. I always seemed to be on the wrong side of the boat. The views to Diamond Head were appealing. So, I took a lot of pictures of blow spouts, cityscapes and humped backs. The breezes were fresh and the sky slightly cloudy. It was close to perfect. Of course, at the end I felt obligated to buy a print from the professional photographers who did manage to get some decent shots. Who knew what I had at the time. There was $20 of insurance if you like.
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| Tale of the Humpback Whale |
Then, it was back on the bus and back to the hotel for lunch. Diamond Head was calling so it was off to find the bus stop and wait for the bus. Fortunately, it came quickly. So, we rode the bus and then climbed the Diamond Head volcano to the crater and then to the peak. It was an awesome hike. The views were amazing and the observation posts left over from the Second World War were appealing as well. They provided a wind channel and that elusive thing called shade! I still have to wonder at the energy of my youngest who pretty much ran up the hill. I was huffling and puffling, but I had one of my workout bosses voices in my head, so that kept me going (and chuckling).
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| Lighthouse as seen from Diamond Head |
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| Holy smokes its hot! |
Of course, after such a hot climb, the next reasonable thing to do was visit the ColdStone Creamery for dessert. It was cold, creamy and necessary. Then, we walked the waterfront of Waikiki beach, visited the market and window shopped. Found an art gallery and a restaurant that looked amazing as well, before finally coming home to eat dinner. The kids crashed and all is quiet. Now to plan for the Polynesian Cultural Center for tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Hooliganting: Hawaii: Pearl Harbor
Hooliganting: Hawaii: Pearl Harbor: The internal time clock that I function by has seemingly abandoned me. I have been awake, very uncharacteristically of me, at 7:00 am. Ho...
Hawaii: Pearl Harbor
The internal time clock that I function by has seemingly abandoned me. I have been awake, very uncharacteristically of me, at 7:00 am. However, this meant that by the time we had to go to the Aloha Landing to catch our tour bus, I was very ready to go.
A hazelnut latte in hand, I watched as tour buses came and went. Or came and stayed. Japanese was spoken in a frenzied rush, and an Asian male, with navy blue suit, black loafers and man purse slung cross shoulders scurried past people to fling paperwork at various drivers. There didn’t seem to be any logic to it. He didn’t run, nor did he walk. He moved his feet really really fast without bending his knees. After 30 minutes of this, I was in stitches laughing inside my head. The tour bus? Well, it was late thanks to the Aloha Marathon.
Once we were on a bus, we drove around the hotels and picked up more folk. We drove around some more and then had to switch buses. Then finally we were onto the destination of the day, Pearl Harbour. It wasn’t the most cheerful of destinations, but I think it is important to reflect on all aspects of a culture and since Hawaii is 1/3 military in population, I thought it would serve me well as a tour. We toured with Cousin Ben. He was a hoot with his running commentary and bad jokes.
On arrival, we went to the USS Bowfin and did the audio tour. That was well done as it had one set of numbers for the children and another set for the adults. I really enjoyed it, and honestly, I think it was the best part. From there, we legged it to the theatre for the movie and then were herded to the memorial. You really don’t get much chance to reflect on the history as they seem to think you should. I would like to have felt that I did the memorial justice but there were too many people, with too many modern day stories and interruptions to really feel like you were acknowledging the historical impact of what the Arizona stands for. However, I am glad I went. The girls also seemed to get something out of it. Then, it was a skim for food and drink (you can’t bring anything with you), and a skim through the galleries and then back to the bus. We were the last aboard but two. Oops. And he left people behind. Oops again.
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| USS Bowfin |
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| The USS Battleship Arizona |
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| Oil still leaking from the ship |
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| Reality |
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| The Punch Bowl as seen from the bus |
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| Hawaii 5 0 anyone? |
The bus tour then drove us all over Honolulu to point out landmarks and places of interest before depositing us back at our hotel. The girls had been dying for a trolley ride, so we found the free one and went for a ride. We shopped for a bit and then waited for a shuttle. Lots of time is available to bond with your fellow traveller while waiting for transport that runs on Island time. Today’s batch were from Barrhead and were delightful.
This evening was shopping and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Yummy, but I think I should have packed larger clothes. I have never seen portions this big. Well, ever. So, I am nursing my sunburn and have to be up for whale watching in the morning. And so, good night.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Hooliganting: Hawaii: Hanauma Bay and Teddy Bear World
Hooliganting: Hawaii: Hanauma Bay and Teddy Bear World: Ack. The timeshare people got me. OK. I let them so that I could get $150 dollars off my tour bookings but still…I had to sit through yet...
Hawaii: Hanauma Bay and Teddy Bear World
Ack. The timeshare people got me. OK. I let them so that I could get $150 dollars off my tour bookings but still…I had to sit through yet another one. I was consoled with coffee and chocolate chip cookies. Then, it was back to the flat to acquire a picnic lunch that I had prepacked and we wended our way to the bus stop. Destination: Hanauma Bay.
The bus took forever to come. If you are in a hurry, maybe you might want to be considering the tour. The bus ride is a #22 and costs $2.50 for adults and half that for children. The bus was filled to the brim on a Sunday Service that saw us waiting for a good thirty minutes for the arrival. However, we saw some of the sites and eventually wound up at the bay.
At Hanauma Bay, the first thing that you see is a bunch of chickens running amok all over the grounds. It took a good ten minutes of the girls chasing chickens before we managed to actually take in the spectacular views. From there, we lined up for admission, and lined up for the mandatory movie presentation that strongly encourages you to be a friend to the environment. Don’t touch anything was the mantra. So, then we trundled down the hill and lined up to rent snorkelling gear before I was finally able to plunk all my belonging on a patch of sand.
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| Hanauma Bay |
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| The friendliest turtle |
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| Chickens? They even laid eggs in the cigarette bins. |
My youngest and I suited up and splashed into the water. It was very windy and the bay was choppy. White caps and white surf. This meant that there were strong currents and I was grateful to have Keelin in a lifejacket. However, we saw some fish and when she tired, we went back in. It was very difficult to be mindful of not touching the coral as the water was so shallow. I did scrape my knee…oops.
So, we ate the picnic lunch and then I was able to snorkel some more. My favorite moment was swimming with the big green sea turtle. We played in the sand and built a castle on the down time. Then, we packed up and headed for the bus, thinking we were going to hike the Diamond Head. It was not to be. The bus schedule was running on Island Time. By the time it came, it was too late for that.
This evening was spent having dinner, booking a whale watching tour, finding the Cold Stone Creamery and sun block cream. Check that box. What I wasn’t prepared for was two girls racing off into Teddy Bear World.
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| Hawaii |
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| The White House |
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| Dinosaurs |
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| Collectables |
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| Elvis |
It exists. I am horrified and I might even have to go back tomorrow. I think the pictures speak from themselves. I am going to go have a shower, and try to forget that my girls were that excited.
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