We arrived at Pearl Harbor and I was surprised at how small this area of water really is. Our tour guide, Robert, would get the tickets. Then we all marched in the visitor's center for a viewing of a film about the events at Pearl Harbor. Then they put you on a boat to transport you across the water to the Arizona Memorial. The picture below is my first view of the Arizona Memorial as we go across the harbor.
The transport boat pulls right up to a little dock at one end of the Memorial. We were asked to not take pictures until we got into the Memorial for safety reasons. As we sat and waited our turn I was able to get this shot of the Memorial.
This is really a self-guided visit. We were given a brochure. Everyone is very quiet and respectful. The Memorial is built across the Arizona which is under the water. You can see it under the water with little spits of oil coming to the surface occasionally. It is estimated this oil seepage will continue for about 100 more years. The Memorial is very open with cross pieces of concrete around the sides and top. At the opposite end from where we entered is a room with a wall full of names of those who died on the Arizona. To the left of this wall is a small marble container with names engraved on it. These are the soldiers who survived Pearl Harbor and chose to be cremated and have their remains buried with their comrades at the memorial. Extremely moving. In front of the door to this room is an opening in the memorial so that you can see into the water and see the Arizona beneath the Memorial. Little fish swim around. There is also a display case with a picture of the Arizona and the Memorial over it so you can tell what is peeking out of the water on the Arizona. At the entry from the dock is a little room with flags on each side. I also took a neat picture of the American flag that flies over the Arizona as seen through the slats in the ceiling. These flags are taken down and you can purchase them in the visitor's center.
After we had time to visit and see everything, a transport boat took us back to the visitor's center. We looked through a little museum they have their. Then we walked around to the outside exhibits. There is a submarine, lots of torpedos and some type of airplane. Then we all boarded the bus and headed for Haleiwa on the northern shore of Oahu for lunch and shopping.
The picture below is of coffee trees. Lots of coffee grown now but not so many pineapple and sugar cane plantations. This is expensive and has been moved to 3rd world countries where labor is less expensive. I was amazed at the enormous Norfolk Pines growing on these islands. They were brought there and grew straight and tall and could be used to replace masts that broke on sailing vessels many years ago. They made really good wind breaks for the groves of coffee, macadamia nut and other orchards of trees.
Claude and I made a bee line after the bus parked to Haleiwa Joe's for a seafood lunch. We sat on the lanai facing this harbor and watched these enormous waves crashing against the retaining wall that protects this little harbor. This is a favorite spot for surfing. The only surfers we saw were in a little bay area to the right of this picture where the water was a lot calmer. These waves were 30 - 40 feet and the precursor of what would come the next day.
After lunch we walked back through town and had a real Hawaiian shave ice across the highway from this cute little church. I can't remember the denomination but the church had a rock archway over the entrance to the path that led up to it and this archway was covered in cactus like you see in the foreground of this picture. Then there was a cactus hedge around the church grounds and cemetary (which you see between the cactus and the church). It was just lovely.
Our final stop for the day was at Dole Pineapple Plantation. They do have a train tour that explains all about pineapples but we only visited the store. Next to the store is a maze. While in this store they have a booth that you can purchase an oyster and see if you get a pearl. Claude bought me an oyster and, sure enough, there was a beautiful pearl inside. The lady cleaned it up and drilled a hole in it. Now comes the part where they make their money. She brought out the settings for this pearl. The first one she showed us was not one I would choose. The 2nd one she showed us was exactly what I would have chosen. As soon as she brought it out Claude even said, "That is just like you!" Well, just like me or no, it was more that I felt we shoudl pay. But Claude reminded me this was a 40th anniversary trip and we would count that as my anniversary gift. So the nice lady set my new pearl in its beautiful setting.
Then she told me I was entitled to a free oyster. We opened that oyster and there were 2 pearls. Now she started the process of showing me settings for matching earrings. I assured here this was where I drew my line in the sand. One setting was enough. So she cleaned the 2 pearls and drilled holes in them and we'll find a way to set them here in Kentucky.
As we waited for the others to gather at the bus I got the picture of a eucalyptus tree. This one is the 'painted' variety. So named because as the bark peels away it reveals layers of wonderful color.
As it turned out they had a little bit of time for a stop at Walmart on the way to the boat. Claude and I just shook our heads. All the way from Kentucky we come where Walmart is our 'mall' to shop at a Walmart in Oahu. Actually they have the same souveniers as lots of the shops you are in at a lower cost. It seemed that every port we stopped at had a free shuttle to Walmart and/or KMart. Go figure!!
Then we really did go back to Honolulu and embarked on the Pride of America, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. Departure time WAS to have been 8pm. More about that with Sunday, December 6th entry. This is a view of Waikiki and Diamond Head from the upper deck of the ship.
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