This post is really late in relation to our actual travels, and we apologize for the late posting as many are waiting for posts about our travels to Antarctica. We had a very hectic travel schedule, limited internet service to update the blog, and just weariness over getting everything out there. Bear with us, Antarctica is coming!

Our red-eye flight from American Samoa returned us to Honolulu early the next morning. We arrived at our hotel around 0800 and were hoping to be able to have an early check-in.

Sunrise over Waikiki

Our luck was running well as we found the same receptionist that took care of us and our checked luggage when we departed for American Samoa, and he was able to give us a room that another party did not use the prior evening.

At the beach!

We know this, because there was a box of candy and a card thanking some person for their loyal patronage, and we knew this was not us. However, the candy was delicious!

At Duke's Canoe Club

Drinks at Duke's

After a shower and a nap we decided to roam the commercial area adjacent to Waikiki Beach so Jane could start her souvenir procurement. Lunchtime found us at the famous Duke’s Canoe Club where we extended our lunch almost into happy hour. The memorabilia adorning the walls (and the drinks) were delightful. We returned to our hotel, donned our swimming suits, and headed for the beach where we rented a beach set to take in the last few hours of daylight and do some people watching. We had a light dinner and turned in early for to get fully caught up on our sleep.

Early the next morning we awoke when our cell phones started to announce text messages that our motorcycle group was at the airport and were heading our way.

After breakfast at Jimmy Buffet’s Beachcomber restaurant, the hotel’s restaurant, we headed out for our morning walk and exercise and went in the direction of Diamondhead, hoping to catch a glimpse of this landmark.

Diamondhead

After walking about 2 miles, we found ourselves in a large park along the beach that provided us with a nice view of Diamondhead. In the afternoon Jane found an international mall that conveniently had a tiki bar. She shopped while Capt. Larry knocked back a few beers.

Oh, yeah!

We returned to our hotel and ran into two couples from the club that had finally arrived and were checking in. After a flurry of text messages, most of the group decided on a restaurant and we enjoyed a nice meal with our friends.

The next day a subset of club members wanted to do a motorcycle ride and had reserved Harleys for the day. To us, this didn’t seem to be a terribly relaxing way to see Honolulu and the surrounding area, so we opted out with a few other couples.

At the treel

Instead, we spent our day doing pretty much what we had been doing- walking around, shopping, and visiting the tiki bar.

At the high court building

Part of our cruise package included tours of historic Honolulu and the king’s palace, Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, and the Punchbowl Cemetery, and these we did the next day. The king’s palace was in the process of being restored and closed to the public, but the grounds and building were magnificent.

The King's Palace

Many might recognize the palace steps from the original Hawaii 5-0 series, because at the end of each segment Jack Lord would stand on these steps and say: ‘Book’em Danno.’ The new 5-0 series uses the supreme court building across the street as a backdrop. Our next stop was the Punchbowl Cemetery. This memorial contains the graves of those killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Punchbowl Cemetery

Our driver pointed out the grave of Ernie Pyle, the journalist and roving correspondent who was killed in combat in 1945.

USS Arizona Memorial

We also learned that the Obama family visits an unidentified grave here each time they return to Hawaii. We moved on to the USS Arizona Memorial and were deeply moved by this experience.

Tribute to those who sacrificed

Fuel from the Arizona

It is eerie to see this sunken ship which serves as a grave for many who perished aboard when she was attacked, and see and smell the fuel that leaks from her tanks and appears on the water’s surface.

At the memorial we were also able to talk to some Pearl Harbor veterans which was a really inspiring experience.

With Pearl Harbor vets

We visited the memorial the week before the anniversary of the attack. There are so few veterans remaining, that it is a real honor to meet these individuals.