Pearl Harbor

I know...I hate having to spell it like that. But that's it's official name.

Today we headed back to that little bar across the street because they had a nice breakfast special. So we ate there before heading out to Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor is the must-see thing on Oahu, in my opinion. It's a very well done museum to the people who lost their lives in Pearl Harbor, and a lot of history on how it got to that point, and what happened afterward. We're heading into the site here.

We first booked our viewing of the USS Arizona (the memorial), as that's the most crowded to get to, and they control the numbers in the museum at one time. Once we have our time, then we can wander around and do other things.

So we went off to see the Bowfin Submarine. That was a neat experience. All the instruments they have to manage in order to run that sub! Somehow, I can't imagine living in that tin can, and then submerged under water yet!

We were lucky enough to see the USS Abraham Lincoln just about to leave for San Diego. It's an aircraft carrier that had come into Pearl Harbor from the Persian Gulf a few days ago.

We thought we would go to the USS Missouri, and did take the bus over, but realized we really didn't have time in order to be back for our 12:00 time to see the USS Arizona Memorial. So we went back and visited the memorial. The movie you watch at the beginning is great as it gives you a very good synopsis of why the bombing of Pearl Harbor happened, and what happened. Viewing the memorial is a very somber affair. You see the ruined ship sitting on the harbour floor below you.

After visiting the memorial, we went back to the USS Missouri to tour the old battleship (sounds like a person, eh?). Quite an interesting site to tour. We used the audio phones (on both this ship and the submarine) as it really helps you understand the points on the ship, and stories during the war.

And this ship is where World War II (U.S./Japan) ended . The truce was signed on this ship's deck, while in the Japanese harbour.

We came back to the hotel as we had spent about 6 hours at Pearl Harbor in total. It was time for a mai tai on Waikiki Beach! We spent a bit of time at the hotel, just catching our breath, and me doing this blog! Then headed off to find Duke's on the beach. Not to be confused with the Duke's we ate lunch at our 2nd day on Kauai.

This was a character Bob found on the way to the beach! He wanted to take her surfing, but somehow we didn't think she'd float. Yikes, scarey!

Duke's was a great spot, especially at the barefoot bar where we were. Surfers on Waikiki Beach.

Wonderful atmosphere, and we watched the sunset on Waikiki...again. This is Bob & Bev "in silhouette".

End of a great day.

On the way back to the hotel, we happened across the International Marketplace. Lots of "jewellery". Not sure I'd have been happy had I gone out of my way to find this place. Not my cup of tea really. Anyway, it was fine for stumbling upon.

We move on to the north shore tomorrow.