Pearl Harbor and Hiking

I arranged for transportation on Saturday to go back to the airport and get my rental car. I called and confirmed this morning and then they didn't pick me up. Another guy from my Hostel was going to the airport so I caught a ride with him and I got my car. I'm so glad that I rented a car, I love having the freedom to go anywhere I want!!!

After I got my car I went to Pearl Harbor to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. I got there in time to get a ticket for the ferry out to the memorial. I purchased the additional audio tour for $5 and it was well worth it. My ticket was for group 13. I asked the ranger since I was just one person if there was an extra seat if I can go with the earlier group, he said no problem. Going with the early group saved me at least an additional hour of wait time, it's a great benefit of traveling by myself!! I really enjoyed the exhibit and it was well worth the visit.

I went to church at the University of Hawaii student ward, which was held at the Institute Building. Afterwards I stopped at Leonard's Bakery to try their famous Malasadas (which is a Portuguese pastry). They are really good and are best fresh ( I purchased some to enjoy on different days but they aren't as good.)

I went to Diamond Head Crater National Park and hiked to the top of the crater. The top had some spectacular views of Waikiki Beach and downtown.



I then went and did my favorite hike Maona Falls. Diamond Head is hiking a dry mountain, while the Maona Falls is a lush rainforest. The rocks were slippery and on the way to the falls I could feel only a little rain while it sounded loud on the canopy. When I started to hike back down it started to pour. It rained so much that I got drenched. It was so much fun hiking in the rain, it wasn't cold and it sounded awesome!!



I got drenched even more later in the day when I went to the Pali Lookout, which is gorgeous and has a lot of wind. I was there for only about five minutes when it started to pour. I got complete drenched this time and the wind made it cold. I got back to my car and I had to change my clothes.

I'll be going scuba diving tomorrow!!

Travel Tip: Arrive at the USS Arizona in the morning to get a ticket, since my trip someone recommended getting there at 7am and watch the flag raising at the memorial.

First Day - Arrived at the Honolulu Airport

Leaving LAX took a long time. I found out when I checked my bag that the flight was delayed by 2 1/2 hours, I wish I knew that when I was at home!! I had to change my car rental to starting on Sunday and find a new way to my hotel. Enterprise closed at 10pm and our flight didn't land until 10:35pm. While I was waiting in line to check in I became friends with the couple in front of me, from Missouri. We were laughing at this group of people that packed everything, including a coffee pot as a carry on item (my mom is even a better packer than they were)!! While we were waiting for our luggage in Honolulu the lady, Marsha, gave me her business card because she was concerned that I was traveling by myself and she wanted me to have someone to call if I need anything.

ATA, my airline, gave me a $7 food voucher for airport food and I decided to upgrade my seat to business class. I was very glad that I upgraded and I enjoyed the additional space for sleeping. I slept for over half the flight, even though it was not the most comfortable position. I checked into the Waikiki Beachside Hostel without any problem. The late flight didn't cause too many problems except for my car rental and having to pay transportation to take me back to the airport to get my rental car. (I tried having my car reservation changed to the local Waikiki location but they said it was too low of a price for them to honor and I could pay $20 more a night if I wanted to go with them.)

Things to Do

I want to visit:

• Dole Plantation - Pineapple Ice Cream - tuesday
  
• PCC - tuesday
  
• HI Temple - tuesday
• white sand beach - Kailua Beach
• Nu'uanu Pali Lookout - windy - sunday or tuesday
  
• Lamai Cliff Jumping - North Shore - tuesday
  
• Scuba Diving - monday
  
• Pearl Harbor - sunday
  
• North Shore - tuesday
  
• Sunset Beach
• Allamona Mall - Food Court - mon or tuesday
  
• Swap Meet - Wed Morning
• Hanauma Bay - Snorkeling after scuba
  
• Blow Holes - near diamond head - tuesday
  

Food - Places to Eat

Things to try:

• malasadas @ Leonard's - Hawaiian Donut
• Shaved Ice - Matumotos
• Yami Yogurt - Mall Food Court - Ala Moana Center Mall
  
• Poi - with salmon
  
• Lao Lao - chicken or pork wrap
  
• Chicken Long Rice

Wednesday

Swap Meet

• http://www.alohastadiumswapmeet.net/
  

Go Home.

Tuesday

Pali Lookout. 6 miles NE of downtown Honolulu on Hawaii 61 (Pali Highway), right at the Pali Lookout exit. Everyday, 7AM-7:45PM Apr. 1 - Labor Day; 7AM-6:45PM Labor Day-Apr. 1. One of the more popular scenic vistas on Oahu and the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, the Pali Lookout provides a panoramic view of Windward Oahu. Also interesting at this site is the Old Pali Road, formerly the highway connecting Windward Oahu to downtown Honolulu. A note of caution: due to its location between two high cliffs, the Pali Lookout is often buffeted by high winds. Admission Free.

http://www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii/PaliLookout.htm

• Dole Plantation
• http://www.dole-plantation.com/
• Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
• PCC
• http://www.polynesia.com/

		Super Ambassador	Ambassador Luau	Ambassador Prime Rib	Ali'i Luau
		Select Package	Select Package	Select Package	Select Package
Admission to 7 Villages
Reserved Seats at Island Demonstrations
Special Canoe Tour
Long Canoe Pageant
Tram Tour of La'ie
IMAX Movie
w/Reserved Seats
VIP Lei
Lei Greeting
Guided Tour
w/ Personal Tour Guide
Fine Dining Choice of Four Entrees
Ali'i Luau Buffet
Ambassador Buffet
"Horizons" Night Show:
w/ V.I.P. Seating
Premium Seating
Preferred Seating
Pre-Show Backstage Tour
Deelite Dessert during Intermission
Souvenir Video & Program
2008 PRICES (Adults 12 and up)		$215	$118	$118	$83
2008 PRICES (Children 3-11 years)		$165	$83	$83	$59

Go Sight Seeing and Shopping

Monday

Go Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and Kayaking,

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. 10 miles E of Waikiki off Kalaniana’ole Highway, Route 72, [9]. Closed on Tuesdays. During the summer, open other days from 6:00 am to 7:00pm and on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month open until 10:00 pm. Hanauma Bay is not a place for beach sports but is instead a bay formed in the crater of an extinct volcano and filled with a wonderful coral reef and many fish. It is a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving. You'll want to get there early in the morning (by 8:00 am) to ensure you get in as they control the number of visitors per day in an effort to preserve the reef. Admission $5.00 for adults, Hawaii residents and children under 13 free. Parking $1.00. Snorkel rental available.

http://www.oahuscubadiving.com/index.php

International Market Place, 2330 Kalakaua Ave.[7] A virtual warren of over 100 market stalls and shops laid out amongst a jungle-like backdrop of banyan trees. All tourist goods and local shlock (mumus, aloha shirts, shell jewelry) available. Prices are not much better or worse than anywhere else, but worth a trip just to look at the trees and tourists.