Cass, Rob & Kira - 20 Hours at Aulani and other Oahu Adventures July 2024

[Timon]

Part 5

We walked down a bit further south and Kira really fell in love with this area. She watched the surf come in and the crabs crawling on the rocks. She also took approximately two billion photos, which is very odd for her. Actually she took a LOT of photos on this trip, which tells you just how much she loved it.

Looking back towards Four Seasons (on the left) and Aulani, which you can see peeking out behind all of those beautiful palms.

I made my husband pose for a photo.

Rob took one of Kira and I.

Rob followed Kira north along the rock while I went to take a few more photos.

This palm tree was neat, check out the bottom!

I walked down further north, on the grass and found a little path through the bushes. Kira was loving the waves crash along the rocks so she sat down for quite awhile and took pics and just enjoyed the view.

Rob took pics of Kira.

Then he snapped one of me watching them both.

And I snapped one of them from where I was watching.

Once Kira got her fill of the waves, we headed back.

I did get one photo of Aulani from here.

And this cool tree.

See how quiet the lagoon area is? It was really peaceful at sunset.

And that's a wrap on this long, amazing day.

Since I don't have many photos, I thought I would share these two that just don't fit anywhere else.

This is a better photo of the Welcome Center. I believe there is one in every tower.

And here is Kira's haul from the Dole Plantation.

Stay tuned for the next chapter, I took SO many photos, it was hard to choose which ones to edit and use in the trippie!!

 

[MickeyD]

I finally got caught up! Loving the updates. It cracks me up with your fascination with trees. I know you would be so jazzed for the tree tunnel on Kauai. It is over 500 eucalyptus trees that line the road heading toward Koloa. https://www.kauai.com/tree-tunnel

Yes, those welcome centers are in every tower. In Kona tower (where you checked in) is the largest center.

Love the Dole Plantation. My hubs loves to ride the train and learn all about the plantation. It was fun the first time, but really...we have been to Oahu, and the Dole Plantation 7 times, it gets old. .

Did they have the guitar player at Longboards from like 4:30 to 6 pm? He is really good. When he sings Over the Rainbow he sounds like Iz (IYKYK). LOL

 

[NAB]

I’m with Kira, could watch the waves there forever.

 

[Timon]

Part 1

I snuck out and checked out the beautiful sunrise again that morning.

The previous day, I had noticed noticed these cute little tree bushes. They looked like little tree bouquets and that is what I called them all week long, they were so cute!!

We had gotten up early that morning because we were headed to Pearl Harbor and I knew it would take us all day to see everything. Rob and I had visited PH in May 2000 and I thought it was important for Kira to see it as well.

We arrived shortly after 8am, parked (make sure you pay for parking on the app!) and then headed in. Parking was $7 for the day.

They do not allow bags at PH but I know they make exceptions for clear, stadium-type bags so I made sure to buy a medium-sized one for us and a smaller one for Kira.

There was only one security officer checking bags when we arrived and he was so busy with the guy in front of us that he didn't even look at us.

There is a place for you to store your bags, at a cost, if you didn't do your research and brought your bag in.

The last time we were here, there was no museum over by the Bowfin, so that's where we went first. I had purchased the all inclusive Passport ahead of time on the website. For the three of us it cost $353 USD.

This included an add-on, a Top of the Tower Tour, which I will talk about later on.

I also had gone on the website to get the free Arizona Memorial tickets and the only decent time that worked for our schedule was 11am.

While we all enjoyed this day, I knew it was going to be more enjoyable for Rob than for Kira and I. There were a few new things that I was excited to see but as a big plane/military/navy buff, this was more down Rob's alley than ours.

I love how the timeline includes a few non-military related things like Harry Potter and the Simpsons.

And Pirates of the Caribbean.

This was a hoot, I used to own that exact Walkman and I also owned that exact paperback copy of The Stand.

Kira enjoyed this museum way more than I thought she would!

We wanted to learn about the Bowfin's history since we were about to go visit her after this. We used the screen in the below photo and read about her and her history. It was very informative and interesting.

The museum was really good and we all enjoyed our time there.

Here is a food truck, where we would eat lunch at later on, in the little courtyard where the museum is.

There's a lot of stuff here that was new to Rob and I.

Kira wanted to check out the store before we headed onto the submarine.

Then it was time for Kira to go on her first submarine that was not located at Disneyland.

A quick family photo first.

I am at my photo limit, which will happen quite a bit while I am writing about our PH day because I took SO many photos! Rob actually took more photos than I did, I think he took a photo of every sign so that he could read them all later because there just isn't time to do it all in one day.

While I am not going to post all of our photos, I still managed to edit 200 photos from just PH!

So the exploration of the Bowfin will have to wait until the next chapter.

 

[Timon]

Part 2

We carefully climbed down the stairs and headed into the Bowfin submarine. I remember seeing it in 2000 but it was still so very cool to see again this time! They trickle the people in so that there's not a huge grouping of people in one space at the same time since it was very tight quarters!

Kira thought it was cool too.

Kira and I, who really appreciate our space, got slightly claustrophobic looking at some of these spaces, especially the sleeping areas.

I love how they put photos of the people who sailed on her. I don't think they had this back in 2000.

These are the doors that you had to go through to get to the end of the submarine.

I can't imagine being submerged and having 79 other people in here.

The kitchen. Look at that old mixer!

The mess hall.

This reminds me of sleeping with my friend Jen on the Scarlet Lady!

According to Kira, it was a little squeezy.

And all the way to the front and up the stairs.

At the end of the Bowfin, we had a great view of the harbor with the USS Missouri, the Arizona Memorial and the Control Tower.

We climbed up to the deck gun area, Kira had checked it out and was down already by the time I looked at it.

And I spotted her down below.

We also had a great view of the Waterfront Memorial from up here.

We were done with the Bowfin now, off to explore the area around it.

We then headed over to the Waterfront Memorial. We did a quick tour but it was hot and sunny so I took many photos to read later and stopped only at the ones that really caught my interest.

The anchor from the USS Arizona.

Rob was in need of a coffee, so we stopped at the little Snack Shop to get him one.

Even the pigeons needed a drink.

We had an 11am time to visit the memorial so we had some time to kill. Not enough time to head over to the USS Missouri or the Aviation Museum though so we stuck around here for a bit and charged my phone while Rob drank his coffee.

Once Rob was done his coffee and my phone was decently charged up, we headed into the two museums they have here.

I have to stop here due to the 35-image limit.

Stay tuned for the rest of our Pearl Harbor visit.

 

[Kanga2Roo]

This reminds me of sleeping with my friend Jen on the Scarlet Lady!

hahahahaha

 

[Kanga2Roo]

what stunning wave and lagoon photos. That is just so gorgeous and peaceful.

That sub would just drive me to insanity if I had to be on there more than a few minutes. I agree...it's very squeezy

 

[Timon]

That beach access right near that house leads to one of our favorite quiet beaches. Just as many turtles, no crowds

Oh wow, I didn't know that the turtles were all the way down there! Good tip!

I am finally caught up. I have been reading a little bit each day since we got home. I am loving it all.
I have to laugh about the airplane window issue. We have the same issue. Claire always wants the window, and I love it too, but I also like it for more leaning away room. She will sit there and shut the shade or not look out and I am like ah no! Window rules are you must look out whenever there is something to see!
All your pics are stunning and I love all the different places you have visited.

How's the packing going? LOL

LOL, no window for Claire, either now! Those are the rules!! If you're not looking at EVERYTHING that there is to see and periodically checking then you shouldn't be at the window!

Packing is all done except for the last-minute stuff and the stress is high!

Allllll the turtles how wonderful! You got some excellent photos there. And yes we did swim in the falls while at Waimea but we all went in the water at once so we have no photos of us swimming we have photos of the water etc but no proof we actually swam but we did... trust me

Hahaha gotcha!

Next time, tell F to take some pics of you guys first before he joins you.

Wow, Waimea looks gorgeous! I was fortunate enough to have visited Sacred Falls just over 30 years ago. It was a hard hike, but it was oh so beautiful. Of course, it's closed now after a tragedy in 1999, but it was one of my favorite things next to snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. If I ever get back there, I'm going to need to visit Waimea! Thanks for sharing your adventures.

Oh wow, I have never even heard of them! I will have to google that!

That's the sweetest thing ever! Especially considering how much he hates the cold water!!


What an awesome Daddy-Daughter picture (and memory!) Though, I also thoroughly enjoyed the wand/stick in your Mommy-Daughter ones, too!


They're HIDEOUS and all over Chicago!!!! My favorite part though is watching people try to parallel park them!

Yes, I am so glad he got in and braved the cold water. Made for great pics and memories!

Oh wow, that was our first time seeing one and our next trip, to Florida, would be our second sighting.

We were in Hawaii this past October.

Love the turtles , saw them at the black beach too and had one swimming with us in Maui . We were like look a turtle ….the guy beside us said see them all the time…

Shaved ice is a snow ball with flavours poured over it. I did like the Gauva one we had at in Maui.

We wanted to go to Ted’s too but didn’t make it. Suppose to have great pies. We didn’t make it to the shrimp truck but did make it to The Bald guy one that we saw on the Food Truck Race .

I guess when you're used to seeing something, it's not a big deal.

If we ever go back, I would skip all of the touristy spots and find other ones.

Loved the Dole Plantation.

View attachment 887934We bought t shirts and a Dole Whip too. Did you like it? It was my favourite but people found it tart.

Did you see the rainbow tree near the parking lot? Picture doesn’t do it justice.

The Dole Whip was a lot more....pineapple-y! Very good but a few bites of Rob's was good enough for me!

Noooooooooo! I have heard of them but didn't know about that one!!! Ding dang!! Sad I missed it now!

35 photos is never enough!! I love every detail. It has been so beautiful, I already don't want it to end. Those dole whips, how do they rate compared to the ones at the Polynesian and did they have that vanilla pineapple option? I always find the just pineapple flavor so strong. Keep going!

35 photos is just a pain in my butt!

The ones we had in Hawaii, except for the Dole Plantation were not super pineapple-y. They were only slightly pineapple-y like the Disney park ones. They had the vanilla/pineapple swirl at Aulani. I know this because Rob got one last October and I was mad at him! He ordered it by accident and I like the Dole Whips because they are not dairy and will cool me down and not upset my tummy like ice cream does. They only had pineapple ones at the Plantation though.

The Dole Plantation is definitely a money suck...just ask me how we ended up bringing pineapple soap and flip flop earrings home last trip nothing beats a whip straight from the source, of course

LOL! You're right! It is a huge money suck! We went in for TWO dole whips and it was VERY expensive.

It cracks me up how much Rob likes to shop!

That shrimp looked good. I'm kind of hungry for seafood now!

The sunset pics are just gorgeous!

Boy does he ever!

I could REALLY go for my fish & chips right now!!

I finally got caught up! Loving the updates. It cracks me up with your fascination with trees. I know you would be so jazzed for the tree tunnel on Kauai. It is over 500 eucalyptus trees that line the road heading toward Koloa. https://www.kauai.com/tree-tunnel

Yes, those welcome centers are in every tower. In Kona tower (where you checked in) is the largest center.

Love the Dole Plantation. My hubs loves to ride the train and learn all about the plantation. It was fun the first time, but really...we have been to Oahu, and the Dole Plantation 7 times, it gets old. .

Did they have the guitar player at Longboards from like 4:30 to 6 pm? He is really good. When he sings Over the Rainbow he sounds like Iz (IYKYK). LOL

Yup, maybe one day I will see that tunnel!!

We just wanted Dole Whips, nothing else!

I don't recall hearing any guitar player but then again, I wasn't really paying attention. Iz was playing EVERYWHERE we went in Hawaii! Love his music!

I’m with Kira, could watch the waves there forever.

Oh me too!

hahahahaha

The beds were probably the worst part of that ship! Well, that and the lack of a real pool! But boy, do I want to get back on that ship again!

what stunning wave and lagoon photos. That is just so gorgeous and peaceful.

That sub would just drive me to insanity if I had to be on there more than a few minutes. I agree...it's very squeezy

So much better than the Disney lagoon, in my opinion.

It was very squeezy and would not like to be on there for more than an hour or under the water at ALL!

 

[Timon]

Part 3

These two museums were awesome and I could have spent a lot of time here reading everything but it was sooooo crowded!

Most of my photos don't show just how people-y it was because I am very patient and I try to time my photos perfectly in between the crowds but I assure you, it was CROWDED in here, which also made it very hot! So while Rob lingered quite a bit, Kira and I sought out the less crowded areas and read and saw what was there.

For those of you who have never visited Pearl Harbor, this is a model of the main draw here, the Arizona Memorial, built over the sunken USS Arizona Battleship.

Kira and I just kind of hurried through it and then waited outside for Rob to finish.

We still had time to kill so we went into the main shop. I had intended to go back to this shop when we were all done to by something but we never did make it back.

It was now time to get in line for our boat over to visit the memorial.

I really had wanted to watch the video but I never could find a line to get in to see it, other than the regular line for the boats. I remember watching it 24 years ago and I had wanted to watch it again and have Kira watch it but it just never happened. I never could find the left lane because people were standing in it waiting for the boats it looked like.

Once they scan your ticket, they usher you into the theatre where you wait for your shuttle. One of the Park Rangers gives a rather sobering, eye-opening speech before you get on. Ours was the perfect amount of scary and factual all rolled into one. He reminded everyone that this is not a fun park to frolic in, but a mass tomb, the final resting area for over 1000 sailors. He spoke about that morning on December 7th, 1941, how many people were getting ready for church and how most sailors were just waking up and preparing for their daily routines when the attack started. He reminded us that back then, most sailors were very young, 18 and 19 year-olds made up a good part of the crew of the Arizona.

He spoke about the memorial and how it should be treated and how you should act while you are there and then we headed out onto the boat.

There were many navy vessels in the harbor, including several Canadian ships. More about that later.

I snapped a couple of photos just as we were about to pull up. Once we docked, they told us that we may take photos of the memorial once we were inside but you couldn't take any photos between the ship and inside as they don't want anyone lingering outside, for many reasons.

At the very back is the Memorial Wall, with the names of all those who perished, on and even after the ship had sunk. Kira and I had spotted the names of the father & son that the ranger had told us about. We lingered just long enough to take it all in and then left so that everyone else got a chance to see it.

The memorial is rather sobering. They ask you not to do a lot of talking and when you do, to keep it low so the whole area is rather quiet.

When Rob and I visited 24 years ago, you could see a lot of oil still leaking from the ship. Although there is oil still leaking today, we didn't actually see it.

You get about 15 minutes to explore before you have to board the ship back.

It's hard to describe the feeling while visiting it. It is definitely sobering but also amazing to witness and at the same time it is extremely sad and heart-wrenching and unimaginable what they all went through. And this is from a Canadian that doesn't have any ties to anyone who died here. I can't imagine the feelings you have if you did have ties to someone who, not only died here, but is still entombed down below.

Back to the visitor's center, we were getting very hungry now, probably a little hangry even and over on this side, there really is only one option for something more than a bag of chips and that is over by the Bowfin, the food truck I had posted a photo of earlier.

We grabbed some chicken strips and a burger and ate in quiet solitude. This was $47 USD and it was decent enough although it was $17 for Rob's burger and it didn't even come with fries. I shared my fries with him though and Kira shared a chicken strip with him too.

It was really hot out by now but we still had a visit to Ford Island yet to come! We didn't know where the shuttle to Ford Island was and we ended up walking over to the wrong place before we figured out that it was actually really close to where we were eating. They really need more signs for that!

It was actually located way over beside the parking lot that we parked in earlier that morning. We could see our Jeep really well from this spot.

We waited about 10 minutes before a bus pulled up and then another 10 minutes before we could board the bus.

We were all quite tired and very hot by now. Thankfully the bus was air conditioned!

Stay tuned for our visit to Ford Island.

 

[Timon]

Part 4

Our first stop was the USS Missouri. Rob and I were lucky enough to visit this amazing battleship 24 years ago and I was excited to show Kira. Even if you're not into the military or the Navy, walking through this ship is still quite a thrill. Of course, if you are a Navy or WWII buff, visiting this ship will blow your mind! So much history!

You can ask for a guided tour but we were short on time and we knew we had to go through it fast.

It's amazing just how much the bow goes up on the deck. This is as far front as you can get.

We headed inside on the main deck. There were signs outside of each room telling you who's room it belonged to. Everyone from the captain to the dentist, we saw it all. We loved pointing out differences between them all and seeing all of the 1980's technology and memorabilia in all of the rooms.

The XO's room was quite lovely.

Kira in the officer's lounge, loving all of the space.

Then we headed back out onto the deck.

The exact spot where the treaty to end WWII was signed. This spot gave me chills.

Here is the treaty being signed back in 1945. I tried to explain the significance of that moment to Kira but she's 17 and knows very little of war and it's so far from her generation that it's hard to relate to.

She was too busy trying to find the captain's quarters.

The war had a great effect on my mother. She was born in 1940 and her father, my grandfather, fought for Scotland in WWII and was captured and sent to a POW camp for 39 months. He was declared MIA shortly after he was captured and my grandmother, with three kids and no one to support her, remarried and started a new family with her new husband.

When my grandfather returned to Scotland after WWII ended, he arrived to a wife who had a new husband and a new kid!

Eventually he ended up taking his three kids on a boat to Canada to start a new life and ended up in Montreal. A year later, she met my father in high school and about two years later, they were married.

While I was looking at the surrender documents, Kira found what she was looking for. You couldn't go inside this one but you could see through the windows.

You couldn't see his bedroom but you could see his living room and dining area.

Along with his office area. Pretty sweet digs!

Well, guess what, folks? Yup, I have approached to my photo limit and must take a break here.

I also must take a break from writing this report because we are off to Nova Scotia to take Kira to university!

I cannot even believe that I am saying that!

I started writing trip reports on the DIS in 2007, when she was 10 months old! I ended up deleting that first trip report sadly but here we are now, taking her to university. And not just any university! This one is almost 5000 kilometers away from us. That's over 3000 miles for my friends down south.

She will be even more East than everyone in the USA!

SO it's not like we are going to see her on weekends. She will be coming home for our Thanksgiving in October and of course, she will be home for Christmas but still!

I shall continue this story when I get back.

Stay tuned to see the rest of the Mighty Mo.

 

[bcwife76]

Wow, that's quite the interesting family history on your mom's side! Good luck with the Nova Scotia trip and helping to get Kira settled in. Can't believe it's already time Good kick Kira, hope you have a fantastic first year in uni

 

[NAB]

Safe travels . Good Luck on your new adventure Kira!

Thank goodness for today’s technology you can call and FaceTime! It’s hard to be an empty nester . I miss my kids but my husband reminds me we did our job let them fly.

Nova Scotia is a great place to visit too!

 

[lucas]

Thanks for posting all the fantastic pictures.

Congratulations and good luck to Kira!
And, good luck to you and Rob, too. Hang in there!!

I remember your first trip reports and seeing Kira's earliest photos. It is unbelievable how time has gone by so fast! How can that be?!

 

[missjackiemcg]

My 15 year old son is a huge history buff, and I know Pearl Harbor is a place he definitely wants to visit. I'm excited to show him all of your pictures once you wrap up this day.

What an incredible WWII story about your family!! I imagine there are many more like it.

Safe travels to drop Kira off! I'm wishing her (and you and Rob) all the very best in navigating this next phase of her life. I hope she has an amazing experience!

 

[Paulaparm]

Good luck to Kira! (And mom and dad)

 

[Jillpie]

Oh Cass, this was good, really good. I am so far from a History fan, in fact, it was my worst subject ever and I could never retain a thing in school. At age 64, I learned more from your pictures and descriptions, that I ever learned in all my years of school! Thank you, so much, for bringing us thru Pearl Harbor, wow. So my Dad, he was a Navy Pilot in WWII, on the USS Midway. He used to tell us, the worst fear in his entire life, was when he had to land on the Midway, in the pitch dark of night, there were no lights to guide him down! He met my Mom, who was also in the Navy. So I just poured over all your signs and pictures, these were so great, one of your best reports ever. I loved your grandparents story!
I feel for you, as you have to say goodbye to Kira. I know how hard that will be for you. I was one of those that followed you way back then, so big hugs sent to you and Rob. But soon it will be October, then Christmas, then a few months later she'll be home for Summer! Telling you all kinds of good stories and making friends. We had to do this way back in 2010, with our oldest and he ended up staying in Fl. after college graduation and married the girl of his dreams. Its a new chapter my friend, it will take some time to get used to, but you and Rob will do just fine !

 

[EllieBride]

Good luck to Kira as she begins this new adventure. I can't imagine going to school that far away from home. For my first two years of college, I went home every single weekend.

I'm loving the report and especially everything from Pearl Harbor. We toured the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri in 2023. We splurged by taking the "Captain's Tour" of the Mighty Mo which included stops in the Captain's quarters. The best part, however, was getting to see the Combat Engagement Center (CEC) where the ship’s modern weapons were operated from and the Tomahawk missiles were launched during the Persian Gulf War. This was incredible!

My only complaint about our visit was the no-bag policy. It was unclear during my research and planning whether or not the clear stadium bags were allowed and I didn't want to risk it. Instead, I checked my purse at the trailer. Unfortunately, the heat did a number on me and I got the worst migraine and didn't have access to my medication. I will never make that mistake again. I was wrecked for the rest of the day and we had to skip our dinner and shopping in Waikiki as a result. I am still bummed about this and it's a whole year later.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Following

 

[Timon]

Part 5

Let's continue on as we toured the rest of the public access areas of the Mighty Mo.

This was pretty cool. During the last major battle of WWII, the USS Missouri was struck by a Japanese "Zeke" aircraft while they were just northeast of Okinawa.

Now we are at the front part of the ship, looking back at the forward guns.

And then we headed back in for the second level tour. This one was pretty amazing to see. You can see the kitchens, mess halls, library, bunk areas for the crew, classrooms, dentist office and so much more. Here's just a few photos, we took so many!

Most of the bunks were closed off but there's one section that were open so you could check out what these bunks were like. As Kira would say, the bunks were very squeezy!

And that concludes our tour of the Mighty Mo. We had to rush through most of it because we knew we were short on time. I would have loved to go slower and take our time but we still had the Aviation Museum and our Top of the Tower Tour and time was ticking!

I highly recommend leaving at least 2 hours to properly tour the ship. We probably did it in just over an hour.

Onto the next stop!

There's the Control Tower, with the museum right behind it.

I was excited for this part of the tour for many reasons. The first being that it was new for all of us and the second was because Rob is a huge aviation buff. We headed in and scanned our passports.

This was very cool to see even if you aren't big into planes.

Rob took his time and read through everything and he took so many photos.

I knew there was also another hangar so once he was all done, we headed out to find it.

Stay tuned for that and the Control Tower tour in the next chapter.

 

[Timon]

Part 6

Here is a sign to show you the lay of the lands.

We were wanting to go check out Hangar 79 but it was closed for renovations. To Rob's delight, it seems like they put many of those planes outside though, for us to check out.

Hmmmm, gonna have to check this out!

Here is the other place to get food while at Pearl Harbor.

And we are off to check out Hangar 79, not realizing it was closed. By this time, Kira was starting to feel off. I was starting to overheat, it was very sunny and very hot now.

The Control Tower was on our right as we walked out. More on that later.

Rob checked out all of the planes thoroughly while Kira and I basically beelined it to the Disney Tent as fast as possible.

When we walked in, we were greeted by a volunteer who made it VERY clear that there was only ONE photo you could take in this entire tent and here it is.

I was sad that there were no photos allowed because there was a LOT to read and we were just not feeling great and didn't want to linger. The tent was hot too so we did a quick walk-through and checked out just a few items that caught our eye. I would have taken a photo of every thing to read it later but sadly that was not an option. There were people everywhere to enforce this policy.

Just as we were about done, Rob came in. We told him that we were both sooooo done, and to take his time and we would meet him back in the main Museum building, the one with the A/C, just before our tour time for the Control Tower.

He went to check out Hangar 79 to see what he could see.

Once he was done drooling over all of the aircraft and met us back at the museum, it was almost time for our tour.

Once we got there, they asked us for our green tour tickets, which we had no clue about. Apparently, where you scan your Passport at the entrance, we were also supposed to scan our Control Tower tickets and get physical green tickets to present. We had some time before our tour started so Rob ran back there and got them for us. I explored the main level of the CT while we waited.

Out back, they had an old fire engine.

I was able to take some photos of the elevator we were going to be using to get to the top.

Here is some information about this very cool, very old and very tiny elevator:

Installation and construction of the upper cab positioned at the top of the Ford Island Control Tower began on November 15, 1941. At that time, Otis Elevators began installation of the original elevator to allow access to the upper cab, and provide the Navy a high-level view of the runway and the harbor.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum began restoration of the Ford Island Control Tower and elevator in 2012. After over 35 years of inactivity, much of the elevator within the tower was damaged and corroded. Decades later Otis found itself working on the elevator once again, and partnered with the Museum to repair and renovate the historic elevator to meet modern safety standards.

If you want to read more about it, check this out: Historic Elevator

Back with the tickets, it was now time for our tour. We just barely fit the three of us and the elevator operator in there.

From there, we had two sets of stairs to climb up.

Once we got to the top, we were rewarded with an AMAZING view of the entire harbour.

Nice close-up of the Mighty Mo. You can see the Canadian ship in the background. Our elevator operator told us that there were several Canadian ships currently in the harbour and told us how they stick out due to their odd-coloured paint job.

Our tour guide, who was waiting for us at the top, told us to have a look around and take all the photos we liked, except for a certain area to the East. Although this was a little East, she allowed me to take a photo of the Aviation Museum and Hangar 79.

Since this was an operating naval base, there were certain areas that that didn't want photographed.

Already at my 35 photo limit so I will have to continue this tour in the next chapter.