Wahines on Tour - Hawaii and peek at Aulani! LAST DAY IN THE SUNSHINE UPDATE 8/6

[MAGICFOR2]

LMAO glad you specified that it wasnt at eachother. With how stressfull all that is ya never know!

Now the trick will be not to throw things at each other after living together in the camp trailer for 3 months!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

The Wahines were now on a very important part of the journey. I think this is just as important to visit as Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl National Cemetary is like the Arlington National Cemetary of the Pacific. For our Canadian readers, I know you have historically important cemetaries and memorials, too.

I'm not sure why it's called Punchbowl - it is on a hill with an amazing view. Maybe it is the area below that is the bowl.

Anyway, Once we got there we stopped at the visitor center and our driver Jerry ran in to let them know we were there. I guess only the military tour buses can actually let passengers out - private cars can come in and park, but commercial tours can only drive through.

Here is the main drive heading in:

We drove up the hill around to the back - got it! The bottom of the cemetary is the bowl, the monument is on the hill!

Jerry parked at the top and told us we could have all the time we wanted here. It was a very solumn time. Some hiked further up the hill where you can see both sides of the Pacific Ocean - Michelle and Jesse did that. Tabby and I walked down the steps from behind the monument and started looking at the monuments and historical information about WWII, then moved on to the walls with names of the MIA - divided by each war from WWII forward, and by branch of service - pretty heartwrenching to think these were mostly boys ages 18-25. It made me so appreciate their sacrifices for the freedom we enjoy. We weren't talking much, so I'm not going to say much here - just post the sights. I hope it can come through here - I tried to post some of the thought provoking words

Picoral history of battles of the Pacific in stone here:

View from the top:

Down the steps looking up:

Down on "bowl" level. It is amazing how all of the headstones here are in a straight line no matter which direction you look from

I took a picture of this girl's flowers, so I decided to honor her name here - I brushed off her stone:

to be continued...

 

[anewmac]

wow what a beautiful resting place.

 

[laura74]

Tammie, I can't believe you find time to post while moving!

I enjoyed the Pali story from the interesting drink concoction to the very windy excursion. I find it fascinating that someone would have experimented with letting the wind hold them up from falling off a cliff. I wonder how many failed tests there were?

 

[dizneeat]

And more wonderful photos, Tammie! Thank you so much for taking the time to post them, while you are moving house!

The cemetary looks amazing. What a peaceful place to remember all those heros.

 

[pkondz]

The Wahines were now on a very important part of the journey. I think this is just as important to visit as Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl National Cemetary is like the Arlington National Cemetary of the Pacific. For our Canadian readers, I know you have historically important cemetaries and memorials, too.

But I was still interested in going to the Punchbowl... but we didn't get the chance. Now I get to see it through your TR! So it's all good.

We drove up the hill around to the back - got it! The bottom of the cemetary is the bowl, the monument is on the hill!

Glad you got it all sorted out.

It was a very solumn time.

I can only imagine... all those young people.

pretty heartwrenching to think these were mostly boys ages 18-25.

Whole lives ahead of them still. Who knows what could have been...

We weren't talking much, so I'm not going to say much here - just post the sights. I hope it can come through here

I believe it did. Thanks.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

wow what a beautiful resting place.

It is - and such a nice place for loved ones to visit.

Tammie, I can't believe you find time to post while moving!

I enjoyed the Pali story from the interesting drink concoction to the very windy excursion. I find it fascinating that someone would have experimented with letting the wind hold them up from falling off a cliff. I wonder how many failed tests there were?

I probably don't have time, but I need a break. I have a house cleaner here today, so we are almost done.

I'm glad you're enjoying our tour! It does make you wonder how many have fallen off that cliff!

And more wonderful photos, Tammie! Thank you so much for taking the time to post them, while you are moving house!

The cemetary looks amazing. What a peaceful place to remember all those heros.

Like I said above, I need a little break here and there!

I'm glad you are enjoying my photos. I'm always feel inadequate in the photo department. I know I could get a better camera, but it seems like you have to get a really big one, and I wouldn't carry that around.

It is a very nice cemetary, and a nice tribute.

But I was still interested in going to the Punchbowl... but we didn't get the chance. Now I get to see it through your TR! So it's all good.

I'm glad I could help out!

Glad you got it all sorted out.

I always get there eventually!

I can only imagine... all those young people.



Whole lives ahead of them still. Who knows what could have been...



I believe it did. Thanks.

Thanks for "getting" my emotions from that day.

 

[eandesmom]

Oh wow!

I got chills!

Good luck surviving the packing and moving. UGH!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

With each of us finishing our reflections, we hopped back on the bus - Jerry had pulled down to the bottom - "bowl level" for us. We drove about 25 ft, and stopped again- our driver announced that "this is where Ernie Pyle is buried - he was a much loved war correspondent killed in WWII http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Pyle

Right next to him was a cross well decorated with leis - for a famous surfer dude - I thought I would remember his name, but the butterflies took over!

We hopped back on the bus, drove out to the entrance of the cemetary, and caught this view! We were offered the chance to get out and snap pics, so off we went:

We drove down the hill and through an older neighborhood - reminded me of our stint in Okinawa


- old bridge:

Jerry asked us to make a note of the date on the bridge

Another local cemetary

Coming down the hill, we were downtown again - passing by a Historical palace - King Kamehameha's castle and statue.

I was hoping we'd get out and tour, but it was a drive by! We saw another house where the queen lived

- http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/queen-liliuokalani/

So there we have a historical site! Not to mention Pearl Harbor, I guess

As we drove by the castle, I spotted these Japanese folk - all posing with the Peace sign as they love to do! I tried to get the pic as a shout out to a certain DIS group who love the peeps - and the Marshmallow kind, too!

Of course they put their hands down just as I snapped

We came to Honolulu China Town

I missed the shot from my side of the bus, but Dog, the Bounty Hunter has his office there in China Town - just a little non-descript glass front shop - you would never guess it was someone famous.

Soon enough, we were back to the base and our Great Wahine Tour was over! Now we knew where to take the boys when we had time - We had learned alot about movie scenes, weather, movie stars and other celebrities, WWII and ancient kings - oh, and how NOT to make a Mai Tai!

When we got back, the boys were home, and we had a discussion about where to go for dinner. I wanted to try a seaside restaurant on base - Schooner's - I wanted some Jumbo shrimp and a Pina Colada by the water as the sun was setting - a fond memory from our Okinawa days - this was not to be.

We stopped by - Michelle and Jesse ran in and came out to report that a Hamburger was $24!!!! I saw the menu later, and I have a different opinion of that -

The NCO club was suggested, but she said it would cost $60 for the 3 of them! I told her we couldn't really expect to eat cheap in Hawaii, but she really wanted to try a chain we were familiar with.

We ended up at Ruby Tuesday's - I really enjoyed my grilled salmon and part of Jim's salad bar - (no flames please!) and had a great Mai Tai! Michelle was shaking her head because after appy's and drinks with dinner - "Told you - $63!"

We said good-night, and I hoped that tomorrow would bring some sunshine and some beach time.

Next Up: SHRIMP!!!

 

[pkondz]

With each of us finishing our reflections, we hopped back on the bus - Jerry had pulled down to the bottom - "bowl level" for us. We drove about 25 ft, and stopped again- our driver announced that "this is where Ernie Pyle is buried - he was a much loved war correspondent killed in WWII

Interesting. Thanks for the link too. I'd heard of Ernie Pyle but didn't know much about him.

Right next to him was a cross well decorated with leis - for a famous surfer dude - I thought I would remember his name, but the butterflies took over!

No! Not the dreaded brain eating butterflies!

Jerry asked us to make a note of the date on the bridge

Did he say why? Was it to scare you into thinking it was so old that the bus would crash through it?

So there we have a historical site! Not to mention Pearl Harbor, I guess

You still did better than we did!

As we drove by the castle, I spotted these Japanese folk - all posing with the Peace sign as they love to do! I tried to get the pic as a shout out to a certain DIS group who love the peeps - and the Marshmallow kind, too!

Of course they put their hands down just as I snapped

Of course they did. My fave is how a lot of them seem to wear high heels... and then do a lot of walking. Did you see the episode of Modern Family when they went to Disneyland?

I missed the shot from my side of the bus, but Dog, the Bounty Hunter has his office there in China Town - just a little non-descript glass front shop - you would never guess it was someone famous.

D'oh! We were there and I had no idea! Guess I'll just have to go back, right?

We stopped by - Michelle and Jesse ran in and came out to report that a Hamburger was $24!!!! I saw the menu later, and I have a different opinion of that -

$24!?!? Was it the whole cow???

We ended up at Ruby Tuesday's - I really enjoyed my grilled salmon and part of Jim's salad bar - (no flames please!)

What? You shared some of the salad bar?? How dare you!

Oh, wait. I don't care.

Nevermind.

Michelle was shaking her head because after appy's and drinks with dinner - "Told you - $63!"

Well there ya go.

We said good-night, and I hoped that tomorrow would bring some sunshine and some beach time.

Next Up: SHRIMP!!!

Shrimp? Did someone say shrimp? I am so there.
Thanks for the chapter!

 

[mmeb144]

As we drove by the castle, I spotted these Japanese folk - all posing with the Peace sign as they love to do! I tried to get the pic as a shout out to a certain DIS group who love the peeps - and the Marshmallow kind, too!

Of course they put their hands down just as I snapped

I didn't notice it til Pkondz pointed it out, but look at the shoes on the women in your shot, high heels! I suppose if you're used to wearing them, but for me, ouch!

 

[eandesmom]

I wanted to try a seaside restaurant on base - Schooner's - I wanted some Jumbo shrimp and a Pina Colada by the water as the sun was setting - a fond memory from our Okinawa days - this was not to be.

We stopped by - Michelle and Jesse ran in and came out to report that a Hamburger was $24!!!! I saw the menu later, and I have a different opinion of that -

The NCO club was suggested, but she said it would cost $60 for the 3 of them! I told her we couldn't really expect to eat cheap in Hawaii, but she really wanted to try a chain we were familiar with.

We ended up at Ruby Tuesday's - I really enjoyed my grilled salmon and part of Jim's salad bar - (no flames please!) and had a great Mai Tai! Michelle was shaking her head because after appy's and drinks with dinner - "Told you - $63!"

We said good-night, and I hoped that tomorrow would bring some sunshine and some beach time.

Next Up: SHRIMP!!!

Ruby Tuesdays????

I'm sorry. Not that there is anything wrong with it but, how sad not to try local. Glad it was a good Mai Tai!

[/QUOTE]

 

[anewmac]

We drove down the hill and through an older neighborhood - reminded me of our stint in Okinawa
You were in OKi too.. you got around! E did a year there by himself. I wanted to go back then but he didnt want to do 3years... SO he did one alone and i moved back home with my parents.. I told him if I ever have to do that again I will kill you!!!! so what happened we bought a house right across the street from them LMAO


Jerry asked us to make a note of the date on the bridge
oh lord im so bad with dates.. and history wasnt my forte.. what did it mean??

As we drove by the castle, I spotted these Japanese folk - all posing with the Peace sign as they love to do!
lol when we see that E and I start doing it and taking pics like that! I always think can they not just SMILE

I missed the shot from my side of the bus, but Dog, the Bounty Hunter has his office there in China Town - just a little non-descript glass front shop - you would never guess it was someone famous.
Im so surprized there are that many "fugatives" in Hawaii who would run away to a beautiful island like that...


We stopped by - Michelle and Jesse ran in and came out to report that a Hamburger was $24!!!! I saw the menu later, and I have a different opinion of that -
what was the difference of opinion.. did they lie? LOL

We ended up at Ruby Tuesday's - I really enjoyed my grilled salmon and part of Jim's salad bar - (no flames please!) and had a great Mai Tai! Michelle was shaking her head because after appy's and drinks with dinner - "Told you - $63!"
you do not go to a differnt land to eat a chain... (unless its in the airport on your flight back . But I guess the good Mai Tai makes up for it lol

We said good-night, and I hoped that tomorrow would bring some sunshine and some beach time.

Next Up: SHRIMP!!!

Cant wait to see if ya get the sunshine and shrimp

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh wow!

I got chills!

Good luck surviving the packing and moving. UGH!

Thanks for getting where I was coming from.

Thanks! Carpet cleaners today - I got the house cleaned yesterday, except our bedroom and bathroom because we are still sleeping here - worked on the windows and blinds in here tonight. Just the fridge and bathroom to go - we ran out of boxes so we will have a last minute scramble tomorrow and Friday to get out!

Interesting. Thanks for the link too. I'd heard of Ernie Pyle but didn't know much about him.

You're welcome - I learned something too!

No! Not the dreaded brain eating butterflies!

Oh, those silly things attack when you least expect it!

Did he say why? Was it to scare you into thinking it was so old that the bus would crash through it?

I don't know - funny suggestion though!

You still did better than we did!



Of course they did. My fave is how a lot of them seem to wear high heels... and then do a lot of walking. Did you see the episode of Modern Family when they went to Disneyland?

I did see that episode just last week! I KWYM - I always wonder about their shoe choices - I guess better than some of the shoes in the link below

D'oh! We were there and I had no idea! Guess I'll just have to go back, right?

Always another reason for a do-over, I say!

$24!?!? Was it the whole cow???

I think there was a little exaggerating going on, because it wasn't her choice

What? You shared some of the salad bar?? How dare you!

Oh, wait. I don't care.

Nevermind.



Well there ya go.

not sure what the point was - she picked the place. They did want Arby's or something - walking distance from the room - I told them to go ahead, and we would take the car because we didn't want fast food -

Shrimp? Did someone say shrimp? I am so there.
Thanks for the chapter!

Thanks for reading! You always make it so rewarding to write!

I didn't notice it til Pkondz pointed it out, but look at the shoes on the women in your shot, high heels! I suppose if you're used to wearing them, but for me, ouch!

I know! Always heels and almost always dressed up.

Ruby Tuesdays????

I'm sorry. Not that there is anything wrong with it but, how sad not to try local. Glad it was a good Mai Tai!

[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[/QUOTE]

I didn't really get it - I mean we bombed at the BBQ place, but I'm sure there were plenty of other places - and the base has good places with "local fare' too.

Cant wait to see if ya get the sunshine and shrimp

Thanks for reading!

Speaking of shoes.....

http://listverse.com/2010/08/14/top-10-most-bizarre-shoes-in-history/

 

[MEK]

What a great tour. Very moving! I really enjoyed your pictures!

Glad you ended the day with a good mai tai!

 

[glennbo123]

What a beautiful cemetery. I'm glad our heroes are honored this way.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

What a great tour. Very moving! I really enjoyed your pictures!

Glad you ended the day with a good mai tai!

Thank you! I appreciate that you took the time to "get it" with me.

Yes, a Mai Tai is always in order when in Hawaii!

What a beautiful cemetery. I'm glad our heroes are honored this way.

Thanks, Glenn. I am thankful too.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Rained Out - those words are usually not welcome. Like at a baseball game. It stinks to get all ready to watch a game and then have the heavens open up and the game is cancelled. Today, Friday, those were welcome words for all of us

Now, let me assure you, F-15 fighters are not made of sugar. They do not melt in the rain. They do not blow off course and take a nose dive just because the wind is blowing, and the pilots can find their way quickly anytime anywhere.

That being said, this day was a crazy weather day all over Hawaii. It snowed on the mountain on the big Island, Hawaii. There was large hail on Oahu up north - it was really large oblong-shaped ice balls when they showed it on the news. There was a downpour on the base, and the beaches were closed due to high surf, and some flooding which was causing sewage to run down the mountains into the bays.

So, the powers that be decided that they would not take chances with the pricey jets and the brave men who fly them. If they needed to do it for a National security reason, believe me they could. But just to play "Top Gun" it was not felt prudent - what did all of this mean? FREE DAY OFF!!!

When the boys called to tell us this, Michelle and I were just getting our coffee on and trying to decide what to do for the day. We had our answer - we would go exploring! In fact we ended up as tour guides, because we went back to the WINDWARD side to show the boys everything we had seen the day before

First up, by the time we were out and about, it was about 11am - we hadn't eaten yet so it was lunch time. Where do you go for lunch when you are driving around Hawaii? SHRIMP TRUCK of course!

We hadn't gone very far North of Honolulu, when we found this little gem by the roadside

The fine seating area:

Wayne was a feeling a little shrimp truck snobbery as He and Jim had eaten at another truck the week before - more on that later. Anyway, I was excited and hungry, so I didn't let it bother me.

We shared the coconut shrimp and fried rice

It was really delicious, and behind the truck there was kind of a local hangout - chairs grouped around the BBQ where the cooking was going on and people standing around laughing and drinking beer. Pretty laid back, but the food was delicious!

We stopped at Diamond Head, but the hiking was closed due to the high winds. That was on Wayne and Jesse's bucket list, so we were sad about that. We pulled over at blowhole and the Here to Eternity Beach, and checked out Hanauma Bay.

Along the way, we came to this guy on the side of the road:
IMG]http://i191.photobucket

Next we came to a place we really wanted to check out. Our friends go to Bellows AFS every Feb for 2 weeks, and they love it. This is a military place with cabins for rent and a private beach with a small restaurant and bar and store. Kind of a retro resort kind of place. It is pretty old and quaint, circa. 1950 or so - but it is wonderful to have a private cabin on a beach in Hawaii at these prices. We are hoping to do this one some day, so our next mission was to check this out

Not sure why I didn't get this, but the cabins were pretty rustic, but we peeked in the window of an empty one, and it was very clean so I would go for it on our next visit!

The geach is beautiful - although the water was closed for the reasons mentioned above

We took some family photos

We visited the gift shop for a little while and got some information for the future - they are building two new hotel buildings onsite which will be like DVC 1 bdrm villas, I believe, so it will be easier to get a ressie!

We headed up the road and across the Mountains

And back toward the hotel. We spent some time doing laundry and napping, because we had a big night planned with Tabby and her Major

NEXT UP: DOUBLE FISTING AT DUKE'S!

 

[glennbo123]

Oh, the sight of that coconut shrimp is makin' me hungry! Mmmmm.

I'm glad the guys had a day off to spend some time with you newly-minted tourguides.

 

[dizneeat]

Finally a reason for LOVING bad weather ...... a day off for the guys!

Are those shrimp wagons something regular on the island? I don't think I would have decided to stop there, but the food looks delish!

Love the beach photos too! What a leisurely day!