Oahu, Hawaii day 11

. . . and just like that our stay in paradise is almost over!  The weather today was not so great . . .

. . . we fly back to Texas at 5:00 tonight so guess the timing was good with the weather.  We have had amazing weather the entire trip so really can not complain!  We walked a few blocks to the Hawaii  Army Museum at Fort Derussy.  Colin enjoyed seeing all the exhibits . . .

. . . even though he looks less than thrilled!  I on the other hand started receiving texts that our flight was delayed until 7pm, then 8pm, and at that point stopped looking, but oh I was stressed.  A big winter storm on the mainland USA was preventing our plane from leaving Chicago to pick us up in Hawaii so we would be super delayed.  What can you do?  So we returned to the hotel, left our bags at the bellhop desk and headed to the beach to relax and enjoy some more sunshine!

I tried to keep the rental car a few extra hours but the price was insane plus the weather was awful and raining so not much fun being out and about anyway.  As we were returning to collect our bags, I noticed a lot of people standing around looking at something . . . I discovered there were penguins on the hotel property!

Sad I know, but they seemed happy.  We collected our bags and dropped our rental car off at 3:30 as planned.  Funny thing is as we left the entrance door said something about their fleet is 100% smoke free . . . ummmm NO apparently not because we got one that had obviously been smoked in!  We arrived to check in for our flight and learned we would now leave at 11:00pm . . . indeed we would spend almost 8 hours waiting.  Our flight was delayed again so they ended up putting us on a plane that arrived earlier from California.  We were so happy to be headed back to DFW, but as we boarded and got settled the captain announced there were mechanical issues with one of the fuel pumps so we would wait for almost 2 more hours.  Thankfully, we were allowed to stay on the plane.  I don't remember much else because Colin and I were both asleep before take off and woke just before we landed.  Now that was awesome!  It was a super long day but so excited to be home after an awesome trip!  And Colin was happy to discover Santa stopped by our house even though he was gone.

Oahu, Hawaii day 10

Since yesterday was a success, everything we do the rest of our trip is a bonus.  We have checked all the blocks and are enjoying our laid back time in Hawaii.  Today Colin had his last birthday treat after lunch so the morning was laid back and relaxing.  We drove to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific which is sometimes called the Punchbowl.  It was a busy day with a lot of families out adding flowers and cleaning up the grave sites of their loved ones.  It was just a beautiful place.

We headed back to the hotel to change and for the big event.  We were early so went to one of the ABC Markets and picked up a quick lunch snack.  Colin and I went to get him checked in at the Ty Gurney Surf School (which was awesome and so would recommend them) for his two hour lesson.  He was so excited . . . or is stoked the word that surfer dudes would use?  We headed across the street to the beach for a very quick land lesson . . .

. . . and they swam away far, far from the beach . . .

. . . and then we waited on the beach in the warm sun.  They were so far from the beach we could not see them but thanks to a photographer I got some photos.

. . . he had a BLAST and loved.every.second!

So off to get some shaved ice to celebrate!

We ended up hanging out at the Hale Koa Hotel pool area instead of the Hilton Hawaiian Village because Colin enjoyed all the kids and the pools!  It was a much more relaxed atmosphere in my opinion and family friendly.  It had been a busy day so for dinner we celebrated the start of the New Year and the end of our trip at Benihana!  I can not believe we leave tomorrow.

Oahu, Hawaii day 9

Here we go . . . hopefully take 2 at Pearl Harbor is more successful.  I am NOT going to change our tickets today.  I AM NOT . . . let me say my stomach is nervous and you can almost feel the tension in the air of this still ridiculously smelling rental car!  Since we did not need to arrive that early we took a sort of laid back approach.  We arrived with plenty of time so we just wandered around a little bit enjoying the beautiful weather.  I thought these two birds were beautiful!

We also went to what I think was a newly dedicated visitor's center and was fabulous!  It was a little cramped but the displays and videos were well worth our time.  As our time approached, I found myself constantly watching the trees to see if the winds were picking up.  It was a gorgeous day . . .

. . . we made our way to the staging area and proudly showed our tickets as we entered the theater.  Colin picked out front row seats and was engrossed in the movie.  I admit it was a good introduction to what happened at Pearl Harbor.  And then the doors opened for us to board the shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial.  It was happening!  You sort of get a weird feeling as you approach . . .

. . . and a lump sort of forms as you get there . . .

The boat ride over was quick, specific directions were given to walk, do not stop to take photos, and be respectful.  When we arrived there were over 100 people from the previous tour already there and with our 100 people, you would never know it.  Everyone was reading, looking, and being respectful.

It is eerie to know that so many were lost at that spot and at their final resting spot below us.  Sad indeed.

And as we waited to board the shuttle boat back to Pearl Harbor and saw this . . .

. . . no matter what she sure is beautiful to watch proudly posted waving in the breeze.  Makes you remember that our country has lost so many but we always remember.  I know for sure that these words hold true for our family . . .

We finished our visit to Pearl Harbor and decided to drive north a bit to the Dole Plantation.  Our day was suppose to be spent on the North Shore but due to the cancellation at Pearl Harbor yesterday our day was cut short . . . we were all completely fine with the changes.  The Dole Plantation was suppose to be a quick break but now was our stop for the day.  I did not expect it to be so crowded!  There were hundreds of cars there so was a little surprised by that.

We bought the tickets to tour the gardens, ride the train, and do the maze.  It was a fun time and so different than our morning.  Since it was New Year's Eve, the place closed early so our time in the maze was cut short . . .

. . . we headed back to Waikiki to hang out and relax and change hotels.  Yes, we moved next door to the Hilton Hawaiian Village since the Hale Koa was booked full.  I was not impressed at all.  It was big and crazy crowded.  Oh and apparently I was doing everything wrong.  I parked exactly where the valet man told me to park so I could go check in . . . I left my parents and Colin in the car.  Well the same guy told my parents that I had to move this car now and they could go check in instead.  Ummm, no they can not since all the reservations are under my name.  He even took the car key from them and made them get out of the car.  I was super annoyed!  I got our room keys and went to retrieve the car key from him . . . he was annoyed with me, and I just blew him off.  I already hate this place!  We unpacked and decided to go walk the beach.  We ate dinner at one of the Hale Koa restaurants which was fine . . . for some reason I noticed the Aggies were playing football . . . I had the bowl game date wrong so I headed to the bar area after I ordered my meal.  The Aggies were having scoring issues but were on a second half comeback; apparently the first half was a total mess.  Of course everyone else was rooting for Duke and no one seemed to show Johnny Manziel any love.  The Aggies got it together and managed to win to which one of the men at the bar told me I could return to my table now to eat my dinner, LOL . . . so the evening ended well.   We went back to the beach since we bought these things you that you put on a sling shot type device and fling them in the air . . .

. . . they were pretty cool and there were hundreds of them in the air.  You see all the blue lights go up and down and it was entertaining.  I was amazed at how many people were just out hanging around the beach waiting for the fireworks . . . they sure did not disappoint and lasted for a long time!

Oahu, Hawaii day 8

Double Digits . . . TEN . . . 10 years old . . . how oh how did we get to this point?  It seems like yesterday this was my baby boy . . .

 

It is so hard for me to grasp that for almost 10 full years I have done this solo.  There have been many tears of sorrow and joy shed but we have both survived!  So on with an awesome day for the birthday boy!  I mean how lucky is he to spend his birthday in Hawaii . . . at Pearl Harbor . . . a place he has read about for years!  He is beyond words so excited.  Exactly six months ago we were in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.  I had every alarm set on my phone and watch to remind me to buy tickets to Pearl Harbor.  I discovered that 40 of the 100 tickets are pre-sold online for a $1.50 service fee.  They go fast and not many people buy them ahead of time.  I bought four and was back to enjoying Alaska.
Sidenote:  Of course I was worried we would get stuck in some traffic jam or some unnamed politician would decide to visit today and close it down to all us hard working tax payers (including Colin) so went back online and bought tickets for the day we actually left Hawaii just in case.  Yes, I do think like this!
 . . .anyway let the celebration begin.  We left early to beat the crowds even though we had tickets already.  We still needed to pick them up and also get tickets for the USS Missouri, USS Bowfin, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.  Well, I sure was not expecting the line to buy the other tickets to take over an hour.  I finally got to the front to buy our tickets and headed on my way . . . I realized they only charged us for 3 tickets not 4.  There was NO WAY that I was getting back in the line for them to fix their mistake so just turned around and went right back to the guy.  They were super nice and apologized but the person that was next in line was not so nice.  I was like oh well.  Since I was not expecting the ticket line to take so long, I made the decision to trade our 11:30 USS Arizona tickets for 1:15pm tickets.  This would give us time to visit the other three sites and end our day at the USS Arizona.  All seemed too perfect and off we went.  First stop was the USS Missouri . . .

 I'm always amazed at the quantity of food that is required to prepare for only one day of meals!

I quickly crossed the street to look at the USS Oklahoma Memorial . . .

Since these stops were located on an active Naval Base, bus transportation from site to site was provided.  As we drove around Ford Island I could not help to notice how nice and beautiful the military housing appeared.  Can you imagine having the privilege to live on such a historic place?  Next stop was the Pacific Aviation Museum.  We were hungry so had a light lunch in the restaurant which was crowded but yummy!  We sat next to the flight simulators and Colin was so eager to give it a try.  I bought him a ticket and off he went!

It was well worth the $10 . . . for almost 25 minutes you were able to fly and enjoy.  We explored the museum . . .

. . . and walked outside to Hangar 79 where they are actively restoring old aircraft.  It was really cool to watch them working on the planes.  Colin wanted to do the flight simulator again so I happily bought another ticket; it was his birthday after all.  Since he was a return customer this time his mission was taking off and landing on an aircraft carrier at various times of the day . . .

. . . he loved it even more!  The cool part about these simulators was they were actual aircraft . . . pretty cool to know someone used these for flying in real life.  As we left we saw the control tower that was in the movies Tora, Tora, Tora and Pearl Harbor . . .

We caught the shuttle bus back to the visitor's center and did the tour of the USS Bowfin . . .

 

 

. . . it was almost our report time for the boat shuttle to the USS Arizona so we made our way to that area.  As we approach I hear a lady yelling something but clearly heard, "no more tours today."  My heart sank and went closer to ask what she said.  Due to the high winds all tours after 1:00pm (our tour was at 1:15pm) will not take place.  I felt terrible since I had traded our earlier ticket for the later ticket . . . I was sick and so mad at myself . . . I will admit it hurt.  I went to the ticket desk and pleaded my case.  Since I had a prior reservation they would honor my ticket and gave me a ticket for tomorrow at 11:00am . . . I was feeling so much better but what if?  I knew I had my back up plan for the day we left but sort of kept that to myself.  At this point, I was going to do whatever I could to make the birthday boy happy . . . so off to the gift shop we went!  He found two books, a model, and poster and had a smile as big as can be, but I could see his disappointment too.
Since we finished earlier than expected we drove by Iolani Palace where the former Hawaiian monarchy lived . . .

 I loved the colorful artwork on the entrance gates . . .

. . . and crossed the street to see the King Kamehameha statue . . .

Our hotel looked close on the map but well let's just say that every time I have driven back to the hotel, I miss the turn . . . today was no exception.  We headed to the room to relax before our big evening at the Hale Koa Luau.  It was totally packed but we had a lot of fun wandering around enjoying all the pre-show activities.

I was surprised that the picky ten year old ate or tried most of the food . . .

Since the Hale Koa is a military resort (non military can attend if not sold out), the ending of the Luau is very patriotic with the singing of God Bless the USA . . . gets me every time . . . every.single.time.  They had some mention of recognizing those who did not return and for the first time I realized Colin got it . . . it hurt deep down inside but know it was special for Colin to be able to stand and honor Sean too.  It was a super day with many, many great memories from our past and present . . . here's to Colin and many, many more years!  I hope you have the best memories possible of turning 10!