Waking up in Paradise - Day one: Oahu

Today's Itinerary:  USS Arizona, Diamond Head Crater, Byodo-In Temple, Kailua Beach Park, Chief's Luau

USS Arizona - solemn and peaceful. The movie you see before the boat ride over to the memorial is quite stunning. Of course we ran late this morning and had to catch the movie after our boat ride, but it was stunning none the less.

The smell of the oil that is still bubbling up to the surface some 70 years later, is almost overpowering.

Diamond Head Crater - 380 views of the island, including Waikiki Beach. Way to hang in there on the walk up, Emma!  The only thing that kept me going was eating my first giant shave ice on the way up.  Once up there, I figured we earned another once we made it back down.

Austin and I decided to take the more direct route to the top near the end of the path. What a thigh burner, for sure! But oh, so worth it!

It's windy up here!

Nu‘uanu Pali Overlook - a stop on the highway to view the Nu'uanu Valley, an easy stop on the way to the Byodo-In Temple.  Simply breathtaking.

Made a stop at the Byodo-In Temple, located in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.  The temple is located at the back of the cemetery, which has to be the most beautiful cemetery I've ever seen - is that morbid?

There was a funeral going on while we were there, complete with pyre.  They were burning objects, and the kids saw them put a surf board in.  The kids were a little worried at first that it was an actual cremation, and I'm not entirely sure it wasn't.  I haven't been able to find any info on this practice, but I'll keep looking.

This is a Buddist temple that is in scale replica of the 950 year old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan.

The 9 foot Amida Buddha, carved by famous the famous Japanese sculptor, Masuzo Inui, is thought to be the largest Buddha carving outside of Japan.

Amida Buddha - covered in gold lacquer and a layer of gold leaf.

Hit the beach! Kailua Beach Park - known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and our first 'day at the beach', (which was really only a few hours, but amazing none the less.) The sand is like powder - so soft, you almost don't feel it on your feet.

























The Chief's Luau at Sea Life Park - kinda kooky, but fun and entertaining. We were late to this because we just didn't want to leave the beach! Mike and on were called up onstage with all of the other folks celebrating anniversaries, and were presented with a botanical flower bouquet and serenaded by the Chief himself. Very touching.  Corny, but touching.

The kids seemed to have a good time.  The Chief was a bit cheeky at times, and Austin says, "I think this is an adult luau!"

I crashed at the hotel, while Mike took the kids to walk the Waikiki blvd and see the nightlife. A busy and most enjoyable day!

PS - we all got a sunburn... : )