What a trip of memories...

Wow, where to begin...so much to share I thought I would hit some high points and then start breaking it out in segments. Go here for the latest photos, I will keep them all in this collection, and put them as sets as I put them online. There are also going to be short videos on Flickr that were taken of various experience. Then there will be a lot of music and videos on youTube that I will post and let you know about.

To start with, we got to Honolulu about 4 hours ahead of everyone else, so we were able to check in to the hotel, go explore Waikiki, and get familiar with the surroundings. Waikiki is most likely similar to South Beach in Miami, people watching is fun, there are all different walks of life, and it is a very commercialized city with more to do than you could ever have time for. The biggest thing that struck us was how busy it is, not peaceful and laid back like we are used to in our beach vacations, and the prominence of Asian influence, mainly Japanese. How ironic when you stop to think about it, but nearly every sign is in Japanese first, or English with Japanese below. And the out of reach (for the middle class) retail is everywhere as noted in the Ferarri store pictures. You could have actually bought the car in the store for $2,100,000 if you so desired!

Once the rest of the group got there we headed off to dinner at Planet Hollywood for a run down of things. Then it was off in small groups to explore. We took some kids and headed down the streets and then to the beach to explore. We were only 2 blocks off the beach, so we walked everywhere.

The first morning 6am wakeup call was wayyyy too early...but the day is one the kids will remember the rest of their lives. We were off to Pearl Harbor. The entire group was so respectful of the place they were at, and it was such a solemn experience. Spending the time at the USS Arizona Memorial is something every person should try to do. It truly brings you to stop and think about your freedom, and about those that have paid the ultimate price in laying down their lives, and who continue to fight for us daily. Whether or not you believe in war and it's consequences, you will be in awe. After spending time there, dropping the flowers from their lei's in the water as thanks, we went on to lunch at a park outside the USS Missouri Battleship (where the surrender to end the war was signed). At the park we were pleasantly surprised to have a survivor from Pearl Harbor (Allen Bodenlos) come to tell them about that day, and join them many more times while in Hawaii.

Al had lunch with them, and what a crack-up he is for 88 years-old. He is still 20 in his mind, sharp as a tack, funny, spry, and loves the cute girls. He conducted their first song for them, posed in photos for them (including the whole band on the USS Missouri), and rode in the parade wearing a matching shirt they presented to him.

Pictures of all of this are up, and I will continue as I sort through them...hope you enjoy as much as we did.