hawaii part 2

I don't know about the other islands, but on Oahu, all the hotels are in one central place, Waikiki.. In Waikiki, it is so touristy, and so built up, that it's almost like you are in LA. Don't get me wrong, it is still nice. There is a still a great beach right outside of your hotel, and you still get a somewhat island feeling.. It's just not really what you think of when you think of Hawaii. We wanted to see more of the island, and get away from that craziness, so we did.. a few times. 

The other side of Oahu is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Pictures do absolutely no justice! 

We did one tour around the island, and maybe it would have been better if it wasn't raining, maybe not.. but it did help us decide on the places we wanted to go back and see on a prettier day. For future reference, tour guides are unnecessary.. It was really just a waste of money.  

You know that scene from 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' where Mila Kunis jumps off the cliff, and then yells back about being able to see they guys who-ha? Yeah, that's the same spot we are standing in... ^^ Pretty cool! I will say that those people who jumped there are BRAVE. 

We didn't originally plan to go to the Dole Plantation, it was just part of the tour. We didn't stay long, so I can't really comment on it, besides to say that there is a maze there that is fun. I will say, however, that the pineapple all over the island is so good and fresh, and I assume it comes from there. Seriously though, pineapple comes with every meal, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.. even at McDonalds. 

Of course we  HAD to visit Pearl Harbor, no if's and's or but's about it.. but we didn't get to see the USS Arizona Memorial! (for those who aren't familiar, the USS Arizona Memorial is the one that is still underwater, where thousands of sailors and marines were trapped and killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor) I was so disappointed, but the tickets for that are sold out for months, and I didn't realize that when I booked our trip.  We did get to go on the battleship and submarine though, and that was neat to see. It's amazing to walk through and think about how much history took place where you are standing.  

Of course we can't go anywhere without Mike making friends. He sat and fed those birds for probably an hour. ^

 We also went to the museum part of pearl harbor, but really it's nothing like actually walking onto the battleship and submarine. It really is an amazing thing to see.