It began with flying all day, then arriving to fresh leis and a limo pick-up.
We stayed in Waikiki, gathering place of the world, in this Pacific Beach Hotel on the 15th floor, and is just this street away from the beach! Inside the hotel is the Oceanarium Restaurant, which has a fish tank 3 stories high, with hundreds of fish and 3 sting rays. We had vouchers for breakfast and dinner buffets here several days.
The view of Waikiki Beach from our balcony.
Surfers were out there every day from before sun up to just after sun down.
My first dip in the ocean..soooo nice and warm!
Von taking a dip in the 71-degree water!
The busy scene of surfers and sailors.
Taking in the sights along the shore.
One of many amazing Banyon trees (monkey trees), with long branches that reach to the ground that could be swung on, like Tarzan.
The birds of Waikiki are like pets...always looking for handouts or crumbs.
Our first tour was the North Shore Adventure with a stop in the Valley of Temples, cemetery and sanctuary. Bhudist temple shown here.
Everyone is invited to ring the giant bell.(Gong)
Large fish abound in the ponds.
Next stop was Laie Point, with views of this hole in the rock, and little islands offshore resembling a Chinaman's hat and turtle (below)
turtle island, and chinaman's hat island
A stop for lunch at Bonsai Pipeline Beach. Off season for shooting the curl. Waves are only 3-5 feet high. In winter they are up to 35 feet, when they hold competitions. These looked pretty rough to me, and we saw one guy banged up and on crutches during lunch...which was fresh shrimp caught and prepared along this north shore of Oahu.
Another interesting stop was to see these 5 large sea turtles basking in the sun. About 46 have been micro-chipped and come to this spot often. They are protected by an organization which has two people on site at all times.
There is a red rope for people to stand behind, and signs are posted about each turtle present. This one's name is Oakley.
Another stop was the Dole Pineapple Plantation...beautiful and delish!
Pineapple icecream, yum!
Among the pineapple plants with destination signs
Our second day was the Stars and Stripes Tour, beginning with a walk through the battleship Missouri...where the peace treaty with Japan was signed, ending WW II.
Rounds fired from these barrells traveled up to 23 miles.
Photos of the actual ceremony before the signing of the peace agreement, Sep. 2, 1945.
Battleship Missouri facing the battleship Arizona memorial, marking the beginning and end of WW II.
Boat ride to the Arizona memorial
Von in front of the Arizona memorial. Over 1,000 dead inside the Arizona.
The Arizona survivors who have since died and joined their fellow seaman below.
The Arizona's gun turret just above water.
From Pearl Harbor, we traveled to downtown Honolulu, with a stop at King Kamehameha's statue and palace, now a museum.
In the middle with the pillars and mote around it is the state capital building.
Our bus driver, "Bob." Over 30 years experience as a tour guide and driver, and it showed. He was amazing driving through those narrow and crowded streets in that bus!
Last stop was the Punch Bowl, National Cemetery of the Pacific... over 41,000 war dead, including Pearl Harbor victims, and Ernie Pyle, the famous war journalist. Beautifully kept up, with a lot of history portrayed on murals.
Many who died in Pearl Harbor are buried in this section.
Several murals of details of each of the Pacific battles inside this enclosed walk way.
The only tree of this color in the Punch Bowl. Caught my eye.
Our third day was spent at the Polynesian Cultural Center back over along the Northeast shore.There was actually heavy rain on the journey over, but it cleared up and was beautiful the rest of the day. We were put in a group of 5 couples with a guide, Hoon, a Korean computer student about to graduate from BYU Hawaii. He was able to get us into 5 villages, and under shade during the canoe pageant. 
One of the several canoes of dancers passing by.
A comical Samoan demonstrating his skill at breaking a coconut in half. He also shredded the coconut into a bowl, started fire with a couple of sticks, and lit a torch of dry grass with it.
Another Samoan climbing a coconut tree. He went up pretty fast.
Von helping inact a welcome ceremony in the New Zealand village. He's in the middle of the pack barely visable. We weren't allowed on the lawn during the ceremony. This became an emotional event, since the Englishman who had something to do with the New Zealand people was present during this particular presentation, and was escorted in, seated up front during the indoor portion, and honored through tears by the performers. Everyone was touched.
Following the village presentations, we were ushered to a luau, consisting of roasted pork, rice, spinach, fish, vegetables, pineapple, and a lavendar roll, naturally colored with some Polynesian food! Before dinner we watched two men take the pig out of the roasting pit, and we were entertained by musicians and dancers while we ate.
One of the several canoes of dancers passing by.
A comical Samoan demonstrating his skill at breaking a coconut in half. He also shredded the coconut into a bowl, started fire with a couple of sticks, and lit a torch of dry grass with it.
Another Samoan climbing a coconut tree. He went up pretty fast.
Von helping inact a welcome ceremony in the New Zealand village. He's in the middle of the pack barely visable. We weren't allowed on the lawn during the ceremony. This became an emotional event, since the Englishman who had something to do with the New Zealand people was present during this particular presentation, and was escorted in, seated up front during the indoor portion, and honored through tears by the performers. Everyone was touched.
Following the village presentations, we were ushered to a luau, consisting of roasted pork, rice, spinach, fish, vegetables, pineapple, and a lavendar roll, naturally colored with some Polynesian food! Before dinner we watched two men take the pig out of the roasting pit, and we were entertained by musicians and dancers while we ate.
After the luau, we watched a magnificent musical play, "Ha, the Breath of Life", a story of the life of a boy from birth to manhood, involving several island cultures he passed through.
Saturday was our free day, so we rented a car and headed to Hanauma Bay to snorkle. The bay was formed by a volcano, and has many fish and turtles among the many coral reefs.
Von out snorkling. He saw a small turtle along with many fish. I just saw lots of fish.
Up above the bay.
Next visit was with Kehau, my former BYU roommate, and her husband, Nephi, who reside in Kailua. We spent a couple hours driving with them to lunch, shaved ice, and the two most beautiful beaches I've ever seen...Lanikai and Kailua.
Nephi, Kehau and Von in front of their home.
Lanikai Beach, where wedding photos were being taken of a young couple.
Whata ya think of this place?
Kailua Beach, just about as beautiful.
Both beaches boast the finest sand on the island, and I would agree.
Strange, I know, but...I went in and got their business card so I can e-mail the guy. He's Robert Twogood, related to my dad some how.
Kehau and Nephi lead us up to this famous look-out point in the mountains. Highest mountains are only 3-4,oo0 feet, but the winds were ferocious!
Looking toward the east above Kailua and Lanikai. We parted ways once again, but hope to see each other another time, perhaps.
Sunday, we attended our church meetings at this beautiful and huge LDS Tabernacle in Honolulu. About 4 other couples were visiting along with us. Fathers Day, and there was a change in the bishopric that very day, so many tears and testimonies.
Our last activity was a sunset dinner cruise aboard the Star of Honolulu cruise ship.
We enjoyed a dinner of crab legs and prime rib, with macadamia ice cream for dessert.
We could take a stroll all over the ship after dinner, and check out the Waikiki shoreline from at sea.
Diamond Head in the distance.
The end of a most delightful anniversary adventure. Thank you Von. I love you.
Saturday was our free day, so we rented a car and headed to Hanauma Bay to snorkle. The bay was formed by a volcano, and has many fish and turtles among the many coral reefs.
Von out snorkling. He saw a small turtle along with many fish. I just saw lots of fish.
Up above the bay.
Next visit was with Kehau, my former BYU roommate, and her husband, Nephi, who reside in Kailua. We spent a couple hours driving with them to lunch, shaved ice, and the two most beautiful beaches I've ever seen...Lanikai and Kailua.
Nephi, Kehau and Von in front of their home.
Lanikai Beach, where wedding photos were being taken of a young couple.
Whata ya think of this place?
Kailua Beach, just about as beautiful.
Both beaches boast the finest sand on the island, and I would agree.
Strange, I know, but...I went in and got their business card so I can e-mail the guy. He's Robert Twogood, related to my dad some how.
Kehau and Nephi lead us up to this famous look-out point in the mountains. Highest mountains are only 3-4,oo0 feet, but the winds were ferocious!
Looking toward the east above Kailua and Lanikai. We parted ways once again, but hope to see each other another time, perhaps.
Sunday, we attended our church meetings at this beautiful and huge LDS Tabernacle in Honolulu. About 4 other couples were visiting along with us. Fathers Day, and there was a change in the bishopric that very day, so many tears and testimonies.
Our last activity was a sunset dinner cruise aboard the Star of Honolulu cruise ship.
We enjoyed a dinner of crab legs and prime rib, with macadamia ice cream for dessert.
We could take a stroll all over the ship after dinner, and check out the Waikiki shoreline from at sea.
Diamond Head in the distance.
The end of a most delightful anniversary adventure. Thank you Von. I love you.
