#13. USA Part 2 - Aloha...

5 hours across the Pacific and we set foot on Hawaiian soil, the US Aloha State! Aloha to sun, sand, sea and, if you're into that kind of thing, plenty of surf!

We spent several hours after touchdown in the airport trying to find accommodation that wouldn't make us bankrupt, umming and ahhing between camping and our newly prefered method of slumming it in a car! We finally settled on a cheapish hotel, a mere 10 minutes walk from Waikiki beach.

Waikiki beach itself doesn't warrant its reputation, what with the man-made beach being chock-a-block with people fighting for sand space, however, its redeeming feature being the scenic high-rise backdrop and the surf itself. We spent several hours here, fighting with the waves and spectating the surfers (having still not quite got over the Nicaraguan experience), some looking as though fresh out of nappies! It put mine and Steve's pathetic surfing attempt to shame!

The following day we headed to Hanauma Bay, a beautiful bay carved into a volcanic crater back in the day, best known these days for its impressive snorkeling and sea turtle spotting. After initially thinking that the snorkeling was pretty average, we fought our way against the strong and stubborn waves that had resisted us from swimming over the coral walls to where the real snorkeling began. We were not disappointed.

Hanauma Bay is home to an array of very colourful marine life, fish that neither of us had seen before. Some of these fish were HUGE. I did wonder, rather guiltily, how they would look on my dinner plate (she says, licking her lips). Naturally our main objective was to find some sea turtles but as luck would have it, we failed in our first quest. Nevertheless, our second bout of snorkeling proved to be more fruitful. Having almost given up our search and heading back towards shore we stumbled upon two turtles who were being thrust around by the current where the waves were breaking on the reef. Such beautiful creatures, they glided so gracefully through the depths of the water as we swam with them, watching as they popped their cute little heads above water for air. The snorkeling proved to be a workout and a half, what with having to bust some very interesting moves to avoid crashing against the coral, but a very satisfying day was had.

On our final day we decided to hire a car for better exploration of the island. Not just any car but a convertible, perhaps the best way to cruise in Hawaii. But you're backpacking, I hear you cry! Yet at only $40 including petrol, this was the bargain of the century. Needless to say this was also our bed for the night!

Our first destination was Diamond Head, a volcanic peak affording a panoramic view of the Honolulu and Waikiki skylines, set against aquamarine waters. The last 200 or so steps leading to the top were steep and very hot at 100 degrees, but even two elderly ladies braved the heat for the spectacular views. Total respect for the old dears!

Following Diamond Head we headed to the national cemetery, memorial to thousands of war veterans either killed during service or more recently deceased, having survived many a war. In a country where people are proud (or even allowed) to be patriotic, rather than a country where patriotism is seen as offensive or misconstrued as racism (not talking about the UK...honest...), it is no surprise that so many are prepared to die for their country. The cemetery was so peaceful and so respectfully cared for. Let's hope that there are not too many additions from Iraq, hey Bush!

From one shrine it seemed befitting that we head to another, this time the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbour. The battleship USS Arizona was strategically bombed by the Japanese in 1941 killing over 1000 men on board and marking the beginning of US involvement in World War II. Thus the ship sank, entombing all those within and now stands as a permanent grave beneath the sea at Pearl Harbour.

After first watching a very interesting and educational film depicting that tragic day, we boarded a boat and headed to the memorial. With the names of all servicemen killed listed in the shrine room and the rusty, deteriorating gun turrets protruding from the water, with one still leaking oil over 60 years later, it was a strange and almost eerie sensation to think that remnants of all those men were just below our feet. We were, quite literally, walking on their grave! It was a rather solemn atmosphere indeed but nice to be able to pay our respects.

On a lighter note, we headed to the northshore to the coastal town of Haleiwa, home of the big waves. Although we arrived a little late for any surfing action, we did bear witness to a beautiful sunset over the ocean before settling in a local pub for a nice pint of ice cold beer!

Thus our time in Hawaii, and the US, came to another rather abrupt end. Again, so much to explore and so little time, with O'ahu being just one of the many Hawaiian islands. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end. Australia here we come...