Went for a long walk today heading off in a northerly direction.

The US Army Museum in Waikiki was developed over the former Battery Randolph, a coastal defense battery with two huge 14inch guns, which were originally test fired in 1914, rattling windows and generally terrifying the local inhabitants for miles around.

Pearl Harbour is featured of course, as is the workings of the original defense facility. Also featured is the role of Japanese Americans who volunteered for service in WW2, and who fought with distinction in Europe. There is a special display about General Eric Ken Shinseki who served in Vietnam, the Gulf and became the Army Chief of Staff in 1999 to 2003.

I walked through some nice parkland, noting some yellow hibiscus which happens to be the State flower of Hawaii, and past the marina by the Ala Moana Park, which I was reliably informed by our bus driver on Thursday, was the filming location of the opening credits for Gilligans Island.

Off to the Ala Moana Centre for lunch. I had the biggest fruit smoothie I have ever had, a Mega Mango, and that was only the regular size! Barnes and Noble is just a huge bookstore and the Food Court hosts a mind b*****ing variety of food. I ate Vietnamese.

Back in Waikiki the SWAT Gun Club was fun and interesting. Pay your money and an instructor personally coaches you in the handling and firing a range of firearms. The weapons were physically well secured at the various firing stations, while also allowing practical range of movement for the shooter when in position. I had never fired a handgun before. In my package were a .38, Glock 9mm, Glock .45 and .44 Magnum. The .44 magnum is a heavy handgun for sure. The long arms I fired were the AR-15, AK-47 and 12 gauge. You will be pleased to know that I generally hit somewhere on the target.

I closed out the day with a nice leisurely swim, a couple of Budweisers while listening to the music at Duke's, a room service cheeseburger and Conan the Barbarian on pay per view.

zzzz