Friday 1st May

This isn't a mistake with the date, we arrived in Hawaii on the 1st of May at six O'clock in the morning. Crossing the international date line is quite confusing still the 1st of May had been very hectic the first time it was nice to have another go at it.

Found our way to the hotel, there was a very good bus service which dropped us at the door, the hotel was two blocks away from Waikiki beach and the room was on the fourteenth floor with fantastic sea views. Waikiki beach was wonderful and the colours in the sea were stunning. There were lots of people in the sea swimming, surfing and also sailing. After eating a very large burger (couldn't finish it), We took a 'trolley' bus to an Hawaiian store selling all the traditional goods. On the way back we called off at the army museum, charting the history of conflict on the islands, it was free and was really good. We noticed on our travels just how may homeless there were on the island, probably more than we had seen since India!

The rest of the afternoon was spent swimming and sitting on the beach, back in the heat! Where we watched the sun set, beautiful colours as it set behind the land.
Later we walked along the front there were lots of people about, it was nice to see the different musicians and entertainers along the sea front. Went back to the hotel and sat on our balcony with our view and a bottle of wine!

Saturday 2nd May

We intended to get up early to go to Pearl harbour but were later than hoped, we finally got on the bus and it took us an hour to get through the city and to Pearl harbour, even though it wasn't that far away. We made our way to the memorial site and got tickets for the theatre where we watched a short film about the history surrounding the bombing of Pearl harbour. Afterwards we were taken by boat to the memorial site. The memorial is built over the remains of the USS Arizona. As you walked over the memorial you can clearly see the rusting remains, it was strange knowing that the remains of nine hundred service men were entombed in a watery grave below. A small film of oil could be seen, we later found out that the ship still leaks out a small amount of oil and will do for many years to come. Looking along the shore the USS Missouri was moored,which was also sunk at Pearl harbour but was re-floated then repaired and was the ship where the Japanese signed their total surrender.

Later in the afternoon we went to the museum and looked over the USS Bowfin submarine which had been one of the more successful subs during the second world war. It had been a great day and worth going to Hawaii to see!

Sunday 3rd May

Today our last day, we decided to spend on the beach, weather was good and surf was up!!
We left the beach at lunch time as it got quite hot, but retuned later just as a lady had fainted, we stood and watched as not only an ambulance arrived but also a fire truck, the police, the lifeguard from the beach and the sea rescue guard arrived from the sea on his jet ski! Very entertaining and OTT. We had a great day on the beach with the locals.

Monday 4th May

Got up early so that we could have a walk along the sea front before being picked up to go to the airport. We could have done with more time in Hawaii it was a beautiful, hot place!
Got to the airport for the flight to San Francisco with American Airlines. This airline has to be the worst we have flown with since we left the UK. Their public relations skills leave a lot to be desired and we would not fly with them through choice again! Thank god our last flight is with BA.

Arrived in San Francisco late evening, the best way to the hotel was by airport shuttle bus which dropped us at the hotel.