OK, so a really good friend of mine is now stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI. He gave me a call here a few months ago, and let me know he was engaged. Long story short, not a lot of people were interested in taking such a short notice vacation. But, I was able to, and figured it would be fun. That's the biggest reason I've been so scarce on here. Had to earn enough money to cover this vacation! We flew into the island yesterday, and got checked into our hotel (the Hale Koa, on Waikiki Beach). We explored around a little yesterday, but not too much (jet lag's a bitch...). Finally got around to checking out the island today, as escorted by my buddy (who knows the island pretty well). Got to see a lot of entertaining things, but this is only the tip of the iceberg.... We will explore a lot more tomorrow. Here are some pics that I was able to snap throughout the day. View out our hotel balcony View in opposite direction from our hotel balcony This pic and the next few were from near Hanama Bay, at the Blowhole Scenic Overlook These pics to follow were from the Makapu'u Scenic Overlook These next few pics were from the Dole Pineapple Plantation. We went on a railroad tour of the plantation, which gave the entire story of how the plantation started and developed into what it is today. Pretty impressive tour, if you ask me. The scenery, just as everything else we have seen, was breathtaking.
This was an area up the Southwest corner of the island we stopped at because it looked cool. Just couldn't get past the view. The next couple photos are of the same spot too. This was just a little ways up the street, where we just realized the sunset was beautiful. Basically just pulled over, jumped out of the car, and snapped another pic. Turned out to be one helluva day. I am sure tomorrow will be just as good, as we are visiting Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona. Then, my wife and I are on our own from Monday until Thursday, when the wedding will happen. We are expecting to go out on the Atlantis Submarine, drop by the Polynesian Cultural Center, enjoy plenty of sunrises/sunsets from the beach sipping on cocktails, and we are attending a Luau here this coming Friday. Then Saturday we will just relax and enjoy ourselves, and fly back home that evening. Every single hour we worked to pay for this vacation was so worth it! ~Will Courtier~
Hawaii is awesome, enjoy it man. I hope you at least get out and do some snorkeling, the marine life is beautiful.
We were there in October, and I've been jonesin' to go back. Even though it was a short little trip, I thoroughly enjoyed it. That was the first time I went to a real beach (Lake Michigan is not quite the same) since moving to the States (~10 years). Awesome pics, BTW.
Fantastic! So how are the crowds? I was there in October 2011, so as you can imagine there weren't many tourists and we had the place to ourselves.
It's actually been pretty good. Traffic has sucked only a few times since we've been here. Today will be the real test, though. We are going to go explore the island without any escorts (my buddy has to work today through Wednesday). It has been a truly amazing experience thus far, and we're only getting started! ~Will Courtier~
OK, just got around to uploading another slew of photos. We spent yesterday exploring around Pearl Harbor, and checking out the memorial of the USS Arizona, and the museum of the USS Bowfin. Turned out to be a very sobering and educational day. Really makes you think when you see the ship that has entombed over 1000 men. As I said above, we began at the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Exhibit. Since our tour of the USS Arizona didn't start for over an hour, we began by touring the USS Bowfin. This is the forward Torpedo Room. Love how the bright-works (brass and stainless things) were all polished to a mirror finish. Photo of the control room Yet another of the control room, of the valves that controlled the venting of ballast tanks to dive/surface Photo of one of the huge diesel engines. There were 4 total, and they are massive! Photo of the Maneuvering area, which controlled the main propulsion engines (which were all DC motors). Pretty cool control panel. Aft torpedo room Big ass gun with my wife looking through the sights Pic of the entire boat, the USS Bowfin En route to the USS Arizona This is the USS Missouri, which is now a museum just down from where the USS Arizona sits. The Missouri is another Battleship, and was just built into a museum within the last few years. Photo of the USS Arizona's smoke stack sticking out of the water. More visible parts to the Arizona Another smaller smoke stack that juts out of the water There is still oil being leaked out of the USS Arizona, even after the Navy sealed all hatches and openings. There is no guess on how long it will continue. Photograph of the flag staff, which was erected to the original on the USS Arizona. They fly a flag every day. More of the ship that can be seen through the murky water Photo of the wall memorializing all of the names of those that perished with the sinking of the USS Arizona (over 1100 total). It's a pretty incredible sight, if you ask me. Remnants of one of the Arizona's main cannons, which can still be seen below water.
The second picture (opposite view from your balcony), and the first picture of your second post (Tanada Reservoir), with the mountains in the background, are beautiful. I could just sit on that balcony all day and enjoy the view of the plant life and the buildings with the mountains in the distance. I wish you a safe and enjoyable vacation! Am I correct in assuming you are able to just walk on base and check everything out with presenting your Navy ID?
A better pic of the USS Missouri, upon departing the USS Arizona. Photo of the entrance to the USS Arizona memorial Photo across the water, where the Pearl Harbor Naval Station is operating with many ships in port. Really motivating to see the damage and destruction that once occurred, and how the base has rebuilt to where it is today. Cool flower my wife found Photo of the beach outside out hotel, at ~0600am Looking the other direction on the beach My wife, enjoying the view Cool tree Scenic shots along the LikeLike Highway (pronounced Licky-Licky) This was a tiny shrimp truck we figured we'd try. Got some Garlic Shrimp that was delicious! After we ordered, we noticed that apparently that is some sort of a famous eatery. Hmmm, who would've thought? Seen signs for the Kualoa Ranch, figured we would check it out. Turns out it was a 4000 acre ranch where they farm cattle and a bunch of other things (flowers, fish, and a bunch of other stuff). Turned out that a bunch of movies have been filmed on the ranch, so we had to check it out. Hawaii's first sugar mill (or the remnants) The military seized about 800 acres during WW2, and fortified the rock faces with several bunkers. They also installed a runway, which now acts as one of the main roads through the ranch. After the war, they moved everything out and gave it back to the rightful owners. But, they did leave behind some pretty cool concrete bunkers. Cool scenery More cool scenery The views are insane!
The Discovery Channel did a documentary on the history of Hawaii, and filmed at the ranch. When they left, they gave this stature to the Ranch as a token of appreciation. Hill that a scene of Jurassic Park was filmed on. Remember the scene where the kids and Grant were running from dinosaurs down a hill, and the kids hid under a dead tree? Another pic of the same hill Dead tree the kids hid under in Jurassic Park The tour guide was joking around how that was the most famous dead tree on the island.... Foot print that was left after filming of Godzilla. There were a few, and they were originally dug around 6' deep. They had to fill them in to 2-3 feet deep, as the cows kept falling in and getting trapped. The tour guide said at one time, there were over 50 head of cattle in one foot print..... Fruit stand left over from filming of Mighty Joe Young. Majority of the wild parts of that movie were filmed on the ranch Mountain that has been renamed, due to being told in the movie as being Joe Young's home. Another remnant WW2 concrete bunker Photo of the actual dead tree shot from Jurassic Park Photo of the Godzilla foot print shown above Inside of the largest bunker on the ranch, which used to be an ammunition depot Entrance to the bunker shown above The ranch was also used in filming of a bunch of other movies and shows. Some that I recognized were Lost, Windtalkers, George of the Jungle, Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young, Godzilla, Pearl Harbor and a bunch of others. They were throwing them out so fast I couldn't catch them all. Anyway, we're just relaxing this afternoon. Already done enough exploring today. Remainder will be drinking and enjoying the beach! ~Will Courtier~
I could get onto the actual Naval base just by showing my ID. Basically, I am able to get anywhere that any submarine or carrier could potentially be stationed at without even so much as giving a reason for being there. For the memorials, you don't even need an ID to go there. It's all accessible by civilians, so everyone can see the damage/destruction and pay their respects to those that sacrificed everything. ~Will Courtier~
Cool pics dude! There were sure a lot of different movies filmed at that ranch. That Missouri was the most famous of all the big battleships. Wow.
No fucking way! When in October? I was in Waikiki the week of the 23, IIRC. I can't believe I missed a chance to get a beer with you and stroke your beard (in a totally manly way), MSP. The crowds were insane when I was there, though. If Asian punani is your thang, it's like paradise over there.
Yep, I actually got married on Maui on the 23rd. We were there at the exact same time. Hey Will, you still there? A friend just returned and said he came across the Black Pearl in dry dock. Apparently they're keeping it hush-hush, but if you want to drive over and see it I can ask him specifically where.
Yep, we are still here! Will be here until Saturday evening. You've definitely got my attention. There is a dry dock out here that has been subcontracted out to BAE Shipyard, for use with civilian ships. That would be awesome to see! If it's anywhere at the shipyard, I should be able to walk right up to it and snap some photos! ~Will Courtier~
So, after talking with some good friends in my home town, I was informed that a resident of my local town was actually still entombed in the USS Arizona. Robert Woods Jackson was just 19 years old when he gave his life in the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Really makes the attack hit home... http://www.opinion-tribune.com/content/pearl-harbor-attack-touched-glenwood ~Will Courtier~
Actually, this is the exact location of the Pearl. He said there's a public boat launch there, and there's a hole in the fence if you wanted to get close to it: http://binged.it/MbIPCO
We got a few close up pics, and the shipyard workers noticed us and quickly shut and locked a gate , distorting our view. Nobody would tell us what the ship was doing there, or confirm anything other than it wa the Black Pearl. Pics will come when I get back to the hotel! Also visited the Hawaiian Plantation Village, a suger cane plantation exhibit with a bunch of houses and displays. Now we are off to the Waimea Falls, to swim and get more photos! Full day today! Tomorrow promises to be cool as well, since we are going out on the Atlantis Submarine and go on a dinner cruise that evening. Busy, busy, busy! ~Will Courtier~
From what my friend was told, the Pearl was given to Johnny Depp by Disney. He's paying for it to be dry docked there, and at some point it will be transported to his private island in the Caribbean. He'll be able to cruise around in it and party with his friends, how cool is that?
EI am reading conflicting reports online. A majority claim it is going to Disney, which has a resort in the NW corner of the island. Others claim that they are planning another movie. Guess we will maybe never know! But, would be awesome to have as a toy! Supposedly it is a fully functional sailboat, with a bunch of robitics and automated stuff aboard. Would be a blast to play with! ~Will Courtier~
