To summariize our hawaiian experience--we both loved it. The culture, the history, the geology, the natural enviornment all made the trip worth while. We saw alot of animals-a mongoose, wild goats, dolphin, pheasant, birds and fish. We loved the sun and palm trees also but if that was all you wanted I recommend mexico or the carribean. They are much cheaper and easier to get to.

Yesterday was our last port in hawaii. We went to a beach in maui. Jim enjoyed the sun, and relaxation and I snorkled! Lots of beautiful fish.

Tomorrow we begin our five sea days before returning home. The trip has exceded both of our expectations. It is a long trip but the sights are incredible!

Jim is telling the locals how much he enjoyed his visit!

Some other images of hawaii.

yesterday we road the road to Hana. 617 switchbacks!! One incredible view after the other.

This iis us hanging loose in Hawaii.

we are now on maui. It too has craters, volcanos, black sandy beaches, waterfalls, and they still grow sugar cane. Yesterday we took a 10 hr tour of the island. Today we are going to the beach to round out our Hawaiian experience. For some reason I am unable to upload pictures today but I will try later!

Today we visited the other side of the "Big Island", Hilo. 90 % of the town was destroyed in 1960 by a Tsunomi. You might remember just a month ago they were worried about another one following the earthquake in chili.

Of course we had to stop by and sample some macadamium nuts! Guess who owns the company? A PA candy maker.

This is Rainbow Falls. When the sun is shining there is often a rainbow ove4r the falls.

Today we visited volcano national park. This particular crater is bubbling. 40,000 ppl here live in the path of lava.

We walked on this lava flow today that ran into the ocean and took out a beach.

Some more scenes of the natural Hawaii. Banyon trees are very common.

Getting another view of Hawaii we visited an orchid factory. There are many flowers all over the islands. The names of most beyond my capacity to grasp quickly. There are also 3000 different Palm trees on the islands.

This is our boat. The Spirit.

We left Kaui for the "Big Island". FIrst stop was Kona. We took a snorkle trip. Couldn't come to Hawaii and not snorkle! It was a bumpy ride in a zodiac 12 mi. south of where we were docked. No sooner had we pushed back from the dock and a dolphin jumped out of the water 1 ft from the boat and took a spinning jump. He looked like he was auditioning for sea world. We also past a hotel designed by Frank Loyd Wright. One end had bullet proof glass because it kept breaking from the surf. They were having big swells when we were there and we got to see it hit the rocks and spew 30m - 50 ft in the air! Quite impressive! We also saw some interesting lava tubes (all the islands are vulcanic). When the water thits them it spouts out again making an impressive burst of water. The snorkeling was incredible!! Lots of fish all kinds!! Coming back we past a school of dolphins with a baby just learning to jump.

On Kaui we also saw several green turtles in the surf eating algae our guide said. Another amazing thing there is 12 mi apart our a place that gets the least amount of rain a year (5 in) and the place that gets the most (500 in). we saw alot of birds.

This pictture is actually honolulu. Sorry. There is no city this large on Kaui. 30, 000 on island

and I saved my favorite, the beach for last! But I just remembered these get posted in backwards order that I wrote.

We also saw looks of beautiful birds and the chickens and roosters that run wild on the island.

Yesterday we went to Kaui. I fell in love. That at least so far is my favorite island. It is called the garden island. We saw cliffs, waiameta canyon, and beautiful ocean beaches (17 mi of sand), lots of green green follage!!

Of course the Flora and fauna are beautiful! And I learned alot about the history of hawaii.First all the islands were separate and had different chiefs. Then K...., seen above, conquered all the other islands and they became united. He was King. Then monarchy continued with his heirs for five generations After that the monarchy was overthrown and they elected their kings. At some point land was allowed to be sold to people other than Hawaians, and bussinessmen bought up alot. The us did as well and had here marine, navy, army, and air bases. Hawaii was not a us state when WWI began (december 7, 1941. They became a state in 1959. I remember this from my childhood.

This is the top of the Missouri. It was in drydock after wwII until redone in the 1980s and then brought here just a year ago. They are happy to have it so they have what they callled the bookends--the beginning and the end.

We also went up to Pali point an incredible lookout. I also found a samoan! (our tour guided.)

Today was a moving day--we toured pearl harbor. The arizona is one of the ships that was sunk by athe japanese, and the missouri is wshere the surrender was signed. There are also memorials to other lost ships such as the utah. There is the Bowfin sub also which helped to destroy japanese ships as they made their way back to japan. Attack was pretty incredibly planned. This is the arizona memorial and that is jim pondering the loss of life there.

Hiking diamond head crater was an incredible experience. It is very steap, almost straight up. Total 1 and 6/8 mi. There ae steps and tunnels. I kept saying one foot at a time and I did it! The view was incredible! The satisfaction wasn't bad either. I am thinkin g I will do a zip line next!

Not the top yet but close!

These are pictures from polynesian cultural center.

These are pictures from polynesian cultural center.

Well, laying in the sun at the pool I realized I could put pictures to laptop using card instead of cable, so here goes.

Well Here we are in Hawaii and I do not have the right cord to upload pictures! (ugh!) anyway we flew out uneventfully teusday. LONG ride! Beautiful resort on the beach to wake up to the next day. So we decided that since it was so nice we would just relax on the beach that day. We went to a Luau that night and I got a tatoo-flower! Thursday we went to the polynesian cultural center! Incredible place! We had a guide and saw all the villages (Fiji, samoa, tahiti, easter island,tonga, and one that escapes me. There was a flotilla in the afternoon, and a luau at night. This morning I hiked Diamond Head, slowly but I made it to the top!! Now we are getting settled on the boat. Tomorrow we go to Pearl Harbor. So sorry about no pictures! Miss you all and send our love!

The wilsons are on the road, air or sea as it may be, again. right now it is beautiful in Pittsburgh but I am excited about seeing the beauty of Hawaii!

This was my trial run to see if I remember how to do it. So until wednesday...Alohoa!