Sarah’s entry
Up at 5:40 to get my hair pretty and packed to leave the hotel. Out the door by 6:45, grabbed coffee and a sandwich to split.
Arrived at Ariz mem at 7:50 and got a tender ticket for 8:15. Watched most of the movie before getting on the boat. Memorial was very moving, especially the stories of the brothers on the ship together. Same where one brother lived and the other died. The men that survived could choose to have their remains entered. We picked up a book for David which the author signed. We were back in the car by 9:00 and off to Nu’uanu Pali State Park.
Whew windy city! And Amazing views. Tried a panorama shot, we’ll have to see how that worked.
Next we took a long round about way to Manoa Falls. Google maps seemed to think we should go through the mountains. We ended up arriving there with empty bellies and no water. To our surprise there was a restaurant called Tree Tops which was a lunch buffett for $14 an adult. It was yummy particularly the ribs. So after using their facilities with indoor plumbing we left the car in their lot instead of paying the $5 in the lower lot.
The hike up was amazing and just the right amount difficulty. It was neat when the flora turned to bamboo. The first glance of the waterfall took our breath away.
The climb back down was a little tricky at the beginning, kind of slippery. Lots of fun hopping down the second half though!
A stop at Starbucks to upload pics and now off to return the car and board the ship.
Boarding wasn’t too different, hauling your own luggage to the scanner was a little ridiculous. Once on board we attempted to book our dinners but the ladies turned and walked away when we got to the desk. After waiting a moment for them to return we ask the purser if we were in the right spot and he replied the desk had been closed for the life boat drill. They just hadn’t bothered to tell us before leaving.
We went to the boat drill….gave them our names and sat on the phone editing pictures on Face book J
As soon as the drill was over we went back to the desk and were told all specialty restaurants were closed except the steakhouse, but that they stopped taking reservations for that at 4. I stomped off in a tiff and went back to the room to pout.
At 5:30 we went down to the All-American pub crawl, we had heard on the boards it was fun and they were right it was a blast. It ended on the Lido Deck with the band for dancing. We realized that the ship had set sail so we ran down to our room to pop the champagne and eat the chocolate covered strawberries Derek had ordered to have in the room when we arrived.
By now we were feeling no pain and went to dinner in the Liberty dining room. We had a good time with our waiter Goran. Had fun joking about google maps.
After dinner it was straight to bed!
Derek’s Entry
Up early to head off to Pearl Harbor. Google maps failed me for the first time here. I had to actually follow the signs instead of using it. Watched most of the video and went to see the Arizona. It was a very somber experience. Glad we did it. After leaving pearl harbor we went up to the Pali lookout.
Had a great lunch at Treetops down by Manoa falls. This was the second failure of the day for google maps. It was trying to take us through the mountain to it. Instead we found some websites to guide us there. Took a muddy hike up to the falls. It was a cool waterfall. I loved seeing Sarah’s eyes light up.
After hiking back down the falls we stopped at Starbucks for Sarah to upload some photos. Cleaned up a little bit and headed to turn the car back in. This was the third screw up of the day for google maps. Had trouble finding the car rental return. Got it back though and off to the ship.
Was a little baffled about the boarding procedures on the ship. This was the first time I have ever had to carry my luggage to be scanned. Every other ship has porters to take your bags. Guess it saved me a few dollars in tips. Got up to our room and met our cabin steward “I Made Mistuka” found that kinda humorous. He ended up being great! Next up time for the Pub Crawl!
Had a good time at the pub crawl. Started at the Gold rush Saloon and ended at the Key West bar for one last drink and some dancing. The staff here did a great job. Got to meet a few of the staff on the ship. Found one of our favorite bars for the week, the Lanai martini bar. Hit 5 bars, 5 drinks, did some dancing and went back to the room for our bottle of champagne. Then off to the skyline for dinner and had fun talking with our waiter Goran. Goran was one of the best waiters I have had on a ship. So much for the American staffed ship having horrible service. It was great being able to understand and bs with the staff. Then we went off to bed.
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