US/Canada July - September 2015

Noel Mugavin · Sep 5, 2016

Day 48 - (cont)
Shower, than out for lunch. Headed the couple of blocks to the beach, intending to head to the Steak Shack for a cheap and quick bite. I knew i had to turn left at the beach, but for some reason headed right.
The Duke

Where I should've been heading.

Where I ended up heading

So having headed left, decided to keep going and head up to the top of Diamond Head.

Noel Mugavin · Sep 6, 2016

Day 48 - (cont)
Was quite hot, so took the shirt off along my trek (no one was impressed, least of all me)
Beautiful views from the back of Diamond Head crater

By the time I walked through the tunnel and into the crater, the heavens had opened.
View walking into the crater

Rain rolling in from the inland hills

Clear in the other direction

Noel Mugavin · Sep 7, 2016

Day 48 - (cont)
Views from the top

The inside of the crater

Didn't stay long at the top, big swarms of midgees flying around, so made my way back down and walked back to the hotel. Back was giving a bit of grief, so had a lie down for a while, then set out again around sunset to get some photos and a bite to eat.

Noel Mugavin · Sep 8, 2016

Day 49 - Pearl Harbour
Took the bus to Pearl Harbour, so up before the sun to get to my pre booked Arizona Memorial tour time.
Pearl Harbour is a stunning location.

You can get an audio commentary, there is plenty of information signs around if, like me, you don;t want to use the guide.

A bit of wandering around, and even though it was 20 minutes before my ticket tour, I wandered in with the straggler sin to the theatre, watched the film, then on to the boat to the Arizona Memorial
You don't get much time there, you get moved on and off very quickly. Oil still comes to the surface from the ship, I distinctly remember he smell form the 1st time I visited, didn't get the smell this time. Eye sights' going as well.

Noel Mugavin · Sep 10, 2016

Day 49 - (cont)
Inside the Arizona Memorial

Bowfin Submarine

Headed on the transfer bus over the causeway to the Missouri
Arizona Memorial from the Missouri

Noel Mugavin · Sep 12, 2016

Day 49 - (cont)
Big guns

Site of the Japanese surrender

By this time it was pelting down, and the wind had came right up, so into the bowels of the ship I went.
Kamikaze display, photos of Kamikaze pilots

Propaganda posters

Photos not uploading for some reason. Bugger.

Noel Mugavin · Oct 12, 2016

Day 49 - (cont)

Moved on to the Pacific Aviation Museum, then the shuttle back over the bridge to the main section. Bused back to Ala Mona Shopping Centre, some Korean for lunch, then decided to walk back to the hotel. Heavens opened, and got caught in a torrential downpour.

Headed back out late afternoon, few sunset shots, more wandering, then headed back to the hotel.

Hit and miss with photos uploading, hence the time between posts.

Noel Mugavin · Oct 23, 2016

Day 50

Hired a car for the day, and from reviews was expecting a not so smooth process at the Avis rental place. Nothing could be further from the truth, in and out within 15 minutes, brand new car, with less than 500 miles on the clock.

Cruised down Kalakaua, around Diamond Head, through a bit of suburbia, then on to the freeway, and to my first stop, Hanauma Bay. Was still early, coldish and windy, so didn't go down and go in, took some pictures from the top, and had a chat with a ranger about all the feral cats around. Turns out they are relocated to the Bay when caught elsewhere on the island.

Off again, stopped at Halona Blowhole, then around the corner another scenic spot - Makapu'u Lookout

More driving, stopped at a shopping centre to regain my bearings, had another what;s this cough doing driving on the wrong side of the road moment. Another stop at abeach park up towards the North Shore where this was taken.

Noel Mugavin · Oct 24, 2016

Day 50 - (cont)
Past Turtle Bay, then not far from that the Shrimp trucks started appearing, and I knew I had hit the North Shore, Wasn't shrimp I was after, but the chocolate haupia pie from Ted's Bakery, a blink and you miss it grimy looking spot on the highway.

I was denied visiting the surf beaches 15 years ago when a mudslide had blocked the road just after Waimea Bay and the bus couldn't go any further, so was pretty happy to finally get my eyes on the beaches. Sunset Beach

A very placid Pipeline

Like a lake, Waimea Bay

Noel Mugavin · Oct 29, 2016

Day 50 - (cont)

Headed around to Haieiwa

Very ordinary hot dog, sucked in by the as seen on No Resevations

Bit of a wander around the town

Noel Mugavin · Oct 29, 2016

Day 50 - (cont)

Back on the road, quick stop at the Dole Plantation, picked up some lollies for the nieces and nephews.

Another stop a little further up the road for an iced coffee, and some interesting vintage coffee advertisements

Noel Mugavin · Oct 30, 2016

Day 50 - (Cont)

Not long after being back behind the wheel, the road widens and Aloha Stadium appears before your eyes, and you're shunted along the freeway. Took the turnoff to Punchbowl Cemetery, and spent some time up there.

Noel Mugavin · Oct 30, 2016

Day 50 - (cont)

earlyriser · Oct 30, 2016

Excellent trip report - very enjoyable. I would be interested to know where you would consider visiting in North America on your next visit?

Noel Mugavin · Oct 30, 2016

earlyriser said:
Excellent trip report - very enjoyable. I would be interested to know where you would consider visiting in North America on your next visit?

Heading back in 2 weeks, a few days in LA, get to a couple of basketball games, an ice hockey game, then a couple of days in Miami, then a cruise through the West Indies.
If I was to do a stand alone North America trip again, would spend more time in the Canadian Rockies, the coastline between Boston and New York looked very inviting, so driving from New York up through the North East states, would like to visit Portland, Utah, Colorado, Houston, Austin, Yellowstone National Park, and explore the other islands of Hawaii.

earlyriser · Oct 30, 2016

Great minds think alike. Can vouch for between NY and Boston and Cape Cod. I love Portland and its weirdness. Did Utah and Colorado last year and all of the national parks there with Zion and Bryce Canyon being a highlight. Houston didn't do much for me but Austin and San Antonio were fun and unique. Yellowstone is a must see of course but don't skip Grand Teton to the south. The Canadian Rockies and US Northeast (Maine & Vermont) are next on my list but will probably have to choose between the two for 2017. Enjoy the next trip - sounds great.