Exploring Oahu: Hanauma Bay & Pearl Harbour Memorial

After the North Shore, we decided to check out the "Windward Shore" which had plenty to see also. Including the Halona Blowhole and the most dangerous beach on the island, Sandy Beach (middle pic) - where they have an paramedics on stand-by for the body surfers (apparently!?!).

We also hired our car for an extra day to ensure we got to see and snorkel at the famed Hanauma Bay Preserve - it didn't disappoint. The area was declared a Marine Conservation Area in 1967, and you need to watch a video and sit through a full briefing before you're allowed to enter the beach!

Trent and the kids we're swimming with a green turtle, which was exciting, however overall snorkelling with three small children (2 who can't swim unaided) proved to be a tricky exercise.

Pooped!!

The next day we were on the open top bus to Pearl Harbor Memorial which we really enjoyed (not necessarily the bus bit!) as it was a real eye opener. The sunken USS Arizona was a haunting experience, and is obviously very intense for the many families affected directly by "the day of infamy" - the 7th December 1941 surprise attack by the Japanese Imperial Army on Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into WW2.

 Followed by dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe to lighten things up!

Now we're off to LA for the RV portion of our trip - eek!