Day 2 - Clearly jetlag i woke up at 5:30am.
woke up to this beautiful view
we are heading to Diamond head.
Before our trip i was contemplating whether or not to rent a car in O'ahu, luckily i decided not to as i read that bus is convenient too and parking is expensive and a hassle.
True enough, the bus is everywhere in Waikiki. Just around our hotel there are a few bus stops which travel to different parts of the island. We just use google to search for the bus number, very easy and convenient
the bus is a bit old but it's comfortable. From our hotel we took bus #2 or #23 to Diamond Head Crater
cost of the bus is $2.75/ one way or $5.50/for 1 day.
best to get some change from the hotel as the bus only take the exact amount and do NOT carry change
took about 15-20 minutes bus ride
the bus stopped at a park, quite a distance away from the entrance of the Diamond Head Crater. But the walk to the entrance was easy, slightly going up hill and with great view
amazing view @ Kahala lookout
will come across Kahala tunnel built in 1943 to enter the crater
through the tunnel
another 5 minutes walk is the park entrance. Entrance fee for walk in is $1/pax and $5 for car.
By the time we reached the entrance it was already 7 something and the sun is shining.
we are now officially in the crater!
there are souvenirs store, juice bar, toilets and water but not at the summit.
Gonna hike up this crater to Fire Control Station Diamond Head at the summit
half way there! this 1908 original route was not too bad to hike. Mules and soldiers used to walked the same path during construction and operation
Best to come early as the hike up has not much shade and it's going to be hot late in the morning
mid view of the crater
there are flight of stairs and a small tunnel of the Fire Control Station
but we made it
the hike up was worth it! it's not very tough took me about 40 minutes. could be faster if we didn't took so many photos :D
just love the turquoise water
the summit! early morning it's already crowded
Diamond Head Crater,
enjoying my breakfast
another point to come earlier is to avoid crowd
view of Waikiki from the rim
just can't get enough of this view
alright time to head back down. By the time we were done it was just 9am
back to Waikiki, too lazy to search for food, back to the Udon place..hehehe
Since we have the whole day bus ticket and we still have plenty of time. We took the bus #42
to Pearl Harbor. From Waikiki it's quite a distance, it took about an hour bus ride and the bus stopped right at Pearl Harbor
bags are not allowed and there is a locker on site cost $5.
there are 2 ticket counters to see different things and they are free!
Luckily there are still ticket available for the day
there are a limit of ticket they give out everyday.
There are also Audio guide for rent at $7.50 with multiple languages to choose from
Fortunately today is also the first day that the USS Arizona Memorial reopen after closing for few months for renovation
explore
while waiting for our time slot for the boat ride to USS Arizona
there area also a small museum about the attack and WWII
before the boat ride there is a short introduction of the history and the war in Pearl Harbor. Very informative and emotional
just a short boat ride
USS Arizona Memorial,it straddles the sunken hull of battleship without touching it
we are allowed 30 minutes at the USS Arizona Memorial, until the next boat of visitors arrived.
The bus back to Waikiki is located just outside of the park entrance along the main road. We took again bus #42 which directly bring us to Waikiki without any transfer but it's a long bus ride took about an hour plus
Had a nice dinner at Waikiki followed by a nice evening stroll to wind down
~ aloha ~
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