January 27th, 2017 - Honolulu, Hawaii

Today we headed out to explore the West side of Oahu with the ocean on one
side of us and the Waiamae Mountain Range on the other.

Upon reaching the Western coastline, it is obvious that you are on the dry
side of the island. Oahu is the most populated of all the Hawaiian Islands,
so I was quite surprised by the small run down towns.

Continued North until we ran out of road and headed back to the city
stopping at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in the Punchbowl
Crater. Climbing to the rim of the crater one has panoramic views of Oahu.
Every time I visit this island the houses seem to have climbed higher and
higher up the sides of the mountains.

As we sailed away this evening I got to see Diamond Head one last time, this
time from the sea as we start our 2,000 mile journey to our next port.

January 26th, 2017 - Honolulu, Hawaii

We arrived to Honolulu before sunrise, so it was very dark and there was not
much to see.

It was not long though before I got a glimpse of the gorgeous turquoise that
I call the color of paradise.

Headed East from Honolulu to begin the exploration of the Eastern and
Northern shorelines. Made stops along the way at Makapu'a Point beneath
Diamond Head, Sandy Beach and the Halona Blow Hole - which even though it
was not "blowing" that day, provided some amazing views. Stopped for lunch
at a roadside café - way too much food - would have loved to seen what the
dinner portions looked like.

As we skirted the Northern shoreline with its' world famous surfing beaches
we happened upon the end of the semi-finals for a world championship, pretty
amazing to watch them try to ride the monster waves.

Headed back to Honolulu through Central Oahu, tomorrow is another day!