I wish Haole Girl was still on DU so I could tell her about my vacation to Hawaii.

[Aristus]

I am now an official 'haole'.

There was a Hawaiian historian on board the cruise ship who gave lectures on Hawaiian history, culture and the arts. They were fascinating to listen to. Most of all was learning that hula was originally not about pretty girls in grass skirts shaking their hips, but were dances for men, and an important part of Hawaiian warrior culture.

It was a great vacation. I'll be posting my pictures next weekend when I have the time to upload them. First day back to work tomorrow... :-(

[Suich]

1. Hi, Aristus!

Nice to see you back! Can't wait to see your pics!

:hi:

[Aristus]

2. Hi, Suich!

Thanks! :hi:

My pictures are primarily of my visit to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. But I got some pics of our hike along Diamond Head, and some pics I took as the ship was sailing into Honolulu Harbor at dawn. Great stuff, but I won't have time to upload it all until next weekend. Also next weekend: the return of William Shakespeare's Thought For The Day! B-)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Aristus...

I miss her too.

I find myself wondering how she is...her job, her husband, her motorcycle, her trips to Hawaii...Plus her great pics.

Oh well.

I too am looking forward to seeing your pics! I hope the week will fly by ...

And I really hope you have fun at work!

:hug:

[Aristus]

5. Have you ever been to the Arizona Memorial, CalPeg?

Very moving...

If you have, tell me your experience.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Alas, no, I have not...

I'd really like to see it.

I've seen some wonderful pictures of it, though, and they just increase my wish to see it for myself.

I'm looking forward to hearing your experience...

[Aristus]

8. It's amazing. I've wanted to visit since I was 7 years old.

I was on an excursion tour from the cruise ship, so I had to follow their itinerary, but someday I plan to go back on my own and spend as much time as I can at the visitors center, and at the Memorial itself. On an organized tour, visitors are only allowed to spend about 15 minutes at the actual site. I had just about enough time to pay my respects at the shrine of the fallen, and to scatter the flowers of my welcome lei on the waters at the site. That's become a tradition for visitors paying their respects.

[Skittles]

4. I MISS HAOLE GAL

YES INDEED

[Aristus]

6. You and me both, Skittles...

:-(