Ray and I shared a room at Hale Mokihana dorm, where you had to have a room key (which looked like a big dogtag) to take the elevator up.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray and I shared a room at Hale Mokihana dorm, where you had to have a room key (which looked like a big dogtag) to take the elevator up.
My side of the room was in typical disarray. (And it got a lot worse over the next few days.) I think I brought everything home.
Date: 08/12/2005
My side of the room was in typical disarray. (And it got a lot worse over the next few days.) I think I brought everything home.
Ray brought only one bag with him -- and kept a lot tighter ship. He's a very experienced (and confident) traveler.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray brought only one bag with him -- and kept a lot tighter ship. He's a very experienced (and confident) traveler.
Ray spotted this rainbow from our dorm room window and quickly got me to snap this shot. It was gone in a couple minutes.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray spotted this rainbow from our dorm room window and quickly got me to snap this shot. It was gone in a couple minutes.
Ray enjoys the view from the "roof" of the dorm. The real roof was a little higher, though.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray enjoys the view from the "roof" of the dorm. The real roof was a little higher, though.
With Diamond Head in the background, Ray chats up another masters athlete.
Date: 08/12/2005
With Diamond Head in the background, Ray chats up another masters athlete.
Ray and I start out for Diamond Head on thebus (as it's known). Fare was $2 for me and $1 for him with a senior discount.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray and I start out for Diamond Head on thebus (as it's known). Fare was $2 for me and $1 for him with a senior discount.
Ray worked up a sweat but never complained about the steep steps near the end of the journey up Diamond Head.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray worked up a sweat but never complained about the steep steps near the end of the journey up Diamond Head.
Just before you reach the top of Diamond Head, you go up this narrow circular staircase.
Date: 08/12/2005
Just before you reach the top of Diamond Head, you go up this narrow circular staircase.
Inside a bunker at the top of Diamond Head, trekkers could buy a certificate attesting to their feat. We said, "Nah."
Date: 08/12/2005
Inside a bunker at the top of Diamond Head, trekkers could buy a certificate attesting to their feat. We said, "Nah."
Ray is 81, but he seemed to have less problem on the hike than some 18-year-olds. One van driver expressed amazement at Ray's feat.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray is 81, but he seemed to have less problem on the hike than some 18-year-olds. One van driver expressed amazement at Ray's feat.
Now I know what it feels to be atop Everest -- and wondering whether I have to go down.
Date: 08/12/2005
Now I know what it feels to be atop Everest -- and wondering whether I have to go down.
From atop the viewing area, Diamond Head provides a 360-degree view that knocks your socks off.
Date: 08/12/2005
From atop the viewing area, Diamond Head provides a 360-degree view that knocks your socks off.
Now we know where they take the postcards of the Honolulu skyline.
Date: 08/12/2005
Now we know where they take the postcards of the Honolulu skyline.
From Diamond Head, one can see the University of Hawaii dorms -- ours is the round tower at center right.
Date: 08/12/2005
From Diamond Head, one can see the University of Hawaii dorms -- ours is the round tower at center right.
Lighthouse offered Diamond Head climbers another Kodak Moment.
Date: 08/12/2005
Lighthouse offered Diamond Head climbers another Kodak Moment.
On the way down the hill, you have to snake your way into the outlook bunker. Watch your head, Ray.
Date: 08/12/2005
On the way down the hill, you have to snake your way into the outlook bunker. Watch your head, Ray.
Ray watched his head, and watched me document his feat. For me, I had to shimmy down on my butt.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray watched his head, and watched me document his feat. For me, I had to shimmy down on my butt.
Ah, heading downhill seemed a lot easier that going up. Something to do with gravity.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ah, heading downhill seemed a lot easier that going up. Something to do with gravity.
Switchbacks normally are a pain. But handrails on the Diamond Head trail helped a lot.
Date: 08/12/2005
Switchbacks normally are a pain. But handrails on the Diamond Head trail helped a lot.
It was only AFTER we hiked up that we read the tourist warnings. (We anticipated the hydration needs by buying Gatorade before heading up.)
Date: 08/12/2005
It was only AFTER we hiked up that we read the tourist warnings. (We anticipated the hydration needs by buying Gatorade before heading up.)
In high school, they used to call me Stone Head, so I guess this trip was fated.
Date: 08/12/2005
In high school, they used to call me Stone Head, so I guess this trip was fated.
Ray and I scampered up Diamond Head. Actually, we went realllly slow, and took advantage of the handrails.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray and I scampered up Diamond Head. Actually, we went realllly slow, and took advantage of the handrails.
Ray and I opted against taking a taxi back to the bus pickup point. We went through a cool tunnel.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray and I opted against taking a taxi back to the bus pickup point. We went through a cool tunnel.
Ala Moana shopping mall was your typical over-the-top collection of button shops, souvenir stands and upscale retails outlets. What set it apart? The foliage.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ala Moana shopping mall was your typical over-the-top collection of button shops, souvenir stands and upscale retails outlets. What set it apart? The foliage.
Gardens at a shopping mall normally aren't this lush. But this is Paradise, baby.
Date: 08/12/2005
Gardens at a shopping mall normally aren't this lush. But this is Paradise, baby.
Ala Moana is a crossroads for Oahu tourists since a lot of buses stop there. Ray and I explored some shops.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ala Moana is a crossroads for Oahu tourists since a lot of buses stop there. Ray and I explored some shops.
Looking for dinner Wednesday night at Ala Moana mall, we passed a sushi joint.
Date: 08/12/2005
Looking for dinner Wednesday night at Ala Moana mall, we passed a sushi joint.
Raw fish on the eve of masters nationals? We passed.
Date: 08/12/2005
Raw fish on the eve of masters nationals? We passed.
The food court at Ala Moana mall was your typical colorful fare, plus some Hawaiian-specific outlets (not shown).
Date: 08/12/2005
The food court at Ala Moana mall was your typical colorful fare, plus some Hawaiian-specific outlets (not shown).
Ray and I ordered from this place. Ray made the better choice -- a mahi mahi burger. I got clam chowder.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray and I ordered from this place. Ray made the better choice -- a mahi mahi burger. I got clam chowder.
Folks wait for their free tickets to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Ray and I passed the half-hour wait by trading old track war stories.
Date: 08/12/2005
Folks wait for their free tickets to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Ray and I passed the half-hour wait by trading old track war stories.
Signs at Pearl Harbor remind folks that the Arizona Memorial is a solemn place, urging proper reverence.
Date: 08/12/2005
Signs at Pearl Harbor remind folks that the Arizona Memorial is a solemn place, urging proper reverence.
Mural of the USS Arizona greeted folks at the ticket-issuing desk. We waited two and a half hours to take the tour.
Date: 08/12/2005
Mural of the USS Arizona greeted folks at the ticket-issuing desk. We waited two and a half hours to take the tour.
Outside, docents described the attacks of Dec. 7, 1941, with a relief map of Oahu.
Date: 08/12/2005
Outside, docents described the attacks of Dec. 7, 1941, with a relief map of Oahu.
Gardens at the reception area gave tourists a gorgeous place to wait their turn for the boat out to the Arizona Memorial.
Date: 08/12/2005
Gardens at the reception area gave tourists a gorgeous place to wait their turn for the boat out to the Arizona Memorial.
Ray checked out one of the informational displays overlooking the site of "the day which will live in infamy."
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray checked out one of the informational displays overlooking the site of "the day which will live in infamy."
Tablets overlooking Ford Island at Pearl Harbor displayed the names of the dead, listed by the ship they were on.
Date: 08/12/2005
Tablets overlooking Ford Island at Pearl Harbor displayed the names of the dead, listed by the ship they were on.
Ray posed on the walkway entrance to the submarine Bowfin tour, which helped kill time waiting for Arizona Memorial visit.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray posed on the walkway entrance to the submarine Bowfin tour, which helped kill time waiting for Arizona Memorial visit.
Ray was suitably impressed by the Bowfin, which sunk 44 enemy ships during World War II.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray was suitably impressed by the Bowfin, which sunk 44 enemy ships during World War II.
Ray wore a shirt from the 1997 world masters meet in Durban, South Africa. He's been to a lot of world meets, including the first one in Toronto in 1975.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray wore a shirt from the 1997 world masters meet in Durban, South Africa. He's been to a lot of world meets, including the first one in Toronto in 1975.
Ray had easier time than me navigating the openings between sections of the sub.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray had easier time than me navigating the openings between sections of the sub.
Ray would have been a perfect size for the submarine force.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray would have been a perfect size for the submarine force.
The officer's mess on the sub Bowfin didn't look messy at all.
Date: 08/12/2005
The officer's mess on the sub Bowfin didn't look messy at all.
Ray and I argued over whether I could fit on the submarine bunks. I said I could; he doubted it.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray and I argued over whether I could fit on the submarine bunks. I said I could; he doubted it.
After the tour, I was happy to be able to stand up straight. I wouldn't have liked submarine life.
Date: 08/12/2005
After the tour, I was happy to be able to stand up straight. I wouldn't have liked submarine life.
Ray gets a gander of Ford Island through the Bowfin's binocs.
Date: 08/12/2005
Ray gets a gander of Ford Island through the Bowfin's binocs.
My lunchtime snack of potato-chip-and-banana-raspberry-smoothie was too colorful to avoid a photo.
Date: 08/12/2005
My lunchtime snack of potato-chip-and-banana-raspberry-smoothie was too colorful to avoid a photo.
Yeah, I brought the little drink umbrella home. It said: "Made in China."
Date: 08/12/2005
Yeah, I brought the little drink umbrella home. It said: "Made in China."
A food court under a tent invited folks to have their picture taken in Adm. Nimitz's jeep (for a price).
Date: 08/12/2005
A food court under a tent invited folks to have their picture taken in Adm. Nimitz's jeep (for a price).
Of course, I took the cheap route -- having Ray shoot me standing next to the jeep. (No charge.)
Date: 08/12/2005
Of course, I took the cheap route -- having Ray shoot me standing next to the jeep. (No charge.)
Folks ahead os us wait to board a Navy-run boat to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
Date: 08/12/2005
Folks ahead os us wait to board a Navy-run boat to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
The wall of victims' names at the Arizona Memorial is reminiscent of similar tributes to war dead in Washington.
Date: 08/12/2005
The wall of victims' names at the Arizona Memorial is reminiscent of similar tributes to war dead in Washington.
Our visit to Pearl Harbor included a tour of a fascinating submarine museum.
Date: 08/12/2005
Our visit to Pearl Harbor included a tour of a fascinating submarine museum.
On a private van tour of Honolulu, we visited the Punchbowl, site of a national military cemetery.
Date: 08/12/2005
On a private van tour of Honolulu, we visited the Punchbowl, site of a national military cemetery.
Van driver and tour guide Calvin Lewis gives me a hang-loose sign while helping other passengers out. He was a hoot.
Date: 08/13/2005
Van driver and tour guide Calvin Lewis gives me a hang-loose sign while helping other passengers out. He was a hoot.
On a solo stroll on Waikiki Beach on Sunday night (Ray rested after 200-meter race), I came across this ghostlike hippie scene.
Date: 08/12/2005
On a solo stroll on Waikiki Beach on Sunday night (Ray rested after 200-meter race), I came across this ghostlike hippie scene.
Guy didn't seem to care about me snapping his picture. Maybe he's paid by Hawaii Tourism Board to add to the ambiance.
Date: 08/12/2005
Guy didn't seem to care about me snapping his picture. Maybe he's paid by Hawaii Tourism Board to add to the ambiance.
What are these folks up to? I wondered during my beach stroll.
Date: 08/12/2005
What are these folks up to? I wondered during my beach stroll.
Is there something hidden in this monstrous tree?
Date: 08/12/2005
Is there something hidden in this monstrous tree?
Turns out that this couple were adding their names to the hundreds carved into this tree (and video recording the moment).
Date: 08/12/2005
Turns out that this couple were adding their names to the hundreds carved into this tree (and video recording the moment).
Skateboard (left) and surfboard are carried along the beach in this available-light time exposure.
Date: 08/12/2005
Skateboard (left) and surfboard are carried along the beach in this available-light time exposure.
I wasn't sure whether this was performance art or just a guy csnoozing for the benefit of photographers.
Date: 08/12/2005
I wasn't sure whether this was performance art or just a guy csnoozing for the benefit of photographers.
The beach offered lots of shower-off-your-sand stations. This place was Disneyland in terms of visitor-friendliness.
Date: 08/12/2005
The beach offered lots of shower-off-your-sand stations. This place was Disneyland in terms of visitor-friendliness.
The water was warm and comfortable. Photography with available light was rougher. (Didn't want to flash folks.)
Date: 08/12/2005
The water was warm and comfortable. Photography with available light was rougher. (Didn't want to flash folks.)
Two young boys -- probably ages 13 or 14 -- sang John Lennon's "Imagine" on their ukuleles among other things. I watched while eating a $3.18 single dip ice cream cone (macadamia nut).
Date: 08/12/2005
Two young boys -- probably ages 13 or 14 -- sang John Lennon's "Imagine" on their ukuleles among other things. I watched while eating a $3.18 single dip ice cream cone (macadamia nut).
Yeah, I threw down a buck as thanks for the music and photo opportunity.
Date: 08/12/2005
Yeah, I threw down a buck as thanks for the music and photo opportunity.
Surfboards on entrance doors keep the beach's Burger King in the Hawaiian spirit.
Date: 08/12/2005
Surfboards on entrance doors keep the beach's Burger King in the Hawaiian spirit.
Kids explored knickknacks at a ukulele shop attached to a Marriott Hotel.
Date: 08/12/2005
Kids explored knickknacks at a ukulele shop attached to a Marriott Hotel.
These instruments were going for about $300, I seem to recall.
Date: 08/12/2005
These instruments were going for about $300, I seem to recall.
When you got gorgeous native plants, flaunt it. And they do.
Date: 08/12/2005
When you got gorgeous native plants, flaunt it. And they do.
Hotel lobby was hard to pass up. At least they're ready for a tsunami. Grab a board!
Date: 08/12/2005
Hotel lobby was hard to pass up. At least they're ready for a tsunami. Grab a board!
Couples found nirvana for romantic settings. These folks are watching an outdoor movie, "Chocolat."
Date: 08/12/2005
Couples found nirvana for romantic settings. These folks are watching an outdoor movie, "Chocolat."
I didn't count, but maybe a thousand people set up chairs and blankets to watch "Chocolat" on the beach -- from back-to-back screens.
Date: 08/12/2005
I didn't count, but maybe a thousand people set up chairs and blankets to watch "Chocolat" on the beach -- from back-to-back screens.
After I took this picture, a lady driver stuck her head out the window and yelled, "You must be Polish!" I replied, "You bet your dupa!"
Date: 08/12/2005
After I took this picture, a lady driver stuck her head out the window and yelled, "You must be Polish!" I replied, "You bet your dupa!"
A stone pier at Waikiki afford this view of the hotels lining one of the world's most famous beaches.
Date: 08/12/2005
A stone pier at Waikiki afford this view of the hotels lining one of the world's most famous beaches.
All along the beach, folks could be found relaxing on benches and playing chess or checkers.
Date: 08/12/2005
All along the beach, folks could be found relaxing on benches and playing chess or checkers.
Japanese tourists relax with a view of the gently lapping waters at Waikiki.
Date: 08/12/2005
Japanese tourists relax with a view of the gently lapping waters at Waikiki.
Sand at the beach was fine and very clean. The water felt warm after a minute of toe-dipping.
Date: 08/12/2005
Sand at the beach was fine and very clean. The water felt warm after a minute of toe-dipping.
Folks just can't resist striking a pose like the sculpture. (And I couldn't resist taking a photo.)
Date: 08/12/2005
Folks just can't resist striking a pose like the sculpture. (And I couldn't resist taking a photo.)
Surfing legend Duke K apparently gets a fresh supply of leis for the benefit of snapshots like this.
Date: 08/12/2005
Surfing legend Duke K apparently gets a fresh supply of leis for the benefit of snapshots like this.
A guy with a metal detector was out in the water looking for buried tourist treasure.
Date: 08/12/2005
A guy with a metal detector was out in the water looking for buried tourist treasure.
Flying out of Honolulu, you see how close the airstrip is to the beach. (That's a road in the picture, though.)
Date: 08/12/2005
Flying out of Honolulu, you see how close the airstrip is to the beach. (That's a road in the picture, though.)
