Sunday 11^{th – Honolulu Zoo and the U.S.S Missouri}

We woke up late (8:30 AM) but once we were organized we managed to get underway around 9:30 AM. We decided to have breakfast and then head east to Hanuama Bay. We managed to find a restaurant which didn’t have a 45 minute queue, so we managed to enjoy a rare breakfast (something we would have difficulty matching the rest of our trip).

After breakfast, around 10:30 AM – walking, eating and relaxing – we tried again to catch a bus east, to no avail. All buses were jam packed and we had no opportunity shy of a Taxi ride.

Honolulu Zoo

Instead, we walked to the Honolulu Zoo – a few blocks east of where we ate breakfast. We spent about an hour and a half in the Zoo, checking out some of the curious animals, and enjoying a relaxing day.

Notable animals included the Kimono Dragon, Pink Flamingoes, one scary looking Bengal Tiger and a goat who tried to eat Rob’s shorts – how Bart Simpson-esque! We were surprised to also find farm animals (chickens, goats etc) which are not quite as exotic.

 
Farm Animals | Inside the Fish Tank

The zoo had an excellent African section which included a white rhino, giraffes, zebras, a hippopotamus and a warthog. We were particularly interested in the collection of Galapagos turtles who were eating and sunning themselves as we visited.

Pearl Harbour

Once we left the zoo, we realized that we were now early into the afternoon, so with time working against us (this being our last full day in Hawaii), we tried to catch a bus to Pearl Harbour – with the same result as earlier – jam packed buses!

We’d spent over an hour (it was around 1 PM) heading west, to only advance as far as the Ala Moana Centre – 15 minutes’ walk from or hotel! Finally, a bit upset with the bleak prospect of a bus, we hailed a cab and headed west to Pearl Harbour. Time was really not on our side and it was 2 PM before we hit Pearl.

We decided to only visit the USS Missouri, based on the amount of time we had remaining. This required a bus ride to the other side of the harbor where we joined a tour of the battleship.

Toni on the deck of the USS Missouri | Toni in the tactical room

The U.S.S Missouri, a floating museum, is moored in Pearl Harbour near the remains of the U.S.S Arizona, which was sunk during the bombing of the US Naval facility in 1941.

One of the last of the original wooden decked battleships

Built to avenge that action, the Missouri saw active service in World War II and was the location where peace was signed in Tokyo harbour later in 1945. The Missouri was in active service right up until the late 80s and even saw service in the first Gulf War. We remember the battleship principally from the Steven Segal film ‘Under Siege’ with Tommy Lee Jones.

We paid extra for a guided tour of the battleship which gave us a better insight into life on board a working Navy vessel.

Our tour took us throughout the ship, including the tactical command, bridge and crew quarters and mess area.

Particular attention was given to areas where the ship had been damaged – particularly where a Japanese Kamikaze pilot had struck the side of the ship.

We examined the location where, on deck, the US and Japan signed the end of war in the Pacific as mentioned earlier. There are framed documents in the museum, and a number of monuments commemorating the event.

Memorial to the declaration of peace in 1941

Like most museums, the Missouri had an excellent collection of equipment, models and storyboards depicting various events from the second World War to the Gulf War including the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The battleship was notably different from the USS Intrepid (aircraft carrier) which we had visited in New York, although they would have served the US Navy at approximately the same era.

The tactical room was the most interesting, and we were treated to what the room would have looked like during military action – special lighting to enhance the computer displays (although, made for difficult photography).

After the tour, we caught a bus back to Waikiki. We headed to the Hilton which was close to where we were staying. Since we couldn’t really visit Hawaii without some surf, Rob took a dip in the sea while Toni looked on (and snapped a photo or two).

Rob enjoying the Hilton’s Beachfront

That night we dined at Tony Roma’s (Ribs and Steak) before heading back to the hotel to pack and be ready for our departure the following morning.