A dictionary of the Hawaiian language describes aloha as “A word expressing different feelings; love, affection, gratitude, kindness, pity, compassion, grief, the modern common salutation at meeting; parting” and Anthropologist Frances Newton states that “Aloha is a complex and profound sentiment. Such emotions defy definition”.
Together that sums up this whole adventure. A wide variety of emotions and feelings that defy definition. I am so unbelievably fortunate to have been able to experience it and I hope for many more adventures to come. . . . and soon.
In the meantime our final adventure spot was the Hawaiian island of Oahu. We were only here for a 4 day layover so didn’t get to experience the whole island but we did cover a fair amount of it.
For those Hawaii Five-0 fans you might recognise the Iolani Palace and the Supreme Court buildings as they are the police headquarters in the show. The royal palace from the original series and the court building from the current one.
The north shore of Oahu during the winter is where you will find some big waves, some big whales and a few big wipeouts. At Banzai Pipeline beach they were setting up for a surf competition that was to begin the next day. No doubt some of the people in the water were professional surfers but it’s just not a sport I could ever get into.
The fish were plentiful at this quieter, protected area where we stopped for some snorkelling. The whales were feeding and splashing about a little further off shore and we even found a green sea turtle snoozing on one of the beaches.
The next day we visited Pearl Harbor and went out by boat to the USS Arizona memorial. The first thing that struck me was the strong smell of oil. Often referred to as the tears of the Arizona, the oil continues to leak even after 75 years. The memorial straddles the hull of the sunken battleship that is the final resting place for over 1100 men.
Light reflects differently off the oil patches in the water. Sometimes with rather eerie results.
It was a very sobering experience and one that will stay with me for a while. Though there was much loss and devastation that day there was also great determination and resiliency. Of the eight battleships sunk or heavily damaged, all but two were returned to service.
One last look at Waikiki.
We are (reluctantly) back home again and will have to adjust to being in one spot for a while. Adventuring around the world is something I am always up for but our little patch of the earth is pretty special too. I’m sure I can get up to some adventuring here in my own back yard.
Welcome Home!!!! Love AT
Welcome home