Visiting the 'Hill of Sacrifice'

A very moving day. We visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, i.e. the Punchbowl. What a beautiful, serene, and sacred place. To stand at the top looking over the pristine grounds, and know that there are over 49,000 men and women buried there is very emotional. It was so peaceful there. A beautiful resting place for those brave souls. They had extended the memorial since our visit in 2001, and the new additions lead out to an awe-inspiring view of Waikiki and Honolulu nestled below. We spent our time just looking at all the names inscribed on the walls, and the exquisite battle map murals depicting each conflict. Words and pictures don't do it justice. You really have to go there and experience it.

After the Punchbowl we ate a small restaurant called Koala Moa. YUMMY!!! We thoroughly enjoyed the meal of rotisserie chicken, rice, and corn. We actually ate there because we passed them on our way to the cemetery and they were cooking the chicken outside on the huge wood-fueled grill and the smell was amazing! Yum, yum, yum!!

After lunch we drove up along the bottom and east end of the island, watching the waves crash along the rocks and rise up through blowholes. These views never get old. After watching for a bit, we came back to the hotel, picked up the ring mom had made from the pearl she bought at Dole, and then ate dinner at Chuck's Cellar. Good, good, food! The kids loved it. Erica even ate a full adult meal of shrimp! Her appetite never ceases to amaze us!

Tomorrow we (except mom who is still recovering!) plan on hiking Diamond Head. I'll be sure to update. Tomorrow is our last full day on Oahu then it's off to the big island. We stay in Volcano first and the internet reception can be iffy, so I hope to be able to update at least a few times. I haven't gotten pictures sorted yet, but when I do, I'll post them posthaste.

TTFN!