Quick Parasail Explanation

I didn't want to edit the post with the video becuase I didn't want to take the chance of accidentally losing the video that took so long to upload and so many attempts on this hotel's internet connection.

Just a quick explanation of the video end...we were busy landing then getting out of the way, so I didn't shut off the camera recording and the camera was just swinging from my wrist. The landing was actually quite smooth and worked quite well, in spite of how the video makes it appear that we were doing cartwheels in a blender or something. The whole experience was fabulous, even the part where I got startled by a wind gust. :)

We were the first ones to go on our boat...I'm glad, because then we didn't have time to get nervous thinking about it --- and there was nothing to be nervous about anyway. It was simply amazing!!!

PARASAILING!!!!!! :)

Parasailing in Hawaii with my dad is one of the most amazing things I've done in a long time! I took kind of a crazy video while we were up there.

We chose to go on the extreme ride with is 1000 feet of cord and we were in the air for 12 minutes. It was truly incredible. It was very thrilling, but quite different than I expected as the ride up and while in the air is actually fairly calm. The height is fabulous! Looking straight down was a little overwhelming, but not really scary. They dunk you in the water as they get close to pulling you in, but the water is warmish to slightly cool -- not cold at all. The wind gust as we were being reeled back down was a bit startling, but even that wasn't scary, really. I expected I would be a bit more scared, but still like it a lot, but I really wasn't scared and in fact I would happily do it again!

Parasail plans

So my dad and I are scheduled to go parasailing on Saturday. I am pretty excited, and a little bit crazed...but I guess most of you already knew that. Heheh. Anyway, I dunno what kind of pictures we can take in the air like that, so if we're not too busy trying to keep from wetting our pants in fright, then we will be taking some pictures, which I'll try to post here.

Off to more Polynesian Center and ocean today!

Polynesian Cultural Center

I recommend this to anyone studying Asian or Island cultures and peoples or simply if you have an interest in life. The Polynesian Center offers a fun introduction and look into the lives of many Pacific Island peoples both historically and today. I especially loved the Samoan and Tahitian presentations, though all were informative, funny, and entertaining. Various aspects of each culture are explained, some activities for both children and adults are offered, and people from each island are available to ask questions.

The luau is well worth trying, in my opinion. Plenty of varieties of food to eat and very delicious. I can't imagine anyone leaving hungry...lots of deliciousness to eat.

The night show is interesting. I am rather fire-liking, as most anyone who knows me is already aware. I hadn't seen fire-twirling in person before. It makes a much grander impression than seeing such a thing on television or internet. I loved that segment of the show in particular, though the islanders in the shows are all very handsome and beautiful so they are quite pleasant to watch during their dancing and other presentations. :)

Watching my dad take a hula lesson made my day, too. Heheh.

Pali Lookout and North Shore Waves

One strange thing about Oahu is that chickens live all over the island. I'm not sure why this is.

In addition to seeing lots of chickens, I have seen some of the most fabulously beautiful ocean and mountain scenery I've ever seen in my life.

The internet access that is supposed to work in my hotel room isn't working and the office closes in a few minutes, so I will add more photos and post later, but here are a few places I've seen in the last couple of days.

Hawaii some more

Hawaii is fabulous, though Waikiki is a bit touristy for my taste in general. We hiked to Diamond Head yesterday. Fabulous viewpoints of the ocean and of the island of Oahu for miles.

Part of the hike includes a section through the old military lookout area, which became obsolete when radar came into use.

Hawaii...and hoping to post pictures soon

I am much missing Japan.

Meeting my mother in Hawaii on the stopover has been fabulous, though, as I believe I mentioned.

We have visited the zoo and the aquarium, walked a bit along the beach, and today we visited Pearl Harbor and toured the USS Arizona memorial. I hope to get back out there and tour the battleship, USS Missouri. I have taken numerous photos since arriving, almost 900, actually, but at this hotel I only have internet in the lobby so I will post more photos soon.