DH and I are in Hawaii and I'm even using the US spelling of 'harbour' 😉😊
Yesterday we did a half day tour to Pearl Harbor. It was a place that most of us have heard of...it certainly featured a lot in Modern History Curricula in countries such as Australia when I went to school.
Before we went I was interested to read that Pearl Harbor is still a working naval base. And our bus driver did explain that that was why no bags or handbags could be brought in from the 'outside'. We had been warned by the tour company that the queue for bag check in could sometimes be long and they recommended just bring what you can carry in your hand or pockets...so DH and I did.
The building in the photo below is where we saw a movie with actual footage of the bombing...very confronting even all these years later.
Then we boarded a boat to be taken to the USS Arizona Memorial. The crew on the boat appeared to be defense personnel but I was too scared to ask! Lol. The public areas of this place are run by the US version of Parks and Wildlife but these guys on the boat wore different uniforms.
Just a short boat ride...
Twenty one ships got bombing that early morning in December 1941. Some have markers showing where they had been moored...
And here's our destination...USS Arizona Memorial...
Inside...
It is simple but oh so magnificent! The Memorial is built over the sunken remains of the battleship. The Arizona was one of three that wasn't able to be salvaged. The bomb that fell on it, went through 3 levels of the ship and blew up the ammunition that was stored. The crew were doomed. The guide talked to us about the horrors, bravery etc of that time and in the days after...my tears ran free.
The base for the guns
At the back of the building is the Memorial wall...
Then it was back on the boat...and a chance to look through the museums before our bus came back.
In my Modern History classes in the late 60s I can remember writing essays on the causes of both world wars and I remember we were taught that the Japanese felt they were treated unfairly after WW1 so I read the timeline and found them interesting.
Lunch choice were few; hot dog, nachos or soup...
But we had a lunchtime band playing...
And it was a glorious day!
Aloha!
9 comments:
Maria, how fascinating. I see what you mean about the lunch choices. LOL! Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Thank you so much for the tour. It love to visit someday
Reading that last pic, about how the seeds were sown for a world war gave me shivers
Sounds like what is currently happening in the USA today, with trump building walls and starting trade wars and many many sanctions
I hope I’m very wrong
Have a wonderful trip! I've only ever been through the airport in Hawaii, on my way to mainland US. So I've seen it fairly close-up from the air, but nothing on the ground. I'll enjoy seeing it through your eyes here.
I haven't been to Hawaii-although as a dependent of retired Air Force personnel I can go on Hickam Field AFbase or Pearl Harbor Naval Base-it's on my "Bucket list"! I think one of the most moving things I've ever seen is from the Pearl Harbor movie, all the hands reaching out of the Arizona before the men drowned. Still chokes me up. Hope you are having a grand time with hula dancers and luaus!
The visit to the memorial was obviously a very moving experience. I also found those signs interesting reading. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
This looks an interesting place to visit, I imagine it could be a very emotional experience.
Diana
My daughter and I visited Pearl Harbour several years ago. The Arizona memorial was so moving. There's a sense of it being a sacred place. All the visitors were so quiet and respectful. A far cry from many other places people visit. Enjoy your stay in Hawaii.
Lovely photos! Enjoy your holiday.
God bless.
what a special place to visit.........
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