A nice Sunday morning in Hawaii.
I throw open the curtains to gaze upon the enviable view of the top level parking spaces in front of the Macy's anchor to Ala Moana Center Since I already had breakfast. I was hoping for a snack and ice coffee.
First location on this early Sunday morning is the flea market at Aloha stadium. There are a few express bus lines: A, C, and E. The A line will take me there faster than the 23 line will.
$1 dollar pesdestrian fee to enter and it opens earlier on Sundays than any other operating day. I fondly remember the fun I had the last time I was there oh so many years ago.
There were a number of vendors. Many were selling souvenir clothing and apparel. A few were selling fresh vegetables. Sadly, walked around for about an hour with nothing to show for it.
Some were hawking other edible wares. I spied several tents advertising samples of Kona coffee. I would have preferred if they could have sold full cups, especially iced coffee
A few ukelele sellers on hand providing kitchy to serious level instruments.
Sections 7D and 8D were set aside for food trucks. I dont know if it was too early but there was a disappointing duo of food trucks. None selling local foodstuffs. One was selling mainly mexican food
Lastly, you cant get on the field but you can see what it looks like. Many years ago, this was home to the NFL Pro Bowl, football's all-star game. That has since moved on. As has my interest in this flea market. I guess I cant reclaim the enjoyment that I used to experience here
Two stops previous from Aloha Stadium is the Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial.
The memorial straddles the sunken battleship lost during World War II during an attack by Japanese forces. Caught unawares, many lives were lost inside the battleship when it went down.
Parked next to it is the Missouri battleship. While open for tours and an extra fee is required, the site of the signing of Japan's surrender concluded the war. Not originally moored here when the memorial first opened.
Theres the free ferry to the Arizona Memorial. Rerservations are highly advised. However, there is a line for standbys. Luckily, being a party of one, I was the last person allowed during this time slot. Not the first time Ive been to the memorial.
Its about 15 minutes by ferry, 30 minutes to look and observe, then another 15 min back.
For the first time visitor, the time aboard the memorial seemed short. To me there was more than enough time to walk around and take pictures before returning.
As we disembarked, the previous party of people were gathered at the entrance. They would be taking the shuttle back to the museum area.
At the far end of the structure, the names of those who gaver their lives are engraved into the stone wall. As some had died some time after, names were added since it was first erected. Some who lived well beyond the incident returned to be with their comrades.
Much of what pokes up above the waterline are the turrets of the ship's main guns. The most noticible is number 3 turret from the stern.
Turrets 1 and 4 were lower on the structure and sit below the surface
Remnants of turret 2 barely visible. Totally submerged if the tides where higher
An illustration of how the structure of the memorial lies across the the body of the ship
A tribute would not be complete without the american flag flying in the breeze above.
Finally, its time to go back out of where we came in once the shuttle returns
There are exhibits, displays, and gift shop along the grounds showing some of the aspects of the "Day which will live in infamy". Above is what the wreckage looks like now if you were able to peer below the waterline. There is a model of the ship and what it looked like in its glory days. Be forewarned that at the time of my visit, they were not allowing anyone to bring in personal bags or backpacks. Of course, I did not have a care to put my shoulder bag into. I had to eat the $6 charge for them to hold onto it for me. I am heading over the the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Again personal bags are not allowed and you cant drive onto Ford Island
A free shuttle is provided for those want to visit the Missouri or the aviation museum.
There are 2 parts to the museum. The exhibits inside the hangar represent the the aircraft that existed and used during WWII
They highlight many of the vehicles that helped to win the war in the pacific as well as the war in general
Outside are more modern fighters and a number of helicopters. The F5 is recognizible as the black enemy aircraft from Top Gun. It had a red star emblazened on it and dubbed the Mig 28. In actuality, there were no even numbered Migs and not sure which communist aircraft this was supposed to represent.
Next up is the F16. Currently in use with the USAF Thunderbirds. A modern fighter still in use today with many countries
The engine has been totally removed and you can see all the way from the intake to the exhaust. From nose to butt in human terms
F4 Phantom was deployed during Vietnam. Originally designed without a machine gun, a pod mounted machine gun was straddled to its belly.
The F4U Corsair was a prop driven plane that had distinctive curved wings. The Phantom has some unique curves of its own
In my opinion, the best and most beautiful image of air superiority, F15
So advanced and maneuverable that it was tasked to take out satellites. Though not as fluid as today's stealth fighters, it is an awesome sight to behold when fitted with conformal fuel tanks and armed to the teeth
There are no bad profiles
Speaking of Top Gun, the star of the show, F14. A large swept wing 2 seater was Maverick's battle wagon
This is the only fighter capable of carrying and launching the long-range AIM 54 Phoenix missle
Many attack choppers started off as transports with armaments added as a second thought. This Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is far from that.
Equipped with mast mounted instruments and rocker launchers mounted on the weapons pylons
One of the first choppers built from the start to be fighter is the AH1 Cobra. From the side it has a small silhouette as is. From the front, the slim profile makes it a very small target.
Two small stubby wings accommodate 2 pylons each for hanging additional array of weapons. This older model has nothing on the nose. Its descendants have high tech sensors and targeting pods.
A minigun and grenade launcher on the chin turret bears it teeth
There were other aircraft but the last one pictured is the F111. Another variable swept wing aircraft like the F14 but not in the same class
A chain of places called Zippy's was a recommendation of a coworker. It was around 2pm and I was ready to eat.
I went along with what he usually orders and its this combination place of rice and mac salad. Fried chicken, slice of spam, and teriyaki beef. Not to mention their famous chili. Overall, I could not see the charm of this place. The coating on the chicken was hard and the meat was a bit dry. Rice, spam, and mac salad was nothing special. The teri beef was too sweet. I dont know what would make the chili so famous.
On my way back to the hotel, I would pass by Walmart and Don Quijote. Discount stores orginating from different countries
Aside from Costco, a good place to get some macadamia nuts and macadamia nut related items.
My sole goal was to buy roasted mac nuts in plain and flavored varieties. Also, only buying Mauna Loa brand. Sure there a chocolate covered nuts. There are other brands. I bought a few pouches of different flavors from Walmart
Open 24 hrs makes this a convenient location as it is a shorter walk from the hotel than Walmart.
Still convenient is the food stalls located outside offering takoyaki, chinese, thai, and ramen. These are not open the same business hours as DQ
Like many Japanese grocery stores, there is an area for bentos. There also a hot food deli. Now this is a departure from a typical DQ in Japan. There, the stores are packed with wide variety of items with a small space for packaged foods and even less for a grocery store. This is the total opposite with supermarket taking up the majority of the space.
They too offered mac nuts at comparable prices
I had alot of carbs over the last few meals:risotto and mac, rice, and rice and mac. I opted for a small green salad and a beverage. No need to go out walking around Waikiki. Calling it an early night
