9th Day - day 9 (for English scroll down)

Today was another goosebump day. Pearl Harbor was on the agenda. With an additional 6-hour time difference (now there are exactly 12 hours between Europe and Hawaii), I didn't really need an alarm clock. However, Zoe's body went on strike. Like: Just don't get out of bed - there are mean sun rays out there... But it didn't help, because mum is meaner and forced the little red bundle out of bed. I have to admit, I felt a little sorry for her, but that doesn't help now, right? The bus was punctual like a Swiss clockwork in front of the hotel, and Chris the driver was already looking forward to us. This manifested itself in the fact that he talked our ears off... for 8 hours straight... oleeee 😊 First, we went through Honolulu to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - with thousands of graves. It takes your breath away to see such a sight. After that, we continued to Pearl Harbor. We had to enter in a single file - Chris was very precise about it 😉 I found the sight rather amusing, but there wasn't much to laugh about otherwise. First, a movie was shown about how the Japanese attack happened, the trigger for the USA's involvement in World War II, and the measures taken against the aggressors. We were very surprised how history is repeating itself right now. Russia/Ukraine and the sanctions - like déjà vu. Then we were taken by boat to the USS Arizona, which sank completely during the attack and took more than 900 sailors with it. Above the USS Arizona, which was just a few meters underwater, a memorial building was built where you can look down to the ship. That gives you chills. Deeply moved, we then continued to the USS Missouri. This warship was also hit but didn't sink. It was repaired and served in a few more wars before being decommissioned and made accessible to the public. The visit was impressive and emotional. But Chris was already back, making sure we had completely different thoughts. That's how our cultural excursion ended today. I'm glad that the bus neighbors, missionaries from Utah (!), couldn't convert us, and Zoe is lying next to me in bed feeling relieved, swearing by the Aloe Vera cooling spray 😊

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Today was another goosebump day. Pearl Harbor was on the agenda. With an additional 6-hour time difference (now there are exactly 12 hours between Europe and Hawaii), I didn't really need an alarm clock. However, Zoe's body went on strike. Like: Just don't get out of bed - there are mean sun rays out there... Nice thought, but no, mum is a tough bitch - that red bundle of joy had to get out of bed. Ok, I have to admit, I did feel sorry for her, but it didn't change anything, right? The bus was perfectly on time in front of the hotel, and Chris the driver was excited to see us. It manifested itself in the fact that he kept talking, nonstop, for 8 hours... oleee 😊 First, we drove through Honolulu to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - with thousands of graves. The sight takes your breath away. Then we continued to Pearl Harbor. We had to pass through the entrance in a single line - Chris was very OCD about it 😉 I thought it looked funny, but that was the only funny moment of the day. First, they showed a movie about how it all started, the Japanese attack, the beginning of the USA's involvement in World War II, and the actions taken against the aggressors. We were quite surprised how history is repeating itself right now. Russia/Ukraine and the sanctions - just like déjà vu. Then we were taken by boat to the USS Arizona, a ship that sank completely during the attack and took over 900 sailors with it. Above the USS Arizona, a memorial building was built where you can look down to the ship. It sends chills down your spine. Very moved, we then went on to the USS Missouri. This warship was also hit by the Japanese but didn't sink. It was repaired and served in a few more wars before being decommissioned and made accessible to the public. The visit was impressive and emotional. But there was Chris again, making sure we didn't dwell on it too much. That's how our cultural trip ended today. I'm relieved that the bus neighbors, missionaries from Utah (!), couldn't convert us, and Zoe lies next to me in bed feeling relieved, swearing by the Aloe Vera cooling spray.