Journey to Oahu

We started our journey to Oahu by taking a train from Nanjing to Shanghai, then flying from Shanghai to Tokyo, then just 6 hours to Honolulu. Rachel kept herself and her new little friend busy on the train ride to Shanghai.

We had a 6 1/2 hours layover in Tokyo/Narita, so we ventured out of the airport into Narita town. We are so glad we did, because it was our first experience in Japan, outside of the airport.

We made our way through Narita to a Buddhist temple, where a ceremony was taking place. We didn't go in, but I got a shot of a priest ringing the bell at the end of the ceremony.

We had a genuine Japanese dinner, complete with removing our shoes, sitting on the floor, and sipping green tea.

Nothing like a romantic dinner with 4 of our favorite people...can you see the look of relaxation taking over Jim's face as we get farther from Nanjing and work?

As fresh as it gets! This restaurant displays their fresh eels in front of the restaurant. You can thank me for not posting the video.

Jim had a moment of fantasy, as he saw a Harley on the street in Narita. So when are you too old for a mid-life crisis?!

Hawaii! We arrived one hour and 45 minutes BEFORE we left Shanghai on Dec. 18th. We lived the day twice, but then lost Dec. 26 on our way home. Rachel, our girl who is full of surprises, packed her own leis so we could be welcomed to the island appropriately!

Nothing like having a bunch of parrots dropped on you the first step you take in Waikiki!

We met our Minnesotan friends, the Thompsons, in Oahu. It was a happy reunion for everyone and what a perfect place to hangout with friends.

Jesse and Weston were inseparable during our time on Oahu. In fact, Weston left a few days before us and Jesse lost all interest in going to the beach at Waikiki..."It won't be any fun without Weston." Sniff, sniff.

Grace and Grace gave surfing a shot, as well as Jim, Judy, Becca, and Levi. The consensus is it's alot harder than it looks!

Some people head to a luau when they get to Hawaii, but the Arnebergs head to Taco Bell! We had to remind ourselves how to go through a drive-thru...and Jim had to remember how to drive.

We ate a pineapple a day. Yum.

And, of course, shave ice was a staple in our diets!

We took in the typical tourist sites, climbing Diamond Head on a nice overcast day.

We had perfect weather during the time we were there. We were thinking about all of our friends and family having a white Christmas on the mainland...

We had 2 occasions to see sea turtles, sunbathing on the beach on the North Shore...and had some educational conversations with the volunteers who help protect the turtles when they come ashore.

Snorkeling! We had a great day at Hanauma Bay, a sunken volcano crater with the coral reef right at the shoreline. I (Joann) didn't expect to snorkel due to my poor vision and inability to wear contacts, but they rented Rx snorkeling masks for nearsighted people like me. It was a gift to be able to snorkel and take in the beauty under the water.

The boys tried staying up on a boogey board. Jesse gave it a shot.

Levi started asking early on how he could live in Hawaii someday...

Becca, Grace, and Grace. I became convinced that it is good to have other teenage girls with you on vacation! They smiled alot and were fun to be around.

We took a whale cruise for an afternoon and saw 2 Humpback whales (from a distance) and group of spinner dolphins. We also got to make fresh flower leis. Some of our kids took part in the ukelele lessons and then performed for everyone on the boat. Grace came home with her own ukelele, a Christmas gift from Rachel.

Ahhhhhh.

We spent 2 days at the North Shore of Oahu, where the waves are BIG in winter.

We hiked the Manoa Valley to a waterfall.

Jesse was insistent on going to Pearl Harbor. It is a very moving memorial that made a deep impression on Jesse.

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Back in Shanghai. Jesse was given this bird carved from a large vegetable by a chef at our hotel. He carried it to the train station then decided he didn't want to hold it anymore, so he gave it to an employee at a shop. She was delighted with the gift and Jesse's generousity. It is good to be "home."