Last Day in Paradise

Today in the morning we went snorkeling. It was awesome and we had a great time at the beach - definitely different than the other beaches we've seen. The nature all around was just incredible.

One of the different things were the many fishes around. To see such bright fish in real life was so cool! We also noticed that the US really cares about protecting the undersea world and nature around us. We have to be thankful for this because its the reason we could enjoy all the beauty of this trip, too.

The awesome view from the top of the hill down to the beach took our breath from us.  After that, we came back to the hotel and got ready to go to the luau, a famous Hawaiian party at the beach. There we had a wonderful view to take a lot of pictures and have so much fun with everyone. We had a great dinner, and was a great time to say 'aloha' to all our new friends.

We all got to love Hawaii, and want to come back as soon as we can.

Thanks for the awesome trip, it is not goodbye - it is see you soon.

-Lara, Mariana from Brazil and Ben from Germany

The trip's superlatives!

Friendliest-- Amanda (Norway)

Best Smile-- Ada (Norway)

Best Laugh and Funniest-- Stian  (Norway)

Best English-- Alida and Simen  (Norway)

Most likely to Travel to Every Continent-- Sindre  (Norway)

Best Tan-- Mama (Semia) (Ecuador)

Most Spirit-- Pierre (France) and Kazuki (Japan)

Most Likely to be Surfing Pipeline-- Yannic (Germany)

Best Hula Damcer-- Victoria (Danish)

Most Likely to Become an Islander-- Manuel (Germany)

Most Likely to work at Dole -- Kazuki (Japan)*
     *He even voted for himself!

Most Likely to lose luggage on the Way Home-- Rikke (Norway)

Belo Idol of the week-- Ayumi (Japan)

Peace, Surf, Aloha!

--Your Favorite Belo Staff

Pearl Harbor

Today was an another amazing day in Hawaii. We left the hotel at 8 am. and went to Pearl Harbor. First we went to USS Missouri. That was pretty amazing battle ship! There we were separated into a two groups, yellows and reds. Other group went to clean the back of the ship when the other group got a tour at the boat. Cleaning was lots of fun. We were playing quidditch  with the brooms. We got the back of the boat cleaned up pretty good. The tour was interesting. We saw place were Japan surrender to the allied power. Inside there was kitchen and beds where the men would sleep.

After that we went to see a short movie about Pearl  Harbor attack and see the Arizona memorial. Movie was really good, it had everything that we needed to know about the ship before we actually went to see it. It was interesting to actually be in there and not only hear about it in US History class. We learned a lot more about it.  After little souvenir-shopping we went to have some lunch. We came back to hotel and had some free time until the dinner.

The day was really nice and the weather was warm as always. 

Looking forward for the snorkeling tomorrow! 

- Finland girls

A Great Hike and a Great Day!

Today we went hiking at the Diamond Head Crater. From the hotel to the top of the volcano took about two hours, and involved many stairs!  In the end we were really tired but it worth a lot, the view was amazing and we took a lot of cool pictures. From the top, we could see Waikiki Beach, endless beautiful ocean, and met people from all over the world...many people from Japan.

After hiking everybody got a shave ice cream and we came back to the hotel for a free time. Some people went to the beach or the pool while the others just walked around the main street. It was a good time to relax, take a nap, and recharge in our 'Hawaiian home.'

Everybody got different things for lunch, like hamburgers, sea food...

After free time we went to one of the biggest outdoors malls in the U.S...and boy did everybody get their shopping on!!! So many stores.

We had dinner in the Bubba Gump Shrimp, from the movie "Forrest Gump". It was really awesome, the food was great and the restaurant was really cool.

Today was such a great day and we really can't believe that our trip is almost over :(

But there is much more to do and see...tomorrow, Pearl Harbor!

Henrique and Mari from Brazil

Our Secret Hawaiian Beach!

Pali Lookout gives you a view of the whole east side of Oahu

And it also gives your hair a crazy up-do!

We had fun with the wind up there...

And then headed to the beach! 

A beautiful lookout point on the way home

We sat here and watched the breeching whales for a few minutes

Now...on to today!!!

First stop was Pali Lookout...the highest cliff where we got to see beautiful views. It was SO windy and cold but worth it.

After picking up some food for a picnic, we headed to the beach.

As soon as we arrived we couldn't take our eyes off the beautiful turquoise water...it was perfect with white soft sand and plenty of sunshine. This beach is also special because it is a local beach...with no tourists.

The waves here were so fun to swim in.

A highlight of the day...on our drive home we stopped at a lookout point and saw whales breaching. Whales, full body, jumping out of the water...It was amazing!!!!

Now we are all a bit sun burnt, but ready for another exciting day tomorrow!

Anne, Janne, and Annette from Germany

More of our Hawaiian Adventure!

The girls with Queen Lili'uokalani

The men with King Kamehameha the First

Some of the guys enjoying a surfer's meal-- 

avocado or pineapple burger!

Let's get some shave ice!

We stopped to check out a surf competition at Sunset Beach

The water was beautiful... and so were the surfers!

Our trip Norwegians! 

Then we headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center...

We danced... (Tahitian style)

And danced some more... (Tonga style)

And danced some more... (Hawaiian HULA!)

And some of us got tattoos!

And we all laughed a lot while the Polynesian taught us to

make fire, play drums & climb trees...

Yesterday was a big day! We started the day at Dole Plantation to explore the land of pineapple! Next we went to a surf town on the North Shore called Haleiwa for some lunch and shopping...there is a burger place here where you can put pineapple on your burger.

Next up we saw some beautiful beaches and a paddle board competition. We took a lot of group pictures, and jumped a lot.

After we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, to learn about the islands of Polynesia. It was so beautiful...with so many palm trees. We danced the hula in Hawaii, tasted a typical Hawaiian dish...poi, saw a Tahitian marriage show, laughed to a Tonga drum show, and watched a man in Samoa try to make fire...too funny!

We ended the day with an amazing Polynesian show...Ha. Complete with fire dancers and native traditions it was a great end to a great day.

Anne, Janne, and Annette from Germany

Waking up in paradise!

    After an exhausting travel day, we woke up to paradise!

The first day of our adventure here in Hawaii started with breakfast on the beach (for those who woke up early enough) ... Surf lessons...and catamaran on the open ocean! 

We walked to the beach where we met our decent looking instructors! Everyone got assigned surf boards and started paddling out to find some waves! Everyone tried their best to catch some waves and eventually we all did!

During break we got some shopping done and ate lunch.

Next up was the catamaran ride which was another great adventure! We jumped in the ocean and saw trigger fish and turtles...and sailed thru the water and felt the refreshing ocean breeze. It was so much fun with the loud music and just a perfect atmosphere...

The beach bathrooms were an experience...like, no doors! 

We hung out at the beach..some played volleyball, some hung out at the pool...then we got ready for dinner at Hard Rock Cafe!

We also celebrated Ada's 18th birthday! She even got called on stage at dinner. She wants her mom to know she had an awesome birthday here in paradise. Happy Birthday Ada!

We got to check out the shopping scene and it is very good ;) sorry dad, but I might spend all my money.

We got so tired today! We can't keep our eyes open...but after the first day we think it is safe to say this is a great program and we have a great group and we can't wait for tomorrow.

Lastly...want to thank everyone who made it possible for us to come here because we are pretty sure it is going to be the best week of our lives.

-Amanda, Ingrid and Cecilie (Norway) and Kazuki (Japan)

Aloha!!!

Get ready for a week in paradise...the Hawaiian Expedition is here! With its breathtaking natural beauty, its never-ending list of fun and exciting things to do, and its spirit of "aloha," Hawaii is a dream destination for anyone!

We will be staying in beautiful Waikiki on the island of Oahu, and we will spend each day exploring a new and fascinating aspect of Hawaii's unique culture.

Join us as we test our surfing abilities, celebrate in a traditional luau, and hike to one of the island's best-known lookout points. We'll come face-to-face with Hawaii's rich history...and maybe even a sea turtle or two! And along the way, we'll get to know each other, forming friendships to last beyond our week together.

This will be our day-to-day journal... each day, you'll get news, information and pictures from the students. Join us on our adventure!

Have fun!!! MAHALO!