Back home - 18th of April - 2010

Dear Exchange Students on the Hawaii Trip,

Hope you are all back home and safe, I would like to thank everyone of you for been so nice and friendly with the coordination, you made our work much more pleasant.

We will never forget this time we spent with you.

See you someday around the world.



Dear YEOs, Host and Natural Parents,


Thank you for trusting us to take care of your son / daughters in this trip.


The Coordination Team.

Pearl Harbor - 14th of April

Dear parents and honored sponsors, dear other visitors,

Today is very sadly our last day on this wonderful island. Our trip ended with a visit of America´s largest flee market and Pearl Harbor. As almost every day here, the sun was shining and we had fun.

After we had finished packing this morning we checked out of the hotel at 12 o`clock. Our very friendly and humorous bus driver “Cousin” Tommy drove us to the flee market at the University of Hawaii`s football stadium. For one hour we walked in between the numerous stands with a wide range of products and often a lot better deals than in the city.

At around 2.30 pm we arrived at Pearl Harbor. A guide briefly explained us the events of December 7th 1941 before we watched a movie with original recordings from the Japanese surprise attack in the visitor center. 

Unfortunately we did not have enough time at this incredibly important place, and could not visit the battleship Missouri, which was damaged in the Japanese attack. Romain and I used the remaining minutes we had to go aboard the USS Bowfin, a former U.S. submarine from WWII. It was in a very good state and we enjoyed to be able to see America`s former weapons.

At four o`clock we left to change at the hotel for the back flight and to pick up our luggage.

We had an early dinner at Planet Hollywood, the kitchen of which probably believed we were a group of elementary school children, as the portions resembled appetizers. But it was quite nice to see some artifacts from famous Hollywood movies.

At approximately 7.30 pm we arrived at the airport and said goodbye to the amazing paradise of Hawaii.

Justus Kirchhoff – Germany

Germaine's Luau - 13th of April

Alohaaa

Today we played volleyball and soccer on the beach with all FES (Foreign Exchange Students) it was a lot of fun. Full action even with Freddy and Ronny.

Some girls preferred tanning in the sun and some preferred swimming in the pacific :) Then we had free time again and a few ended it with shopping and buying gifts for their families....

... or a last jump in the pool

At about 5pm we met for our last activity for the day; the GERMAINE'S LUAU.

It was a big show; with songs and Hula Dances.

Girls and Boys from different Polynesian tribes were dancing their traditional dances.

When they were looking for an volunteer dancer, our French Guy ROMAIN, had the opportunity to dance on the stage in a Hula skirt with coconut bra and flowers. It was hilarious.

Also the Girls dream come true, all girls had the opportunity to learn a Hula Dance about how to fish, pretty interesting.

All in all, it was a wonderful day.

Mariella from Germany

Polynesian Cultural Center - 12th of April

Catamaran Ride - 11th of April

Aloha everybody!

Today is a Sunday and nothing better than hang out in the boat! So we woke up, had breakfast and went for a ride on a Catamaran! We had a lot of fun and there was a gorgeous view of the ocean, the only bad thing was that we just had a little bit less than an hour to enjoy this beautiful ride. After that we had free time to hang out, some of us went surfing, others shopping, others to the beach, others to the pool, etc.

At 3:30 we got ready and went to the Ala Moana mall, that it is the biggest outdoor mall in the World. 
We had a really good time there shopping, there were

 a lot of great stores and a lot of people enjoyed that time. 

At 6:30 we all went to the Bubba Gump and it was very yumi!!! =) After we had a great dinner at this very nice restaurant we went back to the hotel and had more free time and we met at the hotel at 10:30pm.

We are all enjoying this tour and having a lot of fun! It´s being an incredible experience and Hawaii is a PARADISE!

Stella Wan-Dick

Brazil

Snorkeling - Hanauma Bay, 10th of April, 2010

Aloha,

Today, Saturday, we left early in the morning to go to the Hanauma Bay where we snorkeled. After an interesting video about the bay and admiring the amazing view, we were able to snorkel between coral reef and Hawaiian fishes. The experience was a first one for some of us and unforgettable. We got to see a beautiful diversity of fishes.

The head full of memories, we got back in Waikiki for lunch. Then all afternoon was free time.
We all appreciated time on the beach, surfing, shopping or at the pool.  Then, we all went to get dinner at “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” where we ate wonderful Hawaiian burgers, nothing compares to the traditional BK.

Finally, we just walked around the main street of Honolulu where magicians, singers were giving a show for amazed and tanned tourists.

Maria Dessart, Belgium. 

North Shore - 9th of April - 2010

Today we went to the north coast to have some surfing lessons. The trip there took about an hour, but luckily the driver had a lot to talk about and was funny. We saw some pineapple plantations on the way too. On the beach we surfed in three groups, and the other 2 groups hanged out or explored the beach. Each team got to surf for about 30-45 minutes.

After that we had lunch in a park next to the beach. On the way back we stopped in Haleiwa town center to buy some ice cream or pineapples.

Then it started to rain and we decided to skip a visit Pali Lookout and went on an extended bus tour instead. Rest of the day was free time to get some supper, go shopping or hanging out.

~Eemeli (Finland)