The US was close.....

Yesterday was the final game for the Fifa World cup. The US Played, but the lost to Japan on penalty kicks. The road to the final game went as is:

Jun 28: USA: 2-0 PRK
Jul 02: USA: 3-0 COL
Jul 06: USA: 1-2 SWE

Quarterfinals: USA 5-3 BRA (PSO)

Semi-Finals: USA 3-1 FRA

Finals: USA 1-3 Japan (PSO)

It was unfortunate that the US lost, but it was a rare moment of joy that the Japanese team won despite all the recent events.

Camp Pupukea

The previous week I went camping at a Boy Scoutcamp on the North Shore called Camp Pupukea.



A former military training, area, Camp Pupukea is roughly a one hour drive from Waikiki, the North Shore has more than 7 miles, of beaches and during the summer waves subside creating the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and Scout Camp. The facility offers central dining, a shooting sports range and eleven Troop campsites with water, latrines and conveniently located showers. Troop participate in a traditional merit badge program with several special programs. The purpose of the Camp Pupukea is to serve the needs of each Scout by providing a quality opportunity for Scouts to learn within a safe and supportive environment and to serve the members of the Aloha Council by continually improving the quality of our product through management and leadership dedicated to excellence. Among the many merit badges offered are Swimming, Nature, Forestry, Emerdency Preparedness, Life Saving, Shotgun, Archery, and First Aid. The Camp was a lot of fun, and i hope to go back next year.



The Lion King: The Musical

Our family last night went out and saw the Broadway version of this Disney movie. 

What sets this musical apart from any other is the special effects. The special effects where extraordinary for the circumstances, and it was interesting to watch how the show transformed a human into each and every animal. My personal favorites were the cheetahs, hyenas, and the tigers and how their masks extend when the actors bend over. I also liked Zazu and Timon and how they were acted out. Another interesting thing that was done was how birds were shown flying. Birds were stuck on sticks and waved around to portray flying. 

Featuring music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, this family show is full of wit and humor for all ages. For example, in the movie the Royal Advisor Zazu is an annoying character, whereas in the musical he is transformed into a very humorous character that entertained the crowd during the scene changes.

The Magic Kingdom at Disney

 Over the Summer months, our family visited The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. The Magic Kingdom is divided into 6 areas, each with a theme, with the rides following the theme. Each area is based on Walt Disney's original idea for the area. 

Adventureland

Adventureland represents the mystery of exploring foreign lands. It is themed to resemble the remote jungles in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the South Pacific, with an extension resembling a Caribbean town square. It contains classic rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise.

Frontierland

Frontierland is where guests can relive the American Old West – from cowboys and Indians, to exploring the mysteries of the Rivers of America. Frontierland contains classic attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, and the Country Bear Jamboree.

Liberty Square

This area of the park is based on an American Revolutionary town. The Magic Kingdom's Rivers of America hosts the Liberty Belleriverboat. Liberty Square is home to The Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents.

Fantasyland

In the words of Walt Disney: "Fantasyland is dedicated to the young at heart and to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true." Fantasyland is themed in a medieval-fair/carnival style.

Attractions include "It's a Small World", Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Prince Charming Regal Carousel, and Mad Tea Party.

Tomorrowland

In the words of Walt Disney: "Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements that will benefit our children and generations to come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future."

Tomorrowland is themed to be an intergalactic city. Classic attractions include Space Mountain, The Carousel of Progress, Astro Orbiter and the Tomorrowland Speedway. Other current attractions include Stitch's Great Escape, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.

Storybook Circus

Storybook Circus, part of the aforementioned Fantasyland expansion currently in progress, is expected to open in late 2012. It will be located at the former site of Mickey's Toontown Fair. Attractions will include The Great Goofini, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, which will be removed from its current location in Fantasyland and an expanded duplication will be built here.

Las Vegas: The Ninth Island

As we all know, Las Vegas is a popular tourist site for all kinds of tourists. But it is also a very popular place for Hawaiians, so Las Vegas is nicknamed "The Ninth Island". The Strip is the most popular place within Vegas, and includes:


MGM Grand: Features two lions on display in the lobby, along with many shows and gambling.


Mandalay Bay: Displays a tropical theme in its shows, decoration, and its slot machines.


Luxor: This pyramid-shaped hotel and casino features an Egyptian theme and design.


Excalibur: The hotel itself is designed like a castle. Its shows and interior design is based off the medieval time period, and features a jousting show.


New York, New York: As its name suggests, the design and slot machines all are decorated using New York as a theme.


Bellagio: Feature the fountains that dance and the scene for Oceans 11.


Ceasers Palace: Features a Roman-themed hotel and Forum Shopping as well as fountains that move to tell Roman myths. 


The Mirage: Has French Polynesia theme, and was one of the first Strip hotels.


Harrah's: The theme here is a carnival, and Harrah's boasts over 1200 slot machines and houses a Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Store.


The Venetian: Featuring a series of canals with gondolas and a replica of Saint Marks Square, the theme at the Venetian is clearly Venice. 


Treasure Island Hotel & Casino (also known as "TI"): Has a Caribbean theme and has staged pirate battles.


Wynn: Named after the designer Steven Wynn, this super luxury hotel features a theme of Imperfect Dreams, and the resort has earned AAA five diamond, Mobil five-star, and a Forbes five-star rating, and is considered to be one of the finest hotels in the world.

Diamond Head: The Tourist Hike

Today, our family decided we wanted to hike to the top of Diamond Head Crater. This Crater was formed 300,000 years ago. It's shaped like a broad saucer, and was formed during a single eruption.

As the materials settled and compacted, they created the crater. Most of the vegetation and birds were introduced in the late 1800s to early 1900s.

As we hiked the 1.5 mile round trip trail, we had many good views of the valley.  We also got many good looks at the sea and of Waikiki. It was worth the rigorous hiking and the stair climbing. There were 271 stairs to climb, and we gained 760 feet in elevation. But it was worth it. You could see out into Waikiki out to the other end of the island. Some of the the graffiti written on the side of the wall was right: it said, "You made it! Enjoy!"

Hanauna Bay: The popular Oahu destination

 

Decided by my mother, our family woke up early (something like 8:00) to go to Hanauna Bay. Located on the Southeast shore of Oahu, Hanauna Bay is a protected alcove that used to be a volcano crater that was flooded. There are several hiking trails that extend along coastline and along the ridge overlooking the bay that provide good lookouts. 

Due to it's protective reefs, scuba diving is very popular and safe, especially for new scubers.

The wildlife is very diverse and colorful, and most are breeds only found in Hawaii. This makes it one of the most popular destinations for tourists and locals alike. The coral reef is very rich, and inhabitants many creatures.