Feb 12th - The Last Aloooooooha

Today was our last day. It was supposed to be a day to remember and we will never forget it, as same as we will never forget this awesome trip! Even though starting the day with rain was not the best way it still ended up with plenty of sunburns. J Leaving the hotel at 8 AM, which was in the student’s opinion way to early, we were heading in vans to the beautiful Hanauma Bay. The coral of Hanauma Bay is home to over 450 varieties of fish, as well as octopus, crabs, turtles and eels. At the time we arrived it was still a little cloudy, which disappointed us students, because we were really looking forward to go snorkeling in such a famous bay. Luckily it cleared up after a little while and the sun found her way though the clouds to show us the complete beauty of the bay. As soon as we set our feed into the sand, we got to go into the water to look for many different fishes. And we found plenty of them. One fish more beautiful than another. One fish more unique than another. Amazed by this nature, many of us could not believe their eyes when they finally saw sea turtles. But even the most beautiful moments has an end, so we had to drive back to the hotel around 12:00 PM to crab some lunch, go body boarding or buy the last couple of souvenirs, before we had to get ready for the “Paradise Cove in Luau”. Dressed in a Hawaiian style with flowers in the hair and shorts we left the hotel at 4:00 PM. As soon as we arrived there we were served a cocktail and given a shell lei by some traditional dressed waiters. We got there at exactly the right time to watch the wonderful sunset and used this opportunity to take some last group pictures. After that we went to explore the area. They offered us activities such as shower of flowers, temporary tattoo and spear throwing. And as we all know, exploring makes hungry. So we picked our seats at the huge table which was reserved for us and started making our way to the giant buffet. While we were eating, we were entertained with a dancing show by the paradise dance crew. It was amazing and we had a lot of fun. Right after dinner they tried to teach us how to dance the famous hula dance with more or less success, before they continued with the show. After the show the girls ran up to take some pictures with the cute dancers, before we got into the bus to start our last ride back to the hotel. After 45 minutes we left the bus for a last time to get into our meeting room. It was really sad to know, that this is the last moment where we all will be together in one room, together as a group.

We really enjoyed our last day. Even though we really tried not to think about it, it still always came up into our minds that today was our last day in Hawaii. The last day of an awesome week, of a week we will never forget. One week, in which we met lots of new people from all over the world and in which we collected many new experiences. Many of us will come back to Hawaii, and they will always remember the time with us.

We all want to say thank you to Raphael, Agata, Susan and Judy for making this trip unforgettable! It was one of the most wonderful weeks in our exchange year and it would have been only half as much fun without you. We really appreciate everything you have done for us. Mahalo!

Hang lose and one last ALOOOOHA!

Feb 11th - Pearl Harbor and USS Missouri

Aloha! Today we had a early wake up, some people went to see the sunrise, but too bad for them the weather was bad. We left to Pearl Harbor at 8.00 a.m.. After the memorial tour we went shopping to the mall for a little while and then right back to Pearl Harbor and visited the battleship USS Missouri. Jens and I felt like little boys again. But before that we had to play sexy construction workers for a little while and stack some wood. That was hard, but you know you got to help people. After that we just came back to Waikiki and went to have dinner and did some shopping. So we had a pretty nice day once again even though the weather wasn't that good.

Topias - Finland

Feb 11th - News from the Coordinator

Aloha from the YFU Hawaii Expedition 2010!

Welcome to the US newest state. When people say that Hawaii is a Paradise, they are not lying... beautiful view and temperatures are around 70 F (or 25C).

My name is Raphael and I’m the trip coordinator. I've been working with international students since 1999, when I first joined Belo USA Travel! Representing YFU, part of the team is our official chaperone Judith and our Belo Monitors Agata and Susan.

It has been a few days that you've been sharing this experience with us, with pictures and lot's of comments from the students. Thanks for joining us and hope you are having a great time!!

We also would like to hear from you: families, host families, YFU volunteers, friends… Please let us know or send a message to your student. Write us to yfu@belousa.com and we will be sure to transmit the message. You can also leave a comment on the blog!

We wish you all the best, or as we say in Hawaii... ALOOOOOOOOHA!!!

Raphael

Belo USA Travel Team

Feb 10th - Surfing in Hawaii !!!

Our day today started with a surfing lesson. Half of us got up at the usual time and jumped into the waves at 9am. The other half “hung loose” and followed at 11.

3 surf instructors showed us the basics and made us practice on the sand, before we could start to catch our first Hawaiian waves. “Paddle, push up, stand up” our teachers did a good job and most of us managed to stand up on our boards and actually surf.

I think we can speak for all of us when we say that we had an awesome time, experiencing Hawaii like you see it in movies, maybe not quite as professionals yet, but with a lot of enthusiasm.

While the second group started with their lesson, the early birds enjoyed their free time on the beach, trying to get the perfect tan( since it’s day 4 and we are already tanned).

For those that had energy after surfing, we got some body boards (smaller, easier and – in our opinion – more fun version of a surfboard) or played volleyball.

With help and advice of the Hawaiians, we eventually figured out, how to body board and caught “the perfect wave”.

The rest of the group relaxed on the beach.

At 5 we went to Ala Moana Mall – the biggest mall in the state of Hawaii. Most of us ended up spending way too much money at Abercrombie, Hollister & Co…

We ate dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp – the restaurant known from the movie Forrest Gump. While eating we were entertained by the waiters with Forrest Gump trivia questions, a hula-hoop contest and other fun little games.

Now we are back at the hotel, tired but happy. Half of us are already in bed and we soon will also be in bed… and tomorrow? Mama always said: life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re gonna get… but we will sure read it on our blog tomorrow ;)

Nanina Studer (Switzerland) and Naomi Gebhard (Germany)

Feb 9th - North Shore and Polynesian Cultural Center...

ALOHA!!! Today we had a lot of fun! Our day started with a very good breakfast and afterwards we drove with the bus up to North Shore. In the middle of Oahu Island there used to be a huge pineapple plantation, but since then it’s been getting smaller with the years. The name of the plantation is Dole. We stopped there to visit the souvenir shop. They had everything in between oyster pearls to pineapple and nuts. After that stop, we continued our bus drive and until we arrived at the North Shore. We stayed on the Sunset Beach for approximately one and a half hours. We swam, played football, volleyball, soccer, Frisbee, or just working on the mission of the week, getting a good tan. Then we drove to Halaiwa, the most popular surfer city in Hawaii. We ate lunch there and visited the little city. Next stop were the Polynesian cultural center…

This small village was made to show the culture of various Polynesian cultures – the origin of the Hawaiian natives. Having the choice between the presentations of the different Polynesian Islands, most of our group followed the advice of our bus driver Rhonda and watched some funny guys from Samoa making fire by rubbing sticks, cracking coconuts, and climbing palm trees. Other activities included learning Hula Dance, getting a (fake) tattoo, playing the drums, stick games and having a boat ride.

We had dinner at a buffet inside this Cultural Center and went with a full stomach to the main stage, where a special show took place. It gave an impression about the life of a Hawaiian king by showing dances. Most of us were impressed by the last part showing guys juggling with fire sticks and girls shaking their hips (that was CRAZY!).

After having a wonderful day on the northern part of the Island we all went back to the bus pretty tired. Rhonda took us to the hotel safely and we can be excited for another awesome day in paradise!

Aloha Goodbye!

Pernilla (Sweden), Karoline and Ida (Norway), Philipp (Germany), Lorin (Switzerland)

Feb 8th - Pali Lookout and Kailua... Beautiful day!!!

Aloha!!!

It’s our second day in Hawaii, and we started the day with a delicious breakfast: banana pancakes and stuffed French toast.

After that, we met our really nice bus driver, Jane, who gave us some information about the island. She told us stores about Hawaii while we were on our way to the Pali Lookout. We all enjoyed the awesome view, even though it was a bit windy – just a bit! Our next stop was Kailua Beach, the best beach in Hawaii. Everyone was stunned by the really clear sea and the almost white sand. That, of course, meant picture time.

We and about 17 other exchange students went kayaking. While others already went kayaking before, like Denise, other like Su An, never did it before. Our instructors, Kevin and Jeff made the trip totally awesome! We even saw a turtle crossing our way. Some of us stopped half way through and went swimming. Some flipped over while trying to get back on the kayak and some got stuck on the reefs. Finally, after over one hour of kayaking, we landed on an island. It was soooo beautiful! Sitting on the beach, having a nice sandwich… We were watching the deep blue sea at the same time. Then we started a mini hike, most of the girls in bikini and flip-flops. When we arrived at the top, we had a chance to jump in a small “water pond”. Some of us took supermodel pictures before we were heading back to Kailua beach. The whole trip was like a dream come true.

We had around an hour and a half where we enjoyed the sunshine, then, Jane brought us back to the hotel. In the evening, we went out for dinner. The dinner took place in a restaurant where they served good shrimp and chocolate cake. Like the day before, we could walk around in Waikiki for a couple hours.

Back at the hotel, everyone was really tired and exhausted, but happy.

We are already excited for the next days!

Mahalo for everything!

A hui hou, Denise from Germany and Su An from China

Feb 7th - CATAMARAN AND HIKING THE DIAMOND HEAD

ALOHA! We started the day with a very nice breakfast at the hotel, it was a beautiful restaurant and even more beautiful view to the ocean. They served a very nice fruit bowl; the bowl was made of a fresh pineapple. We all met in the lobby at 9 o’clock to go sail on a catamaran. We walked from the hotel, along the beach to find the catamaran. That was first time for many of us, to see and feel the water; amazing, amazing what else can I say. When we finally got onboard could we see how clear the water is, also when it is 20 yards deep. Someone saw a sea turtle out there, a really big one. BUT NO SHARKS! We also got the opportunity to jump into the nice warm water. Everybody was enjoying the tour on the catamaran and had tons of fun. By the time we got back to the shore we have approximately 2 hours of free time. A big part of that time was spend on the beach enjoying the weather, the beach, the water, our friends, the hot girls, everything. We had a great time!

At 1:30 p.m. we met again in the lobby, and began our walk towards Diamonds Head. The sky was blue and the sun was up. So it was really hot too, but a little workout doesn’t harm anybody. 30 minutes later we arrived at the foot of the volcano. We went through a little tunnel, that led us to the middle of the volcano. It was amazing to walk inside an actual volcano! After a short break in the shade of a little tree, we started our looong walk up the one side of Diamond Head. It was long, we we’re sweating but we had fun! Yes, it was fun!! We we’re enjoying the fantastic view, the weather and each other. We reached the top and got some beautiful pictures. We we’re able to see all over Oahu. We went home and had a little more free time on the beach.

At 6.15 p.m. we met to go to the restaurant. We were walking towards downtown. It was very busy, many people, many cars and a few small little local Hawaii shops. We ate at a very nice pizza place and guess what, we had the American national food; Pizza. It was some good food, especially the brownie for dessert.

All in all, it has been a very very nice first day in Hawaii!

By Niklas Schumann (Denmark) & Andreas Elberg (Denmark)