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Our trip to Hawaii started out with a layover on Oahu (where Honolulu is located). Taking advantage of the time in Oahu, we rented a car and headed out for Diamond Head. This is a view inside the Diamon Head crater.

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Looking up Diamond Head trail, we get a better view of the volcanic crater.

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Almost at the top! Cloud levels were really low the day we were there, and rain clouds clung to the hills behind Oahu - as we soon learned, a common weather pattern in the Hawaiian Islands.

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At the top of Diamond Head, looking towards the east. We\'re up so high... it\'s hard to see our itty bitty (uh, actually gigantic minivan) parked down in the middle. This view also shows the Honolulu suburbs outside the crater in the distance.

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A view of downtown Honolulu from the top of Diamond Head.

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A closeup of the skyline of Waikiki beach and Honolulu. The photo just does not do any justice to the beauty of the water. In person, the water is all shades of turquoise and aqua.

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Jen taking in the view, and cooling off in the very strong breezes. After a long hike to the top, the breezes were a welcome occurance.

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Another view of from the top of Diamond Head.

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A view of the waters south from Diamond Head.

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A postcard perfect lone lighthouse at the base of Diamond Head. Too bad we couldn\'t zoom in more!

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Owen & Jen posing at the top of Diamond Head with Honolulu and Waikiki Beach in the background.

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On our way back down Diamond Head, with the wonderful stairs - MUCH nicer on the way DOWN!

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Now, this was the view we had going up the stairs to reach the top of Diamond Head. Pretty imposing. Imagine dragging cannons and atillery up these stairs - as this site was originally a military installation.

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A view of Waikiki beach, with Diamond Head in the background. We found it hard to believe that we had been up at the peak of Diamond Head just one hour before this picture was taken.

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Another view of Waikiki beach, with the Honolulu skyline right next door. We were reminded of downtown San Diego - large condos and hotels right on the beach.

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We have arrived at the Big Island! We began our first day there by having breakfast at Island Lava Java in Kona. This was the scenic view from our table.

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Owen\'s yummy and beautiful breakfast at Island Lava Java Beautiful scenery and great food - good start for our day!

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Following breakfast, we visited a local farmers\' market. Among the delicious tropical fruits we bought were fresh lychee fruits. We admit, we did ask the vendor how to eat them, but it was so worth it. Odd looking, yet delicious.

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Our trip to Hawaii started out with a layover on Oahu (where Honolulu is located). Taking advantage of the time in Oahu, we rented a car and headed out for Diamond Head. This is a view inside the Diamon Head crater.

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