For my arrival in Honolulu, Hawaii, I was greeted by the sun peaking out from behind Diamond Head Crater on the island of O’ahu. Standing on the top deck of the ship, watching American land coming closer for the first time, I realized how far we had come. We were on our last stretch of a loop through the Pacific Ocean, I felt a bit overwhelmed in how fortunate I have been. Regardless if we were making our way back home, we faced the most scrupulous security of any country we visited. The shipboard community was prepared to make the most of our final port of call on this voyage, so when we were cleared by U.S. officials, people dispersed with excitement. I immediately made my way to the site of the Pearl Harbor bombing on Dec. 7, 1941. After browsing through the exhibits and watching the documentary film, I visited the U.S.S. Arizona where 800 of the over 1,000 victims of Pearl Harbor perished. I also saw the “Mighty Mo” (Battleship Missouri) which was the last battleship built for the U.S. navy. It has served with distinction for five decades following 1944. It was aboard her decks that the documents ending WWII were signed. My evening had an entirely different tone, with an authentic Hawaiian Luau. We were greeted with plumeria leis and flower crowns along with bottomless glasses of mai tais. As the sun set on the Pacific, star light set in and the beachfront came alive. With arts and crafts of Polynesia, games of skill and daring, and a Polynesian show with dancing, singing and fire throwing, the luau was nonstop entertainment. At dinner we were served deliciously prepared lomi lomi salmon, teriyaki chicken, fish with macadamia nut creme sauce, and kalva pig. When the entertainment came to an end we spent the rest of the evening enjoying the waterfront, the warm ocean air and the full moon. Once I experienced the laid back Hawaiian style, there was no turning back. I spent the remainder of my time enjoying the beautiful landscapes and beaches. I rented an open top jeep with two of my girlfriends. We drove around the island and made stops at the most picturesque outlooks and beaches. We spent some time on the North Shore checking out the surfing scene and catching some rays. At the conclusion of our trip we found ourselves at a beach front restaurant, within an hour of boarding the S.S. Universe Explorer for the last time. We toasted to an incredible voyage and our great fortune in meeting each other, vowing to stay in touch. With that we boarded and sat on the deck watching Hawaii getting smaller and smaller behind us till we were alone in the ocean again. It takes six days to sail from Honolulu to Seattle. These days will be busy, filled with final exams, celebrations, and the near impossible task of packing. Last night, my theater class held our last show which was a satire on shipboard life. It got lots of laughs from the audience. A graduation ceremony will be held for all seniors, in which I have been selected as the graduation speaker. I will address the shipboard community and the class of 2003, to find a simple way to express what we have experienced and where we will go from here. The ship is expected to arrive in Seattle on the morning of Aug. 21, where we will disperse to our homes, families and friends all over the United States. I will stay in Seattle for two days; an attempt to hold on to this trip as long as I can. Eventually, I will have to face reality and board my Amtrak train bound for St. Cloud. Eighty days and thousands of miles later, I will find myself returning to Minnesota draped with two loaded suitcases, 48 full rolls of film, as well as new friends and cherished memories. I want to thank everyone in Kimball for coming along with me on this unforgettable voyage; I hope you have enjoyed it with me. I first realized how small and accessible the world was after spending a summer in Japan, and have been unable to turn back. I am so grateful for the year I spent in England and the 13 countries I visited in that time. Now having completed the “Semester at Sea,” I know I will continue to explore the far corners of our world. So, in the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 24, I once again return to the open arms of my supportive family, friends and hometown that I adore, but only long enough to plan the next leg of my voyage…
