"Tahiti sounds nice": Hawaii

Tuesday 17th September. Again!

For the evening we decided to go to a Luau. We checked with the guys on the street selling tours. The cost was $109 each BUT they could sell it to us for only $20 each - after we went to their 90 minutes seminar...blah blah blah.

We then bought tickets from the concierge for $78 each - the actual price!

So onto the bus at 4.30 for a one hour bus trip to Germaine's Luau. We both had a little Nanna nap on the way there (and on the way back).

The show was very entertaining. By Gee! those girls can move their hips. The guys weren't bad either. The Mai Tai's and the Blue Hawaiian's included in the price were great too!

Bed at 11pm - and of course no jet lag.

Wednesday 18th September

Nothing like a sleep in!!!! then into the car and off on our circumnavigation of the island of Oahu!

We ...some would say wandered, some would say meandered, other might say went in ever increasing and decreasing circles to both the west and the east. But we did make it all the way around and did see the things we were looking for.

On the south coast we saw them filming Hawaii 5-0. They were filming in two different locations. One in the water and one a bit down the road at a Cafe. Jet skis with pick up platforms, boats, people in the water, fake cop cars etc.

Brunch was at a funky / kitsch cafe on the south coast. We ate the famous chicken and gorgonzola croissants. Except Suzanne had hers in a wrap and I had mine with Brie! And they came with potato salad.

And Sue NEEDED a coffee. And coffee she got. Check out the size of this bucket.

I will admit that she didn't finish the second one!!!!!
As we were heading through Kaneohe Bay, a few wrong decisions at corners lead us down to a "no through road". At the end was a Marine Base. Yes, we could have done a 'U' turn but decided to go through the boom to do our 'U' turn ON the base. The marine saluted most of the cars before he got to us, but must have forgotten to when we got to the booth!

But we got to go ONTO a Marine Base! If he had have got nasty we were going to say that we had come to visit DiNozzo and Gibbs. They work in the NCIS department.

After a few more wrong turns we found ourselves at another entrance to the same base. So we did it again. Hahah. Guess our number plate has no been logged on some big database.

It was then up the coast line pass the truly amazing mountains and some stunning coastline.

Next stop was at one of the very famous "Shrimp Vans" at Kahuku, at the top of the Windward Coast where the Shrimp farms are. This delicacy is sort after by both tourists and locals. We went to Romy's, frequented by many locals. We queued for around 15 minutes to put our orders in and waited around 30 minutes for them to be ready. Waiting in line was quiet a social event. Then you sit under the giant awnings, with a breeze coming in across the shrimp farms and relax.

I ordered the Garlic Butter and asked for extra garlic sauce (no need!) and Sue ordered the steamed shrimp. We were not disappointed. It cost $38 US for two serves and two drink....and SO worth it!

Mine looked a bit like dog food with the massive amounts of fried garlic - but it was SOOOOO good.

GREAT LUNCH!!!!!

We then followed the coast line around across the north coast and went pass the beach were they get the huge waves, but that is in winter. It was very tame today but still heaps of 'Wanna be's' out riding the tiny waves.

We went across the North Coast into sugar cane country and stopped at a little 'centre' with lots of tourist shops - soap, art etc. The locally grown chocolate and locally grown macadamias were great.

We then drove around ( and around and around) trying to get back onto the main road to go to the pineapple plantation. But we did see heaps of the 'burbs'. In Hawaii they have THE BIGGEST garbage bins you have ever seen!

They would hold four times the volume of ours. Maybe they only collect them once month.

We got to the pineapple Plantation which was a huge tourist trap with a massive gift shop. Like a Woolies in size! Best sign ever on the door as we were leaving though!

So we headed down the highway. A drive through Pearl City and a stop at Pearl Harbour where we saw the Mighty Mo and saw the Arizona Monument (didn't visit it though).

Back into Honolulu and saw the Rhapsody of the Seas getting ready to head off to Australia.

We dropped "Teeny" our very tiny Fiat back at the hotel and went to Macy's to collect our shopping of the day before. Lots of shopping.

Dinner at a Japanese up the road for Sushi. Was really nice but had a Service Fee added to the bill. Compulsory tip!!!!!!!

Great Day!!!!!!!!

Thursday 19th September.

This was to be another car day. Get to the places we needed a car for then return the car and concentrate on Waikiki. We headed off at about 8am and went to Diamond Head Crater. On the way we saw more filming of Hawaii 5-0. The season premier is next week just after we leave. With an open red carpet affair. (But we will be having more fun).

You drive up to the crater past stunning scenery. Then through a very narrow tunnel - right through the crater wall and into the centre. And are immediately blown away by the vast expanse of it. So massive - in fact 400 acres of flat land inside a huge ring of mountain.

Suzanne went for a walk up the crater edge and I stayed behind and looked a birds. I may have enjoyed the walk up - but would not have been able to get back down!!! And Sue sure didn't want to drive.
Lots of birds. Stinking Indian Minor Birds!!!! Some idiot thought it would be good to introduce them to eat some worm. Like in Australia and everywhere else they ate the worm - and the young and the food of many native birds!

They have a finch that was about as big as your thumb. So little and fast.

Great views on the way down.

Lot's of the hills had housing estates running up the hill like a river. Not sure why they are built where they are. Maybe so they will look stunning when they are shaken loose by an earthquake and go sliding down the hill. WHY would you build on a steep slope when in the Rim of Fire!

We then headed off to a place I had read about.....Wai'oli Tea Rooms. It is up in the mountains behind Honolulu. Should have been about a 20 minutes drive - but we fixed that. We did it in only 60 minutes. We do like the scenic route.

Wai'oli was a children's home set up in 1909 by the Salvation Army. By about 1922 it had morphed into to home for girls in an unfortunate way. These young mothers needed vocational training so the Salvo's set a Tea Room. The girls were taught baking, cooking and all manner of domestic tasks equipping them to become useful citizens - or at least servants.

The building is an amazing stone cottage set into the most beautiful jungle / forest / bushland. The trees were amazing.

The Tea House is now leased out as a business - not run by girls with questionable morals! And it was truly sensational. A step back in time.

We ordered our lunch and a cup of tea in a 'fine bone china setting'. One of the ladies came and set up and it was lovely.

What kind of tea will it be? I wondered. I had a strainer so at least real tea. Then she arrived with the Tea Cart. A trolly packed with different teas. I was encouraged to sniff and smell. I selected the 'Citreon Green' which was a fruity green tea and wonderful.

Lunch was amazing too. There was a group of lovely ladies sitting near us. They were having a farewell / birthday party for one of the group. She arrived in Hawaii 58 years ago as a teenager and was moving to Las Vegas to ease her arthritis. Very sad.

We wandered down the hill and stopped to make a wish at THE wishing well. The one made famous by Elvis in the movie 'Blue Hawaii'.

What a super stop this was. A real MUST DO in Honolulu.

It was then off for a shopping spree at the Premium Fashion Outlets. YAHHHHH! (NOT!) Shopping.

This centre was a big collection of name brands - Coach, Guess, Ralph Lauren, Levi, Oshkosh, Samsonite etc. I will admit I did buy a few things. OMG another pair of shoes. Think I have bought more shoes in the last three days then it the few years previously. Must be something to do with these knees!!!!!

It was then time to return our trusty steep Teeny. He had served us well but we didn't want him anymore! Simple task - drop him at the airport and catch a bus home. 60 minute job!!!!

Now I haven't mentioned the Honolulu traffic. Everyone on Tripadvisor has said it is bad.....Bloody Hell. It makes Los Angeles look good - and the M5 on a Friday afternoon is nothing compared to this!

The population of the island is just under one million - most live in Honolulu and most drive! All at the same time.

There is only one freeway and a few highways. The roads through the suburbs do not work in a grid, do not have arterial roads and do not help drivers at all. We know. We have been there. To EVERY one of them. And there are very few signs. Streets have names signs, but no tourist signs, no big signs saying the XXX centre to the right, no icons of planes leading to the airport.

And every sign - no matter what direction you are pointing - tells you that you are heading to Honolulu. Even though you know Honolulu is behind you!

After two hours of 'circle work' - yes two hours to get 15 miles. Suzanne did an awesome job with the maps. But really - what made us decide not to get a GPS?????????

Oh and we found two petrol stations in all this wandering - and one was closed for repairs!

We got there eventually, dropped the car and caught public transport back. Much of the freeway was at a standstill and we didn't want to be in a taxi with the metre running in that! The bus was fun with a very entertaining driver. You have to pay with the exact amount so a lovely guy changed our money. He turned out to be a TV celeb. The sports guy!

It was nice to get back to our hotel in daylight to see the view. Pretty nice!!!

Dinner and bed!!!!!!

Friday 20th September

I had a relaxing start to the morning. Suzanne was up at stupid o'clock and went for a swim.

I got up at 8.30 then Suzanne came back from the pool and was rushing around needing to do something.

So off to the beach. We collected our fresh towels and chairs and walked the 80 meters to the beach - across the road!

I stayed in the water for around 80 minutes - swimming, floating, knee moving and just generally blobbing. It was lovely. The water temp was perfect. You felt it as you walked in then that was it.

The beach was lovely sand - imported from Australia. But they have nothing on our beaches.

The bottom (of the ocean) in the first 20 meters is crushed coral and shells and sharp, then a bit deeper (1.20 metres) is rocky and slimy - so you just float nor stand up.

And every few minutes a wave about 400mm comes in. But it was wonderful. The scenery was amazing - Diamond Head one way, super hotels and mountains the other.

And so much happening - surfing, stand up paddling, canoeing, outriggers, jet skis, catamarans, para sailing, yachts, motor boats. And so many people. People sun worshipping who looked like leather hand bags.

This guy is or should I say was - caucasian. This is his tan!

Watching me get out of the surf would have been very entertaining. My knees didn't like the surge pulling back on them as I was getting out. Then there was a step in the sand at about knee deep. I had many a stumble on that, then in the shallow water looked like a drunk 90 yo as I wobbled down onto my hands a few times. Bu it only took 10 minutes to get out!!!

After a while it was time for our 'beach service' from our hotel. They bring down cold water and cold fresh fruit twice a day. Wonderful!

Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for lunch. We were meeting up with Dave and Sue from the NZ cruise in 2011. It was fantastic. We went to Dukes (the guy who invented surfing) and sat by the edge of the bar - near the water under big umbrellas and drank HEAPS!!!! Dave and Sue have another lovely couple travelling with them - so the Concierge Lounge will be wonderful!!!!!

It was then off to the International Markets (a trinket market) for Suzanne to get her gifts. And home for a Nanna nap.

A pretty funny T Shirt shop.

Then more shopping. We watched some busker Pop and Lock dancers who were very good - but should have shut up and just danced.

And back to the hotel for a light snack / dinner and a drink before bed.

NOT such a light snack! Lucky we ordered one to share.

But we got rid of most of it!!!!!!!!!!!

Now sleep!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday 21st September

More shopping and beach.

Whoops.

This time we ventured out to Ala Mona Shopping Centre. Very famous! Great if you love shopping at high end shops like Guess and Hugo Boss, but nothing apart form what we had already seen. We travelled their on the Waikiki Trolley - buses that run up and down town to tourist hotspots. $2 a trip. All trollies were very crowed as it was a Saturday and the festival was on. Part way through the trip our bus driver pulled over and announced that she would be back in 5 minutes. She needed to pee!

Funny. Engine was running with 50 people on board. But we did get to the shops. We wandered around for a few hours and bought a few things then jumped on 'The Trolley' and headed back to the hotel.

Where was he going?

The beach for a swim was next. Fantastic again.

Pigeons - You are doing it wrong! There are no seagulls here so the pigeons patrol the beach - and they are the ugliest, dirties pigeons you have ever seen.

Today was the annual Waikiki festival. The main street by the ocean was closed from lunch time and food stalls, craft stalls and huge stages were set up. Live performances till 11pm. Tv cameras, many thousands of people. Nice evening.

Heaps of food vendors. Even a stall selling tiny tents.

"What is this? A tent for Ants?"

There was even a group of Harikrishna singing in the streets. The tune has changed but the words are the same!

Heaps of street people.

And many street performers.

There were no beer tents - or any alcohol. And the huge crowd were very well behaved.

By the time we had walked up and down the street the queues for food were 30 minutes long. We came back up to our room, had room service on the deck and watched the show. Not a bad balcony.

I shall fall asleep listening to the live music.

Sunday 22nd September.

After a leisurely wake up (for me - Suzanne was up to her 7 am antics) we headed off down the street in search of breakfast. We lined up at 'Eggs and Things' guessing that it was a pretty good place for breakfast. After 15 minutes, standing in the sun, (we were about 10th in line) the line hadn't moved so we did. Off in search of another place. At three minutes past 10.30 we were told that 'No' - breakfast stopped at 10.30. In the end we couldn't get breakfast so got a snack from the ABC store (no, not a TV channel shop) and ate on the beach.

Back to the hotel for a swim but......

No-one by the pool. Not cause they knew to stay out of the sun.....

And apparently it was a giant poo. Not little kid sized at all. No more pool for us.

After a rest it was off to 'The Royal Hawaiian' for lunch. Via a few shops of course. The Royal Hawaiian is one of the original hotels of Waikiki and is therefore very important. It's the pink hotel you see on the beach in all the photos. We didn't stay there. Around 800 reasons a night! More if we wanted to see the ocean from the room.

Rental lockers for surfboards.

We were happy with lunch. A cocktail each and a seafood salad each was $100. But it was a great salad.

We staggered back after our strong cocktails and I managed to make Suzanne sit down for nearly an hour as everyone knows that "10 to 3 stay under a tree" or in your room, or anywhere out of the killer sun!!!!!!!!!! She didn't sit still and did sit on the balcony out of the sun - but it's the thought that counts.

It was then beach time with our books. Sue in the sun, me in the shade.

This girl had a head piece on so that her hair didn't bleach!

The surf was up and the waves were a metre high. There was stacks of yachts and boats out. It looked stunning. We booked in to go out for a ride in an outrigger canoe. "Need at least four people" so after about an hour we got to go out - with six other people. And it was awesome!!!! We went out and back

and rode a few waves in.

We saw a huge green turtle out there. Next up was our sunset catamaran trip but after going tot he ABC store to purchase our beverages for the trip - cause you can buy ANYTHING at an ABC store, they cancelled the trip on us! Not enough people.