I think this is day eight, as if I was keeping track ;) and that represents the last day. The flight was in the evening, 930pm. That meant we had all day to use.
The only problem I see with hotels is that you need to check out by 11am or 12 pm. That means if you have an early flight, life is good. If you have a late flight, then you have to check in your bags and be without them for the day. It also means that you can't chill in the room or cone back and change if you went to the beach. Kind of sucks. I wish they had an option where there were rooms you could stay in and not be charged for a 5pm check out.
So we packed up and basically went about the town. We walked by the beach, we walked to another hotel that was very far away (30-45 mins) all because they had a market and shops we hadn't been to. It was pretty neat, we had lunch there and hung out. We came back to the main part of Waikiki where we browsed the shops for deals and went along the beach. We couldn't really chill on the beach or anything as we had not towels or sunscreen. We went for ice cream which melted almost instantly. We hung out in the lobby of the hotel.
Eventually came sunset, and we watched in all its glory. Sunsets are really under appreciated. It's an amazing thing to see it light up the sky, then slowly watch the sun lower itself onto the water, and in a matter of moments, dissapear, leaving behind light that slowly fades into the night.
Due to the unfortunate incidents involving the planes in the United States, we left early for the airport, only to get through all security checkpoints quite quickly. So we chilled in the open airport and had a late meal befor our plane, as airlines seem to charge for everything, even if they know it's crap.
The plane was quite nice, a new airbus Boeing 767. First class seats were curvy seats that can transform into a bed. That's just crazy. Everyone is equal, but airplanes still have class sections. I was happy to have my own screen in front of me where I can choose what I want to see. That I the best thing to happen to aircraft. It's awesome. I saw two movies and at the end of it, we were in Vancouver. We went from sun and 30 degree weather to cold 0 degree weather with our car frozen in frost and ice.
Hawaii was fun and a much needed break. If i was to do it again, I'd stay a little further away from metropolitan Honolulu. Maybe Maui or just a spot on the north shore of Ohahu. Either way, I'll take the sun and relax.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Hawaii Day Seven
After quite a relaxing day yesterday, we hoped for better and sunnier weather for a relaxing day today. We got our beachchairs and blankets early and headed down to the beach.
Apparently so did everyone else in the city. The beaches were packed with sun bathers of all kinds. The weather was hot and the water was cool. Everywhere you look you see bikinis, surfers, splashing kids, and tourists. Lots of them. On the sunny days you really realize just how many people come to Hawaii just for the sun and tanning.
After a while on the beach, we headed to do some shopping and again chill the night away. Good times in Waikiki.
Tomorrow is our last day here, well really it's half a day so not sure what we'll do.
Apparently so did everyone else in the city. The beaches were packed with sun bathers of all kinds. The weather was hot and the water was cool. Everywhere you look you see bikinis, surfers, splashing kids, and tourists. Lots of them. On the sunny days you really realize just how many people come to Hawaii just for the sun and tanning.
After a while on the beach, we headed to do some shopping and again chill the night away. Good times in Waikiki.
Tomorrow is our last day here, well really it's half a day so not sure what we'll do.
Hawaii Day Six
Hawaii is known for many things, including sun, sand, tanning, and sunsets. The people here are chilling, th lifestyle is chilling, and the days go by in a very relaxed way. "hang loose" they say.
So what did I do today? At the beginning of the trip we deliberately placed all touristy activities there, so that we would have time to relax at the end. With that in mind, all I did on this day was sit in the sand, on the beach, chilling in the hot weather :)
Although the day was relaxing and stress free, it would have been nicer if we had the weather cooperate a bit more. Don't get me wrong, it was still a nice and warm day, just that it was filled with intermittent rain showers. A little difficult when most of the people on the beach were looking for a tan!
Relaxing is good. Dinner was great! Cheesecake Factory. Mmmm....
Tomorrow: hopefully more of the same with hotter and sunnier weather!
So what did I do today? At the beginning of the trip we deliberately placed all touristy activities there, so that we would have time to relax at the end. With that in mind, all I did on this day was sit in the sand, on the beach, chilling in the hot weather :)
Although the day was relaxing and stress free, it would have been nicer if we had the weather cooperate a bit more. Don't get me wrong, it was still a nice and warm day, just that it was filled with intermittent rain showers. A little difficult when most of the people on the beach were looking for a tan!
Relaxing is good. Dinner was great! Cheesecake Factory. Mmmm....
Tomorrow: hopefully more of the same with hotter and sunnier weather!
Hawaii Day Five
I knew this was going to be a crazy day. If anything, it was going to be long. Wake up and be ready for a 630am tour of Pearl Harbour, Ford Island, and a Honolulu city tour. Scheduled to arrive back at the hotel at 4pm.
Start the day waiting outside the hotel at 630 waiting for a tourbus and a guide in a red shirt. A short time later, it arrives with an older gentlemen named "Papi". He seemed way to happy to be up that early in the morning. Peppy Papi. After a few more stops at other hotels, we made our way to Pearl Harbour. All through the rise up, Papi was making jokes and keeping us all awake. He then went into a somber but informational mood about the events of Dec 7, 1941. He even memorized the FDR speech "a day that will live in infamy"
We get to the site (again) and I'm hoping there are tickets. I mean, sheesh, we were there at 745am! Weget our tickets and are instructed to be at te theatre at 815. For the remaining time we walk around the area looking at little exhibits and the bookstore. Then the movie and subsequent ride to the USS Arizona Memorial.
The movie was great, informative and I really liked it. Was Damn good. After the movie we take a ride on a craft to the memorial site. All of a sudden it a somber mood. Very respectful. The memorial is beautiful. Centered over the sunken ship, the memorial is a white building that contains the names of the 1100plus men who died and are still burried with their ship. It's an amazing and powerful moment as you realize just how real it all is. You can look out either side and still see the ship, and it's tears. They say the oil that continues to leak out represent the tears of the ship and it's fallen
Men and will continue to do so until the last survivor of the Pearl Harbour attack has passed away. It is something everyone should experience. An amazing moment.
After that part, we sailed back to the original area to meet up with our guide for the rest of the day. Peppy Papi was gone and we had Kanoelei, a professional hula dancer; apparently one of the best in hawaii. (how good? She was handpicked to dance in front of the pope.) She took us across to the second part of the tour: the Bowfin submarine and the museum of submarine history. This was a self guided audio tour of a submarine and WOW was it cool. I can't believe how sailors could stand it! I'd go mental living and working in such a small area for 6-8 months at a time. On a side note- I've never before taken a self-guided audio tour, but if I ever go somewhere and it is available, I'm doing it again. Very worth it.
We then travelled to Ford Island to see the main bomb sites, hangers, airfields, and the Aviation Museum. Everything was great until we got to the museum where we were given a tour of it by an older gentlemen. It was mainly about planes, with huge HUGE replicas of these planes that were involved in the PH attacks. If you are not a huge fan of planes and aviation history in general, then you will probably get bored.
After returning from the aviation museum we hit the city of Honolulu where we saw a palace, a cemetary, lots of history, and the location of the humble beginnings of Barack Obama. It would have been an exceptional tour if we weren't so distrcted by the stop and go jerking of our tour bus driver. A little like being out at sea, lurching back and forth, except we were on a bus. A few people didn't feel well after.
The end of the day was relaxing as we were pretty tired from a crazy long day.
Tomorrow: chillin on the beach.
Start the day waiting outside the hotel at 630 waiting for a tourbus and a guide in a red shirt. A short time later, it arrives with an older gentlemen named "Papi". He seemed way to happy to be up that early in the morning. Peppy Papi. After a few more stops at other hotels, we made our way to Pearl Harbour. All through the rise up, Papi was making jokes and keeping us all awake. He then went into a somber but informational mood about the events of Dec 7, 1941. He even memorized the FDR speech "a day that will live in infamy"
We get to the site (again) and I'm hoping there are tickets. I mean, sheesh, we were there at 745am! Weget our tickets and are instructed to be at te theatre at 815. For the remaining time we walk around the area looking at little exhibits and the bookstore. Then the movie and subsequent ride to the USS Arizona Memorial.
The movie was great, informative and I really liked it. Was Damn good. After the movie we take a ride on a craft to the memorial site. All of a sudden it a somber mood. Very respectful. The memorial is beautiful. Centered over the sunken ship, the memorial is a white building that contains the names of the 1100plus men who died and are still burried with their ship. It's an amazing and powerful moment as you realize just how real it all is. You can look out either side and still see the ship, and it's tears. They say the oil that continues to leak out represent the tears of the ship and it's fallen
Men and will continue to do so until the last survivor of the Pearl Harbour attack has passed away. It is something everyone should experience. An amazing moment.
After that part, we sailed back to the original area to meet up with our guide for the rest of the day. Peppy Papi was gone and we had Kanoelei, a professional hula dancer; apparently one of the best in hawaii. (how good? She was handpicked to dance in front of the pope.) She took us across to the second part of the tour: the Bowfin submarine and the museum of submarine history. This was a self guided audio tour of a submarine and WOW was it cool. I can't believe how sailors could stand it! I'd go mental living and working in such a small area for 6-8 months at a time. On a side note- I've never before taken a self-guided audio tour, but if I ever go somewhere and it is available, I'm doing it again. Very worth it.
We then travelled to Ford Island to see the main bomb sites, hangers, airfields, and the Aviation Museum. Everything was great until we got to the museum where we were given a tour of it by an older gentlemen. It was mainly about planes, with huge HUGE replicas of these planes that were involved in the PH attacks. If you are not a huge fan of planes and aviation history in general, then you will probably get bored.
After returning from the aviation museum we hit the city of Honolulu where we saw a palace, a cemetary, lots of history, and the location of the humble beginnings of Barack Obama. It would have been an exceptional tour if we weren't so distrcted by the stop and go jerking of our tour bus driver. A little like being out at sea, lurching back and forth, except we were on a bus. A few people didn't feel well after.
The end of the day was relaxing as we were pretty tired from a crazy long day.
Tomorrow: chillin on the beach.
Hawaii Day Four
An early wake up to go to the one place I've been looking forward to seeing all week - Pearl Harbour. I was always fascinated with it and what it must have looked like, so I was excited when we were off.
We get there and park, walk up to the ticket offices to find hundreds of people talking and waiting in line. It's only 930am and the place is packed! We get up to the booth to find two signs posted. The first says that the USS Missouri is drydocked and is not available to be viewed. RATS! But I thought, that's ok, there is still the most important part: the USS Arizona Memorial.
Then I read the second sign. "All tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial have been given out." Double RATS! So by 930am all tickets were gone and realistically, all that was available were the submarine and a museum. Now I did not come all the way to see a museum. I wanted to see Pearl Harbour. Needless to say I was quite disappointed.
Since we knew that tours bring people to the attractions, I might have a decent shot at tickets if I came with a tour. So it was decided that I go try that. Back to the hotel we went to speak with the hotel staff. The attendant was so helpful and I booked a Pearl Harbour/ city tour that left early enough that there was no way I would never get tickets. What time? We leave at 615am. Yea, am.
So we decide to make the most of the day and visit Diamond Head Crater. It's basically an inactive volcano that you can "climb" to the top viewpoints. You start in the middle of the crater then work your way to the top. The experience sees you climbing steep stairs and walking through tunnels that were bore through the volcano itself, passing through military defence viewpoints and old gunner posts. The top has beautiful views of Honolulu, and specifically, Waikiki itself. The whole Diamond Crater experience is a great one to have.
The end of the day came quickly. A beautiful sunset off the Hawaiian beach and an early night. After all, I did have to be up for a 630 tour!
We get there and park, walk up to the ticket offices to find hundreds of people talking and waiting in line. It's only 930am and the place is packed! We get up to the booth to find two signs posted. The first says that the USS Missouri is drydocked and is not available to be viewed. RATS! But I thought, that's ok, there is still the most important part: the USS Arizona Memorial.
Then I read the second sign. "All tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial have been given out." Double RATS! So by 930am all tickets were gone and realistically, all that was available were the submarine and a museum. Now I did not come all the way to see a museum. I wanted to see Pearl Harbour. Needless to say I was quite disappointed.
Since we knew that tours bring people to the attractions, I might have a decent shot at tickets if I came with a tour. So it was decided that I go try that. Back to the hotel we went to speak with the hotel staff. The attendant was so helpful and I booked a Pearl Harbour/ city tour that left early enough that there was no way I would never get tickets. What time? We leave at 615am. Yea, am.
So we decide to make the most of the day and visit Diamond Head Crater. It's basically an inactive volcano that you can "climb" to the top viewpoints. You start in the middle of the crater then work your way to the top. The experience sees you climbing steep stairs and walking through tunnels that were bore through the volcano itself, passing through military defence viewpoints and old gunner posts. The top has beautiful views of Honolulu, and specifically, Waikiki itself. The whole Diamond Crater experience is a great one to have.
The end of the day came quickly. A beautiful sunset off the Hawaiian beach and an early night. After all, I did have to be up for a 630 tour!
Hawaii Day Three
The day started off with a buffet breakfast. In my opinion it could have used a larger variety of breakfast choices, but the omelets were made in front of you and were awesome!
Next we jump into the car and head to the North Shore, home if waves, surfing, and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Anytime you can experience the world's natural beauty, and World culture on the same trip, you take it!
We stopped along a few beaches in the north shore to marvel at the waves and the surfers. I've always had an appreciation for the sport, but witnessing it makes it so much better. Beach after beach, the scenery was nice, surfers were awesome, and the weather and sand were hot!
Then the Cultural Center. It is such an amazing place. An oasis in the middle of almost nowhere. Basically, a center to celebrate Hawaii, Tongo, Tahiti, Samoa, Haiti, Fiji, and Aotearoa. It comes complete with a village for each nation, cultural demonstrations for each nation, and a parade on boats featuring the traditional dances and music of each nation. This place was very cool! I could go on but you should just experience it yourself.
The return trip to Waikiki featured a few more beaches on the North Shore and a walk around the touristy area of Waikiki.
Tomorrow: Pearl Harbour and Diamond Head
Next we jump into the car and head to the North Shore, home if waves, surfing, and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Anytime you can experience the world's natural beauty, and World culture on the same trip, you take it!
We stopped along a few beaches in the north shore to marvel at the waves and the surfers. I've always had an appreciation for the sport, but witnessing it makes it so much better. Beach after beach, the scenery was nice, surfers were awesome, and the weather and sand were hot!
Then the Cultural Center. It is such an amazing place. An oasis in the middle of almost nowhere. Basically, a center to celebrate Hawaii, Tongo, Tahiti, Samoa, Haiti, Fiji, and Aotearoa. It comes complete with a village for each nation, cultural demonstrations for each nation, and a parade on boats featuring the traditional dances and music of each nation. This place was very cool! I could go on but you should just experience it yourself.
The return trip to Waikiki featured a few more beaches on the North Shore and a walk around the touristy area of Waikiki.
Tomorrow: Pearl Harbour and Diamond Head
Hawaii Day Two
A somewhat inadvertant sleep-in this morning was feeling really good. Perhaps it was the fact that I knew I was in Hawaii. After spending most of the morning dealing with yesterday's AirCanada screw up on the rooms, the lovely front desk people were able to somewhat help the situation by upgrading the rooms so that we were all on the same floor. Add to that, we now had complementary buffet breakfast for four mornings, and the day finally started to look alright.
After obtaining the rental car, we drove to the Premium Outlets for sone deals an steals. I didn't do too badly. Some good stuff! The weather was pretty nice: balmy 80F or about 26C. Love the palm trees too. Random, I know, but they're everywhere.
After the outlets we kept going north until we got to the Dole Plantation. What a cool place! They have lots of "pineapple" displays where they show a whole bunch of different pineapple plants in different stages of pineapple growth. They have a train to take you around the whole plantation, a maze, and some random mini lake full of ugly fish that you can feed. When you feed them, they all gather and splash and compete for food. Interesting and very random. The plantation has a large gift shop, complete with lots of items for purchase. Anything from food to souvenirs to pineapple cutting tools. And a demonstration to prove they work. We tried the Dole whip in a bowl. Basically pineapple flavour softserve ice cream. Pretty good, but that's only the tip of the iceberg- if you are ever there, check out the Split.
We came back into town and walked around. It seems Waikiki has undergone some dramatic changes to draw in more tourism. A Vegas-Like strip full of high end stores, lights, tiki torches, and restaurants. We stopped at PF Cheng's for dinner. I recommend it, very good. Be sure to save room for dessert. Cheesecake in a shot glass is kinda cool to eat!
That capped off the night as we then strolled along all the nice streets and made our way back to the hotel.
Tomorrow: the North Shore and the ever so popular and highly recommended Polynesian Cultural Center.
After obtaining the rental car, we drove to the Premium Outlets for sone deals an steals. I didn't do too badly. Some good stuff! The weather was pretty nice: balmy 80F or about 26C. Love the palm trees too. Random, I know, but they're everywhere.
After the outlets we kept going north until we got to the Dole Plantation. What a cool place! They have lots of "pineapple" displays where they show a whole bunch of different pineapple plants in different stages of pineapple growth. They have a train to take you around the whole plantation, a maze, and some random mini lake full of ugly fish that you can feed. When you feed them, they all gather and splash and compete for food. Interesting and very random. The plantation has a large gift shop, complete with lots of items for purchase. Anything from food to souvenirs to pineapple cutting tools. And a demonstration to prove they work. We tried the Dole whip in a bowl. Basically pineapple flavour softserve ice cream. Pretty good, but that's only the tip of the iceberg- if you are ever there, check out the Split.
We came back into town and walked around. It seems Waikiki has undergone some dramatic changes to draw in more tourism. A Vegas-Like strip full of high end stores, lights, tiki torches, and restaurants. We stopped at PF Cheng's for dinner. I recommend it, very good. Be sure to save room for dessert. Cheesecake in a shot glass is kinda cool to eat!
That capped off the night as we then strolled along all the nice streets and made our way back to the hotel.
Tomorrow: the North Shore and the ever so popular and highly recommended Polynesian Cultural Center.
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