After awaking at 2 AM, suffering from jet lag, Kay read and we both worked on the journal until daylight, then enjoyed the sand and surf of Waikiki Beach.

After breakfast, we did a walking tour of Waikiki and part of Honolulu, logging about 5 miles.Beautiful flowers were everywhere.

We were ready for the hot tub when we returned to the hotel.  The pool and spa area was really packed, including lots of young couples; where do they get the money?  We tried to nap mid-day but the maid was cleaning next door and was almost as noisy as Kay.

Afternoon and early evening were spent walking through Waikiki’s notable shopping areas, all replete with T-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, dresses, jewelry, and other touristy junk.

We had dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants, watched the sun set from Waikiki Beach, and listened to some music near the pool.  

Kay’s take:  I’m not always noisy!  hehehehe!  This afternoon we walked around Waikiki business district.  We visited stores in Waikiki Beach Promenade; Royal Hawaiian Center (which was 3 floors over 2 blocks long) and then the International Trade Market.

Everyone wears the same thing down here – guys:  Hawaiian shirts; girls: sleeveless short shifts or strapless long dresses, all Island wear, etc.  It all begins to look the same.  We ate at the Ocean View restaurant in the hotel – it was very good.  We both had salads and shared an entree.  It was plenty.  We then went to another restaurant near the pools and I had a pina colada as we listened to two male entertainers.  I better get to bed!  We’ve got an early (6:20 a.m.) pickup for a tour of the city and Pearl Harbor tomorrow morning; then we’re going to Diamond Head and hike up it.  Aloha!!

How do I love flying, let me count the ways.  First, seven hours of flying directly behind a screaming and coughing toddler; next, flying in the seat behind the toddler’s mother who kept the seat leaned back to the maximum the entire time (nothing like a seatback tray in my gut for 6+ hours); then the young, large mother constantly getting up and down from the seat incessantly, dragging suitcase after suitcase from the TWO overhead bins her stuff occupied over our heads; and lastly, both the mother coughing almost the whole trip.  Hawaii never looked so good!

We left Little Rock about 8 AM, flew to Denver where there was snow on the ground, left Denver about 12 noon, and arrived in Hawaii about 3:30 PM.

 Our transfer to the hotel went smoothly, as did check-in.  We dropped off the luggage, changed into swim suits and headed for Waikiki Beach, directly behind the hotel; Kay’s swimsuit is under her other clothes!

After a short stroll, the time differences became relevant as it was near midnight Central Daylight Savings Time.  After sharing a light meal, we returned to the hotel to briefly catch up on email, and get some sleep.


Kay’s View:  Waikiki is very congested with hotels and shopping.  The Outrigger Reef Hotel is lovely.  There are at least two outside spas, one hot tub, and a large pool here besides walkout directly on the beach. Our room has a balcony overlooking the pools and spas.  Our room is very nice! We can see Diamondhead from the hotel beach, and the tropical plants here are incredible.  Hibiscus grow and are used as shrubs.

Thursday, very early.  We’re experiencing ‘jet lag’ – we managed to stay awake until 1:30 AM our time, 8:30 PM Hawaii time, and after sleeping almost 6 hours we woke up – it’s 2:00 AM Hawaii time/7:00 AM CDST.  We may have to have a nap today!!  Another plus is that almost everything in Waikiki is within walking distance and the weather is beautiful.  Trolleys are available to ride to get around Waikiki and also Honolulu.  We’ll probably go out exploring today.
Stay tuned for the further adventures of Kay and Donald.