Last day in Paradise

An what an amazing day it was! We got up early because the water is bring shut off at 9am. We then went back to Town for breakfast. It was good but nearly as good as dinner last night.

We then headed to Anna's work and I was able to see her office and meet a few of the people she works with. It was fun to see her work place.

From there we headed to Sam's club to buy a table however after measuring the boxes we realized it would not fit in the car and they don't deliver unless it's a mattress or lawn furniture. Boo! However we made up for it by heading to one of the furniture stores and Anna bought a new coach! Whoo-hoo!!!

We headed back home for lunch... I'm so going to miss the pita from here when I'm gone! I then headed to the beach for one last swim and some time in the sun. It was so awesome and knowing that I'm going home and it's snowing there made it extra awesome!

I'm about to head to the airport and sigh another adventure journey home. Here's hoping I can make the 36 minute connection in LA and 75 minute connection in Newark!

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It's Paradise... it's downhill both ways!

The last full day and I can't help but be a bit sad... I do have almost a full today tomorrow to pack in more fun but it's sad to know I'm so close to leaving and returning to a life without these sunny days. Yes, I know it's going to snow 10-15 cm for my arrival. Hey... you never know... maybe I'll be stuck in LA... or better yet, Honolulu! Ah, dare to dream!

So Anna was off to work and I was on a mission to see the statue from the beginning of Hawaii 50... After having found it on the internet, into the car, and I was ready to breeze there... yeah... 45 minutes in traffic later, I arrived at my destination. On to try and find parking. First available parking lot I turned into only to learn that's $4 per 1/2 hour with no MAX! Luckily they had a 10 minute grace period if you decide not to park. Exit stage left and off to try an find another spot. I quickly learned why they were charging so much... most of the lots do not have public parking!

So next available lot, $11 per hour!!! Sigh. Third times a charm (and actually closer to where I wanted to be) 75 cents a 1/2 hour for the first 2 hours and $1.50 for each additional 1/2 hour. Now only to find a parking space! Following the vague parking directions I turned left (as it turns out not as immediate left as they would of liked) and found myself in the place where the Honda dealership (just below) stores all their brand new vehicles, double and triple parked... let me tell you, I think I'm a pretty good driver but backing out of there is something I'm good never reliving!!!

Finally found a parking spot and was so thankful get out of the car! There were a few moments where I thought... is this even worth it?! I then headed towards the Capital area of Honolulu where they state buildings are. I got a few neat pics including a nice one of the seal.

I then headed to 'Iolani Palace, the only Royal Palace to be on US soil. It was very nice and they have done a stellar job restoring it. A tad on the undewhelming side particularly with the long-winded audio guide but all in all pretty interesting.

Then off to find the statue from the TV show... and I found it. I took a few pics from the back because you never see pictures from the back of statues!

From there I headed to Chinatown in the hopes of finding some shrimps with the heads on so I can make Anna some Thai soup. I found Chinatown and I found the shrimps but I wasn't going to buy anything from the stores... icky!

 

I stopped on the way back from the store to try McDonald's take on a Haupia pie... which was basically their normal cherry or apple pie with coconut instead. A few bites and I was done. Interesting, but I couldn't eat the whole thing.

I then drove home stopping to pick up a few groceries. I then set to work to map our all the potential furniture for Anna's place with cardboard boxes so she could see what it would look like with furniture where the box shapes are. I did a few other things around the house including spray painting the spare bathroom's medicine cabinet that had got a bit (okay a bit more than a bit) rusty. Turned out great!

When Anna got home we headed to Discount Furniture Warehouse to check out any last minute options. Discounting all the items, Anna had pretty much decided what she wanted to go with... just on to buying it. Maybe tomorrow :)

We then drove and walked to this wicked awesome restaurant Town! So tasty... we spent a lot of the time talking about who Anna had to bring to the restaurant when they come and what they would like! We shared the plates and had this very interesting thing made from Poi and a great salad. We also shared the tuna and steak. Wicked good!! Special thanks and shout out to Ms. Neuheimer who help fund this awesome meal!

So why is it downhill both ways? In walking back from the restaurant we realized that we were walking downhill... bizarre because it felt downhill when we were walking there.... truly paradise when it feels like we are walking downhill both ways! That is until a gigantic cockroach walked by and freaked us both out!

 

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Beach Day!

We woke to a beautiful sunny Sunday! He headed out (at what we thought was an early time) to the beach and eventually managed to get public parking about 6 blocks from the beach (and at the very end of the beach, no less!)

On the walk to the beach we passed a fire station and decided to stop and get our blood pressure taken (all fire stations on Oahu offer free blood pressure tests during the day when they are in the station.) Once we were cleared for a day of relaxation (both of our blood pressure came back as normal) we headed to the beach. The fire fighters recommended a beach to the left of where we were going so a quick stop to add the lei that Anna gave me to one of the beach statues and we were off to find a great place for a swim.

We found a great, mostly empty place, imagine our luck! And now imagine a rocky shoreline that explains why there was no one in the location we were. It wasn't too bad... really, it made for some rather ungraceful entrances into and exits from the water... besides that the water was cool and refreshing and was the first time Anna was really in the water since she arrived here.

I then promptly fell asleep on the beach... Awesome... even more awesome is that I didn't get burnt! We then decided to go to Duke's for drinks and maybe lunch. As we were walking there, there was a St. Pat's day parade! We took a few pics and hurried along. Unfortunately, the parade ended and hundreds of people flooded into the sidewalks and apparently Duke's. It was a 20 minute wait or we could try to grab a free table in the bar area as they came available. So Anna and I hovered over the tables that seemed to be close to be done only to score a table for six! I had the fish tacos and Anna had the shrimp beet salad. I have to admit is was shockingly awesome... it's a great little place but I was expecting pub food and was pleasantly surprised.

We then decided to head to Ala Moana shopping centre to do some souvenir shopping and get a few additional things. Anna scored some great things for her place (another pillow, waste bin, etc.) and I score big in the shoe lottery! I got two new pairs including one that's name is actually Sexy Black! As I was trying on the shoes I ran into Mel and Mel from my tour in Jordan / Israel! I knew they were in Hawaii but so far we had been unsuccessful in getting together! Thank god for happenstance! It was really nice to catch up and hear about their vacation time here.

We then hit Sam's Club and Wal-Mart for a few souvenirs and a few addiational items that are great to buy when you have a car (i.e. laundry soap, a gigantic thing of toilet paper, etc.)

We then headed back home to shower and get ready for a St. Patrick's day party! We drove out, parked, and joined the party! And we lasted about 15 minutes before we realized this was SO not our scene... a couple of sips of Guinness and we realized we rather be home. So we left.

Can't believe tomorrow is my last full day in Hawaii... Sad... but I'm going to make the best of it!

Oh... almost forgot... here's a seal on the shore.

 

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Heli Awesome!

Today was the highlight adventure of my trip to Hawaii... a one hour doors-off helicopter tour of Oahu. While everyone else (2 other people) were being picked up for the adventure Anna and I drove to the helicopter hanger that was also shared with the Honolulu Police and Fire Department. I'm not sure why the fire department needs a couple of helicopters but it's pretty cool.

We left early because we really didn't want to be late. As a result we were 40 minutes early. We decided to knock on the door in the hopes that someone was there. As it turns out someone was there! She let us hang out as she talked with someone on the phone. She was trying to learn how to use the sample safety belts. Our confidence began to wane as she was not able to figure it out... both Anna and I sat and watched her struggle not being able to figure out. Both Anna and I had figured it out but didn't really want to interrupt... but finally we butted in and suggested (the right) way to fasten the seat belt.

Turns out this was the woman who was to give us the safety briefing! She explained that the helicopter had just been renovated (new coat of paint and new seat belts) and she had been off work while they were renovating it so the guy on the phone was giving her the briefing on the new seat belts. She also confirmed that our driver, Evan, has been flying for decades.

After the safety briefing, they assigned us our seats... Anna was up front and I was at the back on the opposite side. This allowed us to see and take pictures from both sides. We then piled into the helicopter and go clearance from the tower to take off. We then slowly lifted off the ground, it felt like we were floating gently. It was fun until the first little drop and then I realized that it never occurred to me that with all my motion sickness that this could be a nauseating experience.

Regardless of the motion sickness, it was a wicked experience! We flew over 2,000 feet in the air and we reached speeds over 100km/hr! Here are some of the better photos. Between Anna and I think we took more than 200 photos... so here are just a few!

After the helicopter ride, the hunt for a new couch began again... we made a couple of quick stops to have a lunch of delicious fish tacos and to buy dresses. Anna and I both got two new dresses! We went to four furniture shops... we tried for a fifth but the shop was closed for renovations until April. We have officially narrowed it down to three options... All beige and with great variety, one leather, one corduroy, and one linen-like fabric. We have decided to map them out using old boxes to see how they will fit in the living room.

From there we headed Macy's and picked up a few things, Anna got new glasses and a new pillow and I got a great deal on apple cider K-cups that my mom wanted. We then headed to Whole Foods! So freaking awesome! The food there is unbelievable!!! I SO want one for Ottawa!!! The premade stuff is stellar, the cheeses and fruit and veggies AMAZING! Anna and I filled the cart ending with an ONO popsicle for the road. I got mango, lime and habanero and Anna got guava, blood orange and lilikoi. They were so ono! (aka delicious!) My popsicle was amazing... sweet mango then the sour of the lime and then the high heat of habanero! Anna's was good too... I think we both love the lilikoi flavour!

We then set up for another dinner of awesome things from Whole Food and left over from last night. After dinner Anna set up the TV and I made cinnamon rice krispies squares. We found cinnamon bun marshmellows at the store and I all I could think of was these would make killer rice krispies squares... and they did!

And to close this post Anna just said... you know, Laura, when you are here the water tastes better (new water filter arrived while I was here), the glasses are nicer (just bought today), and the TV is better (new tv bought on wednesday and installed today.) Glad I could help ;)

 

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North Shore and Lilikoi Shave Ice

Anna took the day off work today and we took off first thing this morning, okay it was like 9:30, with an iPhone and a guide book with a plan to circle the west side of the island and end in the North Shore. When we left Honolulu it was sunny and bright.

We set out for the Diamond Head and we drove around this ancient volcano and from there we left the city and drove along beautiful mountains and with great views of some of the most expensive homes on Oahu. Some CRAZY homes!

There is something about the speed limit here it's like a constant slide from 45 miles/hour to 35 to 25 to 35 to 45 again... which means for 8 hours today we were in constantly slowing down or speading up and we are talking changes about every 500m... so it's not even as we entered towns. Both bizarre and annoying!

As we drove we stopping along the way to put our feet on the water and watch the waves. It's crazy dangerous (as it's winter time) so we took in the views but didn't dare to go in. There was even one beach that has a ambulance, helicopter, and boat on standby just in case!

Along the way we stopped for Giovanni's Original White Shrimp trucks for the most amazing garlic shrimp... I would say best meal of the journey. So tasty!

We then arrived in Haleiwa and hoped to eat at Opal a famous Thai place but it was closed for some time before dinner service. So instead we headed to the famous shave ice place, Matsumoto Shave Ice. Wanting to live on the edge I tried cherry, lemon, and lilikoi.. not knowing what lilikoi is. Turns out it's the hawaiian word for passion fruit. The lilikoi flavour was fantastic but sadly the cherry and lemon was so surgary it was a bit too much sugar! We were then on a seach for lunch and ended up at an open Thai restaurant. We both ordered salads (Anna green mango and I had ginger) and soup. Overall it was a tad disappointing... kidda sad really we were really craving Thai food. Luckly there is always tomorrow :)

By then we were exhausted and decided to high tail it home. Along the way we decided to head to another home... Home Depot. I have forgotten why we went there again but we go a whole much of stuff that Anna needed including sticks for the balcony door, a saw and two outdoor chairs and a small table for outside. All in all some great purchases.

Costco was just next door so we stopped to pick up two more beach towels. We were then off to Safeway to grab some cheese, olives, tomatoes, wine to make a dinner of awesome whatever you like. It was delicious!

Here are a two other beautiful photos from the drive.

 

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...But you can learn to Surf

Mahalo for a wicked awesome day! I slept in this morning... well at least I wasn't up at 5:30... 8am is perfectly reasonable.

I did want to get an early start because I wasn't sure how parking would be like... so I was out the door by 9am and driving into Waikiki which turned out to be a pretty great experience, I even managed to get a parking space no problem.

First order of business was a surfing lesson. I figured go early but when I got there there were already tons of people in the water, surfing. There were three options $40 group lesson (<5 people), $60 semi-private (2 people) or $100 private. I went with the group rate thinging mmeph, I'm doing this for fun... so they asked me to wait around until they had enought for the group.

About 1/2 hour later (of relaxing on the beach) they said it was time to go... as it turned out no one else came for the lessons so I was going to get private lessons! WICKED... in retospect had there been four more people I'm not sure how productive or beneficial it would have been for me. So the lessons were great and I slowly progressed from surfing in the sand to the baby slow waves to catching my own waves. There are two very firm things about this experience, Surfing is equal parts fun and exhausting!

Sorry no surfer girl photos... Anna was working today and my camera was safe (in a safe) back on shore. So instead here is a photo of Duke the famous surfer and olympic medalist. The surf lessons place is just behind the statue.

After the lessons I sat out on Waikiki beach and enjoyed the semi-sun (it was fairly cloudy day today) and waited to be dry enough to get back in the car! I picked up some awesome frozen yogurt (who would have thought plain would be so good!) I stopped on the way back to the apartment for some wicked awesome Korean BBQ for lunch.

I snapped a whole bunch of pics of Waikiki but this is my fav... probably because almost no one is in it!

I then drove back to the apartment to enjoy my delicious lunch. I had high hopes for my afternoon but after my shower I took a nap!

Anna came home around 3pm and it was furniture shopping time! We hit up this awesome place that has some killer furniture (and a third floor where you can pick up a couch for $21K!) There were a few key pieces that Anna liked (couch, chair, table with chairs, and a TV stand) more shopping still to do but at least there are more options then "Island" furniture.

We wanted to grab a quick dinner because as we had tickets to a play tonight so we asked the guy if there were a great place to eat near by... you will never guess but there is a full restaurant and crazy awesome wine bar IN the furniture store! It would be like shopping at Leons and there being a De Vino style restaurant in there! They had a full wine bar where you can put money on a card and try one ounce tastings of all these different kinds of wine. I was driving so no fun for me but it looks awesome. Thankfully the food was was great and half the price of our crap dinner last night. Anna and I shared a wicked beet and taro salad that had great honey balsamic dressing and sliders and fries! The fries had this really great BBQ shake-shake on them that was out of this world!

We hit Safeway because I'm dying to try making Rice Krispies squares with the Cinnamon Bun flavoured marshmellows... should be interesting! We then went back to the apartment and walked to the musical that Anna had bought tickets for... It's a high school production of In the Heights. It totally blew me away... I still can't believe it was a high school production! The sets were amazing, the singing spectacular and everything was so professional. In the program each of the actos got to select a quote and this one inspired the title for this post - "You cannot stop the waves, but you can learn to surf!" - John Kabat-Zinn

Another fantastic day and night. Tomorrow North Shore here we come!

 

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Update on the Photo Front

I've been fairly delinquent on including photos so here are some from the first 24 hours.

First is a washrooms sign at the airport... I didn't see the women's one but the men's was kinda neat.

This is the lai that Anna brought to the airport for me. Awesome!

Lastly, is a photo of my poke lunch! So yummy!

 

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Mellow Sunny Day in Honolulu

I had high hopes to sleep in today but I guess with the time changes it was just not going to happen! Up at 5:30am I read some of my book and watched a little tv on my iPad.

Got out of bed and saw Anna off to work and then I enjoyed my awesome breakfast of cheesie eggs, salsa and AMAZING pita bread out on Anna's lanai. It was so sunny it was great to just soak in the rays (and the vitamin D!)

From there I set to measure every square inch of Anna's place so that she could have reference measurements while furniture shopping. I also did a few other things around the house.

When Anna got back to work around 1pm we then headed out for Poke (raw fish with sauce.) I had half wasabi and have spicy which is kinda bizarre because the wasabi one was way spicier than the spicy one. They serve it on warm rice. It was super delicious!

We then piled in the car to go to Costco (which by the way looks just like the Costco in Ottawa except they have "chewable" ice with the coke machines and interesting onion dispenses for the hot dogs. Anna bought a whole bunch of new home things including a TV! Scratch one major purchase off the list! The TV looks awesome... hopefully we can find a stand and set it up before I have to leave!

From there we headed home unloaded everything and then headed out for dinner. While in Japan, Anna and I both had Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima and thought it was amazing! We were hoping for the same delicious experience at this great new Japanese restaurant (that as rated really well) but I think we were both a bit disappointed it didn't taste anything like the ones we had in Japan!

We then headed for drinks at Rum Fire which was a beautiful bar right on the water. My drink was killer a Cucumber and Lavender Mojito! Awesome! Anna was driving and her virgin Pina Colada was killer tooth-decay-inducingly sweet!

Back home now... totally beat... the time change is really throwing me for a loop!

 

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Channelling a little Aloha Zen!

Oh United how you make me crazy... for the last month or so I have been concerned about the feasibly of my 1-hour connection through Newark to catch my direct flight on Honolulu. Particularly because it is winter in Canada and you never know what last minute storm will blow in!

I've actually spoken with the United rep twice... once, a week in advance, when the agent said... or course it's feasible... you just need to change terminals and pass through security again. Sigh. I talked with them yesterday in the hope that I could get on the 6am flight. Yeah... only two spots left and a super premium.

Resigned that I would be taking the 11am flight... I went to bed... only to wake up at 3:30am. Groan... but on the upside, at 1:30am United informed me that my flight has been delayed and is now leaving at Noon. I called up United and the put me on the last flight out of Newark that would get me to Honolulu. Last seat no less! I guess I should be thankful! But waiting in line for the Newark flight the crazy impossible happened... my flight magically was rescheduled as on time! So I suppose in the end I got my wish and I now have a 2.5 hour layover. It should be interesting to see if I could have really made the original flight.

So now that things are set and I'm almost too tired to care, I wait for my flight to come and for me to take off for Newark. Hawaii here I home!

Aloha!

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