Susan's Adventures: Jan 29, 2010

Friday, January 29, 2010

The one thing in the Hawaiian Islands that should be outlawed

Spam flavored Macadamia Nuts!?!?!? Disgusting!

Waikiki Beach

From top: Banyan tree on Waikiki (Kuhio) Beach; birds that are nesting in the Banyan tree; Waikiki Beach surfers; Royal Hawaiian Hotel; setting up for the “Lost” TV season premiere event.

Friday, January 29 -- Honolulu, Oahu

Friday, January 29 -- Honolulu, Oahu

On past trips, we have visited the Byodo-In Temple, Punchbowl Crater, Pearl Harbor & the USS Arizona, Halona Blowhole, Dole Pineapple Plantation, Kailua Beach, the Nuuamu Pali Lookout with its sheer 1000 foot drop down the spectacular cliffs of the leeward side of the island, and Sunset Beach on the North Shore with its 35 foot waves world renowned to surfers.. Also Kaneohe where Ray lived when he was a boy. And we hiked to the top of Diamond Head, 763 feet to the summit, through a dark 200 foot tunnel and a spiral staircase. And we visited the Bishop Museum and the Iolani Palace, America’s only Royal residence, where they are trying to find and buy back the treasures that were sold in auction by the American sugar plantation owners when they illegally took over the government.

Oahu may not be the largest Hawaiian island, but it is the most visited and 80% of Hawaiians live here in Honolulu. Two mountain ranges with sheer green cliffs enhance the scenery, and its outstanding 112-mile coastline is graced with more than 50 exquisite beaches. Ray lived here in Kaneohe with his family when he was a little boy. They arrived here on the SS Lurline, which is the whole reason why he wanted to do THIS trip with me—to recreate THAT trip.

Waikiki Beach is the famous beach and after docking at the Aloha Tower, that is where we headed today, stopping first at the International Marketplace. Here I looked for the Hawaiian lady that I have bought a real lei from all the times I have been here before. They are gorgeous and are only $3!!! But she was nowhere to be found.

Diamond Head Crater and the cliffs at the extreme southern end of the city give natural shelter to the harbour. Waikiki is located on serene Mamala Bay. The name Honolulu means ”sheltered bay.” In the middle of the strip of hotels on Kalakaua Avenue is the pastel pink Royal Hawaiian Hotel. It was the island’s first luxury resort property. The Moorish style building, now part of the Sheraton group, is a city landmark recalling an innocent era of times past.

Oahu means “The Gathering Place.” On Fridays—today—everyone on Bishop Street in the financial district wears a crisp Hawaiian print shirt to work. It is known as Aloha Friday. It seems that this tradition has spread, for everyone seemed to be wearing the Hawaiian prints today.

We shopped and ray popped into the McDonald’s to see if they still served saimen, which they do. They also serve Spam and eggs with rice. We walked around a bit and on a side street, I saw a sign that said parking was allowed on January 30 due to a “Lost “ premiere event. That’s when I saw them setting up a stage and screen on the beach where the season premiere of “Lost” will be shownb on Waikiki Beach TOMORROW night! The cast will be here also. That’s when I started plotting to see if I could find ANY way to stay over for the event, but alas, it would mean skipping the rest of the cruise. SO close. : (

We took the bus to Ala Moana Shopping Center and then to Hilo Hattie’s then back to Ward Center theatres where we had lunch at Dave & Buster’s and watched Avatar in 3D. Much better in 3D and I noticed a lot more of the details. And the first time I saw it, I thought of the Native American Indians and the terrible things we did to there nation. This time, I thought of the countries we have pillaged and plundered throughout the world for the sake of OIL. So disgraceful. The only thing I thought was kind of schmaltzy was using the word “unobtainium” for the mineral they were seeking on Pandora.

Planes landing opposite of the usual direction as we waited for the bus. Ray says this happens only about 3 days out of the year when the winds change to a southerly direction.

After out big lunch, I wasn’t even hungry for dinner and only had some ice cream.

Pictures from top: sunrise over diamond Head Crater; Punchbowl Crater from Aloha Tower; Aloha Tower where we docked; picture of the SS Lurline from 1948; Ray and the meal that he thankfully DID NOT order—squid with salt and pepper!

More Jagged Mountains

Last one is of the zigzag path the Captain has to guide us through to get out of the harbour here at Nawiliwili—Ray is on the forward deck now helping him guide us through—without the Captain’s knowledge, of course. Ray feels THINKS he is indispensable for this purpose. : )