Posts Tagged With: Oahu

2013 Trip Two, Day 23, Oahu, March 2

Mughal Garden

Mughal Garden


Rebecca at Shangri-La

Rebecca at Shangri-La


Last day together

Last day together


Top of Diamond Head

Top of Diamond Head


Waikiki from Diamond Head

Waikiki from Diamond Head

March 2

Well, a bittersweet day. We had two glorious weeks with Sarah, Deb, Rebecca and Sarah but they are now at the airport for their flights home. We will miss their cheerful attitudes and sense of wonder at new experiences. Conversation at dinner will go back to the two of us looking at each other rather than spirited talk.

For their last day, several different activities were in store. Sarah and Sarah did some beach and surfing, less successfully than they hoped maybe but still an experience they were adventurous enough to pursue on their own.

They met Hayden Butler for some beach time also. Hayden is the son of pastor Amy Butler of Calvary Baptist Church in DC. Amy is a good friend of theirs. Hayden joined us all in the late afternoon for malasadas from Leonard’s bakery, some whirlpool time at Aqua Bamboo Hotel, and our final pizza and salad meal before we departed for the airport. Hayden is a freshman at UH studying art.

Deb and Ed climbed Diamond Head with about 16 gazillion others but were smart enough to start early before the heat and crowds arrived. The grade was steep but overall the hike was not overly strenuous. We separated for a bit but met for lunch and the malasadas pick up. (malasadas = portuguese donut without a hole.)

Chris and Rebecca went to Shangri-La. This was the home of Doris Duke, wealthy philanthropist. After her death, her home here (1 of 5 overall) was endowed as a museum focusing on Islamic art. The tour was enjoyable and educational but they could not take pictures inside so we only have two exterior shots for you. One is of the Mughal Garden, a microcosm of royal gardens found throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Sunday we revert to our old style of two people exploring the U.S.

Ed March 2 9 pm

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2013 Trip Two, Day 21 Oahu, Feb 28

Wow, three weeks so far.

This was a travel day flying from the Big Island to Oahu. We have been taking mid day flights. Makes it easier to make sure everyone is up and ready and we can not check in to new accommodations until 3 pm anyway.

So first brief impressions of Honolulu:
Heavy traffic. Oahu as I recall has just under 1,000,000 people, about 75% of the state’s population. Kauai, for instance, has less than 75,000.
The Asian influence is much more notable here, with a heavy influx of Japanese visitors.
There is some resemblance for us to South Beach. Major beach with nice walkway but much more in-the-water activity here instead of just sunning. Plenty of shopping, upscale and kitschy. It seems like there is an ABC store (sortimage

image

image of travel mini mart) on every corner.

We drove together to our small hotel two blocks from the main beach. We separated for the rest of the day; doing the beach, hot tub, or just walking around. At sunset here at the main beach, they blow a conch shell (Which we did hear previously) but also have a torch lighting and hula dance brief performance. Nice touch.

The effort to reclaim the Hawaiian culture is strong throughout the islands. It does help make this more unique and historical than just another set of beach towns.

Ed March 1, 6:30 am

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