HONOLULU

 

As this is our third time in Honolulu our plan is to spend as much time as possible lazing around by the pool and Waikiki Beach (which is just across the road - see photo 1), doing a little shopping (just kidding – a lot actually) and stuffing ourselves full of food at places like the Cheesecake Factory (also just across the road). As of Wednesday all is going to plan. Last night’s feast at the Cheesecake Factory left us so full that Phil couldn’t finish his dessert – a real first J.

Wednesday was our day for shopping at the Weikele Premium Outlets. We didn’t buy much – just the entire wardrobes for our grandchildren for the next two years. OK, that may be a slight exaggeration, but not much. When you get shops like Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy Hilfiger Kids, OshKosh, Polo Ralph Loren Kids, Sketchers, and so on Sue says you just have to buy stuff, especially when the discounts are up to 70 per cent.

On Thursday we did a tour of Oahu that was similar to one we did a few years ago but with some new stops (see photo 3 of us at a lookout). We had previously been to places like Sunset Beach on the north shore (where the legendary massive waves board riders love come in in January) and the Dole Plantation where pineapples are grown and the magic Dolewhip pineapple ice cream is made (and yes, we did have a very big serve each). But we also enjoyed beautiful views of Hanauma Bay (see photo 2), the extensive mountain rainforest and numerous beaches as well as a tour of the Kualoa Ranch which runs horses and longhorn cattle.

Another new stop was the Byodo-In Temple, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the early Japanese agricultural workers of Oahu (see photo 4). The Temple is beautiful and the periodic sound of the bell creates and wonderful atmosphere of tranquillity.

We also saw a lot of golf courses, which prompted our guide to tell us that Oahu has 40 golf courses and makes more annual income from them than from all its agricultural products combined. As sugar has disappeared and pineapple growing will cease soon they are investing in even more golf courses for the future. It seems that one thing we have learned from most of the places we have visited on this holiday is that, when all else fails, get into tourism.

Speaking of tourism we were lucky enough to be here for the third annual Pan Pacific Festival which is a huge street party right outside our hotel (see photo 5). Performers come from all around the Pacific rim and we saw some great acts such as brilliant Japanese drumming group. There was every kind of food from Pacific Island countries and Asia that you can imagine. Lucky us to able to just walk outside and join in!

We go home tomorrow so there isn’t much more to say. We hope everyone has enjoyed reading our blog and we are looking forward to catching up with you all. See you soon.