Day 2: A do-over at Waikiki - mind boggling

August 27: It's an International Dateline thing. It's still Saturday - because once wasn't enough, we get to do Saturday all over again - this time with the added bonus of @Mindy and @Ian and the #KeenCrew or #TheSquad

Found her!

Flying High

Sydney to Hawaii was 10 hours of down time- stockings, slippers, blood thinners, an aisle seat for exercise and toilet convenience, a book, puzzles, movies, special meals, snacks, a few wines and some zzzzzzs. MASKS were on hand but not mandatory on faces and fellow passengers were all similarly ensconced, shoulder to shoulder, in their noise cancelled world. 

@Mac immediately changed his watch to Hawaii time and made sure we caught some (very few) zzzzzs in preparation for the day ahead.

The "special pre ordered dietary required" meal arrived piping hot before everyone else's, but have to acknowledge that for the first two hours after the flight levelled out and headed north, it was a constant stream of snacks, drinks and meals. Not sure the rum nip was what @Mac pours himself at home but it was #Bundy.

Where’s the rest?

Have had concerns about being covid free and now travelling in confined spaces with lots of people. Wrapped my head in my scarf to try and make a little isolation tent because it really was a journey of nearly 9000 kms, 9 + hours and over 2 trillion coughs. Even the noise-cancelling headsets couldn't drown out the constant hacking - and I was haunted by those opening scenes of Contagion where the streams of infectious droplets spray from every cough.

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Taxiis and Tipping

Despite leaving Sydney late (and in darkness and rain) we taxied into Honolulu on time, in daylight and under a fire ball of sunlight. 

We were definitely very pleased at the prospect of being off Flight 103 and  out in the fresh air and sunshine 

A little surprised at the "Aloha walk" from Qantas to Border Security, luggage pickup and customs. Could have easily done with a packed lunch it was so far - there was even a transit bus we could have jumped on but seriously deluded ourselves into thinking the end had to be around the next corner. The airport is definitely in a "reawakening to tourism" stage with loads of unoccupied stores and a distinct damp, dank musty smell in all the carpeted spaces.

Welcome to Honolulu

Predictably, the taxi rank was another hike away from the exit but we were fortunate to jag an elderly, long time retired from his real job, expat South Korean as our driver. He thoroughly entertained and informed with topics ranging from cab licensing and costs and the impact of covid on tourism, to the importance of unionisation for fair pay to the history of the iconic spots on route to the Ilikai - our home for the next 7 days.

We lumbered into the foyer just after 11 and did a "sneaky" check of the room despite checkin not being until 4 pm. We knew the cleaners weren't expected until after 1.30. We had the access code so jumped in, did a change of clothes, connected to the WiFi to check messages and then promptly packed everything up and went back to the foyer and stored our luggage.

 @Mindy had been quite "prolific" in her attempts to verify that we had actually landed and was trying to get us on the catamaran for some snorkelling. Unfortunately we were just a little tardy on this one and had to miss out.

Footsore and head-over -heels adventures

Time to hit the beach and do some exploring. Took in the marina, the lagoon and the whites and blues of Waikiki Beach and then did a trek of the main drag to find a hole in the wall Vietnamese place for lunch. Back to the Ilaki for a refreshing dip in the pool and were excited to receive a message at 3 o'clock that the room was ready.

Beach walking

Pool fun

After upacking, a shower and employing every trick available to stay awake, eventually hit the road again to meet up with @Mindy and @Ian and the #Squad. This was not without its own set of challenges - we went to the wrong hotel, didn't have enough time to get to the meet up by the deadline, had no phone/data access to confirm new plan AND we were two very footsore soldiers.

We missed them at the Outrigger, but with careful detective work @Mac found them amongst the hundreds gathered on the beach for the evening hula show. Loved the hula show - troops of all ages taking to the stage to tell stories through dance. Young and old alike - all very graceful and alluring.

And the backdrop of course, was the spectacle of the setting sun .... absolutely stunning. 

The beach was packed at almost 7 o'clock to catch the changing colours as the sun seemed to just drop into the ocean.

That little stellar moment was only outshone by me  tumbling head over heels and falling flat on my face trying to take a few steps to get a better picture of the sunset. I was so embarrassed - didn't even make time to think - simply dug the new knee into the sand and pushed myself up. It's a miracle.

A tale of two ends of town

Talk about chalk and cheese. The Ilakai (or marina end) of Waikiki is a sleepy little collection of high rises in comparison with the Outrigger precinct. 

Oh my goodness, it is truly alive at that end of town. People, entertainment, shops, traffic, food, lights, gardens, highrise ... everything is running on steroids - so big and loud and over the top - with an endless vibe of fun, freedom and good times.

You have absolutley no idea which way to look, it is all mind boggling. And way too much stimulus for one day - need more time to take it all in.

Drowned rats

@Mindy to the rescue to get us set up with a mobile phone plan and an alternate shoe solution for painful, blistered feet. We threw in a quick visit to their spectacular over-the-sands accommodation and then we pulled the plug and started our trek home. 

Got sidetracked for dinner at a fabulous Thai restaurant (lucky to get a table ANYWHERE) and finished the last 20 minutes of our walk home in increasingly heavy rain.

Arrived back at the Ilikai very wet but still laughing because our "easy" day had turned into a marathon.

That was a real do-over - got to do Saturday twice! Been up for 36 hours now with about 4 hours sleep ..... looking forward to some zzzzzzs so that we can be ready and refreshed to celebrate tomorrow with the Birthday Boy.

Steps: 18550

Weather: 30-24 with evening shower