I got up early and went snorkelling at Hanuama Bay. Such a beautiful place, and great snorkelling. Unfortunately for us it was a little choppy and I managed to get completely sunburnt but it was awesome.
I met Caity, a really lovely Aussie chick from Canberra. We were each others snorkelling buddies and we spent a few hours chilling on the beach and chatting. I told her about some local food joints I wanted I check out and she was keen to come so the awesome bus driver dropped its off right by them.
Holy wow they’re amazing! I will do a local food blog but Ono’s, Rainbows & the blue hole in the wall are amazing. Plus Leonardo’s for donuts! Yum.
We walked home – was so long and hot! Got changed and spent the afternoon chilling & swimming at Waikiki beach.
Yard House for dinner – they have so many different beers! Largest draft selection in the world. I had lobster garlic noodles with prawns and crab. Didn’t realise lobster and crayfish tasted so different. I definitely prefer crayfish.
Aloooo – HA! That’s how they say aloha in Hawaii. Lots of emphasis on the HA! Not all nice like how we say it.
South shore sea cliffs was the tour of the day. I had seen most of it but there was a $20 feed a dolphin upgrade I was keen on.
Even though I’d been to most of the places before I learnt different information to the first time. A double decker bus we had the wind in our hair (and eyes) and the word DUCK kept being yelled at us. Not for the duck, duck, goose game, but rather for us to place out heads behind our seats so we didn’t get hit by tree branches!
Arriving at Sea Life Park for lunch, where we had hulihuli chicken, corn and rice.
Turned out we had to pre-book the dolphin feeding. I was so disappointed – I’d been really looking forward to it. They should give you the option when you call to book.
We did however feed some turtles and I got some great pics. The rest of the park is pretty average, there doesn’t seem to be much there. Put it this way, I’m glad it was included in the tour.
Home to change then pick up for the Luau! We did Germaines Luau, it’s supposed to be the better one on the island.
The bus ride was fun, our ‘Cousin,’ Kim, remembered all 46names of the people on the bus. It takes about an hour to get out there and she had us doing all sorts of crazy things.
There’s a photograph when you arrive, then you get lei’d and choose a table.
Straight to the bar! 3 cocktails were included. I was drinking Kool Aid or something. I saw the amaretto and that was me for the night.
You watch the guys pull the pig out of the ground – just like a hangi. Unlike a hangi though, the pig is the only thing cooked in the ground.
Entertainment begins, dances from the pacific islands – Tahiti, Samoa, Hawaii and the best – New Zealand! They have shows from NZ at all their pacific performances and I find it a little strange watching them from half way around the world.
The food was amazing, lomi salmon, teriyaki beef, BBQ chicken and of course, the delicious, melt in your mouth pulled pork. Lots of salads followed by cake and some desserts I don’t know.
I tried poi, everyone talks about it over here. It’s ground taro root with water and just looks like a mauve mash. Baby food consistency. Hawaiians love it and tourists hate it. I found it very bland. Not much taste.. Just goopy.
3 large (American free pour) cocktails later and the bus ride back was quite fun. Kim had us all pretend we were rowing a canoe when we passed the other buses which was hilarious. She was worth her tip for sure.
Straight to the pub when we got back, Duke’s was our first cocktail stop. We met some interesting people, including a chick from Vancouver, who I may catch up with when I get there.
Duke’s was a little slow and we heard Rum Fire at the Sheraton was going off, next thing we are attempting not to go drunk shopping on our way there.
Run Fire has great music. It’s a cool place and I had an awesome time there but you had to wait an age for drinks. Crazy. Also the people weren’t as open and engaging as at Dukes. Where at Duke’s Bar you will meet 10 people, there you’re lucky to meet 2.
Swaying home I needed a cheeseburger. I was freaking out that Burger King didn’t have cheeseburgers as it wasn’t on the menu! It was on the kids menu, maybe that’s why I managed to drop tomato sauce and mustard all over my dress.
I took a day off from tours to recover. Spent the day wondering around Waikiki and my friend Linby arrived at lunch! Really excited to have a friend here.
We went to the Ala Moana Mall for lunch – it’s the 15th biggest in the US and its MASSIVE! I can’t imagine how big the other 15 are.
Lunch was awesome – I had a poke plate – raw tuna with salad and rice. Delicious – I could eat it every meal.
By the time we got of the pink trolley home it was time to get ready for our sunset cruise.
Beautiful evening out on the water, apart from for the few who were spewing overboard from sea sickness. Haha I shouldn’t laugh but it was a little comical.
We watched the sunset on the boat then the Hilton had their Friday night fireworks. They were awesome!
Back on land, Hard Rock Cafe was our first stop for cocktails and nibbles. Great live music as cool ceiling guitar display.
Walking to the next bar we got totally distracted shopping and were kicked out of Victoria’s Secret as they had closed 10mins earlier at 11pm.
Dukes was pretty quiet around midnight so we were off home for a decent sleep before tomorrow’s adventures
Up early for another adventure. This time around the North Shore on Circle the Island Turtle Tour with Hawaii Turtle Tours.
If you come to Hawaii, do this tour. Ask for David – he is the best tour guide. I fully recommend it and he is fantastic.
David taught us heaps of Hawaiian language on the tour and taught us a lot more of the culture. He gave us a great insight and added in heaps of little extras, even showing us his house.
We started off around Diamond Head, David pointing out house prices and facts along the way.
One of the highlights of the tour for me was going to an ancient Hawaiian sacred circle where he did a chant and blessed the two newlyweds. This was not part of the tour, just something extra he did for us.
The scenery is magic. Just stunning. You stop along the way for pictures etc.
Shrimp truck was delicious. I had butter garlic shrimp – it was $12USD and had generous servings of rice.
Turtle Bay Resort is beautiful however I wasn’t that impressed with the snorkelling. Coral is all discoloured and there were only a few tropical fish.
Turtle island Beach is amazing, as soon as we pulled up we could see a fuss on the shore so we ran over and sure enough there was a beautiful turtle chilling out. We just got pics before it left.
Dole plantation – I was super excited as the ice cream that this place is famous for was dairy free!! Yess! It was beautiful, melt in your mouth pineapple ice cream.
The only other solo traveller was a female in her 50’s, she is in Hawaii to run and it is the last of all the states in the USA she has to tick off on her list.
The best part for me was learning all about the ‘true’ Hawaii from David. Really insightful and considerate. Plus he looked like The Rock’s twin brother so I was happy as can be!
When we got home, it was straight up to get ready for my date. I met a lovely Hawaiian guy called Kyle and we went to Dukes for some drinks.
Japanese for dinner (surprise, I know) then sleep for a sleep in as I was exhausted!
I arrived at 11pm last night. My hotel room is huge and has a nice view. I was straight to sleep, excited to see Hawaii in the light of day!
I had a huge, full on day. Woke up at 9.30, walked to the beach. First thing I wanted to see! I wanted to have breakfast on the waterfront but the first few I arrived at weren’t doing it so I found some takeaway fruit. Sat down and made friends with a local who works at the beach. Nice guy, told me all they do is work, smoke weed and listen to music. That’s typical island life evidently.
Went for a walk around the beach, found some markets to browse and had my first experience of someone yelling ‘Hey Kiwi’ at me. Turns out he was from New York – so no idea how he aced that one but now lives here. We chatted for a bit and he asked for my number so I gave him my USA one thinking I would top it up later.
Lunch was amazing. Cool locations, Jimmy Buffetts. Great service. I had a tuna ahi salad and a mai tai mmm
Visited Apple to get my phone fixed – no luck, just a reset required. Nearly bought everything in Bebe but resisted.
Strolled around, got talked into a pedi – I was gonna get one anyway. Hilarious Vietnamese lady telling me not to get in a relationship before 30.
Walked around some more and a guy chases me down the street – he said he just had to say hello. Haha. Sweet guy, working on a video clip here with his cousins, from Brooklyn. Gave him my USA number. Said maybe I’d meet him for a drink later..
Went back to hotel, I’d run out of money! Had a mini nap and applied the back up on my phone.
Realised I had no plans for next week so went and booked some tours to keep me busy. Went for another huge walk and watched the sunset on the beach before settling in to watch a traditional show.
Met another guy walking back, he said ‘I must say, you look phenomenal in those shorts’ and I was all – Hello accent. Nice guy, he added me on Facebook.
Just went to get my dinner, the ramen place I had picked out seems to be the most popular in Waikiki! Line went for miles. Screw that, I was hungry. Passed a taco place, Surf N Turf Waikiki, so I had fresh fish tacos with guacamole. Thank goodness I did – it was amazing!!!
So, funny story, gave my US number to those boys and turns out it was inactive! Oops.
Have not the slightest clue how, but all the locals seem to know in Kiwi. The amount of times I’ve heard ‘Hey Kiwi’ or ‘Aotearoa’ today is crazy… I look just like any other tourist here!
Back to the hotel for a drink at the bar before bed.
6.50am pick up in the morning!
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