Travels To Hawaii, Days 8 - 10
We are home! I will try to squeeze the last three days into this post. Somewhere along the way I have lost a day and can't seem to find it. I think it has much to do with the six-hour lapse of time between Hawaii and Georgia, which was great going out there, but brutal coming home.
These final days were spent at Waikiki which I understand to be rated as one of the premier beaches of the world. I agree it is a spectacular sight, the endless stretch of sugary sand against the backdrop of azure waters and baby blue skies. We stayed at the Hale Koa, a major upgrade from my usual La Quinta or Holiday Inn. Waikiki is a bustling, frenetic place certainly popular with the young, rich, and beautiful crowd. If the rest of Hawaii could be compared to traveling the speed limit, then this place would equate to breaking the speed limit big time. And it was a nice experience for a couple of days. But were I to live on this Island, I'd take the laid-back and easygoing North Shore. I liked the sign posted at an eatery up there, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem". Of course, in Waikiki the sign would likely vary to read, "No Shirt, No Bra, No Problem".
At 11:00p.m. we walked the streets, visiting shops and bazaars as if it were mid-day. Along the way I watched a street dancer, had my picture taken with a guy dressed in newspapers, found myself solicited by several interesting folk of the legal and not-so-legal varieties, and even saw a guy walking around painted gold from head to foot.
I will be processing this trip for months. It has been a great time of fun and rest. Thanks for indulging me with this string of blogs. Soon I will be catching up with the rest of you, and look forward to great times ahead.
Here are some miscellaneous photos along with brief comments.
Is that Tarzan?
There is a story behind this photo. Walking along the beach, I spotted a lady lying on the beach in her bra! I was with my wife, and knew it was not nice to stare, but it still seemed so strange. So, I suggested to my wife that she take a picture of me. I eased my way next to the lady and posed. Can you believe my wife intentionally took the photo so as to leave the intended subject out of the picture? She did this twice!
Checking out a gun at the military museum
I think this thing is loaded...
Our hotel
Banyan tree. These are amazing trees, like nothing I have seen before.
Sculpture of dinosaur, seems to be made of driftwood. This was at the San Francisco airport.
Evening view from our porch, first 7 days. Personally, I prefer this view to anything Waikiki has to offer.
American flag, flying proudly over the Pearl Harbor Memorial. A powerful reminder of the glory and cost of victory.
