Black Friday - Hawaii Style

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With a week and a half off work, I decided to put the time to good use and jumped on a plane over to Honolulu, Hawaii. I hadn't stepped foot on Hawaiian soil since the last Harmony flight on April 9th. I certainly miss all the brilliant layovers that I had with all my friends at Harmony, so to go back over was like visiting an old friend. The sights, sounds and smells - all so familiar.

The flight landed into Honolulu at 11pm. I collected my bags and went outside to get the tourist shuttle bus that takes you down into Waikiki. Roberts of Hawaii offers this service 24 hours and they drop you off right at your accommodation. I was one of the last stops and got off with a few other people. I was staying at a hostel as they are cheap and cheerful. Another passenger went the same way and we found out that we both work for the same airline. We chatted as we checked in and decided that we should go and have a quick beer. I went up to the dorm room to drop off my bags. A lot of the beds were taken and as it was dark it was hard to find which bed was free. I found a little lady who was awake and she told me that the bunk above her was open so I quickly made my bed up and then left the room. Bill and I went round the corner to a bar and enjoyed a couple of beers whilst listening to the sound of the waves crashing through the open windowed bar. Heaven.

I didn't get much sleep that night as people were up and about at 6am. I groggily got up at 8am and decided that I may as well head out and about. One mission for the day was to find some ear plugs. I couldn't trace down the ones I had at home but after a noisy morning I definitely needed some new ones!!! I walked along the main strip in Waikiki. Watching all the people playing in the ocean and sitting on the beach. Soaking in the warmth of the sun, lovely - just lovely.

I walked out to Ala Moana which is a big outdoor mall and one of my favourite hangout spots when I used to come. It's got a hugs Macy's, Shirokiya - which has yummy Japanese food and Long's - a drug store. Just the place to get my ear plugs. Afterwards I went back to the hostel and had a quick shower and chat with one of my room mates Stephanie from Switzerland. Then I was off out and went to International Market Place which has a food court which we frequented a lot. I had dinner and meandered my way back to the hostel.

I was exhausted after having had no sleep the night before. I popped in my ear plugs and fell asleep early. I woke a couple of times during the night. At one point I'm sure I saw a figure on the top bunk opposite me - however, in the morning there was no-one there and no signs of any disturbance. I must have been dreaming. It sure was a good sleep though, I woke at 9am and felt much more refreshed. Today was American Thanksgiving and it was a beautiful, hot and sunny day. I put on my bikini, packed a bag and went to Starbucks. Got a nice coffee and then headed to the beach for the day. Mid afternoon I was ready to move and went and got a nice cold drink. The shop next door was having a huge sale. I had a browse and got a few tops for two dollars each - bargain!!! I went back to the drink shop and got some perrier and white wine (sad not to have had Sheri with me) and went back to the hostel. I showered quickly and made up my water concoction and took it to the beach. I spent an hour or so just sitting watching the sun set and all the people enjoying it also. I went back to the hostel and met Stephanie and we decided to go out for dinner. We were going to go to California Pizza Kitchen but it was closed for Thanksgiving. We stopped at a post office and then went to Wolfgang Puck's for pizza. As we chatted, Stephanie talked about the other girls that arrived late the night before. With my earplugs in I hadn't heard them. I told Stephanie about feeling as though I had woken up and seen a figure in the bed opposite. She told me that indeed someone had come and slept there but only for a few hours. I must have had a pretty good rest that's for sure! We then went home to bed - we were both getting up early the next day. Stephanie was leaving for New Zealand and I was going to the Black Friday sales. The day after Thanksgiving gets the title of Black Friday and it is one of the biggest sale days of the year. Some shops open as early as midnight, others at 4am and then more at 6am. I was heading to Macy's which opens at 6am. The day before I got some local papers which have discount coupons in. I woke early on the Friday and checked out the hostel. I put my bags in a locker and then went to the bus stop. A bus soon came and all the shoppers were on their way. There was people scurrying around all over the mall when I got there. I made my way to Macy's which was already knee deep in line-ups. It was quite amusing watching all the people go through their lists of things to buy - many were doing their Christmas shopping.

At 6am the doors to Macy's were heaved open and the mob moved as one through the tiny openings. Inside, all dispersed - making their way to the different departments. I was quite happy going from one spot to another. I picked up a new pair of jeans which only cost 15 bucks after I used my coupon. I went upstairs and looked at the pillows. I have been trying to get a new pillow for ages and ages. I buy one which seems ok, get it home and it's just not right. Mike and I had bought one the weekend before but it was already making my neck sore. I found one in Macy's which was expensive but reasonable in the sale and with my coupon a great deal. So I bought it. I then had to carry it around with me the rest of the day - it's been worth it though, it's great.

I left Macy's and went to Shirokiya to get some food. Then I made my way from one end of the mall to the other. Looking in stores on the way. Once at the other end I left and walked along to the Ward Centre which is about 15 minutes away. Here I went into Nordstrom Rack, one of our other favourites. I didn't find anything this time. I then went to a Starbucks around the corner and sat outside watching the world go by and had a wee rest. From here I went to Ross', which is a store that has great deals but you have to dig through to find them. I sure did though, I found a bikini for 49 cence - can't do much better than that. I then made my way back to Ala Moana and went to California Pizza Kitchen as I just had to have a Thai Chicken Pizza before I went back to Canada. I sat by myself 😞 but thoroughly enjoyed my yummy pizza.

By this stage I was all shopped out and started the walk back to Waikiki. As I made my way I stopped at a bit of beach I hadn't visited before and enjoyed a wee rest. Then I carried on along the way. The sun was starting to set so I found a bench close to the hostel and sat there until it was time to go and collect my bags. I packed and then waited for my bus to take me to the airport. I was soon on my way. I got checked in and was lucky to make it on the flight as there was only a few open seats. However, I had one at the very back of the plane and when I got onboard I found out that no-one was beside me. As it was a night flight back to Vancouver, I got out my new pillow and actually slept most of the way back. Perfect, it was a great buy!

So that was my trip to Honolulu and the black friday sales. Great fun and so nice to be back somewhere so familiar. I hope to be able to go again some time.

Well, bye for now.

Lots of love xxx

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Comments

[Derek]

Beard Papa!
Lottie, it's like we were all there with you, looks like a super trip!

[SuJ]

Charlotte, thank you tons for blog..pics are amazing and your stories are simply fab..so true about visiting an old friend..I can't wait for my day..Hope you and Mike have a grand Christmas!!

[Shannon]

Fun!
Ok, so now I can't wait to go to Hawaii on the 15th!! Lovely pictures!