Hanging out at Waikiki . . .

---

It is our last day with the ship docked in Honolulu. First thing this morning, a group of us went to visit Pearl Harbor. (See my last entry for that visit.) We finished there in the late morning. Our plan for the rest of the day was to hit up Waikiki!

We took the bus across the city. It felt so “normal” to take the bus! Working on a ship really makes you savour any moments that make you feel “normal” - even riding a city bus.

We arrived in Waikiki and spent some time just wandering. We walked through the International Market Place - an area packed with booths and shops all geared to the millions of tourists who visit Waikiki. I did most of my souvenir gift shopping there.

Then we stopped for lunch. We went to a restaurant called Duke’s. Though we were in the middle of the restaurant, our table was under a little cabana-like roof. It was fun. And the view was awesome! The restaurant opened up right onto Waikiki Beach. It was so beautiful. Once I’d ordered my food and drink, I kept wandering outside to soak up the view.

With food and drink out of the way, we went back out for a couple more shopping stops. A couple of the girls really wanted to get some surf shop clothes. I picked up a couple more gifts - and papaya seed dressing, which I now love! I tried it a couple days ago and it is sooooo good.

Then it was time to enjoy the beach. I’d been in Hawaii a week and I’d yet to go in the ocean!! Shameful, I know. But I’ve been doing some great stuff that just hadn’t yet included the sea. The beach was packed. Of course. It’s Waikiki. We found a small spot of space and laid out in the sand for a bit. But the sun was super hot, so I was far more into the water. I’d like to say that I swam, but the waves were quite big and the current was strong. So it was more like I went in the water and then was pushed and pulled around by the waves! But it was so nice. The water was warm but refreshing. The sun was shining. Further out in the water, there were surfers and paddle boarders and people in sea canoes. At the far end of the beach stood Diamond Head Crater. I wished we could have had more time there. We only had a couple hours on the beach before it was time to head back to the ship.

Out in the water, looking around, I understood why everyone wants to come to Waikiki when they go to Hawaii. I loved it.

But . . . Waikiki is also extremely packed and busy. Even if we’d had more time there, I know I would have wanted to go somewhere else too. It was beautiful and it was fun. But I’m so enjoying all of the hidden jewels and quiet but dramatic scenery we’ve been finding everywhere else. While returning to the ship meant leaving a great beach day behind, we would be sailing on to more adventures.

As we set sail from Honolulu, a humpback whale was swimming near the ship. The sun was setting as we pulled away. It was a lovely farewell to Oahu.

---

Comments

[swills82]

You saw a whale! Jealous! Looks like you had a lovely time in Hawaii. What great itineraries you've had this time! Bet it was nice to see something other than the Caribbean!