January 4th Germaine's Luau

By going straight from our Poi Factory light lunch to the luau site, we were in good time to get front row seats at a picnic table front and center to the stage. We sat across from a very nice couple and gave them our drink tickets. We also met a military couple in the next table who were entertaining a set of their parents. I wanted to be there before the buses got there. That gave us the best shot at a good seat. The only down side to that was that the tables with the best views are the last tables to have a turn at the food. (That is, unless there were children in the group, they had families go first)

The luau site is in a very non-atmospheric industrial area outside Honolulu, though there is a nice shopping area not too far away. Once we were on site the screening trees blocked the industrial elements though and allowed us to get in the spirit of the occasion. It is right on the beach, although the beach is roped off with signs asking guests to stay off the beach. While Harry was getting us some sodas I took some photos at the beach.

Front row tables are for traditional seating on the ground

After the busloads of diners arrived the preliminary show began. They did the procession of the 'king and queen' and the blowing of the conch shell to the four directions.

Then we were invited to view the opening of the pit where the luau pig was being roasted. I took video of that so I only have one photo.

After the roasted pig was carried off to be served up there was some entertainment while the food was being set out. After some wait, we were finally allowed to go line up to get our food. An attendant put us into what he identified as the best line, but it didn't turn out to be so wonderful when we finally got to it.  While we waited I took a few sunset photos.

 We were literally among the last few to go through that line and there were several dishes that were literally gone, and the staff not only not making any effort to replenish the items, they were snatching the almost empty pans of food out from under our noses to consolidate them onto the next line over that already had enough of everything. Our line was out of pineapple slaw, Lomi salmon, and chicken long rice, The few that came behind us got even less selection as the offerings were taken away before they could get any.

I was able to get the things I most wanted to eat though. I asked for slaw and they brought some over, and I skipped the other items that were gone. I had plenty to eat and what I had was tasty. I thought it was interesting also that they made a big point of saying anyone could o back for seconds, but to wait until that was announced so everyone else could get their firsts. Perhaps that announcement came while we were finishing up getting our firsts, because I never heard an invitation to go back. (Not that I needed more)

When we'd had a chance to eat about half our plateful the main show started. The dancers were really good and the show was very well done.  I got lots of videos,but few photos because of the darkness and the motion of the dancers. My new Samsung camera is awesome in low light conditions.

The show ended promptly at 8 pm. We left fully satisfied for food and entertainment. Harry especially enjoyed the whole experience.

New Year's Day, 2015 Catamaran Sail, Cheesecake FactoryThere

The firecracker guy living in the apartment building across the street from us kept busy setting off strings of firecrackers every ten minutes after midnight until after one in the morning, so we were glad to sleep in just a bit, but we didn't sleep in too late. Harry wanted to take me up to look at the boat he was considering buying, so we grabbed breakfast on the fly from Jack in the Box and headed towards Schofield Barracks which is near where the guy with the boat lived.

Unfortunately, even though the boat was pretty wide for a 22 foot boat, I still couldn't visualize living in a space that small for more than a week or two. We decided not to pursue the idea further. I told Harry I hadn't really wanted to live in Hawaii two months of every year anyway, I would like to have more variety to our travels, and thought we needed to try housekeeping on a small boat we already have before we invest in another, in case we don't end up liking that life after all. I appreciated his efforts to find a way to bring us back to Hawaii, and I will regret it if we can't come back every again, but that still doesn't make me want to jump in and buy the boat he was considering.

We headed back then and got ready for our afternoon adventure using the Go Oahu cards our two youngest sons got us for Christmas. They got the three day version, so our plan was to use New Year's day, Saturday and Sunday to do activities using the cards. Earlier in the week I made the reservations for all the activities, including an afternoon sail on a Catamaran in Honolulu Harbor.

Makani Catamaran

The boat turned out to be first class, good sized and in sparkling shape. We had soda instead of the complimentary alcoholic beverages. As soon as the safety briefing was done we got underway and I went up top and found a spot in a sharp curve of railing at the tip of one hull. I stayed there the whole time, taking photos and enjoying the bounce as we went over the storm generated swells on our way back.

The only disappointment was that we didn't see any whales, dolphins or sea turtles (honu). We saw a school of tiny fish that jumped out of the water like flying fish but that was it. The stormy weather may have been a culprit, though. We could see stormy clouds over part of the land.

When we got back, we went back to the hotel and set right out to walk down the street to the Cheesecake Factory. Kevin and Jessica and kids gave us a generous gift certificate.  We got there close to 4:30 and in spite of there being a number of people waiting, we were able to get seated within about 5 minutes. By that time the line was three deep to the door and was well out the door by the time we left an hour and a half later. Harry had a platter with a few deep fried shrimp, seasoned mashed potatoes and a bit of steak. It was good, but not ample. I, on the other hand, ordered a triple decker BLT with the extra layer being big, fresh, plump grilled local shrimp. Heaven! The tomatoes were ripe, sliced thick and the bacon was as good as any I've had anywhere. The mayo was seasoned with herbs and all was cushioned by finely chopped lettuce on grilled bread. I had a salad with it.

Harry had the raspberry cheesecake for dessert and I had the Godiva chocolate with a base of flour-less chocolate cake and a layer of dark chocolate mousse as well as chocolate cheesecake. There were chunks of Godiva chocolate on top of the cake. It was decadent heaven. I ate it all, but felt stuffed when I was done. It was worth it though.

We cut through between buildings to the beach and walked along as the sun dropped towards the horizon. Harry hadn't been down to the beach with me at any time, let alone at sunset, so it was nice to have him there to see the sunset and listen to the cacophony of birds that come to roost by the hundreds in the Banyan tree nearby.

New Year's Eve in Waikiki-Shopping for swim fins

I didn't take a lot of photos or do much of anything too special on New Year's Eve day. I did a little shopping again, some more cookies from the Cookie Corner and a pineapple charm and some cookies from from the Honolulu Cookie Company.

I wandered over to the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center after trying to get the vouchers for our luau on Sunday. (Turned out they needed to be picked up on the day of). I got there just as a pair of singers and some dancers from the Polynesian Cultural Center started their morning show. I considered it a tender mercy that I was there just at that time since Harry flatly refused to use our Go Oahu cards to go to the PCC or to their Luau and dinner show. The cable guy told me they had some great new features, better food, and a new show that was excellent, 'The Breath of Hah'. I was disappointed, so it was really nice to get a little mini show. They always do a great job.

Statue at Royal Hawaiian Center honoring a queen's encouragement of education and literacy

Holiday decorations at Royal Hawaiian center

Singers perform on the stage at the Royal Hawaiian center

 I also made the rounds of several dive shops looking for some shorter fins to go snorkeling with. Another guest at our hotel had some swim fins that were short but not too wide. I did some research on the internet and got an idea of what I wanted. None of the shops had fins in my size and they were all rubber fins, so not very comfortable. My real crave is for some silicone fins I found on Amazon

Silicone fins

These fins are over $70 and that seems like too much for how often I might use them.

These fins are my second choice and more reasonable

Cressi Palau fins

These have good reviews for Snorkeling and run between $35 and $60. At $35 that seems pretty reasonable.

Reading reviews, I also learned about fin tethers used in case the fins come off in the water because they don't float and can be lost. I'm not likely to snorkel in strong surf conditions, but if I'm in deeper water and lose one, I wouldn't likely dive down for it, so tethers might be a good idea just in case. They are inexpensive.

I was able to ask questions in one shop that helped me realize that as tame as I am in my snorkeling I probably don't need fins anyway. They are good mainly for keeping safe in strong currents and can give a little advantage in not scaring away fish as much as using the hands to propel yourself does.  I decided to continue snorkeling wearing my trusty water shoes for this trip and keep the two fins on my Amazon wish list for the time being. I also got information that was helpful for keeping my mask clear. I was already using the technique she described at times, but resolved to get better with it. It involves pressing the mask against the face at the top and blowing hard with the nose to expel extra water. I'm not sure if there might be a better fitting mask for me, but I'm doing ok most of the time once I get a good initial seal. I just sometimes have a hard time getting that initial seal. I feel like the mask could fit a little better on the bottom side.

We had dinner in our little room and then went out for ice cream at Haagen Daz down the street. We returned through the shopping center inside the Hyatt Regency and around the Kings village, buying some fresh pineapple as we browsed the farmer's market set up there. The Kings Village shopping area is so fun and quaint and is on the same block as our hotel.

Since we aren't particularly part folk, we tried to find something to watch on TV and discovered there was no coverage of local fireworks, so Harry went to sleep. I was more restless and as midnight approached I went out on the balcony and saw lots of people, and families with young children hurrying to the beach. I knew there would be fireworks, but assumed they would be closer to Honolulu and not very impressive down as far as we were, so I didn't plan to go try to see them.

I could hear the countdown from a couple of directions and suddenly there was a loud roaring cheer a block away at the beach and the fireworks started with loud booms that echoed and reverberated from the surrounding buildings. After a minute or two I couldn't stand it and decided to head down and see if I could get a glimpse of them. I quickly pulled some clothes and shoes on, grabbed my hotel card and headed down to the beach as quickly as I could.

As soon as I got there I wished I'd brought my camera. The fireworks were every bit as view-able and impressive as other fireworks I've seen that are set off at home from a barge in the bay. This was also set off out in the water of they bay. The following photos are ones I got off the internet that are similar to what I saw and were taken also at Waikiki.

I loved the whole ambiance of that experience. Jubilant, rapt crowds packed the beach, the grass under the trees and the sidewalk to get a view of the show. To add to the exotic feel I was standing right beside a group from India that had instruments, drums and small cymbals, and were singing and chanting rhythmically in accompaniment to the explosions of fireworks. I've heard a lot of music coordinated to fireworks, but I liked this better, it had a feeling of reverent joy in celebrating the dawning of a new year. I so wish I had a recording of it, I loved the melodies and the accompanying instrumental and the spice and feeling it gave to the experience. They were dressed ethnically but not flamboyantly. They finished up after the fireworks and cheering for the  finale died down by chanting a Hare Krishna chorus.

I sat on a nearby bench while the crowds dispersed and just enjoyed the atmosphere. After a few minutes a couple seated on the next bench struck up a conversation. They were from far north in Alaska. We had a wonderful chat for 15 minutes or so. I basked in the multitude of cultures and ethnicities that surrounded me and the feeling of camaraderie with all of them celebrating the coming of the new year together.

This was for sure the most unique new year I ever celebrated!

12-30-14 Wednesday, Honolulu lights and Mission Houses

I scheduled a rental kayak for 2 in the afternoon so I could use my bus pass while it was still good to get up to Haleiwa. The plan was for Harry to come pick me up and take me to see the boat he wants to buy. I got on the bus to downtown Honolulu to catch the bus to Haleiwa. I had a big, heavy bag with me with everything I might need for the day. On the bus I got a call from the kayak  rental saying the wind was picking up and since I knew the forecast was for heavy winds and rain, we agreed to cancel and try again next week.

Since I was already on a bus that would stop where the Honolulu holiday lights display was, I decided to get off there and spend some time looking at everything and getting some photos. Harry keeps saying we will go see it at night, but he is always too tired, or maybe he's not as interested as he tries to sound. I was able to get off in just the right spot and spent a happy morning looking at everything. There was a whole building full of trees decorated to the theme of enchanted forest. I hadn't brought my good camera and I haven't been very happy with regular photos taken with my underwater camera, so I took photos with my Galaxy phone. The outdoor photos turned out well, but the indoor ones were not as good as I hoped.

After I got done there I crossed the street and had a look around the mission houses. I decided not to take the $10 tour, and was glad when it started raining hard as I headed towards the bus. I spent the rest of the day in the room.