Gouda's Cheesewheel

Friday and Saturday--around Waikiki and Honolulu

Friday was our first whole day on the island. We began with a stroll down Kuhio street to find breakfast. We had Korean Barbecue from a small take-out place a few blocks away (I had bibimbob and Brent had portuguese sausage and eggs). On the way back we scouted out scooter rental places and prices.We spent the mid-day at the Honolulu Zoo, very near our hotel, and the afternoon playing in the ocean with boogie boards. By then we were quite hungry, so we went and changed, then found dinner. After much wandering around we ended up at a steak house which wasn't bad. Had lobster, crab, fish and the like.
That night we found a small karaoke bar and had some fun with the regulars there. They caught us doing the Time Warp (see photos). Afterward we migrated briefly to another bar with live music, where a slightly older generation had apparently gathered to dance. Fun people watching was had, but after we finished our drinks it was time to go to bed.

Saturday we got up somewhat early to catch a shuttle to the flea market. It wasn't as impressive as Brent remembered; mostly we found discount versions of the same souvenirs found everywhere else. Nonetheless, I managed to secure a couple of items I'd been wanting to buy anyway at a slightly better price, plus we found some tasty food, so the excursion wasn't all for naught.

We had arranged a return shuttle to Waikiki and our hotel, but after the driver dropped a couple at the airport we were the only passengers, so we asked if we could be dropped at the Bishop Museum instead. She was happy to oblige, so we spent the rest of the afternoon there. We split a small teriyaki bowl for lunch, then saw some exhibits about the Hawaiian volcanoes before going to watch the lava demonstration. They actually created lava in a furnace, and after a presentation about volcanic rocks they dumped it out for all to see!

Other highlights at the museum were a travelling exhibit on the giant Megalodon shark, antiquities donated by Hawaiian royalty of the mid-1800s, and a storytelling presentation about the early Hawaiian rulers.
We finished our visit in the Polynesian Hall (unfortunately the Hawaiian Hall was being renovated), which had artifacts from and information about various Pacific Island cultures.
With the help of the museum employees we located a bus stop and walked there just in time to catch the city bus back to Waikiki. A stop at the post office for stamps, then we meandered back, also stopping to make a reservation at "Top of Waikiki," a revolving restaurant. Back at the hotel we cleaned up and I put on a dress-type garment (wearable at least 21 different ways) and Brent put on a nice shirt, and soon it was time for our dinner reservation.

The restaurant rotated slowly, but we got a couple of 360 views of the area before our meal was over. Dinner was fantastic; we decided this was our anniversary dinner (since our actual 2-year anniversary is on Wednesday) and splurged on an appetizer and dessert, as well as a photo since there was a photographer walking around offering them. Unfortunately I spilled chocolate fondue on my new dress, but it came out pretty easily in the hotel sink. Full of ceviche, duck l'orange, swordfish, and fondue, we retreated to our temporary abode to prepare for the next long day ahead.

posted by Greta @ 8:37 PM