Category Archives: Hawaii

Hawaii – Day 4 of 43

The Hawaiian Royal Family – Iolani Palace.

We had another good day today, going to the Palace.  We joined the tour at 10 am and were asked to put on shoe covers to protect the floors and to not touch anything – wall, door, railings, artifacts as we toured the building.

Shoe covers - such a fashion statement. Gorgeous, but they did have grippy soles like those d socks children and adults wear around our houses. So seemed logical.
Shoe covers – such a fashion statement. Gorgeous, but they did  have grippy soles like those bed socks children and adults wear  around our houses. So seemed logical.
In the most important area in the Palace where the coronation was held for one of the kings and the taking down of the Queen. Restored furniture.
In the most important area in the Palace  where the  coronation was held for one of  the kings and the  taking down of the Queen, and as a result the whole Hawaiian Royal Family.                                                                                   Restored furniture
Cast Iron statue on the stairs in the main entrance hall.
Cast Iron statue on the stairs in the main entrance hall.
Original hinges on all the doors - just magnificent.
Original hinges on all the doors – just magnificent.

After we had done our tour we walked outside and saw some of the beautiful grounds and then across the road and photographed the King and saw some more local birdlife.

King
King

We then taxied to another area near the old Sheraton which is now called the Westin Moana Surfrider, and had some lunch.

Me on the beach at Waikiki.
Me on the beach at Waikiki.
Beautiful day for beach watching
Beautiful day for beach watching

Hawaii – Day 5 of 43

Pearl Harbor

imageSpent a very hot day at Pearl Harbor today visiting the memorial of the Japanese attack on 7th December 1941.  So many young lives were lost and such a hugely devastating, crippling strike on the US Forces stationed there.

USS Arizona remains in the water.
USS Arizona remains in the water.

There were fish swimming over the wreck under a constant film of grease and oil on the water’s surface.

imageLater we caught the bus over to the USS Missouri was the site for the Japanese surrender on     September 2nd, 1945, in the Bay of Japan.  We had a tour on the deck and below with a Battleship Tour Guide and saw the way the ship had been laid out when it was in service.

Japanese Pilots
Japanese Pilots
USS Missouri, moored in Pearl Harbor. Note the teak deck to keep the ship cooler below decks and as a non slip surface on which to work.
USS Missouri, moored in Pearl Harbor. Note the teak deck to keep the ship cooler below decks and as a non slip surface on which to work.
Here we are melting on at the beginning of our tour of Mighty Mo. Standing beside a sign which says Piso Majado - which sounds a whole lot funnier in spansih than English - Wet Floor
Here we are melting on at the beginning of our tour of Mighty Mo. Standing beside a sign which says Piso Mojado – which sounds a whole lot funnier in spansih than English – Wet Floor

Hawaii – Day 3 of 43

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Aloha, and welcome to Day 2.

We had a full day today but in a good way. We went to the buffet breakfast and got our money’s worth. After breakfast we walked a few blocks to catch the bus to the Al Moana Shopping Centre. It’s hot here – 27-32 degrees due to the hurricane in the north east and this is creating “Vog” – not sure what it is but it comes from the Big Island and sweeps west. It looks like thick cloud or fog. But I dont know why it is Vog yet. Have investigated but not answer yet.

Took a few pics today around the hotel and found a few patterns in the buildings. imageimage
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We went to the Al Moana Shopping Centre – and found a huge range of shops and label shops. Beautiful stuff.
Then it was lunch in the food hall and a bus back to our hotel. Sleeps in the afternoon overrode the need for a swim. Its Monday – Labour Day and the hotel is not full but there are a large number of guests. About one third of them will leave tomorrow so I expect the pool will be less crowded. We are visiting the Pearl Harbour memorial park tomorrow.
Saw the site of where the boat left from in the Gilligan’s Island series.
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Beginning to unwind more now. The jet lag is subsiding and I am getting used to the heat. Didn’t bring enough T-shirts – oh, dear, I may have to buy a couple of tops – such a shame. hahaha. Not a bad place to visit, Hawaii. Mohala for reading my blog. Feel free to comment.

Had a laundry day today and also went to the gym

Hawaii – Day 1 of 43


This drink bottle was in the foyer of our Hotel, The Embassy Suites, with ice cold fruit flavoured water, waiting for us.

imageWe have arrived.  It really is a long way from Perth to Honolulu.  However, the tropical delights that await us are wonderful. We can see the Pink Palace Hotel on the beach from our window. After some more sleeping – we will venture out.  Our poor bodies think it is 4:30in the morning, however local time is 10:30am.

Thankfully we had an early check in, and we will have a late checkout when we leave. Its hot and sunny and humid, as one would expect. Staff on the flight were wonderful and the flying experience in Business Class is worth a look.  I don’t care if I dont fly Business again, but if I dont I will be spending money on a hotel room in a hotel somewhere on the way somewhere else.

We were very thirsty on arrival and so we able to have a drink of the fruit water. We were then presented with beautifully chilled, guava juice. So lovely.

Below Left – Diamond Head overlooking Waikiki Beach.

Below Right – Hula dancers outside our hotel.  Beautiful, gentle rhythmic moves.  Lovely to watch, quite moving.

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These girls Hula-ed with a mile on their faces the whole time. Just a delight to watch.

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After we had walked around for a while we went down to the beach to get some happy snaps and enjoy the whole tropical experience. Palm trees, water lapping, bronzed/ pink people and Here we are on Waikiki Beach, our first day in Honolulu. We went out for dinner at Roy’s tonight and had a tasting plate. It was fantastic. We walked down to the beach – all of about 500 metres.
We had the obligatory beach shot and then headed out for tea.

Well we are on our way!

imageThis is the new Business Lounge for Qantas in Perth

My first time in Business Class.  Not bad, quite enjoyable in fact.

I had time for two movies and roasted almonds and a beer before lunch.

The lunch was a beautiful steak with wasabi sauce and asparagus, accompanied by a rosemary and parmesan stuffed mushroom. Beautiful.

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The Business Lounge in Perth

Arriving in Sydney

Bussing to the International Terminal

Business Boarding  Pass