Thanks to Covid-19 it’s been three years of dashed plans and ongoing disappointments but here we are, at last, in downtown Waikiki waking up from our first, very long and taxing day of travel….to the sights sounds and temperature of this beautiful tropical island. And it sure does seem strange.
After jumping all the hurdles and requirements to travel these days (ESTA applications, Vaccination certificates, PCR tests, Attestation documents and the rest) we finally boarded QF103 bound for Honolulu to begin the journey.
It was really an opportunity to catch up with Erin, but also to get back into that travel experience. We haven’t seen Erin since 2018 and the suggestion was that we meet in Hawaii (half way between Sydney and Vancouver) for a week of family and fun …..in the sun. And Mike and Wendy, who haven’t been to Hawaii before, were “up for it” as well. The firm back together.
All was quiet at the airport (unusually quiet after the Easter debacle) and we were also afforded the luxury of the Business Lounge as the two Wendys were travelling Business class as birthday gifts. And the boys were in cattle class….say no more!
It was only 9.5 hours but it was a reminder of the rigours of hurtling through space at 39000 feet and 900 kilometres per hour, with 250 or so other souls, cramped up in miserably tiny seats, wearing masks and suffering in silence. We’ll, not exactly silence! When the powdered eggs and chorizo sausage for breakfast came out there were a few exclamations….and not just from me!
But we survived and arrived, safe but somewhat “second hand”. Cleared customs, found a taxi and in no -time we were deposited in the foyer of our very nicely appointed and recently renovated hotel, the ‘Alohilani Resort. It overlooks Waikiki Beach…and even has bidets!?🤔
There she was to meet us, our “prodigal daughter”, with gifts and leis and lots of hugs and kisses. So nice to be back together in person. She hasn’t changed, but apparently we have “aged”….not surprising after that flight! Jet lag will do things to you, even travelling Business, but, having arrived before we left (yes, that International Date Line takes some serious thinking about) and feeling a little “less than fresh”, we proceeded to pack two Wednesdays into one.
We spent the rest of the day catching up, orienting ourselves and recovering as best we could. Lunch at the “Cheesecake Factory” and, after a swim at the beach and an arvo rest, an American sized dinner at a flash bakery in the old International Market Place. It has been demolished and re-vamped since 2012 when we were here last. Very noticeably “up market”. During the day I was disappointed that the man with the Macaw on his shoulder who loitered around the entrance cadging tips from tourists for photos with a macaw seemed to have disappeared, along with the demolition of the old Market Place. But, in the evening, I was relieved to see the birds back …… and even more of them. They also seem to have become more “up market”.
It was also time to come to terms again with this tipping business, and that peculiar American “dance” that is…..paying the bill. But, when in Rome….
I wasn’t intending to Blog this time, but this morning, after a very good night’s rest and early investigation of the area……and after a morning coffee and croissant whilst gazing out at the view of the beach from our room, it just seemed….well, appropriate.
Today is a “free” day. Late get up, brunch and do whatever you want, but over the next few days there are some activities planned…..maybe involving outlets shopping….and golf….but more of that later….as time permits.
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