Hawaii December 7-15, 2001 | |
| For some strange reason, early on in 2001, I decided to do a marathon. Why, I don't know. Just one of those things runners feel like they need to do. I decided that as long as I was going to do a marathon, I would do a destination marathon. I picked Honolulu. For company I chose my sister who had never been before. She was hesitant because she doesn't care for flying. After some convincing (I told her I would pay for it, that it would be a Birthday and Christmas present for the year), she was up for the trip. This is her account of the traveling we did - thanks Rikki. I am terrible at keeping track of things, and even worse at posting them. It took me 7 months to get the photos and story up (sorry everybody). Yeah, life happens. We had a great time. I completed my marathon, which was my only goal. The weather was very cooperative and the timing was perfect. There are more photos and I will add links to the additional photos, and hopefully it won't take me seven months to do so. Enjoy! | |
Hawaii
Trip Day 1, Friday, December 7th, 2001 up at 3:00 am.
Head out for the Airport at 4:00 am, flight leaves at 6:00 m. Landed in Oahu approximately 3:00 pm Hawaiian time. Check in at Maile Sky Court. Took the free Nike Shuttle over to the Waikiki Outrigger Hotel for Marathon Package pick-up, then we walked back to our hotel shopping along the way of course.About 6:00 pm we headed for the marathon Luau and Beattlemania Concert at the park. Crashed early, about 9:00pm.
Hawaii
Trip Day 2, Saturday, December 8th, 2001 up at 5:30 am.
We had a 7:00am OrientationBreakfast Meeting and Scheduling of Tours.Then we visited “Maui Divers Jewelry” and “Hilo Hatties”. At Hilo is where we bought are oufits for the next Luau. Then we had a late Lunch at the Outrigger on the Beach and took our first swim in the ocean.We also took photos here on this beach with the birds and Diamond Head in the background. On our way back to the hotel we grabbed some TGIF food for the room and were in bed about 8:30 again.
Hawaii
Trip Day 3, Sunday, December 9th, 2001 up at 3:30 am.
Marathon Day starting with fireworks at 5:00 am, then I walked over to the Nike Store which was the five mile mark to wait for Andrea to arrive and hopefully get some pictures.While waiting in the rain off and on, I did catch Andrea and then was off to rent a moped to try and catch her at the twenty-two mile mark. yes" Arrived there just in time, 9:25 took some pictures and headed back to the hotel to grab Andrea’s bag of clothes etc. and head for the finish line.Finish line 10:30 am just missed Andrea finishing but met up with her shortly after. We hung around the park while Andrea did some semi recuperating, and drank some beer.Back to the hotel for showers and off to lunch at Keo’s (Thai restaurant). Then shopped all the way back to the room, were Andrea napped and I sent postcards before changing for our next luau. Sunday Night, Sunset Dinner Cruise on the “Star Ship”. Beautiful views and great food, along with a nice bottle of wine and a very interesting Las Vegas style Show.
Hawaii
Trip Day 4, Monday, December 10th, 2001 up at 5:30 am.
Tour of the Arizona today left about 6:30 am, we toured the city and returned about 11:30 am. Went for all you can eat sushi buffet at “Todai” (to die for). Excellent food, drank way to much sake and beer. Shopped all the way back to the hotel. Bought way too much. Monday Night 4:30 pm we leave for Germianes Luau, which took us one and a half hours to get there. (due to traffic) But the show and dinner was well worth it in the end. Arrived back at hotel about 10:30 pm and went straight to bed. (Fast asleep – long day!).
Hawaii
Trip Day 5, Tuesday, December 11th, 2001 up at 6:00 am.
Packed for our all day Eco Tour and also we would be leaving for the other side of the island when we return later this afternoon. Tour bus picked us up at 7:30 am, drove around the outside of the island sight seeing, then stopped for some snorkeling on one beach, and a little further we boogie boarded. Stop for lunch at a local take out place where the food was excellent and the portions were outrageous. After lunch we headed up to Pali lookout where we hiked and got caught in the rain, actually a very big down pour at one point.Another very long day but we finished up about 4:00 to 4:30 and picked up our rent a car about 5:00 pm and headed for the North Shore, Bonzai, Pipeline and Waimanalo Bay. We arrived at the Turtle Bay Resort late about 8:00pm. After checking in we headed straight for the hot tub. (Smallest hotel hot tub I have ever seen. Our Jacuzzi at home was bigger than this one.) Finally shower, change and hit the bar for drinks and appetizers.In bed 10:30pm.
Hawaii
Trip Day 6, Wednesday 12th, 2001 up at 7:00 am.
We had coffee in our room. (Actually I should say we had an awesome room with two queen size beds, full closet outside bathroom change area and coffee pot etc. then a full bathroom with shower & tub. Not to mention the balcony and the view). Then we went down stairs for a lite breakfast and a walk around the resort. Absolutely beautiful!Then we packed up for the day and drove up north to site see and headed back with some small shopping stops and a quick fish taco at a small (almost a shack) on the side of the road.We saw some nice gallery’s including a candle Gallery. Then we grabbed some beer (local stuff) and a couple of pounds of peel’n’eat shrimp, sat on the beach and had a wonderful lunch. We headed back down south, stopping at Bonzai, Pipeline to watch some surfing and shell collecting. Continuing down we stopped at Waimanalo Bay Beach where finished our beer and took a swim in a beautiful sandy bottom cove with extremely clear water. Back at the Resort we waited on our balcony for the perfect sunset photo and of course a beer. After showering and changing we went down stairs for a nice dinner and bottle of wine and the resorts restaurant. After we had a nightcap at the bar and went up to bed.
Hawaii
Trip Day 7, Thursday, December 13th, 2001up at 7:30 am.
Started our day down south in Haleiwa for breakfast and shopping. (Today was mostly clouds and rain off and on all day).And traveled back, shopping along way back to the resort. Andrea had a massage and we went to the Resort bar for all you can eat Taco Bar and Margarita’s.The storm got windy enough to shut down the lights about 9:00 pm while we were still at the bar, so we were handed a flash light, grabbed a drink to go and took the stairs up to our room where we read by candle light. (Luckily we bought candles today).In bed about 10:30 pm, for one of our later nights.
Hawaii
Trip Day 8, Friday, December 14th, 2001 up at 7:00 am.
Checked out of the Turtle Bay and took the coast around the west side back to Waikiki Beach Honolulu area. First stop was Alano Mona Shopping Center with 230 plus shops and where we checked out Morton’s Steak House (see Menu). Did not eat there but would like to try the one located in San Francisco sometime. Then we were off to the Hard Rock Café where we had lunch and did some more shopping. Time 3:30 – 4:00 checked in to the Marriott for our last night.Took the rental car back and walked while shopping (yes more) back to the hotel where we showered and changed for dinner.Dinner at Duke’s Canoe Club (excellent fish dinner) and a couple of strong 151 drinks plus a nice bottle of wine(chardonnay) with dinner. After dinner we did yet some more shopping in the open market shopping area (this is where you wheel & deal like Mexico). Back at the Hotel we pretty much crashed. In bed by 11:00 pm by far are latest night.
Hawaii Trip Day 9, Saturday, December 15th, 2001 up at 7:00 am.
Off to the airport which you know how that can go. We actually had a pretty easy go of it, arrived a half hour early in LA, and found our ride just has we were getting our bags.
Final Note
What a good end to a “Great Trip”.I can’t thank my sister enough for the great experience of such a travel I would have never endured on my own. Thank you so much Andrea, and all my Love Rikki.