Diamond Head Crater

Our third day on the island began with scattered rains but I was hopeful. I put on my white beach dress and sandals and professed it would be sunny. My husband wore a polo and Bermuda shorts and was discouraged 

and doubtful so he changed into his army casuals. By the time we left the hotel the skies dried up. The shuttle bus offered us a ride to the aquarium and I insisted it be free since we planned to walk. He agreed so we tipped him generously. Fortunately for us we got veteran admission because he was wearing his army shirt and had his ID on him. My sister had a coupon. All about the savings! Admission is $9. Discounts were $6.

It didn't take long to your the aquarium especially if you don't listen to each audio tour lecture. We left and walked to the bus shelter to get bus to Diamond Head. 

The bus we waited on never showed so we asked the bus driver on a different route how to get there and he took us to the connection. That's when we saw the Kapoilini Gardens. It was free so we strolled and took pics. Then we walked to the bus shelter and waited. A female cab driver from Israel offered us a ride equal to the bus so we accepted and it worked out in our benefit because its quite a hike from where the bus leaves you. We saw a couple that walked pass by us at the very first stop and it was an hour prior. 

It was $1 to hike up the crater. It was steep and the sun pelted on our backs with very little wind or shade. But we did it in 20 minutes with breaks and we did the harder of the two routes. Oh yes we challenged ourselves, though not intentionally, lol! We didn't know there was an alternative route. My friends Jillian and Andre would have been proud. They are my hiking buddies. The view was breathtaking. Absolutely worth it!

We hiked back down and headed to the bus and a motor mouth taxi driver who told us his whole life story offered us a deal. He took us to an authentic restaurant that was super cheap ($40 for 4 of us) compared to the $90 we paid the day previously. He picked us up in an hour and took us to Leonard's to try malasados, a portuguese jelly filled donuts similar to a frech binet (difference is powdered sugar vs granular sugar) and the he took us to our hotel.

He offered us $50 a head to give us a tour of the entire island. Although he seemed very nice, my husband was very suspicious. In hindsight he was sketchy. He didn't have a working phone or a business card. My husband didn't want to be that tourist that went missing so he refused to go. My sister had no qualms with him so she said she would go. I try to stay out of conflicts so I plan on pacifying the situation by offering a greater and irresistable offer neither can resist. I found a ferry that goes to another island for the about the same price. At $39 per person to see another more beautiful island, who can resist?!!!

Stay with me and I'll let you know how it all works out. I have a busy day ahead so Ill get some shut eye and very soon add some photos. 

First impression

So I have been here two days now. My husband and I left CT on Sunday morning at 4:30am and drove to NY's JFK. We connected thru Los Angeles LAX and arrived 11 pm our time. Bags took a while to come and didn't feel patient enough to take the airport shuttle so we took a metered cab ($40). Driving to the hotel we recognized every chain store: Starbucks, Subway, Mcdonalds, Chillis, Dave and Busters, etc. We arrived at Aloha Aqua Surf and Spa, which looked exactly like it did online- Thank Heavens!

                                                  

I tend to avoid the Sheratons, Hiltons because they already have enough money and I just need a clean place to shower and rest. I don't plan to be indoors that much anyway. After checking in and quickly unpacking we went to the closest supermarket. The supermarkets we saw were Food pantry and ABC stores. The food was ridiculously overpriced. Think double. A $3.50 box of your favorite cereal was $7. A loaf of $3 bread was $6. Amazing!

We showered and went to bed and woke up very early because we are of course on east coast time. Our hotel has complimentary breakfast so we arrived as they opened and were not the first ones there. They served pancakes, boiled eggs, apples, oranges, rice, ham, cake, muffins, oatmeal and cold cereal. Better than the inns that just have bagel and pastry but still pretty mediocre.

Flossie was predicted to arrive and wreak havoc Monday and Tuesday and of course the news warned us to stay home and out of the water.

On some of the islands, the buses weren't running. I called Xtreme Parasailing to reschedule and the guy on the phone talked about 24 hours in advance and they weren't canceling until they heard from captain. I was going to call groupon and complain about the company endangering our lives but decided to go see where it was and complain in person. My husband, sister and I took the bus to Ala Monoa Blvd. It was $2.50 each round trip.

We found our way and rescheduled with no problem. Then the sun came out so we went to the beach after getting our lattes n mochas from Starbucks. The view was beautiful.

We idled somewhat

The water was very salty and the sand was so rocky. Maybe it was just that beach but I much prefer the beaches in Jamaica, Bahamas n Bermuda over here so far.

Afterwards we took the bus back to the hotel and freshened up and walked in the rain to get lunch. We went to a Japanese restaurant that said they were closed due to electrical trouble and he recommended another place near Burger King. So we walked in search of this highly recommended restaurant. It turned out to be ok tasting and expensive. Our waitress was nice enough, but she didn't return with the bill. Guess her shift was over and she never thought it necessary to explain to us.

I must say I am a lil disappointed. Its not at all what you see on tv. There is so much homelessness, even the birds look poor. My guess is anything overly touristy gets watered down over time. I haven't
enjoyed any food as yet. I'm going to give it one more try by going to
another island one day in my lifetime. I bet Maui is better. I'm remaining positive and looking forward to brighter days- literally.