Return to Hawaii

We returned to Honolulu, again this time partly on CNA's dime, in August '06. We stayed at the Aston Waikiki Beachside Hotel again, this time on the top floor. The location is so amazing for the price! We visited Diamond Head again on this trip, but this time we walked from our hotel all the way to the top of the crater instead of getting a cab to the park entrance. We also rented a convertible for a day and drove up to Kahuku on the North Shore, where we ate shrimp from a truck and rode horses on the beach.  It was my first time on a horse, and I really liked it. Also on the drive, we went through Kane'ohe and revisited the Japanese style temple at the graveyard there. We ate in several restaurants on this trip that we liked last time (Legend Seafood Restaurant, Duke's, Tiki's at the Aston Waikiki Beach, Ocean House at the Outrigger Reef, and the Surf Room at the Royal Hawaiian) and also tried some new favorites (notably the Hanohano Room at the Sheraton and the Banyan Veranda at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider -- both terrific!). We got to visit the Ala Moana shopping center when Andreas's phone died and needed to be replaced. There were numerous parades on Kalakaua Ave this time, most interestingly the Japanese heritage parade at night. We also happened to see fireworks on Friday night for the King Kamehameha celebration.Man, I love Hawaii. If anything, Hawaii is underrated. I love Honolulu because it is a real city that happens to be on the best beach imaginable.

If anything, Hawaii is underrated