"The Party's over" last day at Waikiki before a 3:00 am Wake-up

Alooohaa:

Wow, our 2 month travelling adventure is coming to an end with a 3:00 am wake-up call for our long return flight home.  Let's hear it now....ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!  I know you feel so bad for us.

Who said you can't sightsee for $5.00???

Waikiki is a long sandy beach with towering hotels,streets of many leveled shopping extravanga malls, international market, ongoing entertainment, bars & ABC stores (mini market/gift shops on every street & mall).  I refer to it as - "Aloha bring cash" store. Tours coming out of your ears and no time to relax for the weary.  It has been an experience and I have tried to squeeze as much as I could in our short stay.  The Polynesian Cultural Center was very entertaining and with a guided tour, I saw it all.  It was a full day of walking to see it all.

At this point, Sandy got a flu bug and has retreated to our suite for 3 days.  This is the first morning she went down for breakfast since Mon.  I bought her some crackers etc. for nibbles but she was not interested in anything to eat.  So I have gone off on my own or met up with Vi & Grant.

Tuesday, the Submarine Tour was okay.....you sit in a man-made sub (made for this tour) like sardines peering out the port holes, craning to see colorful fish, etc.   There was a lot of emptiness between fishies but we did manage to see lots overall, some turtles, sunken ship and airplane wrecks...little dissappointing but it saved me from going snorkeling.  It has been cooler & windier than normal here.

Wed. I ventured off on my own on the City bus @ 8:00 am to entrance of Diamond State Park...boy what a gruelling & strenuous hike that was.  It is a 15 min. or so walk up to the Main Parking Lot (walking through the Kapahulu Tunnel), pay your $1.00 park fee and away you climb from the crater floor (200 ft) to the summit (761 ft).  Whew! and Whew!  You are on a dirt trail with numerous switchbacks up the steep interior slope, then 74 concrete steps leading to the 1st point (and rest for me) pass through a dim lighted 225 ft long narrow tunnel, 2nd set of 99 steps, another shorter tunnel, 52 steps on a spiral staircas to the entry to the Concrete Bunker (used for Military Coastal Defense of O'ahu in 1904).  You exit to the outside through a slit (once covered with Metal shutters) with another 54 metal stairs to the summit.  Yeah....puff, puff!  (Apparently that all adds up to 271 steps, so I read).  You are right at the top with a commanding 360 view & what a view it was.  Worthwhile, but it is something you only need to do once in your life....and boy, I DID IT!

Not done yet, I took another City Bus to Hanauma Bay and viewed the snorkellers from the above viewing station.  Looked like more people in the reef than fish but who's to say.  It was windy so I was happy to keep dry and warmer knowing I had seen the same type of fish via the submarine.  (Cheater, cheater but time is wasting).  Back again on the City bus for a 45 min ride weaving through the villages enroute to Waikiki. I was proud of myself....all this sightseeing for $5.00 for 4 1/2 hrs of fun.

Last night, I went for dinner and a show - "Society of Seven" playing at the Outrigger Waikiki.  What a way to top off our trip....seven men singing, playing numerous instruments dazzling us with their classic impersonations of Elvis, the Rat Pack, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Beattles, comedy acts as well as Broadway show tunes.  They were so entertaining.  Quick costume changes to set the scene, shut your eyes and they were 'who they were impersonating'.  They picked 3 men out of the crowd to become Elvis stars and that was hilarious.  Also had 3 women on the stage for 3 separate times....1 to jive, to shimmy, and one was for the Beauty with the Disney Beasts.  Good fun and great show to watch.

This afternoon, I am winding down with my last tour....North Shore   12:30 - 6:30 so I am looking forward to that.  It is a part that Angie said I must see, so I am doing as suggested.....  I contemplated taking a city bus, but there is no time to waste and I want to know what I am seeing.  I am all for Guided Tours when you don't have a car.

So, my family and friends, it has been a slice sharing my trip with you....until we meet face to face, this is it on Carole's trip Downunder and Waikiki........Alooooooohaaaaa!

Carole