The Charming Trolley's of Waikiki

What's more tourist than doing a hop off/hop on bus?  I love them. They're a great way to see city and sights, and an easy way to get around for a flat fee, stopping at important/fun places.  Waikiki has a trolley, simply called the Waikiki Trolley, which has three routes.

The Blue Line: “Coastline / Diamond Head”

 

"The Blue Line is called “Coastline / Diamond Head” Line for a reason: It takes you to Diamond Head, one of the most iconic natural landmarks of Hawaii and through Kalanianaole Highway which is famous for its rugged cliffs and dramatic ocean-scapes."

 

Some of the stops are Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Diamond Head, Halona Blow Hole, and the Sea Life Park.

Going down the interstate highway (ha ha ha ha) in an open air trolley is really fun. :D

 

 

Red Line: "Heroes and Legends"

"Hawaii has its own story to tell those who are interested in listening. This is where the Red Line shines. This line takes you through Hawaii’s cultural and historical past, from the time of kings and queens through its importance in WWII and even the cultures that influence it to this day. Truly, a Hawaiian vacation is incomplete without jumping aboard the Red Line."

 

Stops include: Honolulu Museum of Art, State Capitol / ‘Iolani Palace, Punchbowl Crater, Chinatown, Downtown Honolulu, and Hawaii Theatre.

 

A really cool Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building. :D

 

Notable buildings around Honolulu plus a view point overlooking Waikiki.

It was raining so the view was a little misty.

 

Pink Line: Ala Moana Shopping

"Hawaii is the epicenter of the Pacific, and it shows: Asian cuisine mingling with popular American comfort food, high-end fashion alongside popular streetwear that suit everyone’s comfort and style. You can find all these throughout Waikiki, but your Hawaiian vacation isn’t complete without a visit to Ala Moana Center–Hawaii’s Center–where all things shopping and dining collide into a truly Hawaiian experience. So much so that Ala Moana isn’t just for visitors–it’s a popular shopping mall for locals as well."

 

This route goes around Waikiki, stopping near hotels and looping to Ala Moana, the largest open air mall in the world.

 

I found Harajuku style crepes!  I totally had one. Yum.

Where Gilligan's Island voyage started.

If they only knew what their three hour tour would turn into. :\

Mahalo,

Sarah

To Honolulu and Back

On the 12th of May I left for Hawaii.  After several attempts to make the trip in the last year and a half, each time being canceled, this time it finally happened.  The funny thing is that leading up to the trip I had a bit of anxiety, not the visiting of Hawaii itself, but worry that the trip would be canceled once more. So I didn't do any research, which is out of character for me.  Briefly looked up a couple tours and the Polynesian Cultural Center, and then quickly closed those webpages, not to return.  Usually I have everything figured out, down to what restaurants are available and so forth, so not having that knowledge was causing it's own stress.  Silly!  I know.  But I like knowing what to expect.  Going with the flow with no previous knowledge is a huge act of faith.

So I arrive at the airport, departure slated for 11:40 am... and the flight was delayed several times.  The first time was due to engine problems that needed repairing, and then all the tests that followed.  Around 2 pm Delta gave a $15 food credit to everyone, so my Mom and I ate at the White Horse restaurant, right across from the gate, so I was able to monitor what was happening.  Honestly, that food was one of the highlight meals of the whole trip.  All while eating the departure time was 3:30 pm, the moment my Mom and I left the restaurant the time jumped to 5:00 pm.  I was worried the flight would be canceled over logistics.  Maybe I am cursed when it comes to visiting Hawaii.  Turns out that with the extra testing the repair crew found a fuel leak.

Honestly, I wasn't upset with the flight delays, I'm just glad we were safe and the flight was smooth.  I just hope that those who missed connecting flights were okay.

But after sunset I finally made it to Hawaii!!  Dazzled and amazed at the lit up skyline.  The beautiful island of O'ahu, the city of Honolulu, right next to Waikiki beach.  

The trip was amazing, really.  There were good weather days and rainy days.  We scheduled a Luau on the beach for that Wednesday, but three days before the event (the cut off for refunds), I looked at the weather and saw that it was predicting rain, so we canceled the beach Luau, and another Luau that Sunday evening at a water park was scheduled, bus pick up in a few hours.  Chief's Luau is known for their fire dancing.  The Luau was fun and the fire portion was amazing. 

Did the hop on hop off trolley, all three routes.  A tour around the island. Swam a little in the ocean.  And the night my Mom and I would have visited the beach luau it did rain, a lot, so it's good we canceled. 

McDonald's has a secret menu item called Saimin, which is Ramen.  It's a very required taste type meal, fishy in smell, and I couldn't finish the soup.  It was fun trying Ramen at McDonald's.  (Just had a flashback to when McDonald's served pizza in the 80's/90's. That was awesome).  The Waikiki McDonald's also has a coconut pie fried the old fashioned way that is on the menu and called Haupia Pie.  It was nice and creamy.

Oh, kinda silly, I guess they're all over Hawaii, but I fell in Love with the ABC Store, which is literally on every corner, three in our hotel alone, and the joke is the ABC stands for All Blocks Covered.  But the store is part convenience store, part souvenir shop.  The bottled water was affordable, $1.40 for 1.5 liters.  And I had several Ham and Cheese/Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches that week.

 

The food prices in Waikiki are so crazy they make Disneyland feel like a bargain, and the Cheesecake Factory feel reasonably priced.  The Luau's on the island are also really expensive.  The ABC store was a convenient relief for a quick, cheap meal.  There are a lot of food courts and food options scattered about, fast food and various Asian restaurants, chain restaurants and local specialties, so there's a lot of choices.  I did like that ham and cheese sandwich.

these cute little birds kept visiting our room.  They would fly up and down, and on our last day one was brave enough to come into our room.  I told it we didn't have food, and it flew off, but I'd like to think it was saying goodbye.  That's one thing I loved about Waikiki, hearing all the different birds.  There's this magnificent tree on the beach, and during the Wednesday rain storm they were all crowded and making the most lovely ruckus. 

 

I have more to say, later, after I've gone through the photos and done some organizing.  It was a nice trip.  So happy it worked out.  Last week went so fast!  Too fast.  (Time, slow down, please). We flew the red eye back on Thursday, landing Friday morning.  It's amazing how a simple four hour time difference can cause jet lag.  I couldn't get to sleep last night until 3 am. 0_0  Heh, working on it. 

 

Mahalo,

Sarah