Oahu - 2013.10.04

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I first met Barbara on a trip to Turkey. We were thinking about a trip to India, Columbia or maybe Venezuela but so far in 2013 we hadn't taken a trip. I was getting restless and suddenly I got a phone call from Seattle. Barbara left a message, she said she have a good price on a trip and it is something we talked about once and it is not the usual Europe or South American trip. I wondered where that could be and she called me later in the evening and said she had found a fantastic price for a trip to New Zealand. Air fare from San Francisco or Seattle to Hawaii and on to New Zealand. All for around $2,000.00 including airfare, four star hotels and car rental! That is almost the usual airfare to New Zealand from the West Coast at times Eight days in New Zealand and three in Hawaii on the return trip.
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I celebrated my 62nd Birthday in Hawaii in 2002 and went to the big island - Hawaii -to see the volcano and other sights there. If you want, check out those web page after viewing the 2013 photos. Click on Hawaii - 2002 - 62nd Birthday - for those photos.
Oahu
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October 04 Friday - Day 1	Day 1: \| Drive back to Auckland and drop off car & fly to Honolulu at 11:55 P.M. - Arrival time - 9:45 A.M. Spend 3 nights in Honolulu, just a few blocks from the famous Waikiki beach, world-class shopping, fine dining, music and entertainment. Kick back and relax on the beach or explore the surrounding area at either the Shoreline Waikiki Hotel or a similar hotel in Honolulu. We landed and spent the afternoon going to the beach and relaxing. We went to dinner and ealry to bed for the next day. My friend Dorothea Char is on the Senior Advisory Council and has been a member of the Central YMCA for many years. She was born in Hawaii and was a winner of the Miss Hawaii contest. Many of her family live in Hawaii and she goes to visit them regularly. We laughed as I said I would be in Honolulu with my traveling companion Barbara at the same time she would be there. She stays at a hotel for a month starting on September 17, 2013. She said I should try and give her a call when we get in and we could go to lunch or dinner with her. Everyone at the YMCA thought that would be a nice treat, see Dorothea in Honolulu. Well we shall see if we get to meet her in Hawaii. She will be staying at the Maile Sky Court at 2058 Kuhio Avenue Honolulu Hawaii 96815 - (between Namaiyana & Olo Hana) - Phone: 808.947.2828. 415.203.4091. We may be staying at the Shoreline Waikiki Hotel and I found out it isn't too far from Dorothea's hotel. Time will tell if we get together when we are in Hawaii!
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Our favorite cocktail - Smirnoff Ice!		Flowers galore!

Shoreline Hotel		Sea Side Cafe and Bar

Birthday Dinner at Pearl City

October 05
Saturday - Day 2

Day 2 : | Honolulu
Pick up at our hotel by Dorothea's daughter Patti at 5:00 P.M. Drive to Pearl City for dinner at Tony Roma's. Tony Roma's is a full service, casual dining family restaurant where you can find premier Ribs and Steaks in locations across the world. With over 40 years of history and 150 family restaurant locations on six continents, Tony Roma’s is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. From Miami to Los Angeles, Orlando to Edmonton and Tokyo to Madrid, Tony Roma’s serves its signature Ribs, World Famous Onion Loaf, and other steak, chicken and seafood entrees to thousands of guests every day.

Pearl City is a census-designated place located in the ʻEwa District and City & County of Honolulu on the Island of Oʻahu. As of the 2010 Census, the CDP had a total population of 47,698. Pearl City is located along the north shore of Pearl Harbor.

Diamond Head and Hotels

Beautiful weather as usual.

Lori's Birthday dinner.

Lori, Chuck and Dorothea!

Dorothea had asked me before I went to New Zealand if I wanted to go to a dinner in Pearl City on Saturday night and I thought that was a very nice gesture.

Dorothea's daughter Patti, who lives in Sunnyvale down the peninsula from San Francisco was visiting for a few days. She picked up Barbara and myself in front of our hotel, the Shoreline at five p.m. We drove to Pearl City and it only took half an hour.

I found out it was actually a birthday party for a friend of hers, Lori. Well it was so funny, about nine of us sat down and Lori kept looking at me! Finally she said, "Didn't you get me into the Asian Art Museum to see the Samurai Warriors collection?"

We sat there for a while and then I remembered and said, "Didn't you attend Dorothea's 80th birthday a few years ago in the City?" She said yes, she was a greeter at the front of the restaurant where Dorothea had a big party. Later Lori sang and danced around the party.

Dorothea looked perplexed and of course wondered how she could invite me to a dinner in Pearl City Hawaii and end up knowing the guest of honor!

A small world indeed!

Lori and Dorothea!

Driving around the Island

October 06
Sunday - Day 3

Day 3 : | Honolulu
We drove from Honolulu to Pearl City and then north west to the Dole Pineapple Plantation with lots to see and do.

We had lunch there and then proceeded to drive along the coast and stopped at many locations. It was a gloomy day, lots of dark clouds and later a brisk breeze and it was rather cool. The north side is much cloudier and cooler than the south side!

We went to the famous blow hole but the tide wasn't cooperating and it did spray a little spout but it was hard to get a photo of it.

We tried to go to the top of Diamond Head but arrived about 18 minutes too late. We tried to talk the guard into letting us take a quick ride and photo but he said no. So we drove to the other side and found a blocked off road and walked up part way and took a timed exposure of Honolulu.

By that time it was almost eight p.m. and we walked around and found the China Gardens restaurant and had dinner there. We asked where were the fortune cookies and they said the Europeans complained about the taste so off the menu!

By then it was time to pack and relax, have our Smirnoff Ice vodka drink and dream about New Zealand and Hawaii!

The Factory Outlet, Little coffee lots of stuff!

Stuff!

The Soap Factory was interesting.

But the soaps all had very smelly perfumes in them.

Dole Pineapple - Lots of things to buy and also places to eat. A tourist attraction of course.

A Brazilian Pineapple

Barbara enjoyed taking photos of me in these strange get ups!

Interesting plants.

And lots of colorful leaves.

The day turned windy, cool and cloudy compared to the southern part of the island.

A beautiful house along the beach.

Great sunsets.

The famous blow hole wasn't cooperating this afternoon. Just a little spray now and then!

We did get a photo from Diamond Head of downtown Honolulu as the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.

Honolulu to LAX Los Angeles to SFO San Francisco

October 07
Monday - Day 4

Day 4 : | Honolulu – LAX/SFO/SEA/PDF/PHX/SMF/LAS/SAN:
Catch an early afternoon flight from Honolulu back to the mainland.
Cargo planes and other military around the airport!
Please note that you arrive home on the same date.

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Created on: 2013.10.04

Updated on: 2020.09.01


Lori's Birthday dinner.	Lori, Chuck and Dorothea!
Dorothea had asked me before I went to New Zealand if I wanted to go to a dinner in Pearl City on Saturday night and I thought that was a very nice gesture. Dorothea's daughter Patti, who lives in Sunnyvale down the peninsula from San Francisco was visiting for a few days. She picked up Barbara and myself in front of our hotel, the Shoreline at five p.m. We drove to Pearl City and it only took half an hour. I found out it was actually a birthday party for a friend of hers, Lori. Well it was so funny, about nine of us sat down and Lori kept looking at me! Finally she said, "Didn't you get me into the Asian Art Museum to see the Samurai Warriors collection?" We sat there for a while and then I remembered and said, "Didn't you attend Dorothea's 80th birthday a few years ago in the City?" She said yes, she was a greeter at the front of the restaurant where Dorothea had a big party. Later Lori sang and danced around the party. Dorothea looked perplexed and of course wondered how she could invite me to a dinner in Pearl City Hawaii and end up knowing the guest of honor! A small world indeed!	Lori and Dorothea!


The Factory Outlet, Little coffee lots of stuff!	Stuff!

The Soap Factory was interesting.	But the soaps all had very smelly perfumes in them.


A Brazilian Pineapple	Barbara enjoyed taking photos of me in these strange get ups!

Interesting plants.	And lots of colorful leaves.

October 07 Monday - Day 4	Day 4 : \| Honolulu – LAX/SFO/SEA/PDF/PHX/SMF/LAS/SAN: Catch an early afternoon flight from Honolulu back to the mainland. Cargo planes and other military around the airport! Please note that you arrive home on the same date.
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