A “group trip”! A month on the island of Oahu in November. We rented a four bedroom townhouse in Hawaii Kai. Over the course of the month we were a group of 6 and then 7 with a couple people coming and going. I stayed the entire month, which was great.

Lucky me has been to Hawaii a few times (Maui, the Big Island, Kauai) but only once before to Oahu, back in the 1990’s……our first trip there with the kids! Terrible weather pretty much the entire time we were there, again in November. It rained so much they declared a state of emergency! Very little beach time, restaurants were flooded, hotels on Waikiki were sandbagged because of the surf….we had fun but just not quite the “Hawaii vacation” we planned on.

This trip however was nothing like that….terrific weather, lots of sun and lots of fun with friends! Some parts of the journal aren’t too exciting but we did cover a lot of the island, explored beautiful gardens……and I think hit every ABC store! It’s in two parts…..the first two weeks and the second two weeks.

Nov 3 Thurs

Got to the airport just before 5:30. Check in not open so went in search of coffee and something to eat….nothing is open.  All the way over to the domestic terminal.  Not even a Tim’s!!  Argh.

Check in finally opened around 6 so got that done, dropped my bag and tried to get food again, no luck.  Thought I’d just sit and wait for Peggy and Gordie coming in from their flight from Nanaimo when my phone rang.  It was Peggy saying they’d missed their flight and I was on my own.

She contacted the car rental to say I’d be picking it up and I got all the info (parking, security code etc.) on the townhouse. 

Just headed to security and US customs.  It took almost an hour to get thru all that.

Flight was delayed ½ hour so quickly grabbed a sandwich and some water.  Finally boarded and left just after 9.

Dozed on and off thru the 6hr flight.  Arrived just after 12 noon Hawaii time.  Gate thingie wasn’t working so sat in the hot plane for about 20 minutes then they backed up and moved to a different gate.  Good thing was that by the time we got to the baggage carousel the luggage was there.

Grabbed my bag and outside into the beautiful, warm and sunny Hawaiian air.  Found the pick up point for the car rental shuttle and was just phoning them when their shuttle arrived.  The gal said she had the change of driver etc. and would get the paperwork started.  Which was great because I was hot!!  Jeans just weren’t cutting it.  I had packed capris in my carry on and probably should have changed at the airport but just wanted to get this car thing done and on my way.  A bit of an adventure being on my own!

Lucky Owl car rental was great!  Small place a few minutes drive from the airport in an industrial area.  They had the minivan waiting with the AC going….which was lovely.  Got all the paperwork sorted and was on my way after checking google maps for directions.  No problems luckily.  A big minivan.  Rather an old one I think….inside is in kind of rough shape, no GPS or any bells and whistles, but seems to drive OK.

Once on the freeway it was pretty much straight out to Hawaii Kai.  A bit of traffic back up near the Honolulu exits but no problems.  The lanes seem a bit narrow or maybe just the minivan is big….an 8 seater something.

Took about 20-30 min to get to the townhouse.  Had to get the email out with the parking map out to find the right spot.  Got in the house and had a look around, found my room and changed into something a little more appropriate for Hawaii!

Place is a bit smaller than what I thought from the pictures but there are 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, so all is good.

Decided I’d head out to pick up some basic food and wine to start for when the others arrived.  Ken and Eileen and Jo-Anne arrive around 11PM.

Went to Safeway, a 5 minute drive.  Picked up some coffee, milk, bread, jam, peanut butter, eggs etc. to get us thru the morning and some cheese, crackers and snacks in case those guys were hungry when they arrive and wine and a bottle or two of prosecco.

The van is really quite big.  Not sure we’ll need it as K & E will have a car and Linda and Gabe will also have one when they arrive on the 17^th.  When I came out of Safeway I noticed a van sticking out a mile in the row of angled parking….it was me!!  LOL  Totally misjudged how long, or short I guess, the front end was. 

Thought I’d take a bit of drive around but then decided probably not a good idea since I was operating on only a couple of hours sleep over the last 24 hours so just headed back home. 

Unpacked the goodies and did a bit of cleaning….counter was all sticky and grimy, sink was grubby and the counters in all the bathrooms had not been cleaned at all.  Lots of pots and pans and dishes but only 5 good coffee mugs……odd!  It’s an older place and could use a bit of TLC but it was cheap and seems to be a good location. There are no table lamps!!  No lamp at all in my room, so will be using my trusty flashlight to read in bed.

Once that was done (it was already almost 4!) I poured myself a nice big glass of wine and sat outside with my book to enjoy the rest of the warm sunny day and the view of the lagoon.  Tried chatting with the neighbours a bit but they didn’t seem terribly chatty so carried on with my book.  Peggy called to say they were working on rebooking their flights….probably in tomorrow evening sometime. Let her know no problems getting the car or to and in the place.

I was done by 9 so got my jammies on and set the alarm for 11 for when the others arrived.  I guess I must have slept thru it because my phone woke me up.  They were at the front door trying to get in….not sure why they didn’t have the code too??? 

They got settled in, had some snacks and off to bed.  What a long day but so happy to be here.

Nov 4 Fri

Slept just OK….not sure how clean the sheets are though.  Awake at 4:30 and just got up and made coffee.  Sat outside updating my journal and catching up on news and FB until the others got up. 

So nice in the morning, warm and a gentle breeze.  Beautiful pink and purple sunrise sky.  Lots of blue sky but big, heavy clouds hanging over the mountains behind us. By 7:30 it was pretty warm. 

J and I went for a walk down to the water to have a look at the swimming beach.  Only a 5 or 10 minute walk (depending on how long you have to wait for the traffic light!).  J took a nasty tumble face first on the gravel. Cut over her eye from her glasses, scrapes and bruises.  A guy saw her go down and came over right away to help.  Her eye bled quite a bit but doesn’t look like a stitch thing and luckily the glasses weren’t broken.  Said she was OK, other than a bit mortified that it happened at all!

Made our way home and went for a swim.  K and E went to Costco, picked up a chicken and salad stuff for lunch (was v.g.) and more wine.

After lunch J and I decided we’d walk to the Holy Trinity Thrift Store.  Map said .8 away…..but that was .8 miles not kilometers, so a bit further than we’d planned.  Was very hot walking along the highway and noisy too.  Hahaha….got there and found out it was closed.  Walk back wasn’t as bad.  I have somehow developed a blister under the strap of my sandal….must have gotten a bit of gravel in there or something.  What a pain that’s going to be.  Just spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool.

The plan was that we’d head to the Chinatown Art Walk (first Friday night of each month) and for dinner before picking up Peggy and Gordie…..that did not go as planned!!  Left the house around 5:30.  Eileen was navigating.  Got totally lost and ended up going around in circles in some residential neighbourhood (I think she had the map upside down on her phone lol…). Then finally ended up in Waikiki, in the dark in that huge van, on Kuhio Ave then on to Ala Moana Blvd (all one way streets).  By then it was close to 7:30. I pulled into the Ala Moana Mall parking lot so we could get dinner somewhere before going to get P and G….flight arriving at 8:30.  Had a quick dinner at the food court, quick but not cheap.  Was good though….Japanese.  Too bad we didn’t make it to Chinatown….the Art Walk is only the first Friday of each month.

Before we left the mall to head to the airport I checked the route on google maps.  Good thing because again she had us going some bizarre way. I think I will fire Eileen as navigator LOL…..

Made it to the airport, no problem.  Had to do a couple of loops around as you can’t stop other than to load luggage……they are right on your case if you stop for more than one minute! In hindsight I should have just parked in the cell phone lot and waited to hear from P or G.  Peggy msgd to say they’d arrived and which carousel their luggage was coming in on…..there are signs too showing the flights and carousel numbers so you can find your people easily!!  Saw Peggy, so Eileen got out and went with her to get Gordie and their luggage.  Had to do another loop around as the parking guys have no mercy on you if you don’t load up and go pronto.  Another loop around and they were all there.

What a long day for P & G…..Vanc/LA/Honolulu with I think a 4 or 5 hour stopover in LA.

Home, snacks, chatting to catch up and to bed around 11.  What a day!!

Nov 5 Sat.

Slept much better.  Up around 6:30.  Very pretty morning….warm with a bit of breeze.  Very pleasant.

We decided that we’d go to the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden.  Gordie passed on it and stayed home. 

Off we went in two cars. K and E in theirs and J, P and me driving in ours (Gordie will be the second driver when we get around to the rental place).  Very nice drive along the south and east coast of the island.  Stopped at a couple of lookouts to admire the spectacular views and Halona Blow Hole and Sandy Beach….all busy on a Saturday.

Free admission to the Ho’omaluhia garden but you must stop at the little hut on the way in I think to limit the number of vehicles in the park at any one time.  Sort of a “drive thru or around” park, with a few places to stop.   It’s a large park with many different trails to hike…..if you’re prepared for sun, wind and showers, sometimes all at the same time!! Very lush and tropical.  There are the trails and an Education Centre.  Drove through first……beautiful, lush and an great variety of trees and plants, some very unique, and then back to the Ed Centre to get some info on it and a map to take on our walk.  Great display set up showing the various type of trees and pods etc.  Followed the trail down to the reservoir.  Many different trees and plants along the trail….most have plaques that identify them and their origins.  Lots of different kinds of ducks and saw a mongoose too.  The view of the mountains is stunning….green and lush and the defined sharp ridges, just gorgeous.  Great place and worth visiting! 

Had started spitting a bit while we were there but as soon as we left the park/garden and head down toward the coast we were back in the sunshine.  K and E headed off to find a pub for lunch.  We found a little hole in the wall take out joint and drove to Waimanolu Beach to eat it.  What a beautiful beach….picture postcard Hawaii!

Back home late afternoon.  Eileen made a great salad and chopped up the rest of the chicken (those Costco chickens are huge…..two meals out of the one we got.  One for 4 people and another for 6).

I went to bed around 10:30…..still getting used to the time change.

Fun morning and afternoon!

Nov 6 Sun

Slept OK.  Up around 5:30.  Peggy was already up watching tennis and coffee was made…such a treat when someone else makes it!

Ken and Eileen whipped out around 7:30 to hit the famous “Malasada Truck”, Leonards Bakery makes them.  They were delicious!!  Kind of a beignet type filled donut.  Various kinds of cream filling or plain….so yummy and still warm!

No big plans today. Off to the mall to TMobile at 10:30 to get SIM cards and didn’t leave there until almost 1.  Finally got it all sorted and thought we’d go for lunch. Not a lot of places around there really so ended up at “Zippy’s”.  Kind of a hokey place…..like where old people would eat lol…definitely not fine dining.  Great spot though right on the marina.  I had the 3 chicken combo (katsu, Korean and fried) was pretty good really, the katsu was the best.

Just went back home and spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool.

Dinner was just snackie/appie stuff, which was more than enough.

We have the most spectacular sunsets each night!

Nov 7 Mon

Up early again, only slept OK. Not sure if it’s the time change or what.  The bed is quite comfortable.  Made coffee and sat around watching tennis, checking emails, FB etc.

Packed up and off to Waikiki Beach!  Found a parking spot at the zoo….nice big lot.  We were quite away down the beach from Waikiki, at Kuhio beach and a big park, so not crowded. Many big, pretty trees and a huge banyan. Not the best swimming beach, was pretty coral-ie so a bit rough on the feet if you missed the sandy spots.  Gordie and Ken snorkeled, said it was just OK. 

Hung around there until noon and then P & G and I went back to Lucky Owl to get Gordie set up as a driver and trade in the van for a smaller, more practical car.  Very quick and efficient at Lucky Owl!!  Everything done in less than a half hour and out with our new car, a Honda Civic that is much nicer and much newer, 2018 I think, and a bit of a credit back because it’s smaller. Would definitely use them again.

Gordie dropped Peggy and me off at the Outrigger Waikiki to meet up with Jo-Anne and Eileen….Ken dropped them off there and went off exploring.  Beach Bar was great. Fun place with great views up and down the beach.  Had a Vodka Mango Slushie (v.g. $11) and the buffet ($21) which was excellent…great selection of salads (quinoa one was delicious) and hot dishes.  Moved on to more affordable G&T’s. 

Ken picked us up around 5 and home.  Yakked, snacked and watched the Voice!

To bed around 11. 

Nov 8 Tues.

Slept a little longer this morning…..almost 7. Must be on Hawaii time now!

Not particularly where I wanted to go but went with the flow….back to Waikiki and a bit of a better spot for swimming, still at the Kuhio beach but a little further down, closer to the hotels.  Stopped at ABC and picked up some water booties and a couple of mini bottles of booze to add to our Starbucks iced coffees! Great sandy beach but still needed the booties once in the water.  Had lunch at a nice little place right on the beach called the “Barefoot Café” (no alcohol served).  Fish and chips (lots and v.g) for $15, which is good considering the location!

Drove by a couple of other beaches on the way home to check out snorkeling spots….nothing too great though.

Back home around 2:30.  I went to the pool, P to nap, J to walk….no idea what the guys were doing.

P and I went to pick up more groceries and dinner goodies.  Had spinach salad, prawns and baked potatoes….all very good and great to be able to just sit around and have a couple glasses of wine without worrying about driving.

To bed around 10:30.

Nov 9 Wed.

Slept great!  Finally on Hawaii time I think…or hope. 

Waikiki AGAIN but for shopping this time.  Gordie dropped us off.

International Market Place is gone…or at least the old neat place is…..it’s now a big mall with mostly high end shops and at least 3 ABC stores!  Restaurants up on the second or third level.  They kept the big old banyan tree thank goodness!  Further down the street there’s a market called Duke’s I think.  Kind of like the old IMP used to be like, lots of kiosks selling clothes, jewelry etc.  Fun for a bit but most of the shops sell exactly the same stuff so not too exciting after a couple loops.  More shopping, mostly just the window type.  In and out of a few shops but nothing caught anyone’s eye. Walked all the way down one side of Kalakaua and back on the other.

Went to the Moana Surfrider for a look around and a drink at the beach bar (expensive and my margarita was not good at all!)  Beautiful hotel though.  Great view of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach.

Next on to the Royal Hawaiian.  Get there thru the big mall that is all decorated very nicely for Christmas!  The hotel is tucked in behind the mall away from all the street hustle and bustle.  Very pretty and well manicured grounds….such a beautiful hotel outside and in.  Great décor and furniture which made me think of Colonial India!  Checked out the bar for lunch but not much on their menu and very expensive so off we went.

Walked down the beach towards Fort Derussy but was already 2 and most places had closed for lunch by then.  Up a block to Kuhio Ave and found the Paia Fish Market..  Kind of a basic place….stand in line to order your food, get a number and they bring it to the table.  I had the mahi burger which was excellent and a glass of wine $25.

Waikiki and Kalakaua Ave are just timeless really…..looks exactly the same as it did 20+ years ago….other than the IMP being a mall now.  A few new/different shops but that’s it, still a ton of ABC stores.

Called an Uber to get home.  Was quick…..the guy was there in like 2 minutes!  I think it was about $20 but well worth it.

It’s not like we’re crazy busy but I am really tired at night….maybe the heat and humidity???

Nov 10 Thurs.

Went to Pokai Beach….it’s about half way between Barber Point and Makaha so a good hour drive from Hawaii Kai.

Very different at this end of the island. Once the highway gets closer to the sea it’s quite pretty.  Smaller homes, little communities etc.  I think this is the more reasonably priced part of the island. 

Pokai Beach is fantastic!  Very pretty crescent shaped bay protected by a rock break, or whatever you it.  Calm, sandy beach with no rocks or coral to hurt your feet!!  But also no shade unless you go back towards the parking lot.  Lots of big turtles right close to shore. 

Spent a couple hours there.  Had a couple of swims.  K and G tried their luck snorkeling but not much.  Was a great spot. Not many people on the beach.  Ken chatted with a guy that does an outrigger thing on the weekends.  It’s free for people that want to have a go at it.  He let Ken take his out for a bit.

There’s an army base around the bay.  Some nice little cottages that they use for guys and their families to unwind when they come back from deployment.  There’s also a rec centre and a bar called Beach House.  Anyone can use the bar after showing some ID.  Very basic place but really pretty, right on the beach.  Had a couple of drinks and snacks/early dinner.  I had a Michalada, which is a beer with bloody mary mix in it.  Only OK, too much of the mix so I had to order another beer!  The coconut prawns were really good.  But not really any meals on the menu, just starters and appies.  Good enough though. 

Home around 7.  And everyone could barely stay awake.  Lots of sun, driving, heat, drinks etc.

Was a fun afternoon!

Nov 11 Fri   

Happy Birthday Linda G!!  Did a Facetime sing song for her before we headed out.

Slept great.  Up early, coffee on, great morning.  I could live here!!!

Koko Crater Botanical Garden today.  Free!!  Only a 5 minute drive from the house.  It’s a “natural garden” with mostly local trees and plants but with a few different areas showcasing plants that have been brought in over the years…..an African garden, cacti and “dryland” which I guess is like desert.   Some very unique trees and plants. 

Many different varieties of plumeria….so, so fragrant! Gorgeous bougainvillea, beautiful big trees with branches that spread for many, many feet beyond the original trunk, some almost on the ground….one called a Moracaea (mulberry family) is just massive.  There are many different kinds of cacti….some that were taking over trees like a vine would some gigantic barrel cacti and yucca type plants .  One really unique tree that had what looked like cantaloupes growing on it and of course in the Africa area a sausage tree and some baobabs.  Palms galore….so many different kinds, my fave is the travelers palms.  Ferns too.  We stayed pretty much on the trail to keep in the shade but so much to see really and well worth a visit.

Went for a bit of drive around the area and then met Eileen at a nice little place at the marina called Liko’s….it’s in the Safeway mall.  Prosecco’s only $8!!  Had a couple of those and either a late lunch or an early dinner (??) Fish burger that was good.  We had a great table so a nice view with a breeze.

Home and another snackie type dinner.

Nov 12 Sat

Very breezy and overcast this AM.  Was warm though.  About 9 the torrential rain started!!  Just unbelievable.  Ken and Gordie had been sitting on the bench at the lagoon about 50ft from the house and were soaked by the time they got in.  A couple of beautiful rainbows though.

Rain had stopped and still a bit iffy, really windy, but off we went to check out some of the beaches on the east side of the island.  First stop was Sherwood Beach….nice big beach with soft sand.  Just too windy and another mini mega downpour.  It had stopped by the time we left the parking lot. Being the weekend, crappy weather and all, it was packed!

Drove a bit further along to Kailua Beach. Sun had come out and wind had eased up but still some pretty nasty looking clouds hanging around. Fantastic beach!  Good for boogie boarding. Soft sand….would definitely come back for another visit.  A bit busy on a weekend day, so midweek would be best.  The mountains are just spectacular…..knife edge ridges that look very green and lush.

Had a great lunch at Buzz’s.  BBQ ribs and a glass of rose!  Fun, busy place.

Not too far down the road is Kualoa Point.  Saw “Chinaman’s Hat”.  Nice big beach, lots of parking……and chickens!!

Gordie was done for the day so drove back over the Pali Hwy.  I’d noticed the car making some weird noise and vibration when braking sometimes and he noticed it too….so will give Lucky Owl a call to see if they can check it out or give us yet another car!

Snacks, cheese, crackers, salami etc. for dinner.  A movie and to bed.

Nov 13 Sun

I had an “in” day!  Good to get some quiet time when with a big group.

P, G and J went off to check out Ala Moana beach, E & K went back up to Pokai.

Sat out on the grass, updated my journal, read and had a drink or two!  Just when you think you can’t sit out in the hot sun for another minute a nice breeze or bit of cloud cover comes along and makes it all good again so you can handle it for a bit more.

Had a snackie lunch and then off to the pool for a while.  Just me!  Had a nice dip and read for a bit but no shade there so got a bit too hot.

Everyone back around 4…..all had great times today.  Jo-Anne loved Ala Moana beach so will get there again before she leaves.

Dinner in.  We’ve been eating a lot of salad and chicken, which is good.  Had prawns the other night and Gordie and I over cooked them a bit but still good.  Used leftover chicken to make chicken tacos….those rotisserie chickens from Costco go a long way!

Nov 14 Mon

Just love the mornings here….especially nice before everyone gets up and it gets busy.

Took the car back to Lucky Owl again this morning because of the shuddering thing…..brakes/suspension??  No issue whatsoever….they are really awesome there.  We now have a 2020 Kia something or other.  Much nicer. 

Up to Haleiwa…..just a beautiful spot.  Big waves, lots of surfers.  Had a great lunch at one of the many shrimp trucks…..and other food trucks.  They have a couple spots like food courts at the mall with lots of options other than shrimp.  I had the regular shrimp with butter and garlic, can get Cajun and other types too.  A good little salad and two scoops of rice.  Must have had at least 15 or 16 good size and really yummy prawns. 

After lunch J, P and I walked over to the “mall”.  Looked around a bit and found a margarita bar!!  Cholo’s…..all day happy hour(s) margaritas!! Had a couple.  Lots of chickens and roosters all over the place….they even wandered into the restaurants and shops.

Carried on from there to check out the beaches.  Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, the Bonzai Pipeline, Pupakea.  Was tough finding parking spots though.  Drove thru the parking lot at the Turtle Bay Hilton.  And then down the east coast past Kahuku and Laie and down to Kaaawa, nice park and lots of chickens and roosters….even little chicks.  The beaches on this side of the island are the best….just fantastic.  Much nicer sand, very soft and fine. And the mountains are just breathtaking!

Girls went out for dinner. Tried the Kona Brewing Pub but only crappy tables available. Found a Greek place across from it that was kind of take out but not?? Order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. No alcohol but you can bring your own!! Eileen went to the store around the corner and came back with two bottles of wine! Food was only OK but the wine was good! There are not that many restaurants around Hawaii Kai…..surprising really since there are a lot of homes, townhouses and condos.

Great day!

Nov 15 Tues

Slow start to today.  Hung around, went to the pool, read, laundry.

In two cars we all headed into Waikiki to do a bit of shopping/wandering and have dinner.  Checked out all the restaurants at the Int’l Market Place but nothing appealed to anyone so off across the street to Duke’s.  Needed reservation for the restaurant upstairs so back to the Beach Bar.  Found a huge big table for us…..not the best spot in the place for sure…..would have been lovely sitting out on the patio.  Very noisy tonight…..crowded, but was fun.   Hahaha…..was Taco Tuesday!!  Margs were on sale so had a couple of those an a beef quesadilla….was really good.  Total was $30 which I think was pretty reasonable for there.

Nov 16 Wed

Ala Moana Beach today.  Beautiful big beach with a fantastic view back towards Waikiki and Diamond Head.  OK sand but a good swimming beach with only a bit of coral here and there.

J and I went with K and E.  P and G are having a day on their own….and ordering a birthday cake for Linda G for tomorrow.

Good spot on the beach close to a tree for some shade.  E had had enough after an hour or so and found an Irish Bar that Ken could take her too, he came back a while later to check out snorkeling.  J and had lunch from the concession across the street.  I had a huge hot dog and ice tea for $5. J had the breaded prawns and salad including drink for $10!!  Has to be the best deal on Oahu considering its right across from the beach.

Spent a couple of hours there and then Ken took us to the pub to pick up Eileen.  She wanted us to come in for a quick prosecco so we did!  Ferguson’s, nice little pub with locals….E knew them all by the time we arrived lol.

Just enough time to clean up and out for dinner at Roy’s.  Nice spot.  Had a great table right at the window so caught the beautiful sunset.  Somebody ordered little crab cake appies that were really good.  I had the scallops for the main course.  5 perfectly cooked scallops in a truffle risotto….didn’t look like very much but was very good and very rich so more than enough.  A bit of a kerfuffle trying to get separate bills, but it all worked out in the end.

It’s J’s last night and I’m going to miss her!

Next post Oahu Week 3 and 4…….