When we last left off, the next stop on the itinerary was the Waikiki Aquarium... some amazing creatures were there:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry for the out-of-focus shot, but the cylinder-shaped tank made for some bad reflections. Anyway, this isn't seaweed, it's a sea dragon:

 

And this exotic creature... oops, that's the janitor! ;-)

 

**HEADS-UP, for those viewing this thread from work, there are some swimsuit-clad people in the photos ahead. Nothing you wouldn't see on the beach, but just letting you know**

 

Anyway, enough with the aquatic life, time for lunch at Lulu's - which offers open-air balcony seating (and the most deeelish coconut shrimp with vanilla-mango sauce) which made for a nice people-watching perch:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALRIGHT... this is one thing that irked me. As most people know, Crocs are some of the most vile footwear on the planet; young Asian tourists are often the trendiest people on the planet. So can someone explain to me why the Crocs store on Kalakaua was filled with nothing but Asians buying everything in sight (I didn't set foot in, the place had a floor to ceiling glass facade)?!?!? It's madness I tell you!

 

Alright, time to move on - off to a catamaran booze cruise, sponsored by one of the local gay bars. On the way, we pass the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of the modern sport of surfing:

 

Close to the departure point is a Trump condo/hotel building going up:

 

And off we go - that's a cluster of hotels (like the W) and condos on the eastern end of Waikiki:

 

And views of Diamondhead and the Waikiki wall of buildings along Kalakaua:

 

 

 

Honolulu's business district:

 

Waikiki and Diamondhead from further out:

 

 

Had this nitwit NOT raised his left arm to point out the humpback whale, you all would have enjoyed a nice shot. Ah well, as big as they are, they move too fast to easily get a pic:

 

Besides, there was plenty of other scenery (who were actually very personable and down to earth):

 

The only gal on board, our second mate and equally important - the bartender!!  :drunk:

 

Suddenly, "Vogue" by Madonna started playing over the speakers and we all know what that means!  :lol:

 

 

Okay back on shore, we rest up a bit on the balcony:

 

And what else? Sunset time!

 

 

 

 

 

Off to the historic (and recently reopened) Royal Hawaiian (the "Pink Palace") for cocktails:

 

 

Hermes, Cartier, and shooting range... alrighty then!!! :?

 

Here we go - the only foo-foo tropical cocktail I had - after this I stuck with beer (Maui Brewing's Toasted Coconut Porter and Kona Brewing's Fire Rock Pale Ale were my favorites):

 

Next up, the zoo, more beach scenes and a road trip around Oahu!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nice pics and scenery. 

 

too bad the W closed.  :oops:

 

what did you really think of the Pink Palace?

I gather that the W was one of the worst in the chain - plus the building itself offered few (or poor) views which is criminal in Waikiki.

 

I thought the Royal Hawaiian was alright - they were basically "soft opening" while we were there; certain drinks/food weren't available, some rooms were still being renovated, as were the grounds. Would I stay there? I dunno - 1. it's out of my price range and 2. that area of Waikiki Beach was really crowded whereas the eastern end by Queens Surf and Sans Souci was less so. I don't know that I'd turn down a free stay there :lol:

Hmmm. Cleveland actually does have a better skyline from the water, but some of the other scenery makes up for it - as does the weather, this time of year!

 

Beautiful scenery! If you ever have a chance to drive inland and go to the higher elevations, you'd see that the lush vegetation often gives way to... barren lands. A lot of people think of Hawaii and associate it with a rain forest, but it's oft much different than that.

 

 

Good lord!

We did drive to the North Shore/Haleiwa but due to time constraints we couldn't get to the more arid areas on the leeward/western side - oh well, always something for next time. I always thought Cleveland had a weird micro-climate, but Oahu was on a whole other scale.

I have yet to make it to the north shore. I love East Oahu. jaw dropping . I want to go NOW

You and your damn sunsets!

That Samoan queen is wearing me out!  Don't just stand there, lets get to it!!

The "Vogue" picture was too funny.

Nice pics - looks like fun!  I've only been to Maui...Honolulu definately looks like more of a city, yet equally as appealing.  Did you make it to Pearl Harbor?  (Disclosure:  I would like to see your high quality photos of the place if you did :))

I visited Hawaii back in September and wish I could've made it over to Maui.  I was starting to go nuts after being stuck on Oahu for 2 weeks.

^I went to Hawaii with my family about 7 years ago, and I stayed on Maui and only went to Oahu for one day.  It was just the oppisite for me, I wanted some more of the city amenities after being stuck in seclusion for a week in Maui.

From everything I've gathered from those who have been, I think I'd be happiest with a 60/40 split between 60% Oahu (well, Honolulu/Waikiki) and 40% one of the other islands. I don't know if it's my semi-rural upbringing but after 3 days of "quiet", I get a little stir crazy.

even the the less populated ones have towns. some are kind of touristy and have a suburban flair, others more rustic and quaint. I have even camped. and no I do not recommend it! Who knew it could hit freezing in Hawaii ? (volcano mountain).

 

Aesthetically Kauai is probably the most amazingt (a lot of movies are filmed there, too many to name),although they all have several drop dead gorgeous spots. While it is some beautiful spots,the big island is not the prettiest of them all, but my favorite for under water pursuits, the volcano, and having just about every eco system possible. Puddle jumping island flights are usually pretty cheap so it is worthwhile to hit a couple islands when you go given the trip is so long.

 

I hope you had a plate lunch!  All in all adding Hawaii to the home team was a good call. I am feeling guilty about all my international travel lately, so this makes me feel like I am keeping it a little closer to home.