A FIRST DAY IN WAIKIKI

Arriving at Honolulu Airport, I was met by a handsome Hawaiian gentleman in a red and white aloha shirt.  He was holding a sign with my name on it which made me feel pretty special.  I was directed to stand with a family of four who had just arrived from Texas.  We were then led to the baggage claim area where we collected our luggage.  Off to the shuttle van and on to my stop  – the Westin Moana Surfrider where I said goodbye to my new friends from Texas and the shuttle driver (I make friends quickly).  I pulled up the handle on my suitcase and dragged three heavy bags up the steps into the elegant lobby of this historical hotel in the center of Waikiki.  After making another new friend with the man at the hotel registration desk, I headed up the elevator to the 4^th floor and down the hall to Room 429.  I put the card into the door and quite excited to discover I was in an oceanfront room.  I immediately opened the sliding door to the sounds of live Hawaiian music drifting up from the terrace below.  The sunshine and was divine, especially since I had just arrived from the rainy Northwest.

The tired and happy-to-be-in-Hawaii side of me wanted to order a Mai Tai from room service and plop down on the lanai in the sun where I could enjoy the sounds of Hawaii filling the air.  But, the other side of me – the travel agent side – said ‘no time to relax’.  So, I changed into my shorts, tank top and ‘slippas’, grabbed my sun glasses and headed down to the beach.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped onto the sand was that Waikiki Beach seemed to be busier than the last time I had been there.  Maybe it was the time of year.  I had to be careful where I walked.   I maneuvered past various sizes of suntanned bodies on beach towels while I worked my way along the beach.  I was sure that everyone, yes everyone, was looking at my blinding legs and thinking I had just arrived from somewhere cold.  Get over it, I thought.  I’m not 25 anymore.  No one cares or is even looking at my legs.  For some reason, that thought didn’t necessarily make me feel better, but I tried not to be aware of my tanless body amidst the brown, oily ones around me.

The sun sparkled on the water and bright orange umbrellas added splotches of color to the already swimsuit-speckled beach.  I continued heading west, taking notes along the way.  ‘Shorebird Restaurant at the Outrigger Reef Hotel.  $14.95 all you can eat lunch buffet.  $12.95 all you can eat breakfast buffet, 7am – 11am.  Free nightly Kareoke’.  The Shorebird is a great hangout for locals as well as tourists.  The open air restaurant overlooks the beach and offers a great spot for people watching.   $3.50 Mai Tais too, during certain hours of the day.

Just past the Outrigger Reef and Waikiki Shore properties, still heading west, you will find a couple small fast food restaurants up some steps off the beach.  Try a popular pineapple shaved ice at the restaurant on the right side.  I asked and was told that this flavor is the most requested.  As I walked away, I looked for a name of the place, but couldn’t find one.  Strange, I thought.

Walking along the beach going west (away from Diamond Head) past DeRussey Park, you will come to the military hotel – the Hale Koa.  There along the beach, you will find a fun beach restaurant and bar called the Barefoot Bar. This establishment is open to the public starting at 11am.  It is a great spot to enjoy a cold one and observe the many passer bys.

Beyond the Barefoot Bar, you will find the well known resort – the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  Normally, it is fairly crowded with beachgoers and guests around their large and busy pool.  At Tropics, their beachfront restaurant and bar, you can enjoy local Hawaiian or popular live music each afternoon.  There is a lot of ‘energy’ at this spot as much of the year the resort plays host to many large conventions.  The resort will be hosting the huge APEC Convention in November, with a special guest – President Obama.

The Hilton has recently cleaned up the large lagoon located on the beachside of the hotel, turning it into a fun and safe place for younger children to swim and play. Be careful when swimming in the ocean in front of the Hilton, next to the lagoon.  There are some rocks in that area, so water socks or reef shoes are recommended.  I heard complaints from several swimmers as I walked by.

For a quick and fairly good Chinese meal, try Fatty’s Chinese Kitchen.  It’s on the International Market side of the Miramar Hotel.  I chose steamed rice and a beef and vegetable combo and then made my way back to my oceanfront room where I sat on my lanai, surprised to hear the live combo was still playing below.   What a perfect way to finish my first day in Waikiki.  Oh, I can’t forget the incredible sunset that truly topped it off.