Last day in Honolulu

Last night was the first night that we were treated to a Waikiki Sunset. This morning was the first time we'd seen a cruise ship roll by and we also had our first rainbow - the symbol of Hawaii. Those were our firsts. Unfortunately today was our last opportunity to see more of the island. So we headed off this time over the hills above Honolulu towards Kailua Bay on the east coast. You no sooner leave the city than you enter the rainforest always threatening to take over the highway. There is a beautiful sandy beach at Kailua Bay and we actually dipped our toes into the Pacific for the first time. We then meandered through some of the ritzier burbs of Honolulu and got a great look at the Cocoa crater.

Then we thought we'd drive up as far as we could at Diamond Head but once we got into the crater, one of today's many brief showers began and the parking lot was full, so we turned around and left. We weren't walking to the top anyway. The first shot is the tunnel leading into Diamond Head. The second is inside the crater - less than impressive. The next two shots are views from Diamond Head. Once back at the apartment, the periodic showers continued with greater frequency and velocity. Since it was humid hot today, getting wet in a shower was inconsequential so off we went for a walk down Kalakaua, the street that runs along the beach in Waikiki, on our quest to find The Hard Rock Cafe. On the way back, we took a stroll through the lobby of the most iconic Waikiki Hotel, the Royal Hawaiian. Every time we visit hotels like this, we think about the stories the walls could tell. Then we had a few minutes back at the apartment. Tonight we were dining down the beach beneath the shadow of Diamond Head at Hau Tree Lanai, a restaurant recommended by friends Mary and Bob when we ran into them at Wynton Marsalis. What a lucky encounter! This place was fabulous! First of all, there was no signage for it at all. It was in the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, which also was devoid of signage. It didn't seem to matter. The place was packed. As we arrived, the sun was setting on this open air restaurant, immediately adjacent to the sands of Waikiki. There were two wedding parties having photos done on the beach and a two more wedding groups in the restaurant. We started off with a Honolulu cocktail, substituting rum for vodka. Then, instead of sharing, we each had an appetizer and a main plate. Unfortunately they served healthy portions, which made it hard to get through all of our food. But the food was delicious: ahi shishimi to start for Dawn, followed by the market fish - something like red snapper; duck in a tropical salsa for me, followed by mahimahi encrusted with avocado and crab. For dessert we enjoyed the Friday night fireworks coming from the Hilton Beach Hotel. It was definitely a memorable evening! Then is was back to the apartment to do some packing to prepare for our departure tomorrow.