Anticipation! Time goes so fast, but when you're waiting to go on the trip of a lifetime, the clock seems to stand still

                               

 

Hawaii - Oahu & Honolulu

My trip to Hawaii is just around the corner; just a short 7 hour (approximately) flight away and I'm in the final count down - 10 days to be precise. My travel companion for this trip, Wayne Shaw, who is making this all possible enjoys traveling and has loads of experience as he and his wife, Lois, traveled abroad a great deal.  

So, the suitcase is packed (almost).  I'm sure I've packed way too much, but also, I'm sure I haven't packed the right things.   However, this will be a good test for my packing skills.  This will be the first trip of many scheduled experiences to see the world in 2023 and 2024.  Our first travel spot will be a 10 day trip to Oahu to see some things I wasn't ever sure I would see.  Howard and I loved to travel, but he wasn't very interested in traveling outside the US.  So, we've seen and toured much of what the US has to offer.  

In a few days we're off to Hawaii and in mid-April we're off to Barcelona and a 29 day Mediterranean cruise.   More about that in April.   So, with the suitcase nearly packed, it will be a good way to figure out what I should leave behind for the Mediterranean trip and what I failed to bring but "must have" in April.  

This winter in Arizona has been the coldest since moving here almost eight years ago.  I've worn long pants for over 2 months! YUK!  It's been ages, it seems, since I've been in the heated pool here.   Today, February 16, we hit a high of only about 56 degrees.  This morning we had a freeze warning for our outdoor plants.  I am really looking forward to warm sun, blue skies and rainbows afterward.

Our home for 10 days will be at Bellows Air Force Station on the eastern side of the island.  

Wayne asked me to tell him what I wanted to see while we were on the trip.  So, I did!  He's probably going to be a little sorry that he asked!    

Some of the places we've already booked include a tour of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona.  We've also booked a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center (it looks a little like a Hawaiian Disneyland) including the evening luau and show.  I'm told it's required and I always do what I'm told! Yeah, right!  I've booked entry into Diamond Head (now required due to so many people wanting to see it).    So, while these attractions are already booked, here's the SHORT list of all the other things I hope to do and see in no particular order.

There are farmers markets on various days.  I hope to get to see at least one of them.  I love wandering around looking at local produce and whatever else there is, oh yeah, macadamia nuts!

Then there is the Bishop Museum; Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, Kamaka Hawaii (to see ukuleles made), Waikiki Beach Walk performances.  

There has to be at least one stop to look at quilting fabric.  Who am I kidding, to buy Hawaiian quilting fabric.   I'm told, by Wayne, since he and Lois spent a lot of money here before, that THE place to go is June's Fabrics and possibly also Hawaii Sewing Supplies.   I packed 2 USPS flat rate boxes presuming I won't be able to bring home an overweight suitcase full of fabric.   Time will tell, but I'm prepared!

Then there's the fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.

I can't leave out The Dole Plantation.   Fresh pineapple and pineapple juice.  YUM!

There's a Chinatown neighborhood on the island and it will be really interesting to walk around and compare it to Philadelphia's Chinatown.  

The website for the Byodo-In Temple makes this look like a really interesting place to visit.  So, this is "on the list" as well.  Along the same lines, the Iolani Palace is a required visit.

I haven't even listed the names of all the beaches for sunrise and sunset pictures.  That list is way too long!  Nor did I bore you with a list of the restaurants that I want to try.   However, there is one thing that I think I'll have to seek out early in the trip in case it tastes as good as the pictures make it look.   Hawaii is known for their ACAI (pronouned "aa saa ee") bowls.   Here's just one picture to make your mouth water.  I'll post real pictures and let you know just how good they really are.  Described as sorbet-textured blends made of a mixture of fruit and juices topped with a variety of fruits, granola and honey; the pictures look amazing.