Had to get up way to early - a quick shower and the shuttle driver showed up a little early. Took a last look around and was a little sad to be leaving - my new house and such an incredibly beautiful morning (it was already 70°+ and it was only six!) The airport was unexciting. When I got on the plane I was surprised to hear someone call my name. My friend Callie (who I used to work with nearly six years ago) was sitting just five rows back!
In Honolulu I talked with Callie and her friend Melissa then caught the shuttle to my hotel. After unpacking, changing in to a bathing suit, and checking the guide book I headed for Waikiki. I took a city bus but got off in Chinatown - I recalled it being close to Waikiki on the map and it just looked interesting. It was interesting, but it was a long way from Waikiki and I spent the next two plus hours walking - I might have gotten a bit lost. Eventually found myself at the ?? Palace (the US's only real palace) walked by ? Justice and through ? Park before finally arriving at Waikiki beach. I didn't have very high expectations for the beach but even so I was disappointed. It was dirty, crowded, and the high rise hotels loom over it. Even so, I still relished the fact that I was on a beach and spent another hour walking in the sand.
Since I was in Waikiki I called Callie and Melissa. After checking out their accommodation (a huge multi room / bath suite with incredible views) we headed out for drinks on the lanai. A few drinks later it was raining pretty hard so I opted to take a taxi back rather than waiting for the bus. Something I noticed from the taxi - the "Interstate H-1" freeway, how does that work in Hawaii? After re-packing I set a 4 AM wakeup call and went to sleep.
