Hawaii, 17th September, 2022

 We are still here, long time between updates.  Not rushing around as much as we usually do. But we still go out walking everyday for half of the mornings, but only walking between 4km to 7km a day. Mainly to go to the shops, stock up on supermarket as we only buy what we can carry back which could be walking 2 to 3km back to the hotel. Have been out to Honolulu city on the bus but still did a bit of walking around the city. Today we walked down to Waikiki main beach probably about 3km along the beach in front of the hotels. Nice walk but only do it once each holiday when up here. It seams a lot busier this year people everywhere scattered all over the beach. I guess everyone around the world is making up for lost travelling time. We then got the bus back. Very hot walking along the beach. I will post photos of this walk next blog.  Have walked down to Walmart 2 or 3 times. Got what you wanted Des. That’s about it between blogs.

Now for a few sunsets over the days. Still haven’t had one of those real bright sunsets covering the sky  yet. I guess you will know when we do, if we see one at all.

Fascinating cloud formations

These  rain threatening clouds stay over towards Pearl Ridge and don’t normally come over the beaches. We can be sitting on the beach in the sun with dark clouds behind us.

All taken from our balcony.

Seen a couple of cruise ships going past heading for Honolulu port.

Afternoon sun coming in. Doesn’t come round to us until late afternoon.

Looking down over the courtyard.

One more.

Chinatown in Honolulu to stock up veg and fruit.

This is one way of walking your dog. Waikiki main beach.

Hawaii, 12th September, 2022

 Finally the tennis finished yesterday so no more interruptions. Haven’t been doing a lot over our first week, swimming everyday, shopping while the labour day weekend sales are still going but would say finished now. Also not taking as many photos as I usually do as they get so repetitive. So in all not doing my everyday blog, relaxing more so sorry to be so boring. Going back to the 8th September our 49th wedding anniversary we had a  very nice dinner up in the restaurant on the roof of the Ilikai Hotel where we stay. Last time we were up here in Hawaii, they had closed it down and we heard that the new owners were going to turn it into a rooftop apartment for themselves. That obviously didn’t proceed and it has now been all refurbished into a lovely restaurant with the great views it has up there.

Just ready to leave our unit to go up to dinner.

We are now in the glass lift that is on the outside of the building that goes straight up to the rooftop Restaurant no stops on the way. While I was taking all the photos on our way up PT had his back to the view just waiting to get out of there and for the doors to open. Photos not very clear as looking through dirty class.

Standing in the outside lift looking across our wing we are staying in unit1037. Lowest floor I think that we have ever stayed on. But ten floors up still gives you a good view. The highest we have stayed is on the twentieth floor which was amazing.

Now seated at our table by the window looking across towards the Hilton and down town Waikiki.

Enjoying a nice cocktail drink before dinner.

Dads fish chowder.

My prawn entre. Yummy

Main meal more sea food, Pescatore.

Pescatore

After our beautiful dinner thanks to Jens family for shouting us for a belated birthday present.

After dinner coming back down in the lift enjoying the night lights, looking over the boat harbour.

Last nights sunset taken from our balcony. Still no big sunsets, this is all we have been getting.  Not filling the sky with a bright orange glow that we usually get sometime during our holiday. 🤞 we will see that before we leave.

Today we took the bus out to Pearl City Centre. Long way in the bus about 1hour 20 mins one way. We are not getting our free bus trips for seniors that we have always used in the past. Lots of little things have changed like that. We used to be able to get a four year senior photo ID pass for $30 then pay the $10 just for the month that you use. Then get on and off the bus for free as many times you like. The normal bus ride has gone up to $3.00 a ride, no matter how long you ride for. But we can still use our expired ID card and pay $1.25 each per ride so still good. Richard and Jenny we miss seeing you sitting on your spot on the beach every day. We always feel someone is missing. But we think of you and our regular chats.

Hawaii, Tuesday 6th September, 2022.

 Woke up last Saturday to a very humid day after it was raining overnight. Made it very hot on our morning walk. It was unbearable especially as there was no wind at all very still which is unusual here. Usually get a breeze coming in from the trade winds this time of year. But it didn’t last, the wind came in later in the day. Labour day yesterday, long weekend, which made it a lot busier than usual. Good shopping specials all weekend  40 to 50% on clothes. We purchased a few items which the sales were on. Shouldn’t have to shop anymore now. Posted  below some photos that some of you would have seen on previous years but not all would have.

Sun going down taken from our balcony.

Closer up. We haven’t seen any great sunsets yet. Usually we have some amazing ones at some stage while we are here but there’s still plenty of time for that to happen.

Last night

As we walk down the ramp from our hotel this is always a great sight to see on our way down for our first swim. Looking over the lagoon in front of the Hilton Hotel next door to us.

One of my favourite shots, standing here with the ocean behind me, looking over to the Hilton Hotel. Lagoon on the left and on the right where we swim in the ocean where it washes into a bay. The Ilikai where we are staying with the turquoise colour on the outside, is above the middle of the lagoon. To go for a swim we walk around the lagoon over to the sea. Waikiki main beach is further along to the right out of the picture. Takes us about 15mins to walk along to there.

Our swimming beach. Colourful hotel is the Hilton.

Looking across to our hotel across the lagoon with the turquoise colour.

Ilikai on the left. We walk around this lagoon to sea for our swimming just out of the picture on the right.

Taken in front of the Ilikai standing down at the boat harbour. You can see the building is a  Y shape and the stick of the Y is the front wing.

The front wing is where we are about in the middle half way up looking over the boat harbour. Right at the top on the roof is a restaurant with amazing views. This is where we always go for our wedding anniversary for dinner. In the corner of the building is an outside lift that goes up to just the restaurant. You can imagine PT going up this one he can’t look, looks inside all the way.

The promenade  in front of our hotel. Little bit of our Hotel on the right just showing and the hotel in the middle of the photo is The Modern. Sorry about all these explanations for those that have seen all these photos from our previous trips up here. We love it.

Thought you would enjoy seeing these Daniel as you are the one that would love to come up here some time.

Hawaii, Friday 2nd September,2022

 Quiet day today but both of us had a good nights sleep last night after our late flight up. Still feeling a little tired tonight. The only thing we did today was this morning a trip to the supermarket to stock up. After lunch watch Serena Williams final tennis match in New York before her retirement but after her loss. Went on for about three hours three sets. Of course the crowds were definitely one sided. After the match I went down for my first swim. Magic as usual always so warm and a beautiful sunny day, although we did get a little rain overnight. Just posting a few photos of our flight up and our condo as haven’t been out taking photos yet.  Although the ones I probably will take will be the same old ones that I usually take. It sure is great to be back up here after all the lockdowns.

Waiting for take off so much room row 2, A&B Hawaiian Airlines Airbus 330.  Seven years old, so Dave informed us.

Dinner served didn’t really feel like all this food but couldn’t turn it down. Tablet gets put in front of your tray.

Pork fillet, passion fruit cheesecake. 

Had dinner, now it’s time to sleep. Lots of room lie flat beds, very cosy. Although we slept well we were aware of a lot of turbulence during the night.

 This is our whole area, four windows to look out of. This is just Pt’s side my seat just in photo.

Photos of our condo. Bathroom.

Lounge.

Kitchen

Sleeping area behind couch.

Looking through from balcony

Looking from kitchen to balcony.

We are only on the 10th floor, this year, usually a lot higher between 17 and 20.

On the balcony 

Looking over the boat harbour.

From our balcony. 

Just been down to watch the Hiltons Friday night fireworks on the beach. Didn’t take photos will do that next Friday.

Auckland Airport, 1st September 2022

 Pick up was at 8.30pm to the Airport by Shore Shuttles arriving at 9.15pm. Quick check in and straight up to the Strata lounge for a bite to eat. Take off time 11.55pm. About a nine hour flight to Hawaii so here’s hoping for a long sleep arriving in Hawaii NZ time 9.45am. Will update you on our accomodation tomorrow. Good night.