Oahu Trip (Day 2)
Day 2: Friday, September 1
Surfing & Art
I started off the day with some Zumba and yoga in the room while Mr. E snoozed, and we then headed up to the Leahi Club to check out the breakfast offerings and morning view (still spectacular!). Mr. E cleverly spotted the sign about hard boiled eggs and requested a handful from the staff. I saw the piano player from the previous evening in the buffet area and learned that she's not on staff but is instead a frequent and repeat guest who was a music and voice specialist in the public schools (not sure where) for 44 years. We also chatted a bit with one of the staff who gave us some advice when she learned that we had a surf lesson scheduled: If a tiger shark tries to bite you, just give it the shaka sign, and it will leave you alone. Ha!!!
After breakfast, we headed out to our 10:30am surf lesson with Gone Surfing, the same organization that we used back in March. We managed to make our way along the beachfront path to the meeting spot, which was almost unrecognizable due to the much higher water level and almost complete lack of beach along this part of the coast. Our instructor this time was Marshall, and he led us through a brief review on the small chunk of beach still available before we hit the water... and literally hit our boards.
Oof! The surf and swells were much bigger and rougher than before, and Marshall told us that this was the highest swell of the season so far (perhaps partly due to the impending full moon). We spent quite a bit of time going up and over waves and surf breaks as we got into the appropriate spot and positions to try to catch a wave to ride towards the shore, and we both got tossed around several times. Good thing we're both strong swimmers and comfortable in the water! We were able to successfully stand and ride a few waves, but this was definitely a very different experience from our March adventure. We also each got a brief close-up greeting from a honu -- so awesome!
We decided to wrap things up around 12:15pm and encountered a pretty strong current and undertow as we paddled back to shore. Marshall was very helpful and solicitous and make sure we made it into shore safely. On our way back to the hotel, we paused to shower off some of the salt and sand and then took a dip in the infinity pool. When we cleaned up back in our room, we both took note of several bruises and abrasions from the rough waters and board bouncing.
Our afternoon destination was the Honolulu Museum of Art. We had a light lunch at the food court again and then took advantage of the new city bike share system, Biki, to pedal to the Museum. The 2.5 mile ride took about 20 minutes and was quite warm and sunny. And who forgot to apply sunscreen??? At least I was wearing my hat! We returned the bikes to a Biki station right across from the Museum, which was very convenient.
I had done a bit of research into the Museum fees and discovered that we could each purchase an individual membership for $30 (fully tax-deductible). Given that the usual entry fee is $20 per person, we figured becoming members was worth the additional cost, especially since it gives us free entry to the Museum in the future, including the other location up in Waikiki Heights (more on that later). We spent about 90 minutes enjoying the European collections and ended with the Arts of Hawai'i, which showcased an amazing array of art by multiple artists in different media and time periods, showing how depictions of Hawai'i in art have evolved over time.
The return bike ride to the hotel wasn't quite as warm, and we discovered a lovely 2-way separated bike lane along King Street, which made the trip much more enjoyable (and safer) than being right next to car traffic. After we returned the Bikis to the station on Seaside near our hotel, we got smoothies at Jamba Juice and made a quick stop at ABC for some anti-bacterial ointment to treat our surf scrapes and then headed up to the room to shower (third time of the day!) and change for our second Leahi Club evening. Mr. E needed to do some work, so I focused on reviewing the Lonely Planet guide to get ideas for a potential road trip on Sunday or Monday. We had some snacks and drinks and admired the spectacular sunset.
Mr. E eventually went out to pick up extra food and adult beverage ingredients and made it back in time for the 7:45pm fireworks at the Hilton Hawai'ian Village, as we had a great view of the display from the Leahi Club. The piano player returned for another evening of musical accompaniment just prior to the fireworks. Once we got back to the room, Mr. E stayed up to watch the recorded Badger's opening game (a win -- phew!) on his laptop, and I went to bed.
Surfing & Art
I started off the day with some Zumba and yoga in the room while Mr. E snoozed, and we then headed up to the Leahi Club to check out the breakfast offerings and morning view (still spectacular!). Mr. E cleverly spotted the sign about hard boiled eggs and requested a handful from the staff. I saw the piano player from the previous evening in the buffet area and learned that she's not on staff but is instead a frequent and repeat guest who was a music and voice specialist in the public schools (not sure where) for 44 years. We also chatted a bit with one of the staff who gave us some advice when she learned that we had a surf lesson scheduled: If a tiger shark tries to bite you, just give it the shaka sign, and it will leave you alone. Ha!!!
After breakfast, we headed out to our 10:30am surf lesson with Gone Surfing, the same organization that we used back in March. We managed to make our way along the beachfront path to the meeting spot, which was almost unrecognizable due to the much higher water level and almost complete lack of beach along this part of the coast. Our instructor this time was Marshall, and he led us through a brief review on the small chunk of beach still available before we hit the water... and literally hit our boards.
Oof! The surf and swells were much bigger and rougher than before, and Marshall told us that this was the highest swell of the season so far (perhaps partly due to the impending full moon). We spent quite a bit of time going up and over waves and surf breaks as we got into the appropriate spot and positions to try to catch a wave to ride towards the shore, and we both got tossed around several times. Good thing we're both strong swimmers and comfortable in the water! We were able to successfully stand and ride a few waves, but this was definitely a very different experience from our March adventure. We also each got a brief close-up greeting from a honu -- so awesome!
We decided to wrap things up around 12:15pm and encountered a pretty strong current and undertow as we paddled back to shore. Marshall was very helpful and solicitous and make sure we made it into shore safely. On our way back to the hotel, we paused to shower off some of the salt and sand and then took a dip in the infinity pool. When we cleaned up back in our room, we both took note of several bruises and abrasions from the rough waters and board bouncing.
Our afternoon destination was the Honolulu Museum of Art. We had a light lunch at the food court again and then took advantage of the new city bike share system, Biki, to pedal to the Museum. The 2.5 mile ride took about 20 minutes and was quite warm and sunny. And who forgot to apply sunscreen??? At least I was wearing my hat! We returned the bikes to a Biki station right across from the Museum, which was very convenient.
I had done a bit of research into the Museum fees and discovered that we could each purchase an individual membership for $30 (fully tax-deductible). Given that the usual entry fee is $20 per person, we figured becoming members was worth the additional cost, especially since it gives us free entry to the Museum in the future, including the other location up in Waikiki Heights (more on that later). We spent about 90 minutes enjoying the European collections and ended with the Arts of Hawai'i, which showcased an amazing array of art by multiple artists in different media and time periods, showing how depictions of Hawai'i in art have evolved over time.
Mr. E eventually went out to pick up extra food and adult beverage ingredients and made it back in time for the 7:45pm fireworks at the Hilton Hawai'ian Village, as we had a great view of the display from the Leahi Club. The piano player returned for another evening of musical accompaniment just prior to the fireworks. Once we got back to the room, Mr. E stayed up to watch the recorded Badger's opening game (a win -- phew!) on his laptop, and I went to bed.
posted by jms | 7:47 PM
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