Return to Oahu! (Days 3 & 4)

Art, Lunch, Biki, Mr. E's Diamond Head Run 

Sunday, April 11

Another morning walk & talk with Mom but not as early or as long. I took a different route and wandered through part of Fort de Russy. Then Zumba and yoga again in the room before a combo breakfast of food from Ali'i Coffee and beverages from the nearby Reserve Starbucks.

We decided to chance the rain forecast and walk to the Honolulu Museum of Art (HOMA), retracing our steps from the day before back towards Ala Moana Center and then winding through some of the new development around Ward Village and Ward Center. Unfortunately, we walked into the clouds and precipitation so got a bit rained on as we passed by the new [large] Whole Foods, but we didn't get too wet before reaching HOMA for our 12pm ticket entry time. The park across from HOMA is completely fenced off, and Mr. E asked the security guard about the barriers. Apparently, a decision was made to deny access to the park in response to some sort of unwanted homeless activity in the space. It does seem as though more folks are out on the streets now, which is quite likely at least partly due to COVID.

After about 75 minutes browsing the galleries, including our favorite of contemporary Hawai'ian art and artists, we made a stop in the gift shop before going to the cafe in the courtyard for our 1:30pm reservation. Grilled shrimp salad for both of us with a side of rosemary focaccia bread to share. I also ordered a grapefruit wine spritzer for a bit of extra refreshment. Yum!

We found a Biki station two blocks away for the trip back to the hotel. Then some time to relax and read before Mr. E headed out for his Diamond Head circumlocution run, which has become a tradition for us each time we visit this area. I had plenty of food options for dinner from our previous purchases, but Mr. E went to procure a veggie flatbread from Spitfire at Duke's Marketplace to supplement his leftovers. We watched Icognito for our evening entertainment.

J's Diamond Head Run, JEMS Diamond Head Climb, Sky at Waikik, Hula Grill

Monday, April 12

I got up early for my run around Diamond Head and then cooled down with yoga in the room and a dip in the hotel pool. We had decided to try a new spot for breakfast so walked two blocks to the Dean & Deluca in the Ritz Carlton Residences for salmon bagel sandwiches. I was hoping to try a taro bagel, but supplies were low so I ended up with the last plain bagel instead while Mr. opted for the multi-grain. Very tasty sandwiches, including the unexpected lilikoi dressing and [very] light toasting. I was satisfied with the americano, but Mr. E needed his Starbucks fix. We went to the Long's Drugs (aka CVS on the mainland) so I could try to find another book. No luck, but I did get a few more souvenirs and some chewy fish. Then a stop at the Reserve Starbucks for Mr. E.

We didn't have plans for most of the day so considered making spa visits or trying out a new spot to hike, but we decided instead to return to Diamond Head to make the climb to the top as it's been a few years since our last trek. Bus 2 took us there in under 15 minutes -- good to remember for next time! We paid the $5/person hiker fee (increase from $2 during our previous visits) at the kiosk and then started the climb. Lots of sun but not too many people, and the view from the top was spectacular as always.

 

To cool off a bit at the end, we shared a pineapple smoothie in a pineapple from the local vendor set up near the parking lot. So tasty!!!

Our return trip was walking back through Kapiolani Park with a stop at the beach to cool off near the breakfront. We had worn our swim stuff and brought pool towels from the hotel in anticipation of this pause.

Our reservation at rooftop Sky Waikiki was at 4:15pm. We had wanted to revisit Top of Waikiki, the revolving restaurant atop the same building, but unfortunately that spot closed in June 2020 due to COVID. Darn. The terrace at Sky was in full sun with no shade structures anywhere in sight. That strong exposure plus the overly loud music made for a short stay and confirmation that this spot really isn't a good fit for us. At least my three Happy Hour priced oysters were tasty!

We headed across the street to try for dinner at Duke's, but the wait was too long for a walk-in. So we went upstairs to Hula Grill instead, where we had less than 30 minutes to wait for a seat in the bar area, which still provided access to the full menu but not the same oceanfront views as the restaurant seating area.Very friendly service and yummy calimari steak (panko pan fried), steamed long beans, and baja fish tacos in addition to our beverages. Since we began our evening early, it wasn't even 7pm when we got back to the hotel. We settled in with drinks in the room and watched American Ultra.

After I went to bed, Mr. E made sure to use our daily $20 Bonvoy benefit to procure some snacks at the little market in the lobby. Most of those items will likely come home with us at this point!