Week in Waikiki: Day 1

Friday 3/25: SMF > HNL + Ala Moana Center

Our direct flight on Southwest didn't leave until nearly 10am, so I had time for my usual morning lap swim at the CAC before we headed to the airport. We lucked out with no passenger in the middle seat, so Lulu the green Hawaiian sea turtle was able to be safely strapped in for the flight!

Today was the last day of both the statewide mask mandate and the Hawaii Safe Travels program, and we still had to mask up when inside and show our vaccination proof at the airport. We arrived around 12:30pm HI time and caught up with a Charley Taxi for the ride to our hotel, The Modern Honolulu, located by the marina near the Ala Wai canal at the western part of Waikiki and just down the street from The Windsor condo building where KM was stationed during his temporary assignment here (and where we stayed the first time I ever visited Hawaii). 

As expected, our room wasn't yet ready, so we grabbed a few essential items and left our bags with the concierge as we walked the short distance to Ala Moana Center to find lunch. I opted for a poke bowl, and Mr. E got a burrito. Then we spent some time browsing and shopping, adding to our ornament and magnet collection and [surprisingly] finding two new dresses for me at Hilo Hattie's. We also stocked up on some basic provisions at Foodland Farms, including a new insulated reusable bag with the spam musubi design.

By this time, our room was ready, so we returned to the hotel to get our keys and finish the check-in process, which took a bit longer than expected. We had a corner marina view 1-bedroom suite on the 6th floor with an amazing panorama of ocean, boats, Magic Island, and the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort and lagoon.

We took some time to unpack and get organized and then did a bit of exploration of the hotel to find the fitness center, main pool, and restaurant. We also made the first of several trips to an ABC Store to procure some additional beverages and food. I took time for a yoga break while Mr. E napped, and then we put together our take-out picnic dinner in the room while watching "Murder, She Wrote" on one of the numerous TV channels available. A relatively early night for both of us due to the time difference!