As I mentioned before, waking up every day around 4-5am would be the program for everybody. A plate of eggs, turkey bacon & rice and a hot cup of Kona coffee would be the on the table by 4:30. For our days in the Aston Waikiki, we were welcomed to a nice view of the sunrise & dawn patrol surfers. Retarded to say the least. I didn't mind the Backyardigans blasting in the background if I could still hear the waves crashing. Piff.
Mike & my Sis had toured all the islands in Hawaii for their own Honeymoon, so they knew all the local non-tourist beaches and snack spots. Waikiki is hella touristy so chilling on their beach was a no go. Daisy mapped out a small local beach on the east coast of Kailua.
It was a cool drive through the mountains passing through tunnels down into town. We arrived and were greeted by a local family also there for a beach day and their vanity plate which said it all.
My dad and I raced towards the ocean and jumped in. It was our first Hawaiian Beach Baptism and we were so hyped. After a bit we commented how we wished it was little more warmer. We happened to forget it was only 7 in the morning. Kailua is pretty tight. Super mellow surf with a mellow sandy bottom. Perfect first day beach.
The passing clouds made for some brisk swimming so we hopped out for some nap time and play time with Mr.Dylan. Our hotel concierge was more than happy to gift us with some beach toys. Mahalo! The Hawaiian Flip connection goes a long way.
It warmed to a perfect mid morning with sunny skies and view that killed. As the noon hour came, more clouds passed over and our appetites were ready to sample some local flavor. Daisy read about a local joint known for their hospitality, cheap prices, and generous portions called K&K BBQ. Bring it on!
The place was very unassuming tucked in the corner of a small mini mall in between an ocean kayaking touring group and a surf shop. Really it looked like any corner Chinese food spot. But after peeping the menu and reading about the various plate lunch specials all including various forms of Hawaiian BBQ and fried fish, we were hyped.
Jilllian & I shared two lunches: BBQ chicken & fried Mahi & mine- BBQ & shrimp both each around the 8$ mark. It was a joke once we saw the portions. HUGE. Even the 300lb local bruddahs seated next to us brought take home. I was hyped to realize this would be the general lunch meal for the week.
We tried to hit another beach up a bit on the same coastline, but were greeted to some dark clouds which after about 10 minutes, dumped on us. We should have taken more consideration to the locals who were running towards their car while we walking towards the beach.
Oh well, we left the stormy east side and made it back to our hotel. The weather was fine back in Waikiki so we decided to jump in the water for a bit and walk around and see what was up.
The Waikiki strip is a cross between the Mall of America and 5th Avenue. There's everything from Applebees to Gucci. It was odd to see for sure, but my sis talked about how their LV store used to be one of the highest grossing when the Japanese ecomomy was booming, yen was up, and they would come to Hawaii to vacation & shop their asian asses off. Seemed crowded enough for me but storekeepers were saying it was really more so.
The Hawaiian Cookie Company was one of our first stops as they have free samples and encourage you to get down. So good. Sure do miss some pineapple macadamia cookie craze & and iced Kona coffee to wash it down. Proper.
It was odd to be pestered with street merchants advertising for shooting ranges. Dunno what that says about your average American visitor and Hawaiian gun laws, but apparently that's one of the things to do here. No thanks. We did manage to find Aloha Army, a local streetwear boutique selling local brands like In4mation and others. I was hyped to get my HI kit proper and support the local brands. Mahalo guys.
I could have geeked out in the store & shot the shit with the store owner forever, but soon we got a call from Mom that Dylan woke up from his nap and was asking for Mama & Papa. Also Mom's spaghetti & meatballs was on the table. Again we crushed dinner & passed out around 7pm. However, I woke up around 10pm to lights out & antsy pants. Headed out to wander the now rainy neighborhood. Other tourists were also wandering around trying to deal with their jet lag as well. Stepped into the Element store to watch skate videos to try & break down my mind and to field interrogating sales people. "Oh wow, New York? Must be great to live there." I'd trade any day, but grass always greener as they say. Ended up at Haagen Dazs near the hotel to grab my late night snack: a pineapple coconut waffle cone. Sat down to people watch pissed I didn't dive into a Big Island Dazzler, but there's always next time.
