January 11, New York to Hawaii

This morning was a very early start. Bed around 12am, and then up at 4.30am for a shuttle to the airport.

It was all quite painless, and the flight was quite comfortable.

Landing in Hawaii to gorgeous weather and heaps of people (lots of Aussies funnily enough). I got to my hotel around 4pm, to find myself in a huge room complete with 3 beds. Not sure what I'm supposed to do with them all though.

The view from my room.

I'd picked a hotel I'd stayed at before because it's in a great spot, just behind the International Marketplace and a short walk to Waikiki. As soon as I'd dropped off my stuff, it was out of long pants, into shorts and thongs and off to the beach.

I walked for a way, away from the public beach area and chose a path down between some hotels, walking back along the shore toward Duke's bar. This was a walk that Melissa and I did a few years ago when we were in Honolulu. It was lovely to feel the sun out at 5pm, and have the waves splashing on my feet.

As the sun started to set I headed up through Duke's (where I was unsuccessful obtaining service) and so went back to the hotel to clean up to go and get dinner. I took a different route, and found myself some nail polish in a curious shop that seemed to only be serving Japanese tourists, all prices were in Japanese! But they had a good selection, and ultimately I discovered, good prices.

For dinner I wanted to go to the Cheesecake Factory. I wandered in and asked one of the girls at the counter about a table to be advised that there was a 40-60 minute wait. I shook my head at that and she suggested I get a seat at the bar and order there. So I did just that. 5 minutes later I had a drink in my hand and was contemplating the very extensive menu!

I ended up ordering Moroccan Chicken with pearl couscous (I want to get some of this) flavoured with golden raisins, almonds, asparagus and oven roasted tomatoes, served with spiced Harissa. It was very good!

On the way out I stopped to pick up a piece of cheese cake, and by this stage it was a 15 minute wait to speak to the girl at the counter about a table, and a further 1.5 hour wait for a table. MADNESS! Anyway, I chose a piece of Chocolate and raspberry cheesecake and was on my way, back through the International Marketplace to my hotel room. I think this is the way to fly home from the US, a comfortable bed for the night between flights. Very civilised!