Shock and Awe

To my amazement, Reggie upgraded us on Alaska Air to first class from Seattle to Honolulu!  Nice.  By the time we subtracted the included free baggage check, the movie rentals (they rent you a hand-held “digiEplayer” now for $10 each), a nice meal (with real knives and forks) and all Paul’s drinks, it was a real good deal.  Not to mention the leather Barco-lounger seats and yards of legroom.

Arrived fat and happy in Honolulu on time and after threading through the usual taxi chaos, sorting out a room misunderstanding (a double bed is NOT a Queen-sized bed) crashed into bed at midnight local time.

Awoke this morning to a beautiful Oahu day.  Had a cup of coffee on our lanai, located two blocks from Waikiki Beach, overlooking a downtown golf course (!) and a mountain view, before setting off to the Waterfront Café (not on the waterfront) for a monster breakfast.  After a brief period of digestion, walked another block to Waikiki Beach.  Gorgeous.

Aloha!

View from our balcony

Hillside suburb

Waikiki Beach from Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head