Hi Everyone! This is Karen posting this blog. (Dorothy is busy posting the blog from Saturday).
The day started out pretty relaxing. Opened up the hotel room curtains to see a beautiful view of the Ali Wai canal and the mountains. After a few hours of watching “American TV”, we were off to Denny’s for some fuel before hitting the road.
Today we did the circle island tour of Oahu. Stopped first at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout for a view down the windward coast. God this place is beautiful!
Next we visited the Byodo-In Temple. What an incredible and serene place. You start the tour by banging a huge bell for luck, prosperity, happiness, etc. Take off your shoes and enter the temple, and then light some incense. Very moving place. And to top it off … they have ocean view sites available in the adjoining cemetery! No really … check out the photo of the sign!
Next we were off to see Chinaman’s hat … that pointy headed island just off the windward coast. Lots of Hawaiian families were at the beach today … just relaxing, having BBQs and enjoying life.
Made it to the North Shore where we stopped at world famous Sunset Beach. The Gods were good to us and gave us a parking spot right at the beach. Tough to find on a beautiful day like today, when everyone is at the North Shore.
Off to the town of Haleiwa, one of my favorite places on earth. In my next life I want to live here and sell beaded bracelets on the beach! Had lunch at a great Mexican restaurant called Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican Restaurant. We also checked out the new Haleiwa location of Wyland Galleries (my favourite artist). Then we headed over to The North Shore Soap Factory, where we learned a lot about soap (!) and got some soap that sounds incredible.
Next to the Dole Plantation for … not a Dole Whip … a Dole Float. Oh my God. A Dole Whip is some miraculous kind of pineapple ice-cream type thing. But now they make it into a float. To die for! We will definitely be going back there.
Got back to Waikiki, and then headed over the the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber hotel. We had booked tickets for Don Ho, thinking we should see him now, since he’s getting up there in age (76, to be exact!). Dinner was good, but Don was unbelievable. It was the most fun show I have ever seen. Before the show even started, Dorothy went out to the bathroom. On her way back, Don was coming out of the door across from her! He was walking over to sit down, with Dorothy right behind him.
They announced that Don would be available for photos before the show. So we got in line with all the ‘old folks’ (I swear there were only about 10 people under the age of 40 … Dorothy still being one of them!). We got to the front of the line, and sat down with Don. Unreal! He asked where we were from, and then what area of Canada. Check out the photo of us with him. He is definitely looking like 76, but he just had heart surgery in Bangkok so he’s doing really well.
The show rocked! He started with “Tiny Bubbles” which we all had to sing along to. The whole crowd knew all his songs (except for us), and helped out on quite a few. He is quick as a whip. Absolutely hilarious. The rest of the people in his show are amazing too. His son (who had to be less than 25 years old) came out and did a couple of songs. Then Don introduced the doctor who saved his life in Bangkok! And the Governor of Hawaii! Amazing!
Dorothy bought a CD and after the show Don was signing CDs, photos, whatever. There are a few more photos of Dorothy getting the CD signed. Don was extremely friendly, chatting with everyone, and in no rush to leave. He definitely is going on Dorothy’s IPod.
All in all … a perfect day in paradise! Stay tuned for more tomorrow!
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