Aloha! - Thursday

We were scheduled to visit Hanauma Bay today; however, our bus never showed up. I called the number I had for the tour company, and their phone rang 20 times with no answer. So...we went back to our room, changed out of our bathing suits, and decided to go shopping. Monday's tour guide ("Twelve") had told us it was best to visit Hanauma Bay first thing in the morning, so we'll catch the first bus there tomorrow morning and rent our snorkel gear. He said it gets just as crowded as the tours for the USS Arizona -- we were 30 minutes early there, and were at least 200 people back in line.

While we were getting our things together to head for the Ala Moana Mall, our phone rang. It was the front desk telling us the tour company was calling and asking if we still wanted to go. By now it was a good 30 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time. Since it was now nearly 11, I asked her to tell them that it was too late and we'd just cancel. Under the circumstances, I'm sure I can get our money back, and we'll have a better experience going earlier anyway!

The Ala Moana Mall is a typical huge mall. The only difference between it and malls in California is that much of the ceiling is open to the sky. There are lots of "chi chi" stores (Prada, Luis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus) along with the usual suspects (Sears, Macy's, Radio Shack). We had lunch at the food court. I had a mahi mahi plate from the Poi Bowl, and Cat had garlic steak and pasta from mama's spaghetti house.

We had seen an Orange Julius as we entered the mall, so we went there for dessert. It's been at least 10 years since I had an Orange Julius. Yum!!

After people watching and slurping our OJ's, we next went to Hilo Hattie's. Very, very tourist trap, but definitely fun and interesting. Maybe Cat will write in her blog later about her purchases. One was a gift, so I don't want to spoil anything.

I think we'll find someplace fun for dinner tonight -- maybe one of the grills near the beach, or the rotating restaurant on top of one of the hotels. I'm sure we'll discover something fun. It is our last evening here, after all! Our flight back is 9 something in the evening tomorrow.

Now, on to check the bus schedule for tomorrow's fun...

More: After we tired of the mall, we went back to Waikiki and the shops there. We found an out-of-the-way place for dinner (Chef's Kitchen? Behind the Hyatt) and had steak and lobster tail for $11.95. Then we did some last-minute shopping at the International Marketplace.

We've finally adjusted to this time zone ... and it's nearly time to go home!