Monday, November 7, 2016

Hawaii in Fall 2016 Fall

Kay and I decided to spend a month in Waikiki during the the fall of 2016, staying in a one bedroom condominium on the 31st floor overlooking the Ali Wai Canal, a place we rented once before. Our place was a long city block from the beach where there was some decent snorkeling; and we could easily walk around the Ali Wai Canal, or around Diamond Head for some exercise. I also brought my foldable bike, a Bike Friday, which enabled me to explore most of the neighborhoods along the mountains from the Pali Highway to Kokohead. Our location gave me quick access to quiet neighborhoods away from the busy hustle and bustle of Waikiki, and from there I could easily cycle into the mountains or toward Kokohead to explore areas frequented by more locals than tourist. Staying active during our visit was important due to all the dine outs. Although we did eat in, one of the great things about visiting Hawaii is the food, a melting pot of Asian cuisines along with traditional local favorites, both old and new. Kay did her research generating a list of restaurants to try, some fine dining but mostly hole-in-the-walls. Including the restaurants we discovered while out and about, and recommendations from friends; there was more places than our days in paradise allowed. Staying active was important for our health and weight! Friends Dennis and Deb, whose daughter and husband recently moved to Waikiki, were also visiting the islands during part of our stay. Below are pictures from our trip which include visits to the Hawaii State Art Museum, Iolani Palace, and Mu Ryang Sa Buddhist Temple, as well as hikes to Manoa Falls, Diamond Head, and Waimea Valley. Below are a few favorites and the rest of the pictures can be found on Google Photos.