quick trip /Waikiki updates

Had a great little trip, you meet the most interesting people in Waikiki, and now with all the Europeans it has got even better. So here is a little info.

WE GOT VOGGED, Its bad enough the Big Island sends HawaiiDan and now they send us VOG. It was so sad to see the waikiki sky look like Los Angeles. They said it was not unhealthy but seemed to clog the sinuses. The key is the wind, when we arrived there was a very light southwest wind that they call a Kona Wind, so the VOG just sat there. Eventually we got our trade winds back and it blew the VOG out of there.

Royal Hawaiian Update- The waitress said they are closing May 31 for 7 months, they will not touch the main structure, but will redo the rooms and the pool, and enlarge the Mai Tai Bar at the expense of the Surf Room. Sounds like they will enclose the Surf Room, how sad.

Chair Rentals- I did not try it but there was in ad in This Week in Oahu where Snorkel Bob rents 2 chairs , umbrella and a cooler for $30/ Week. I know alot of people are looking for a deal on the chairs.

Sunset sails were booked solid on all boats so be sure to make a reservation a day or so in advance. We had a great sail on the MaiTai and everyone was having so much fun they would not get off the boat when we hit shore, the captain had to say, '; you guys have to leave now';.

Dukes and Cheesecake had the normal huge wait, but we only had to wait 20 minutes to get a rail table at Chucks Steakhouse, so that is a good option.

I got a great deal at Dollar so I rented my car from them, but be aware, I think they hire timeshare salesman to work at the desk. This guy tried to sell me $50 in extras for my $10 car, just say no. We ususally get a Budget, they are much nicer. They have a nice gas station right at the entry of the rental car return so there is no need to prepay for gas, we only used $9 worth and the prepay full tank was gonna be about $50. Gas is actually cheaper in Hawaii than California.

I have concluded the best place to drink a Mai Tai in all Hawaii is the Beach Bar at the Moana, can anyone name a better place? right next to the sand with a great ocean and diamonhead view with the fabulous banyan tree. They have got a nice guitar combo playing with a gorgeous hula girl at sunset now.

thats it for now

quick trip /Waikiki updates

thanks longboard!!

got a good chucle out of hawaaiidan and the vog

aloha marie

quick trip /Waikiki updates

Lucky you taking a trip to Oahu!

Interesting comment about the Europeans鈥?so I take it that they are visiting Hawaii because of the value of the dollar for them. If so, then watch out for a European invasion in August, which is when most Europeans take their vacation for one month!

Thanks for the updates!

Thanks for the tripreport-I am really saddened by the news about the Surf Room,it was one of my favorites. I don%26#39;t understand these corporate decesions-they changed the Banyan veranda at the Moana to basically a stek house aimed towards the ';High Tea';crowd. They also closed the decent,moderately priced Beach House restaurant to make it an upscale restaurant!Well,I will continue to patronize the Orchids, LaMer,and the House Without a Key, as well as the Hula Grill, and Dukes, and the Hau Tree Lanai.

I am sure it is the dollar, even with the airfare cost it is so much cheaper than Europe now. We talked with this group of kids from the chezq republic who were having more fun than you can imagine. What a change for them it must be.