We are in the plane to Honolulu, Hawaii. On the last entry of our blog, we had advised that we would try to cross the border to Mexico in Nogales. Well, our plans have changed. We did drive back to Phoenix, AZ. However, every single person we have spoken to in Phoenix has discouraged us to go, especially with two motorcycles. It is extremely disappointing to have to give up, at least for the time being, on our project, but better be safe than sorry. This is also what travelling is all about, changing plans is part of the mix and after all, Hawaii is probably not the worst place to go.
We have booked our first night in a hotel in Waikiki and have booked three nights also through couchsurfing with Damall. For those who don't know what Couchsurfing is, this is an organization which allows people who travel to find free temporary accommodation, typically one to three nights. All the hosts graciously open their home. When you register with Couchsurfing, you also commit to open your home, which on our side, we will be happy to do upon our return to Canada. On our first evening already, we have experienced the smoothness of the climate and walked along Waikiki Beach. We have celebrated our arrival by going to a local restaurant. In the end, we are happy to be here !
November 20, 2010: In the last week, we have started to explore the Island. We have been able to secure some temporary accommodation by looking into www.easyroomate.com. We are now living in an appartment that we are sharing with Pia, a Swedish lady until the end of November. We have been shopping at Don Quijote, a Japanese grocery store, where you can find everything and where the choice of sushis of any kind is just huge ! This store sells also all kinds of exotic food and compared to the other stores we had found, the prices are really good ! We have decided not to rent a car on this island as The Bus is running on the whole island, and it is cheap! We have been travelling on TheBus for now over a week and we have been touched by the kindness of the local people. Once, we pulled the map with the different bus lines from our backpack and right away, someone started to ask us where we wanted to go. As soon as we said it, another lady started participating in the conversation. Alain and I looked at each other and were thinking that soon the whole bus was going to discuss it. Another time, the bus was fairly full : Alain and I were standing up and immediately one gentleman got up to let me sit. This was galantry ! and right after, another guy got up, this time to let Alain sit. Alain told him he was not that old and that he could stand ! ... and every time, even in the street, when we seem to be looking for something, there is always someone asking us if they can help. We have been going to different beaches, Waikiki beach, of course, which is located only three blocks from where we stay
Ala Moana Park, Waimea Bay with large waves
Kailua Beach, a long white sand strip, Hanauma Bay where we snorkled with many coloured fishes. The days go by quickly between walking, swimming, visiting and basically just enjoying each other. We look like we are on vacation from our previous vacation, although we miss our motorcycles ! The weather so far has been nice, not too hot, but cloudy at times. Since our arrival, it has rained only at nights. We hiked the Diamond Head Crater too yesterday and ended up the day lazily again on Waikiki beach. One thing I have forgotten to mention is that we went to visit the Dole Plantation. Well, it is just not worth it ! As you walk in to visit, we basically enter their store where they promote only Dole Products ! there is no indication of what has to be visited and when you finally find your way out on your own, you learn there is a 20 minute train ride that takes you in the plantation at the modic sum of $ 11.00. A real rip off ! Everybody in the store tries to sell you something or makes you think you might have won something. There is really not much information about the company itself, you don't feel any pride or any accomplishment there ! We are slowly adjusting to the Island pace !
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