Going to Hawaii
is like going to another country, but it's
a tropical paradise in the USA!
When you get
to Hawaii, you instantly relax. Why wait until
you get there though. Start at take off. If
you are leaving from San Diego, go Hawaiian
Airlines. It's a direct non-stop and affordable
flight.
If you look
on the internet, you can find flights for
around $400 after summer peak times and holidays.
If you have the bucks, go first class.
We got lucky
and ended up in first class. It was a privilege.
I felt like a million bucks as soon as I sat
down. Roomy seats, superb service and a great
flight, all added to the pleasure of smooth
and quick sailing over seas to the warm waters
of Waikiki.
Off the plane
in a flash, a porter got us and the huge surfboard
bag, camera equipment and more to a station
wagon taxi and off to the historic pink palace,
ie the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
I had heard
so much about this hotel that if half of it
was true I was in paradise. Greeted warmly
by the valets and porters, whisked through
check in with a fragrant lei greeting and
off to a historic room........ Wow.... everything
and more.
A step into
the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is a step to living
in Hawaii in the past with royal service and
an escape from the adjacent Waikiki hustle
bustle.
The rooms
are beautiful. I choose one of the historic
garden rooms for quiet, history and frankly
to economize a bit. Historic rooms start at
$345 and they are worth every penny. Luckily
I got a special rate. Always inquire about
specials. If you are with the government,
you get the best rates!
The pool are
is so pink and perfect with attendants waiting
to help you. A small private beach with reservable
chaise lounges and umbrellas are very popular
with many sun starved visitors.
The turquoise
blue Hawaiian sea is 20 feet away. A perfect
temperature and perfectly empty of bathers
until after brunch time.
The Royal
Hawaiian Hotel' s beachside restaurant has
views of the sea and one of the most incredible
breakfast brunches every morning. A regular
breakfast menu is available.
Lunch and
dinner there is excellent as well with a Chef's
team that is Zagat approved.
The nearby
beach / bar restaurant is more casual with
a limited menu and late afternoon/ early evening
entertainment that is worth a daily hour or
two.
Nearby fun
besides dipping and snorkling are outrigger
canoe rides, surf lessons .... check out Thomas
or Rabbit Kekai's stands, helicopter rides,
the nearby Bishop's Museum, tours of the island
and of course the luau.
The Royal
Hawaiian Hotel's Luau is famed. Book it, it
takes place every Monday.
If you aren't
getting enough of that incredible Hawiian
dancing, walk on down the beach a block East
in the evenings. In the park there are usually
dancers and it's free.
If you are
super lucky, you'll have a hook to go to the
private Outrigger Canoe Club by Diamond Head.
The Outrigger
Canoe Club is a little oasis setting you in
the vicinity of the locals. A small, friendly,
beachside club where members and privacy is
strictly protected. I know Tom Selleck ie.
Magnum P.I. is a member. I have personally
seen Robert Wagner and Jill St. John. It's
their oasis too.
So if you
get the chance to go, make sure to go for
a meal. Their Sunday brunch is famous. The
Chef there has an outstanding daily lunch
and dinner menu with daily specials. If I
ever get to have his Brazilian lobster slipper
dish again I will be lucky twice!
Go to Hawaii
once and you'll never get enough of the aloha
spirit! See you there!!
by the way
..... the Waikiki boys are very proud of Hawaiian
beauty Aloha Taylor, a former Miss Hawaiian,
who does weather for Channel 8. They wish
her success!....
