The city of Honolulu and Aloha Tower marketplace - Honolulu, HI
Honolulu, HI
The day started off as the Day I Would Tour Pearl Harbour! unfortunately they need more than 30 minutes warning to get on a tour, so, instead, I set off to see downtown Honolulu and chinatown, with a side objective of upgrading my cell service and visiting Costco. At the base of Downtown, right on the harbor, is the Aloha Tower and Marketplace. I set off, on foot, at around 9 AM, and, with a stop at the Ala Moana Mall, reached the Aloha Tower at around 10. I stopped at a small cafe there for a good cup or 100% Kona coffee. Very good, but, as I prefer the darker roasts, I didn't feel it was worth the surcharge for 100% Kona. I had heard that the marketplace wasn't terribly busy, but I was surprised to see only a dozen or so people in the whole marketplace, and most of these were employees of one store or another. As it is right at the dock where the cruise ships come and go, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find that it does the majority of its business when the cruise ships are in. From there I headed into the downtown area. not much new here, it had all the high rises and modern architecture of any modern city. some of the design and building materials used on some of the older buildings was interesting with its suggestion of other times, it was, by and large, "Big City" style. In the middle of the echoing concrete canyons was a T-Mobile store that was unable to help me. So much for Service for a Service industry. A turn to the north from the centre of the thriving metropolis, and within two blocks I was walking through the second oldest Chinatown in North America. A totally different city to that which was so close behind me. This one was filled with the sights and smells of an active, vibrant marketplace. All sorts of fruits, vegetables, trinkets, odds and ends were on display on the sidewalk, all accompanied by the smells odors, hustle and bustle of a thriving community. Leaving Chinatown behind me, it was another kilometer or so to the Costco, where I picked up a couple of things so that the trip would have a purpose. I then turned again for home. Back through Chinatown and downtown. But, rather than follow the freeway back to Waikiki, I decided to carry on through the city. Though I didn't realize it at the time, this took me right by the old Royal Palace, the home of the Hawaiian Royal Family at the end of the 19th Century. I must go back and take some pictures. My attention was, instead, taken by the the large statue of King Kamehameha in front of the Supreme Court Building. Most people that recognize the statue and building, do so as it represents "police Headquarters for the new "Hawaii 50", I didn't realize it at the time, but directly behind me was the Royal Palace, which served as "police Headquarters" for the original "Hawaii 50". I carried on back to the condo, with a short stop at the Hawaiian Convention Centre to see if the Harmony Bazaar was open. It wasn't, and wasn't due to for another half hour. I had been out long enough, and was quite ready for a rest, so I left it to return home. After a couple of hours rest I set off once more on my explorations, this time to get our tickets for the Waikiki Trollys. On the way there I scouted out the location of the Tapas Ballroom at the Hawaiian Hilton, where region 26 was to hold their Rah-Rah at 7. I thought I would get the tickets, head home and get some supper, then head back for the Rah-Rah. I must have been re tired than I thought. By the time I got the tickets,and got back to the Hawaiian Hilton, I didn't want too carry on, so I stopped and rested until 7, then went on to the Rah-Rah. It was an energizing experience. By the time it was over I was ready for the walk bak to the condo. I had a great salad for a late dinner, and settled in for the night. Over 15 miles and 35,000 steps. Anotehr big day.