Last day in paradise

  Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, April 24, 2008

Today's entry is an amalgamation of 2 days, since both yesterday and today were all "one day" for us, being that we got no sleep as one day blended into the next on our journey home. Yesterday was our last day in paradise, but our plane didn't leave until 9:15pm in the evening, so we still had nearly a full day to take in before it was time to go.

Because Ben had been ill the night before and still was yesterday, we got up late and I was able to get us a somewhat late check-out, at noon instead of at the normal 11am. We put all of our luggage in the luggage holding area in the front lobby, and found out it was also alright to keep the car there until we left for the airport this evening.

Ben had planned to rent his motorcycle today, but then he agreed not to as I was worried that he would get sick again today and then not be able to drive it. So we walked a block down from the hotel and found a place to go for breakfast. I had some toast and hash browns and Ben had a fruit plate, plus freshly squeezed orange juice for both of us, all for the bargain price of only $40 inclusive!! Actually, I didn't mind too much paying this amount for our food, since it seemed like we had hardly spent money on food all week, and this was actually the only time we had eaten out at a restaurant. Shortly after our breakfast, Ben started to feel sick again, so we went back to the hotel where they have a 'hospitality' room that people checking out can use for the day, and I got him to lay down on the couch to rest. I stayed with him for awhile but then he insisted that I go out and enjoy Hawaii for our last several hours here, so I did that, knowing that he was safe resting there at the hotel.

Waikiki 2

It was around 2pm at this point and my goal for the rest of the day was to spend it at the beach, as I could think of no finer way to spend the next three or so hours of my last time in Honolulu, Hawaii. I walked down to the busy Waikiki beach and found a nice spot on the sand to lay my towel down on. One last time to soak this all in, to apply my senses to behold the sparkling sun, beach and water; to hear the sounds of the people frolicking around me; and to feel the heat of the beams of sunlight bearing down on my now very well tanned skin, and the sand and waves of warm, blue water beneath my bare feet.

Lots of people wading around...

Too tempting to resist, I took off my dress (wearing a bathing suit underneath!) and ventured into the water one last time. I had little precious opportunity left and had to allocate my time wisely for this afternoon, but I ended up spending a good hour or so basking in the water - I just didn't want to get out! After finally mustering up the will power, I did part the Hawaiian ocean, knowing that it would be my last time in it for maybe a really long time, and spent the remainder of my time bathing on the beach, reading my book and then napping restfully.

It was my plan to be back at the hotel by 5pm so that I could quickly shower and we could

Some palm trees

be on our way. Running a bit behind though, I didn't leave the beach until 4:45pm, and still had one more stop before heading back to the hotel, which was to go to the International Marketplace again to purchase some chocolate and Kona coffee for Ben that he had wanted to buy for gifts. And since I was there anyways, I couldn't resist but to buy another helping of the delicious spaghetti with garlic sauce and tofu that I had had there earlier this week, since I knew as well that pickings would be slim for the rest of the day - especially with no food offered on the plane.

I then went back to the hotel's hospitality room and Ben, thankfully, was still there, safe and sound. I took a shower and then we were on our way to the airport.

Take off

We made it to our gate with barely any time to rest before it was time to board the plane. The plane was to leave at 9:15pm and then arrive at 5:55am in Seattle (note the time change). By the time we got to Seattle we were both bagged from not having slept much at all in the past 2 days, and we still had the 2.5 hour drive to Vancouver ahead of us! I drove most of the way back, since I was less tired than Ben, and when we got to the Canadian border around 9am, we were finally home. Our week in Hawaii flew by fast and I only hope that we can go back again someday soon.