Getting there is half the fun, right?

  Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, June 5, 2008

Strangely enough, the flight out was uneventful, considering the rest of the interesting (some might say, comical mis-happenings?) happenings while I was there.

It was gorgeous from first sight, with palm tress and lush mtn landscape, and smell of tropical flowers that follows you everywhere.. even from teh airport. Headed out to the rental company, and that's when the first thing happened.

So whle I'm waiting in line, I'm eyeing this Mustang convertible in the lot, thinking that its ready for me to take. When i get up to the counter and get my info, she asks "A Sebring is alright?" I asked what the hell is a sebring with a smile. She doesn't get the joke and points at the red chevy in the parking lot. "Actually, I was hoping one of the convertible Mustangs was available, like that grey one." "No, they're all booked." .... okay, no problem, chrysler Sebring is still a convertible right? Trunk was a bit hard to close when I was leaving, but they guy told me to just slam it and finally worked. What could go wrong right?

So I pull over at my first opportunity, read the top down instructions and let the system rip. Ah bliss... driving around with teh top down, in Hawaii no less! Good thing they have cheap rentals, I heard online due to such fierce competition (price changed twice while I was trying to book, guess that's how fast they move around here.)

Get to the hotel, try and put the GPS in the trunk, and it won't close. After fiddling around with the lock mechanism, trying to see if its out of alignment, if spring is too tight, slamming some more. Security comes by and asks if everythign is alright. I reply "Well, I wouldn't be stealing a car that the trunk won't close" with a smile. After telling him whats what, he tries a bit, and we both can't figure it out, so decide to leave it and call the rental company after I get checked in and see if there's a trick or what.

Get checked in, and my room is gorgeous... the view that is. :) Room is a room. Ahhhhh! I sat on the patio for awhile, before thinking how dumb that is, and get up to call and then head out to the beach. Phone call tells me that there is a trick, one minute she'd find out.. okay, it's a known issue with Sebrings that they get out of alignment, and you have to pull the latch very hard towards you or away... I mentioned we had tried that also, but she said, try harder. Okay... (sure enough, that did it in the morning. I wasn't going to mess with it anymore. :)

Ah Waikiki beach! Such beautiful turquoise waters, surf right there on the beach (you don't have to paddle out to it) and so warm! I was in heaven. Hung out on teh beach, got my feet wet, watched the sunset, then headed to the beach bar and grill nearby for something to eat and to chat up the locals.

better view from room

I asked them all the same group of questions I asked all teh locals I met "Where would you live if you could live anywhere on the islands? Why there? how's the outdoor activities, distance to beaches? Cost? "

And its true what they all say on the internet. Hawaii locals are some of the nicest people on the planet. I thought Taiwan had nice folks, but hawaii they're more laid back and seem even more geniunely interested in chattign with you if you are serious about wanting to know more about their little piece of heaven, and what its like to live there. I learned alot just that first night about layout of Oahu, places that are of interest and up and coming.... And a few patterns that became very apparent later (that almost everyone would live on North Beach or near Honolulu if single, if married/attached/settled/not as interested in an active social life would choose Kauai.)

Tomorrow was the first day of living space hunting and my first touristy activity, so took the advice of those that went before me, and called it a night early to prepare for the rest of the trip. I turned off the AC, left the sliding door open and fell asleep to the lovely sounds of ocean that night.. and every night after. sigh...

morning view... oh yeah!