Aloha!

Okay so this doesn't really belong in the "Asian Adventure" but it was a good introduction as it isn't much like the mainland U.S. We had a 3 day stopover in Hawaii and got a rental car so we could drive all around the island. First thing after we picked up our car - wham! We were part of a 3 car pileup. Well not really a pileup but we were at the tip of a fender bender (for us anyway). So this seems like bad luck but there was good luck too - barely a scratch on our car. We didn't mention the incident to Thrifty so all was well.

Kailua Beach Oahu

Impressions of Hawaii - green fingerstroked by God's hands mountains always under a thick layer of clouds, jutting out of fruit orchards, right next to beautiful aqua blue water lapping at the shores.

Malaekahana State Park

Set up our tent in lee of a dense bush where the beach's sand ended at a state park on Oahu's windward side. They don't call it the windward side for nothing. Dave's weather forecast (always sunny slight breeze) was slightly wrong - extremely windy, sometimes sunny, dense clouds and rain every night. Second night during the rain we bolted for the 'comfort zone', a roofed meeting area for campers. There we met Michael, a Texan and his girl, Yasuko, from Japan, now Hawaiians. Chatted for hours, and met the next morning for the sunrise. Michael and Jack fished off the rocks at the end of a point and caught a foogoo (?), the deadly pufferfish served in sushi restaurants to daring souls. Glad to say they are still alive. Despite the weather and our sunburns, we loved Hawaii and had a wonderful time. Next time will explore the outer islands. But Oahu is highly recommended, absolutely gorgeous, good coffee, and really friendly laidback peeps.