Aloha and mahalo ...

Hawaii was lovely but it was all over too quickly. Day one finished with a stirring testosterone filled display by the King's Guard drill team, who were conveniently based opposite our hotel. Rifle twirling, thumping and tossing was accompanied by stamping and controlled shouting. Very impressive. We also ate some delicious Chinese food from a hole in the wall restaurant called Fatty's Chinese Kitchen.

Day two began with a swim in the sea, then Al and Em went on a submarine trip down to an artificial reef to fish-spot. By all accounts it was an interesting trip - they saw lots of small fish plus a smallish turtle - nothing large and dramatic unfortunately! I went on an 'Oahu Nature Tour' - I chose the waterfall tour because it fitted time-wise and also I thought I might see some interesting plants. As it turned out they had had a dry spell so most of the waterfalls were dry, and the tour guide didn't know much botany either ('John, what's this?' 'It's a geranium.' 'What's this?' '...Some kind of geranium...' you get the picture!) However he was so entertaining and interesting about Hawaiian life and history that it was still a really good trip. And we did see some good stuff - a couple of bright green geckos, bulbuls and cardinals, a couple of inner-city waterfalls in parks and a group of local youths jumping from a cliff into a deep (at least I hope it was deep) pool below.

I know we only saw a very touristy and probably artificial view of Honolulu, but it was just right for a relaxing warm-up blob. Would I go again? In a heartbeat!