ABC Stores

ABC stores are a chain of convenience stores in Waikiki. We were at the store a lot. They sold everything. Our first trip there was for water, orange juice, beer and vodka. We also got apples, pineapple, watermelon, macadamias nuts & maui style chips. We got key chains, post cards and tee shirts. On one trip, we got wine.  They sold so many different items and was located on almost every corner. 

I looked them up on my phone and learned from Wikipedia that the store is based in Honolulu and of their 78 stores, 56 are in Hawaii. The first ABC store was open in Waikiki in 1964. The original name was Mister K but later was renamed so that people could remember the name easier.

Portable Chargers

A very good sister/friend and a member of my book club gave Jim & I a gift before Christmas to take on our Waikiki trip. It was a Halo Portable Charger. It sure did come in handy. We took a 9:55 in the morning flight out of Philadelphia and arrived in Waikiki at 8:30 in the evening. The time in Philadelphia would have been 1:30 in the morning. That is about 15 hours. On the way there, we both listened to music. Jim had his IPod and I had my IPhone. After so many hours listening, naturally the percentage of the battery started going down.  No need to worry, we had the Halo. Once we got to California for the layover, there were charging stations in the airport. Everything got charged including the Halo. This particular model can be charged in the wall or in a car. Once we got to the island, the Halo went with us on tours and in the rental car. Traveling around the entire island, the Halo was a needed gift. Thank you.

Plans for today~ Saturday, January 3, 2015

Now that we are in our second day of having a car, we are not limited to tours or within walking distance. Yesterday we drove around the entire island. Today we are going to another Harley Davidson store, this time near the airport, Bisphop museum, that's for history & culture and Iolani Palace. This is a place that we see on Hawaii Five-O a lot.

California Pizza Kitchen ~ Waikiki

On Thursday, January 1, 2015, we returned to the California Pizza Kitchen for lunch. We had lunch there when we first got here and it is right next door. This time we choose an outdoor table. The weather was warm, about 77 degrees with a light breeze. The palm trees were barely moving. Jim had the four cheese ravioli with tomato basil sauce and meat and I had a chicken lettuce wrap. We both very much enjoyed our food.
Our waiter, Lorenzo was very informative in terms of where to go on the island once we got a car. He was born on this island. He also informed us that President Barak Obama's daughters, he called them "the Obama Girls" had dinner there the night before December 31, 2014. There were secret service men all over the place. Some were standing and some were sitting and eating. The two that were eating, according to our waiter, would take a bit, look at the girls, take a bit and look at the girls. They did this until they were finished their meal. We knew the President and his family were on vacation here the same time we were. They left Washington before us and will be leaving Waikiki one day before us. I had hoped to see him.

My Favorite Things

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Brown copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things..."

This song was on both my 50 year old and my 60 year old birthday music CDs. It was part of the thank you gifts for coming to my celebrations. The artist on my 50th was Julie Andrews and for my 60th was Luther Vandross.

I had a list of FAVORITE things I wanted to see while on the Island of Oahu. The list is as follows: Sunrise, Sunset, Waterfall, Lighthouse & Rainbow.  We were able to see 4 out of 5 of these.  We did take plenty of pictures. I am still looking for the Waterfall. I actually left the list home and I know there were a few additional places on it like the Road to Hana. That is on another island. Unfortunately for us, all of the island to island flights were booked until about the 15th of January. We are leaving on the 4th.

Car Rental

We have been in line for about 20 minutes so far. The shuttle was a few minutes late picking us us. They were scheduled for 10:30am. Once we got here, the line was long, it was raining and we are standing outside. Getting closer to the front and the sun is coming out. It is a little breezy.

Fitness

Jim and I went to the hotel fitness room today. I did the treadmill and he did the bike. We then switched. The room was not too large. There were two treadmills, one bike one EXF machine and a bench for free weights. We did not stay long but at least we went.

Fireworks

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!!  To God be the glory. Jim and I popped the bottle, kissed & said happy New Years to each other and went to the balcony to watch the fire works. There were so many fireworks from several different locations and we were watching from the19th floor.  Next was to pray. Thank God for each other, the children seeing another year, travel mercy, our home and a few other things. Have a few drinks and relax. If we were home, Jim would have gotten his calendar down about 11:00 pm for a Year In Review.  And now a quote: "Take a leap of faith and begin this wonderous new year by believing. Believe in yourself. And believe that there is a loving source - a sower of Dreams - just waiting to be asked to help you make your dreams come true."~ ~Sarah Ban Breathnach