Was it a dream

Okay so I promised to write about my 16 hours in Honolulu. I had checked out some guide books before I left however I didn't really check them out as thoroughly as I should have so that said, when I arrived in at the airport my only goal was to rent a car.

I hoped on which ever rental car bus stopped outside the terminal first (effective price comparison, I know) - good job Avis. I am one of those people that can be sold oceanfront property located in Saskatchewan...some days. Today the Avis lady offered, for $10 more American dollars, a red mustang convertible.....uh.....hmmmmm.....$10 I am gonna go with ..... BRING IT. Except I was kind of cold, it was about 16 in Honolulu without the sun and for 11 days I enjoyed 25 without the sun and 33 with the sun....so I was chilled, good thing the car had heat.

I threw on the heat, programmed my GPS and headed to the YWCA, now for those of you that frequent the YWCA, just as an FYI they don't give out free towels anymore. Please don't presume I went for a workout by the way, I went to take a free shower (well free with my membership) but don't you hate it when you assume something and its not there....so yeah no towels, free or otherwise, available at the YWCA. Good thing I had a sarong.....

Once I was washed up and ready I programmed the GPS, and might I add right here what an amazing little machine, to hit up Oahu's north shore. The only thing I really knew about the North Shore was Blue Crush. Yep that was my only real exposure, I am that cool and knowledgeable.

It was pretty awesome to see first waves that size and then surfers. Now here is where I should have done some research before just going. Then I would have known there were beaches all along the north, east and south coast of Oahu......in any case, I changed in to my bathing suit and sarong and laid on the beach (it got to be 26 degrees) and enjoyed the sound of the waves and resting on a white sand beach with the sun's rays on me for warmth, really I couldn't complain at all.

In any case, I drove from public beach to public beach stopping at every single one along the way and laying around and going for a dip in the ocean. Really not bad for a layover I thought (better than on the way there when I froze trying to sleep at the open air airport....

My jaunt along the coast took me about 6 hours and the only thing I really wanted to do was check out the Polynesian Cultural Centre....except it was closed. Seriously closed the whole entire centre and the only day it was closed for the month of January. Give me a break. I half heartedly called some adventure businesses (shark diving) but at 1.30 pm it was full for the day. I am not even sure I would have gone, shark diving give me a break. You are lowered into the water in some type of cage and the sharks swim around you, yeah I have been to Parliament no need to engage in this.

So the drive was pretty chill no like crazy wacky curves or death defying drops and I took my time, pulled over whenever, ya know just enjoyed it. As I was finishing the coast drive I saw a sign that said Pearl Harbour. Well what the fox I thought, so I exited. Again here is where some research would have been handy.

I was leaving the coastline but didn't really notice because somedays I have my head in the clouds and don't pay attention. Because if I would have paid attention and did some reading I would have known I had to go through a mountain to get to Pearl Harbour given where I exited.

So as I continued on the one way road, I notice the other way road was not attached to my one way and then I realized that the road was going up the mountain. The road didn't curve to the mountain it was literally built to rise with the mountain. I HATE HEIGHTS. No really even though I flew across the world, I hate heights and driving up a mountain there is a person who can attest that I had to put my head down and control the hyperventilating while she drove. Yes that is true. Except this time I was driving and was alone on a one way road on cement stilts what the hell was I going to do?

I opted to just go slow so I was in the right lane (please note that slow traffic stays to the right in multiple lanes, this is pet peeve that it appears many drivers in Saskatoon don't know). I was okay going slow and even started to enjoy the view then I went around a corner and guess what...TUNNEL.

Give me a break, serious a tunnel its not enough I have drive up the side of a mountain on a road on cement stilts but now I have go through the mountain. good. I was thrilled...not. The tunnel was 1.8 miles (I odometered it) doesn't seem like long but when your shitting your pants its fricking long. I made it through and promised myself I would find another way back to the airport.

Pearl Harbour was interesting and not just because I had to change in the backseat of a Mustang in the parking lot (seriously not recommended). There is a monument in the harbour that they ferry you too that sits above the sunken USS Arizona, prior to the ferry ride, there is about a 15 minute movie with all real footage of the events. Not bad as it was free. I think there was some other parts that charged but I never went there.

I made my way back to Waikiki and drove. No really just drove. What an urban jungle. Man by the time I made it to the end of the street, I was stressed (too many people and too much traffic) so I didn't even bother parking I just kept driving. It was dusk so I drove up Diamond Head Crater to take a look at the view. I wasn't able to take pictures because I didn't read Photography for Dummies and the pictures didn't turn out so sorry peeps your just gonna have to check it out. Don't ask what Diamond Head crater is either.

Besides the street that brings you to Waikiki was filled with Prada, Coach, Hermes, Winston's all places I couldn't afford to go into so what really would be the point.

I was admiring the view of the city and the ocean and thought shit I should eat. I had stopped at a couple mobiles on my drive but nothing substantial so started driving. (I should mention that I had a GPS in case you were all like man this chick is amazing didn't even need to consult a map.)

Anyway, I was driving aimlessly trying to find a place to eat that wasn't Taco Bell (there are a lot, kinda like our Timmy's) and guess what I found? The Hard Rock Cafe, hahahahaha destiny really. I pulled in and had a decent overpriced meal.

I returned the car with no damage (was there ever any doubt) but I did keep putting the windshield wipers on because I was confusing them with signals, damn Fiji messed up my driving.

I didn't fly first class back and as a result did not get a very good rest from Honolulu to San Francisco, ya know flying coach again. I got off the plane and literally started to shiver, damn it I knew I should have given my jacket away. I had to wait 1 hour before the shops opened before I could get a sweater....a Berkley one (shout out to Professor Wheeler). I just slept at San Fran, I couldn't see no damn bridge so found chairs that allowed me to stretch out and slept for a good 3 hours.

I had a five hour layover in Calgary (I know the milk run) and my friend Shelley picked me up so I could at the very least leave the airport and maybe hit up an Olive Garden.hehehehe Just some advice, don't travel for 30+ hours and have a martini, you will get drunk immediately.

I got home before the Air Canada scheduled arrival time and was very thankful for a nice hot shower and my room. Life didn't stop while I was gone (oddly enough) and I jumped right back into the thick of things at work and and in my band election. I am thoroughly thankful for the opportunity to recharge my "battery" and am ready for the 2009. Bring it.