I had been wanting to got back to the "Top of Waikiki", to see if they had their wonderful tenderloin on a rock on the menu. 

http://www.topofwaikiki.co

The last time I had been there, they weren't serving it, and I couldn't understand why.  It is one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten.

Several of my fellow crewmembers and I headed out for their happy hour, me with my fingers crossed!  I was thrilled to find that they did have the tenderloin, and I promptly ordered it.  

The tenderloin is charred rare, and served on a smoking hot rock. You can see the smoke more clearly if you click on the photo above and enlarge it.  You slice the steak and cook each piece as much as you like on the hot rock.  The sauce is a merlot-miso sauce.  It is sooo melt in your mouth delicious.  I had ordered immediately and I rudely ate it up before my friends' orders even arrived.  Sorry, guys!

The restaurant takes one hour to revolve, for a 360 degree view of the city and it's surroundings,

with spectacular views of Diamond Head,

the Royal Hawaiian

and the Manu Kai as it left for it's sunset sail.

As we enjoyed the views from the top, I saw a green area near the marina that I had never explored.  I decided the next morning to walk up the beach and check it out.

Looking back at Diamond Head as I walked toward the Waikik Yacht Club.

I reached Fort DeRussy Beach Park, the green area that I had seen from the Top of Waikiki.  This

beautiful park has picnic tables and grills, lots of shade and fun activities.

I wasn't tempted to try climbing this "tree", even though the kids mad it look easy.
               

DeRussy Beach has sand volleyball courts and lots water sport equiptment for rent.  I want to rent a
paddleboat on my trip next week.

The Ferry, docking below, takes you out to the submarine Atlantis for an underwater tour.
I haven't done this yet, but I will in the future (when I get over the claustrophbia thing).

http://www.hawaiiactivities.com/us/hawaii/oahu/sg/2/ag/6594/

Just past the park you come upon the Hilton HawaiianVillage.  I hadn't been here before, but I was really enchanted by it.  I'm not usually about large resorts, but I think this would be a great place to experience  a Waikiki vacation with a family.   For a commercial setting, they have given it a really lovely feel.

http://gohawaii.about.com/od/oahulodging/ss/hilton_hawaiian_village.htm

The wedding chapel in the center almost made me think about getting married!

They have several Koi ponds,

flamingos,

turtles,

 South African penguins,

and some strange ducks.
















There is a beautiful Rainbow Bazaar, with interesting Asian art,  many Asian shops, and a wonderful noodle shop.  I will tell you more in my next blog, because I am coming back here next week.

Setting Sail

We landed in Honolulu, ready for our sunset sail.  I had made reservations for three of us, and we were all excited about our cruise. We were prepared with cash, and left the hotel in time to be among the first on board.

Gary had decided to try and join us, but the cruise was full.

He was #1 on the waiting list, so Christy, Wendy and I

boarded, and hoped that Gary would be joining us soon.

It was a beautiful evening and the water was
full, as usual, of swimmers, kayakers,
paddleboarders, sailors and surfers.

We were all thrilled when Gary finally joined us,


















our boat left shore

and began to make it's way out into the bay.

After we passed the first breakwater,
the sails were raised














Our Captain/host "Bear" briefed us on safety of voyage issues.

He was pretty humorous, and the FAA probably would not have approved.





Fortunately, they do not have jurisdiction out here.










The views of the shoreline were just breathtaking,

The wind was blowing strong,

music was playing,












         people were dancing and chatting,

 and our pilot was "hanging loose",

as the sun went lower in the sky



and began to set.










We all had a really wonderful time, and will
probably do it again in the future.




On one of my next trips I plan on going out with my friend, Chris, on his kayak again.  I bought a waterproof camera, and I'm hoping for some even more spectacular photos.
                                                

August in Honolulu

I am back to work this month, if you want to call flying to Hawaii work.  I only flew one trip on reserve in July, so I am glad to be out flying again.

We had a real treat on our first trip of the month.  Our approach into Honolulu was not the way we usually fly into the airport at Oahu.  We flew directly over Diamond Head and then over Honolulu before flying out over the ocean and coming back to land.  

The view of the crater was spectacular, as was the view of Waikiki Beach.

I had made reservations for a sunset cruise on a catamaran sail from the beach in front of Duke's

When I arrived to board, I discovered that they only accept cash, which I usually carry very little of.




















I had no choice but to rebook for next week, and settle in for dinner at Duke's,

and watch my ship sail without me.

http://www.dukeswaikiki.com/  

     

I returned to my room after
dinner, sat on my balcony,
and watched the night time
activities begin on
Waikiki Beach. 

The next morning I had coffee at the restaurant on the pool deck, which you can see  below from behind the

waterfall.  I love sitting on the deck and watching all the activity on the beach below.

I swam for a while, then walked around our hotel admiring the landscaping.

I took a long walk along the beach, then had lunch at the Surf Lanai at the Royal Hawaiian.

http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/dining/surflanai

Inside the hotel is this tribute to Duke Kahanamoku, the man who brought surfing from the Hawaiian Islands, to the rest of the world.

The hotel has two shops where you can buy high quality Panama hats.   I only recently learned that these hats originated in Ecuador.  You can read a bit about their history at the links below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_hat

http://www.newtattheroyal.com/showbiz.html

I walked through the magnificent Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center,

where I found the road to happiness amoung the many other treasures.

http://www.royalhawaiiancenter.com/

I will be back in a few days, and hopefully will be able to share my sunset sail with you.