Hike Diamond Head In Hawaii

The Start of our Hike

Hawaii is without a doubt a beautiful place.  One of the most famous hikes around Hawaii is the hike up to Diamond Head.   Diamond Head is a volcanic crater that provides an amazing panoramic view of Waikiki for simply a bit of effort. The trail is roughly a 1.6 mile hike round trip.  My friends and I started the hike in the morning with our hiking shoes on, and a large bottle of water.

 Halfway There!

The first half of the hike was a piece of cake, and consisted of a dirt and rock trail.  After the lookout, it required a tad more effort by climbing a 74 step staircase before heading into a 225 foot tunnel.  After the tunnel was another 99 steps up.  Then you proceed down a short tunnel, and go up three floors around a spiral staircase.  Once you exit the Fire Control Station Lookout, then you know you are almost there!  Just 54 more steps...and you see views like this......

View of Waikiki from Diamond Head

 Wow...I did a pretty good job drinking my water

Such a beautiful hike!  Mahalo!

Date Accomplished:  April 23rd, 2006

Chase Rainbows In Hawaii

Before you start reading, to get you in the rainbow mood, grab your iPod and listen to "Over The Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (brownie points if you can say his name 5x really fast). 

Since a kid, I've loved spotting rainbows in the sky.  I think it's one of the prettiest things that Mother Nature offers us.  Hawaii is known for its rainbows, so much so that they have an image of a rainbow on their license plates.  I wish California plates could be as pretty.

During my last full day in Hawaii, my attempt to see a rainbow was seeming out of reach.  As we were heading back to our hotel room to get ready for dinner it started sprinkling.  When I got into our room, I looked out the balcony and spotted a rainbow.  "It's a rainbow!!!!" I screamed.  My friends weren't as thrilled.

So I stood out on the balcony by myself marveling at its beauty.  I was in Hawaii.  Life was Beautiful.

Date Accomplished:  April 25th, 2006

Smoke A Cigar

I'm not a smoker, but I have always wanted to smoke a cigar during a special occasion just like they  do in movies.

I wasn't planning on trying to blow smoke rings, or look cool doing it.  I hardly think anyone's first time smoking could ever look cool.   It looks more like people are suffering from an infectious deadly cough.

During our first day in Hawaii we had walked by a few cigar shops.  Both my friends are also non-smokers, but we toyed with the idea of getting a pack to celebrate our time in Hawaii.

Everyday after that we walked by more cigar shops, always mentioning how we wanted to try smoking a cigar.

On our last full day in Hawaii we walked towards Waikiki Beach.  We passed by another cigar shop, this time we stopped in front of the door and my friend said, "Okay, it's our last day here, should we finally buy a pack?"  I said, "Let's do it!"  We bought a pack, walked to the beach and found a table overlooking the ocean to smoke our first cigars.

We reminisced about the fabulous trip we just had, and we didn't hack a lung while doing it.  I didn't smoke my entire cigar, but I was surprised that I only had one small coughing spell.  I guess I may have looked cooler than I initially thought!

A few months later while in Las Vegas my friend bought a pack of chocolate flavored cigars.  After an evening of drinking we sat in front of a bar and I smoked my first flavored cigar!  I enjoyed it a lot more than the one in Hawaii.  It must have been the "chocolate."

I have no intention of making smoking cigars a habit, but I wouldn't mind doing it again when it seems appropriate, like when traveling in Cuba!

Date Accomplished:  April 25th, 2006

Get Lei'd In Hawaii

I'm sorry if you clicked this hoping that I got laid in Hawaii, no, but I did get lei'd.

Lei's are commonly given in Hawaii when arriving to an event, for a celebration or sign of affection. 

The most popular type of lei are the orchid lei's.   I have watched enough movies filmed in Hawaii to know that most leis in films are given when arriving at the airport or at a hotel.   Neither of that happened to me, and I was a tad sad. 

I'm not gonna get lei'd.  (sad face)

When I went to the Polynesian Cultural Center I began to look around and swoon in jealousy at the people who had lei's around their necks.  I was green with envy, and wished someone got me one.

I lined up to enter the luau, and as I entered I was welcomed by two Hawaiian gals with lei's wrapped around their arms welcoming me to the luau.   Yay, I got lei'd!  Finally!  I proudly wore my lei for the remainder of the day, and carefully brought it back to our hotel so I could admire it the following morning.   It's amazing what a flower garland can do to your mood! 

Date Accomplished:  April 24th, 2006