Honolulu

Arrived at the Halekulani Hotel around 8 with Pat & Vince. Checked in to a very nice ocean front room, changed, headed down to Room Without a Key restaurant in the hotel, grabbed some seats at the bar. Shortly after drinks arrived we were treated to a really great fireworks display over the harbor. Had a light dinner and then headed up to bed.

Slept in a bit, had 9am breakfast with Pat & Vince, said goodbye afterwards as they were headed home. Organized a rental car for the next day, showered, then headed out for some shopping. Explored the Main Street, stopped in at Tori Richard where we each bought a couple of nice Hawaiian shirts. Walked down to see Waikiki Beach, then to Doraku for a great sushi lunch overlooking the strip. Took a nice nap, then walked over to Waikiki Sky Bar for a view of sunset. Walked to Moana Surfrider for a glass of wine, then went back to the Halekulani (much nicer and quieter!) for a light meal by the pool. Watched a bit of "trash" and then it was time for bed.

Had breakfast at the hotel then hopped in our rental car for a counterclockwise trip around the island. Stopped at the Lana'i Lookout, then drove up the eastern coast to Kaela Bay. Stopped for a smoothie, then drove west through Pupukea and on to Haleiwa where we turned south back to Honolulu. Had lunch at the pool bar, then up to the room for a nap. Before sunset Rick walked around with his big camera for some architecture photos. Then we went downstairs for a drink at Lewar's Lounge and dinner at Orchid, both very nice. Then back to the room for bedtime.

Lazy morning with breakfast by the pool, then some time in the room looking at photos and planning an RV trip for the summer. Had lunch back by the pool then took a short nap then headed out along the water to the Ala Way Boat Harbour where we boarded the Pau Hana, a 40' sailing catamaran. Headed out to sea with some dark clouds on the horizon. Made for some dramatic views but never rained on us. Flew the drone a bit and had some wine and food while talking with the crew before heading back just after sunset. Walked over to the Ilikai Hotel for some photos of the glass elevator and a glass of wine on the top floor overlooking Waikiki. Took a cab back to the Halekulani, then headed up to bed.

Last breakfast by the pool. Found out our flight had been switched from an A330 to an A321; at least we'd (hopefully) make it home. Headed to the airport around 9:30, checked in. Honolulu airport is really old and tight! Had a look at the Hawaiian lounges, walked to the other side of thew airport to try the United one, no luck. Had a glass of wine in a quiet bar, then walked back to terminal A to board our flight. Uneventful 5 hours, other than the cute flight attendants who served us lots of wine an mai-tai's. Collected bags at a weird domestic luggage belt in the international terminal. Then a quick cab ride home. In bed by 11.

Photo - 2 x iPhone 15 Pro, Sony A7R4 with 12-24mm, 24-105mm, 70-300mm lenses. DJI Osmo Pocket 3.
Drone - DJI Mini Pro 4
Editing - Randy used a 16” M1 MacBookPro for photo and video editing, with Final Cut Pro X. Rick used his 13" M1 iPad Pro for photo editing.