Mallika's Travels

Yesterday me and a Portuguese girl decided to go to Hanauma Bay. It’s a nature reserve known for snorkeling.

I had tried to book tours to take me there, but I wasn’t able to figure out the phone system, so it kinda worked out that she wanted to go too.

We bought snorkels from the ABC store. BIL (brother in law) had told me about these stores. They are kinda like Fix, but there are even more of them, and they are bigger and sell more stuff. We got 2 pairs for $12! Bargain! We heard renting would be $10 each.

We took the bus out and the bus just zoomed past the Hanauma Bay stop. Turns out there was an ‘incident’ and it was closed for the day. Good thing I hadn’t booked that tour, right?

So instead we stopped at Sandy Bay. It was beautiful – pics to come. I played in the surf a bit, but it was too choppy to swim.

Came back to the hostel in time to watch Obama’s address about Osama’s death and have dinner. There wasn’t that big a reaction in Hawaii. I think people were relieved, but not celebrating.

Went out for a few cocktails with some girls from the hostel later, but not a late night.

I was pretty surprised that the ABC didn’t have string that I could use for a laundry line, but will just hang stuff off the bunks instead.

Turns out someone had their cell phone stolen at the hostel. But they had left their apartment door open while they were brushing their teeth in the bathroom. Made me feel a bit better to be locking my suitcase every time I left the room, but still sucks for them!

UPDATE: photos of Sandy Beach and Tiki drink.

Last night I ventured out to grab dinner. I ate at the international market and had some chicken katsu don which was ok, but not great. There was also a hula display with some cute little girls dancing.

While walking past a tour special stall the guy called me over, I thought “sweet, I could use a deal on a tour.” But no, we got to chatting and he gave me his number…not my type, sorry girls no gossip there. Rats, cos I wanted a cheap tour, but now, didn’t want to give my contact info!

On one of the main roads was the Spam Jam festival which had been going all day. There were bands playing and all sorts of food, including spam okinomiyaki and candied spam ice blocks! I just had a kava coconut water one though.

Best thing about Spam Jam was the guy dressed as spam. Which I took a film of instead of a picture on my iPad. Grrr. Will figure out how to fix and post here soon.

UPDATE: Figured it out!

Yesterday I bought a new swimsuit from macy’s. It’s not very flash, but it will do. I also got a phone for using for the next 2 months. Unlimited calls and texts within the USA and unlimited international texts. If you get a text from me, I probably don’t expect you to reply.

The hostel I’m staying at seems pretty good. Wide range of ages, and some people stay here for a while because they are looking for apartments etc, so it can’t be too bad.

I’ve been getting annoying headaches – probably not drinking enough water or something. So have rested in my room more than I planned on.

Today I visited pearl harbor. There are interesting displays and I visited the USS Arizona memorial. It’s a memorial created over/on one of the great battleships where most of the crews bodies are still inside. You see it as part of a free tour where you also watch a video and get taken over in a boat. You can google it for more info. There were more things you could do that you paid for, but I was hot and tired. It was just over an hour to get there. The bus cost $2.50, and you checked in your bag when you arrived for $3(you can only take in camera, wallet and water bottle). So, very cost effective.

The memorial.

Inside the memorial.

USS Bowfin Submarine.

So after all my flights I’ve finally arrived.

Travelling went well, but the first jetstar person booking me in told me I couldn’t check my bags all the way to Hawaii. But the Auckland person fixed that when I got there.

The planes were all the type where you didn’t get your own screen! Luckily I planned to sleep all through my last flight.

It was kinda fun trying to explain to customs what marmite was. The agriculture inspection guy knew what it was though and just let me through without having to look at it.

So here I am at Waikiki. Yay for free wifi in the hostel! I hope everyone at home is doing well.