Today will mostly be taken up with travel. We just have enough time for one last walk along the strip. Preparations are ongoing for the weekend’s Honolulu marathon. We (I) play a very judgmental game of ‘here for the marathon/not here for the marathon’ with passers-by. Daughter no 1 says I’m a troll, then promptly…

The rain has finally abated to a steady drizzle. We have had 7.92 inches of rain in 24 hours – the 2nd highest daily total in Hawaiian history. Who knew the sky could hold so much water? It should clear by evening, which is good because today marks the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack…

Breakfast has not been properly thought through; it consists of Everything Bagels, topped with a thick coating of garlic and onion, and blueberry cream cheese. An interesting combination! This morning daughter no 1 wants to go on a whale watching trip – with storms forecast and a wind advisory in place. I cannot be tempted…

Today we have hired a car to drive round the island. I have plotted a route; it is 105 miles, but as I will be navigating (without the benefit of wifi), the actual distance could be anything really. Halona Blowhole We collect the car at 8 am. It was cheaper than anticipated but the insurance…

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Today we’re going to Hanauma Bay – basically a drowned crater full of coral reef and exotic fish. It’s not easy (or cheap – at $25 a head) to obtain tickets; there’s a strict quota with tickets going on sale two days ahead at 7 am each morning and selling out…

Today, we are going to climb to the top of Diamond Head Crater. Starting from the hotel, it is an 8 mile round trip. I’m all for catching a bus to the trailhead, but daughter no 1 will not be persuaded; we are going to walk the whole way. The Visitor Centre is actually inside…

Before an afternoon of beach and cocktails, the serious business of a visit to Pearl Harbor. First, breakfast at a nearby bakery, Kona Coffee, where I buy the cheesiest cheese stuffed cheese topped cheese croissant. Then we catch the bus to Pearl Harbor. We take a wander round the harbour and museum, which tells the…

USA Travel Diary Day 6 – San Francisco to Honolulu 1st December 2021 This morning we are up at 6 am for our flight to Honolulu. We have already checked in, uploaded our vaccine QR codes and completed the form to obtain our Safe Travel Hawaii QR code, so once we have dropped off the…