Oahu: Travel +Day 1

Travel Day:

Terry and I flew into Oahu for my friend Kaleo’s wedding last week. And “friend” isn’t really the right description, but neither is “best friend” or “person with whom I make lots of jokes”. We went to college together (both marine biologists) and she introduced herself by complimenting my tidepooling boots on our way to class at the Oregon coast. It’s all history from there and on more than one occasion, after laughing so hard we cry, I’ve heard her say “I’m so glad I said something about your boots!” We giggle at dumb things, send stupid pictures to each other, make fun of ourselves, take trips together, and talk about everything. She is my bowerbird.

Since she is from Hawaii and her wedding was going to be there, Terry and I labeled ourselves as "pimps" on our RSVP and booked a vacation for a week. Because, Hawaii.

When we landed in Honolulu we were shuttled over to the rent-a-car place where I had already made a reservation using credit card points (tell a grad student to plan a trip to Hawaii and we will do it for cheap). There was a line to get our keys – a big one with no air conditioning. Humidity Kills. Listed on my reservation was a Dodge Avenger and after giving the reservation agent all of my information, we declined the add-on insurance and fees. We also declined adding a second driver - $13 a day extra? Seriously? The person helping us printed our receipt for zero dollars, examined it, and confessed that the keys he had been given were the “wrong ones” and he would meet us outside with the correct pair. Sure. Free car = free downgrade.

The guy found us outside after doing nothing at his desk for ten minutes and placed a single key that looked like a house key in my hand. “Spot 27” he said, “have a nice trip”. Around the corner we found Spot 27. In it was a ghetto Chevrolet Impala. When Terry sat in the passenger seat, he was low riding at least a foot below where I was sitting. If I were to have mom-armed him at a sudden stop I would have karate chopped his trachea.

The place that we stayed at was AWESOME though. We chose a cottage in Kailua one block from the beach with a kitchen, yard, WD, and all of the beach things you could need! 

Our path to the beach:

Terry found our first weird wildlife (a lizard species). This guy did not appreciate my approach.

Normal lizard:

Angry lizard:

Luckily, Kaleo and her fiancé Zac were free to go out to dinner with us! It easily turned into a 4-5 hour catch up. I wish Honolulu were closer!

DAY 1:

Because Hawaii is three hours behind the mainland, Terry and I spent a lot of day 1 adjusting and hanging out at the beach. This was the first time either of us had been in the ocean without needing a wetsuit. I could go on and on about the ocean here too. It is actually turquoise! What a weird experience for native Pacific Northwesterners.

If you remember from our Oregon coast vacations, it’s tradition to go body boarding every day you’re at the beach.

Terry and I stuck to that tradition and even implemented the classic move invented by my brother that he named “Big Baby”. Basic directions: hands and feet hooked on the board, you under the board, wait for large waves to crush you. You should try it sometime.