April 12

We fly into Chi at dawn and downtown is very dark and quiet looking.  By the time we take off about an hour later things are perking up down there.  They have to de-ice the plane as it has sat out all night and temps slightly below freezing.  A bit of a shock, we’re not in Kansas anymore!  The CLE flight is fast, about one hour, it’s a new plane with lots of leg room for small plane but it is first class.  We upgraded our flights to and from Alaska and Sydney and Hawaii.  It has been worth every dime.  We pass over Toledo, the Lake Erie Islands (can clearly see Perry Monument), Sandusky Bay and cargo barges moving along. As we come into CLE we fly over Lakewood Park and can see Seth’s house very clearly from the air.  We call him from the airport and ask him why he isn’t at work yet and he temporarily believes we could see his car in the drive.  LOL.  We are in emerging spring here.  Some forsythia are bloomed, grass is green but we can tell there’s been a lot of rain.  Pools in the backyard and the sump pump is running. The house looks fine.  The palm trees are missing!  We are supposed to have very nice spring weather at least through Sunday.  We are unpacking but laundry has to come later.  We need to get some sleep.  It’s been an amazing trip, can’t believe it’s been two months since we left.  We held up pretty well given the pace and we can still tolerate each other after all this together time!  Thinking of loved ones who have joined us along the way. You were always in our hearts and on our minds, hoping all is well with you.   We have been watched over and guided all along the way. And now we are in happy anticipation of meeting our new grandson!  God is good! 

April 11

Awake to partly sunny skies over the beach area but rain is coming down behind us.  The surfers are already out trying to catch the waves as well as the swimmers.  Things get very quiet late evening but there are people out all hours.  We sit having a leisurely coffee on the balcony watching the changing scenery, a full arch and full colored rainbow stretches from the beach below us out into the ocean and a second dimmer one parallels it.  It is rare to see a full arch, needs a flat vista like the ocean to pull it off.  We decide that it’s Honolulu’s farewell gift just for us!  Continue to pack and go to hotel buffet for our last breakfast.  Sit by the pool; our waitress is Oahu born and her daughter just had a baby girl 5 months ago.  Sharing grandparent stories.  We get a gentle downpour while we are breakfasting under the umbrella. Then it stops and the sun comes out.  We believe April is the rainy month here, it’s certainly a slower tourist time.  But Honolulu doesn’t get a lot of rain.  Walk around and take last pictures of the beautiful hotel lobby.  Pack up the car and head out to the Diamond Head Crater.  We ran out of time to walk to the top but are able to drive into the center of the crater through a long tunnel.  Get a few pics and more pics of the ocean from a different viewpoint.  Drive to the Alamo rental and pack all the cases on the bus to the United drop off.  We are able to check in outside and after a bit of confusion, confirmed that our bags are going to CLE via CHI at the end of the journey.  The bags must pass an agriculture inspection.  Nice to have pre check on TSA and zoom through the security line.  Find the United Club and can see Diamond Head in the distance.  Dressed for warmer weather as we know we will need it on landing.  The flight is on time.  But we are flying United, not our favorite airlines.  We are spoiled with the Qantas quality and service.  The flight is 7.5 hours to Chicago from Honolulu.  We get dinner etc and a breakfast, not great quality but filling.  We left Honolulu at 3:30PM, gained 5 hours for Chi time and another hour for Cle time.

April 10

Awoke to partly sunny skies and same 80’s and trade winds.  The mountains to the east of us have usually been in cloud and rain but this morning they are all clear.  Today is our last full day here and we have really enjoyed the great location of the hotel with its beach front and all the happy hours.  LOL!  This was a good location for R and R before returning home.  It’s 10 hours from Honolulu to Chicago and another hour to Cle so will be a big travel day but not much change over. Luckily the bags will be checked through to CLE, they are now tipping the scale to danger zone. We tried to get to the Diamond Head Crater hiking trail but a half marathon has blocked the entrance until after 9AM.  Drive to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet where hundreds of local vendors and locals meet to sell their wares.  Aloha Stadium is noted for where the NFL plays their pro ball every January and has done for the past 20 plus years.  Rumor has it that may change.  Surrounded by palm trees and open to the air.  Large external spiral pedestrian ramps leading to the top seats are accessed from outside the stadium, must make for a very efficient traffic pattern.  The vendors are under little tents, everything from exotic plants, fruits and vegetables to T shirt/Hawaiian shirts/sarong/jewelry sales and locals with their own rummage to sell.  We do find a few things that can be packed in our bulging suitcases.  Luckily United will allow us to check two bags up to 70 pounds, the rest we have to take as carry ons.  The population here is very mixed and truly Polynesian.  The Asian influence is very prominent.  The Chinese have been here for over 100 years coming here as field workers.  The Hawaiians are still prevalent as a culture but has become less pure blood.  There are Tongan, Figi, Philippine and other nationality cuisine.  They have a popular dish called pokey, not sure about it.  Come back to the hotel for brunch at the hotel buffet.  Still good quality food and good variety.  The Marriott has included breakfast every morning, 25% off any food from the patio grille, free coffee and ice tea from Seattle Coffee shop.  The housekeeping hs been great.  The staff all around have been helpful and friendly.  All through Aus, NZ and here, the Asian dishes offered at breakfast buffet are unusual to us, everything from congee, fried rice, miso soup etc.  We put on our suits and go to the ocean beach in front of the hotel.  We enjoy the Midwest Snorkel and see lots of fish.  The tide is in and there are deep spots, many locals are here today enjoying family swim.  It is still astounding as we swim under palm trees and the shadow of Diamond Head Crater.  We have gotten the best of the sun today. Clouds have come over the mountain and made overcast.  No rain is in the forecast for Honolulu.  It’s still beautiful with or without the sun.  We take the afternoon to catch Seth on Skype and catch up on his news.  He’s doing fine and reports our spring is uneven weather at best. He has on call this week so he will be down on Saturday for dinner.  Gives us time to go through 2 months of mail.  Thankfully we have had email access so that won’t be overwhelming to go through.  We are packing today in case we want to try the Diamond Head hike again tomorrow morning before we leave. Late check out at 1PM.  Dinner reservations at upscale DK restaurant here at hotel.  Known for aged beef and sushi.  Should be good and we don’t have to get the car out until tomorrow.  The restaurant is billed as fine dining but everything here is so casual and babies in high chairs that doesn’t feel that way.  Waiter is fine but as with all wait staff along the way they are not quite the ticket.  Must say Cleveland wait staff is much better.  This is a job that ‘backpackers’ are hired to do, temporary youth traveling through the area.  Chuck gets the 30 day aged ribeye and Pat finally gets a shot at local fish. The ribeye is huge and Chuck thinks it is great.  The Machong fish is local caught, very mild with a macadamia crust.  Pleasing, not outstanding.  Everything is ala carte.  Blue crab dip app is delicious, split a giant loaded baked potato but it is the roasted Brussel sprouts that are exceptional  The ancient vine Zif from Pas Roblas Ca is very good.  We relax the rest of the evening in our room.  Big day tomorrow so taking our time.