Today's plan was a scratched when something Rod ate yesterday distressed his digestive system. I filled him full of Imodium so we could make our scheduled trip to the Arizona. Since a birthday lunch at a restaurant seemed ill advised; we headed into Town where bathrooms abound. We were simply looking for a patch for grass for a picnic and we heard musical instruments warming up. The Royal Hawaiian Band was setting up for a FREE concert in Kapiolani Park. We have not heard them since they played Haleiwa Beach Park in 1994.
Oh yeah! It's my birthday. That free concert cost us $45. It's okay. We don't buy souvenirs but they had merchandise for sale to support the band. We are always happy to support the arts.
I'm very familiar with free events that still cost money. If, for example, I were to go down to San Diego just for a Sunday afternoon concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, the concert would be free, but getting there would require either driving 90-odd miles each way, or spending $54 on train fares, and another $6 on trolley fares, all for a one-hour performance. And if it were a summer Monday evening concert, and I didn't drive, I'd also need a hotel stay, because the Surfliner doesn't run late enough to get me home. Which is why I don't go there without also visiting the Zoo, and/or various museums. Spending only $45 for a free concert seems like you got off easy. And I hope Rod is feeling better. Yesterday afternoon, I had a few fireworks going off in my own digestive system, and probably the less detail we go into, the better. Glad to hear you're enjoying Hawaii. When you left us hanging, I'd started to wonder. Looks like you were almost directly between the Zoo and the Aquarium.
That's exactly where we were. For our $45 Rod got a shirt and I got two shopping bags and a handful of pens as pretty cheap souvenirs for a few friends. So we got off pretty easy. It was also a darn good concert with vocals and hula.
Well, here we are. Back again. I've been sitting around too much already this AM so I'll try to catch up later. Hope others pop in soon.
Anyway, we did the aquarium four years ago so we did the zoo this time. The $21 price tag gave me a start. Seeing as how we used to get an annual pass for like $15. Not even a senior discount. A little back story. On my last visit before we left in the 90s; they were bringing Vaigai to meet Mari for the first time. The handler walked through with her and I got to pet her. So I've always had a soft spot in my heart for her.
Hmm. I don't remember what I paid when I visited the Honolulu Zoo, but I see that the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo on the Big Island is still the same price it was when I was there last: free. Glad to see the Boards back up.
We had a very successful trip in that we were able to make connections with old friends. Rod did not leave his job on good terms with his boss. Long story but he was an excentric millionaire with lots of quirks. Part of Rod's salary was living in his beach house. Rod had decided to try to mend fences with him since they're getting old. But, we found out he and his wife had died two years ago two months apart. But, we were able to contact his daughter who was very excited to hear from us and invited us to the beach house we had lived in. We spent an enjoyable evening with her and her husband watching the high surf. The next day they weren't there but they gave us the code so we could have lunch on the deck. We learned from her that our neighbor a few doors down was still alive (he's 91). On our last day we drove the long way around the Island and stopped by. He could vaguely remember our family and his son is now his caregiver. We spent the evening and had dinner with them. I'm so happy we took the time. Most likely will be the last time.
Well, here we are again. One last eventful thing from the trip was finally making it to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona. It has gotten hard and requires advanced reservations. We used to visit it on a whim. Luckily my daughter's niece works for the State and was able to get us tickets as well as a virtual tour for free. John Henry Sidell was my father's cousin. I just stood there wondering what it must have been like for my great-aunt Lizzie hearing the news, probably on the radio and waiting weeks for the telegram to learn his fate. Three of the grandkids were with us so I got to pass on that bit of family history.
The virtual tour was pretty cool. There are four segments experiencing under water, on a ship and even one where you're flying a Japanese bomber. There's all sorts of trigger warnings. I was fine with it. We were sitting in swivel chairs so you could turn for a panoramic view.
Fascinating. I'm guessing that the virtual tour is new, since the last time I was there. And apparently so is the need for reservations.
Yes, a lot has changed. There and elsewhere. I wanted to hike Diamond Head and so did the grandkids. We all ended up going and it was closed. Something I never thought to check. We were then told that nonresidents had to have a reservation and they are limited. Hanauma Bay is now $25 a head for nonresidents. And there's hardly any fish there anymore. I know you aren't interested in snorkeling but there are much better places for free. If tourists want to spend their money that way; I'm all for it.
Hmm. Reservations to walk in from the bus stop, or to drive in and park in the caldera? The one time I visited Diamond Head, I did the former, and I had the time, energy, and surefootedness (as I recall; it's been a few years) to hike as far as the first military lookout post. And now that I think about it, I remember the trail being fairly crowded. Maybe the reservations are to thin out the crowds, for the sake of COVID safety. You remember a really stupid game show called "Diamond Head." Host Bob Eubanks said that it was his most embarrassing hosting gig ever, and given that he hosted that epitome of bad taste, "The Newlywed Game," that's really saying something.
I do not remember that show. It costs to drive or walk in if you're not local. It probably started with Covid and now they realize; tourists are willing to pay. I used to do it twice a week just for the exercise and to meet people.
