Day 2: 7 March

Day 2 started out pretty late. I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed before 10am. Once I got up and showered, I decided to catch the bus somewhere to explore Honolulu a little more. Once I got to the bus stop though, it occurred to me that I had no clue where to go and about 5 hours until I got picked up for the luau. 5 hours seemed like plenty of time, but the bus schedule that I got from the hostel said that it was at least a good 1-3 hours to anywhere (i.e. Pearl Harbour and different beaches). I was pretty indecisive at this point and had limited options for this bus excursion that I had got so hyped up for.

After a little while, I decided that I would get on a trolley tour. The trolley buses look like the old fashioned, open style trams, and are extremely cute and very easy to catch (or so I had thought). I tried in vain to look for a schedule at the Aston Waikiki Hotel, where all of these trolleys pick people up from, but with no luck. Someone then mentioned to me that the trolleys had these schedules available on the trolleys themselves...there were also many different trolleys, from different companies, which spoke different languages and a lot of them were for private, pre-booked, tours.

Huh, OK. I decided in the end that I wanted to get out of my little Waikiki area, and that I had to get decisive! I picked a trolley company, I managed to find a schedule and chose a cool looking scenic tour of the island for $20. Score! This trolley I found came every 35 minutes, so I didn't have to wait too long...then after waiting too long, I needed to investigate where the hell this trolley was! Turns out, the one that I had chosen did not actually come to this pick up point. My day was looking to be a bit of a shambles, but I could make it up!!

Waiting at the correct stop now, I got a lovely view of the beach volley ball again, so at least I was entertained. FINALLY, the trolley arrived, and I was stoked. The trolley went past great sites along the beach (Kalakaua Ave) - there are so many statues of famous surfers and Kings - as well as giving us some great vantage points to check out Diamond Head Crater, one of the many beautiful mountains (ex-volcanoes) that make up Oahu. We also got to stop off at some spots that looked out over the city and the ocean. My favourite was definitely checking out the surfer spot! We went to some other cool spots and I then decided to get off and explore an area called King Kalakaua plaza. There were many very expensive, chic stores there, and a park with a War Memorial statue. It was such a beautiful day to explore. After an all too brief shopping trip in the most expensive places in Waikiki, I hopped back on the trolley and went to the hostel to get ready for the Luau!

My little pet roo, Mitchy, also enjoyed the trolley ride!

The tour bus for Germaine's Luau picked me up later in the afternoon. I had managed to control my hair (which was a mess after the trolley tour) and doll myself up a bit for the fun night ahead! On the bus, we had probably the most entertaining bus "escort" and stand up comedian in Oahu - Cousin Alika. He had us in stitches the whole bus ride and got us speaking with our neighbours on the bus. This is when I met Lorena, from Germany, and O'Dell, Michael, Juan, Jarred and Jaquel, the Texans!

Once we got to the luau, our new group found a decent table, dibs-ed our spots with our shell necklaces, and made for the bar for our free cocktails. This was already turning out to be a great night! The performers were incredible. I don't know how anyone can move their hips like that! The boys were especially entertained by this! Lorena and I were thoroughly entertained by the dancing men in hula skirts (it just worked for them!).

 Lorena and I

O'Dell and I

Not too long after arriving, it was time to dig up the pig! Kalua Pork, one of my fave new dishes, is when a pig is steam cooked with hot rocks, and buried in the ground. It was a site to see as the men (still wearing the skirts) dug up the pig. Even from about 15m away, the smell was incredible!

After that little show, it was time for boys to volunteer for the hula competition. Oh so thankfully, Juan was the lucky man and wrangled a pick hula skirt and coconut bra for us. Unfortunately, his performance was interrupted when our table was able to dig in at the all-you-can-eat buffet - and we couldn't resist!

Hawaiian food is spectacular! We had lomi lomi salmon (literally translated to massaged salmon) salsa, pineapple BBQ'd chicken, beef of some kind (I wish I could remember, it was delicious), and the famous kalua pork. My plate was stacked with as much food I could get my hands on. The one thing I didn't like was the coconut milk jelly..I'll leave that for the Hawaiians to eat.

The show was unbelievable. Hawaiian philosophy focuses on having faith in whatever that you believe in and sharing love and friendship with everyone. All night, we were referred to as family; we were all cousins and brothers and sisters - or if you were older, aunties and uncles. Aloha doesn't just mean hello/good bye, it also means love!

There was a fire dancer, with poi sticks, who would literally take the fire from one end of the stick with his hand/mouth/feet, and light the other end of the stick! He had to be one of my favourites. Special mention to the Hakka dance as well, I wish my Dad was there so he could perform along with them.

Of course, there was definitely participation as well. I managed to get on stage to learn the traditional hula dance, as well as the booty shaking!

Overall, it was an incredible night! I would recommend everyone to go to a luau if you're ever in Hawaii!

On the way back to the hostel, Cousin Alika stood up the front of the bus singing and playing the ukelele. I wish every night were like this one. Plus, I made some new friends who I can meet again over in Texas! Yee Haw!

Cousin Alika with Lorena and I