Happy Birthday Lance and shopping, shopping, shopping!
Breakfast is in included at our hotel so we wandered down to the adjoining cafe Heavenly Island with our vouchers only to have to wait in a line at the door. This place has a line outside all day, so should be good. Our voucher entitles us to a choice of: a loco moko with a burger pattie, beans an egg and more. Unfortunately included in the more is lentils which make me seriously bloated, so that is out for me. French toast which looks devine and is what Lance ordered, eggs benedict, which is a favourite of Lance’s but since he has had his gall bladder out 8 weeks ago he sometimes has urgent reactions to high fat food so he is reluctant to give it a go here. When I say urgent reactions it’s not like he needs an epi pen or anything, all he needs is a vacant bathroom. And the last option is an omelette in true American style, egg on the bottom and salad, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, avocado and mushroom loaded on top. The coffee is extra but is decent filter coffee and it all comes with cold iced tea.
Our bus pass from yesterday was still valid for another day so we decided to travel to the Ala Moana shopping centre. Arriving just after opening we took a leisurely stroll around the mall which has inside and outside shopping. Every top of the line shop is in this mall, and we could smell the money as we strolled past, eyeing the immaculately groomed security guards. My best score was at the fossil bag shop where the three items that I purchased were all on sale with an extra 30% off. The young guy apologised to me that the wallet that Lance had chosen was full price. “Oh well, its his birthday so we better get it”. When he found out that it was Lance’s birthday he gave me 30% off!
It wasn’t long before Lance had, had enough so he caught the bus back to Waikiki and stopped in for a beer and chips at the Mai Tai Bar whilst I pounded the pavers at the mall. I didn’t buy much more, I just wanted to see the whole place, and I did!
Toilet report
My question is: why do they have signs with arrows that you keep following and then all of a sudden there is nothing! And then when you have backtracked several times you find a tiny sign on the wall behind where people are standing that says restrooms. Obviously designed by someone with a bladder like an elephant.
Dining for the evening was at the Azure restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The Hotel is very grand and we sat at the bar where I had a cocktail followed by some bubbles (French not NZ).
We were delighted when we were shown to our table right on the beach! Well there was a small wall between us and the sand. This was just the most amazing setting with food and service that was outstanding. All accompanied with a bottle of Craggy Range Sav Blanc (NZ for you foreigners). We indulged in seafood that was fresh and dressed in a variety of sauces, all delicate but bursting with flavour. After desert wine and some of their own lemoncello we staggered home. An excellent birthday dinner indeed!
Fantastic dinner that I did not want to end ...
ReplyDelete