Micronesia: August 2015
Complimentary upgrade to first class meant the typical, ancient, decidedly-dated domestic first class seats, no in-flight entertainment (IFE) or power, but at least the food was surprisingly good!
Watched all the flights to HNL divert around a massive cloud bank south of Oahu, the usual airport shuttle SNAFU's, and into a beautiful, sunny Waikiki... that started pouring rain 30 minutes later. To be fair, there was a flash flood alert running the whole day into the early evening (!).
Met up with Cousin Kaitie (who was also here on vacation), and in an effort for some non-Japanese, non-Hawaiian food (which is everywhere!) to start the trip with some variety, had a very wet walk to Me BBQ a few blocks away, then back to the hotel bar to eat. Turns out the Korean take-out was pretty mediocre, and the hotel bar's "bacon" fries were even worse. Being in Los Angeles, evidently even our cruddy Korean food is pretty good compared to this!
First dessert was a very reasonable walk and bus ride at Frostcity. They did a perfectly decent Taiwanese shaved snow and mango tapioca drink, although it was more average than anything else. Bubbies around the corner had a long, long line for their pies, cakes, and ice cream-- the ice cream sundae with Oreo ice cream was more of a smooth chocolate ice cream. Rather conventional in execution, but still very good. They do some more decorative presentations as well if you're into food as art.
Bit of an adventure heading back. I'm not sure if Google Maps is crazy in Hawaii, or if they truly have navigating Hawaii streets, strip malls, and parks down to an art form. I strongly suspect it's the latter, but it was still a bit unsettling at first!
Wrapped up the day at Zippy's off Kapahulu. I don't understand the love for this place; the won ton min was diner-level won ton min, although that does appear to be exactly the point-- it's a Honolulu institution, much like Swinger's or Norm's is in Los Angeles. And from that perspective, hell, I can see the appeal!