Island Tour

SUNDAY
Yesterday was a laid-back island tour. After Rich recovered from his bike ride, we drove into town to return the bike. The Bike Shop just happened to be very near Leonard's. . . For those who don't know - Leonard's is a bakery that is famous for Portuguese Malasadas. If you haven't ever had them - you MUST. If you have - I am sorry - I know you are salivating right now.

We ate our Malasadas hot and fresh in the car in Leonard's parking lot just as nature intended.

After we were refreshed, we took off for the Pali Lookout. We drove on the Old Pali Highway - a beautiful drive through lush jungle and mountains. We ended up at the Pali Lookout where you can get a view of the entire Windward side of the island.

Pali Lookout (Ko'olau Golf Course in the background)

Since we will be playing golf at the Ko'olau Golf Course on Monday, we decided to pass by for a look. After being so aggravated and disappointed with the Hawaii Kai course we did not really have high hopes. BUT - Ko'olau is gorgeous! We stopped at the pro shop and they were extremely friendly and welcoming. They informed us that this course is known as one of the most difficult in the US and it is said that you need to bring as many balls as your handicap. . . I have 29 and am contemplating getting more. We peeked at a few holes and I quickly decided that I am ONLY going to use my putter from tee to green. I am not sure yet how I will be able to putt over some of the ravines. Anyway, we are really looking forward to our round there. Alan will go along and ride in a golf cart.

Back in the car, we head towards one of our very favorite spots on the island - Puna lu'u Beach.

The big attraction (for us at least) at Punalu'u is the area in which to play Pooh Sticks. There is a great stream that runs into the ocean and we have become adept at finding objects to race down the stream. Much cheering and screaming is involved. This visit's runaway winner was a choice piece of styrofoam that Rich discovered.

Rich and Alan discussing the floatability of their chosen objects

Rich and Linda "dropping" at the start of a race

After a rousing round of Pooh Sticks, it was time to head to "the Keys" (Wai ki ki) for dinner. We had scoped out the very best sushi restaurants in Honolulu and came up with Morio's in Waikiki. It was described as a hole in the wall that if you didn't know better you would "run like hell" upon seeing it. It was exactly as described and we loved it! We had reservations at the highly coveted sushi bar that seats only 8. There was another couple there and the other seats had "reserved" signs on them. We took particular delight in seeing walk-in guests get turned away for not having reservations.

It was a BYOB place and we purchased a couple of Japanese beers next door. We put ourselves in Morio's skilled hands. We started with a Sashimi plate that was killer.

sashimi

We then asked Morio what we should have and he fixed us a Volcano roll that was not on the menu. Spicy ahi, some kind of sauce, rice, who knows what else? Fantastic. We knew we wanted some unagi (eel) so we ordered a Dragon Roll. Wow.

Dragon roll at Morio's

After the Dragon roll we were almost satisfied but wanted just something else. We told Morio that we wanted something great to finish with - something simple, something clean. He told us we were giving him a headache.

Morio has a headache trying to figure out what to make for us

He concocts something and places it in front of us. When asked what it is he just says "eat it." It is remarkable - seared Ahi, very thin vegetables and ponzu sauce. Perfect. Upon receiving the bill I do a double take - $43! We have been to sushi places at home where the bill has been upwards of $100 for just the 2 of us and it wasn't half as good. We deem our choice a brilliant success.

I must add this - During the time that Morio is fixing our last dish we decide that our parking meter (a few blocks down at the Zoo) is probably going to expire. Rich volunteers to sprint down to the car and feed the meter. He gets to a point across the street from the car and has to wait for the light in order to cross the busy street. He can see a policewoman writing a ticket and putting it on our car. He yells at her. He yells again. Light changes and he runs across the street to our car. He confronts the policewoman who won't budge on the ticket. Holy Cow. Our meter is probably less than 5 minutes expired and he is right there to put more money in. We are in Waikiki spending $. She can't waive the ticket????! Will it get paid? What do you think?

Would YOU pay this???

Home again - another great day.

We sleep late and laze around the house for most of the morning. Finally we decide around 1:00 that we should go get Dave's ice cream for lunch. We headed out to Waimanalo and find Dave's. I have Coconut/Macademia/Kona Coffee, Alan has Lychee, and Rich has Kona Coffee. Just right.

Ice cream at Dave's

After that we head back towards home being sure to stop at BOTH Costco and Safeway (3rd time for Safeway, 2nd for Costco). We pick up Filet Mignons for Monday night and other necessities for Alan.

Tonight we are cooking lamb chops, cabbage au gratin and pureed parsnips. Alan is tending the fire. Alan's neighbor - Simplicio - just dropped by with a huge plate of crab legs for us. Life is tough.

ok - I know I have the fonts all screwed up and I have spent the last 20 minutes trying to fix them. Forget it- you will just have to deal with it and hope I can clear up the next entry.