Hills, Thrills and Dollar Bills
Setting the alarm for 5:30am wasn’t an easy task for the Jones family, who struggles to get to breakfast by 8 o’clock each morning. We decided it wasn’t a realistic goal for us but it didn’t prove too hard for the Gallaghers who were up before the sparrows to get to the lookout at the top of the Diamond Head Crater by sunrise. Like a well-oiled machine they got themselves up, ready and out the door while it was still dark and caught a taxi down to the Diamond Head National Park. The ascent is a steep one alright and definitely not for the faint-hearted (or those with back problems, knee problems, hip problems, vertigo, pregnancy, low blood pressure, high blood pressure or any of the numerous ailments listed on the warning signs at the bottom of the hill!) Going so early meant they would beat the heat of the day and Adam set a cracking pace in order to beat the sun’s arrival out over the ocean. Making it just in time, the view didn’t disappoint and the photos testify that it was well worth the early rise.
Now our family on the other hand, slept at least an hour or two longer and decided to attack the mighty hill at a more leisurely pace. We did have to contend with more tourists and certainly didn’t escape the heat of the day, even though it was still fairly early in the morning. We were SWEATING buckets! It was 35 degrees and very muggy and like I said before, this baby is steep!! There was a fair bit of huffing and puffing going on I can tell you, especially when we reached the giant staircase that is almost completely vertical and seems to go on forever! Molly though, who still seemed to be recovering from being made to leave the comfort of her bed, was yawning widely all the way up! Every time I turned around to see how she was going, she was open mouthed! She tells me this is what happens when she exercises.
When you’re in the crater, surrounded by high mountainous walls all around you, it’s awesome to think that once this was the inside of a volcano. To think that there was enough power inside to blow the whole top off the mountain when it erupted is mind-blowing! God’s power is awesome.
The track has a safety railing but is quite uneven in parts, making the walk a bit tricky. At one stage, you go through a long dark tunnel, which is pretty claustrophobic. I didn’t like it too much and was hoping we would avoid it when we headed back down. Unfortunately there was no other option but to brave it again and Maisy reassured me going in by telling me “It’s OK mum. Just stick with me and you’ll be fine.” She lead the way and was constantly checking behind her to make sure I was OK. She was very cute!
Reaching the top it was absolutely worth the climb! What an amazing view! You could see the incredible blues of the clearest ocean below, with waves breaking and swell coming in in long lines. The highrise buildings of Waikiki were dwarfed by this awesome mountain and you could see for miles! There were a couple of smallish lookouts at the top and by the time we reached the summit we were competing with a pretty large crowd, all just as sweaty and stinky as us! There’s not much worse than inadvertently rubbing arms with someone who is slimy with sweat. Eww! The pheromones were flying! Ross was a complete legend and piggy-backed an exhausted Maisy back down the hill in the heat. I felt sorry for the taxi driver taking us back to the hotel with 6 sweaty little bodies all crammed into his taxi. It didn’t seem to worry him though and he was keen to know all the ins and outs of Australian animals. He hadn’t realised we actually ate kangaroos and being a vegan, I think he was a little horrified! The shower back at the Embarrassing Suits got a good workout when we returned that’s for sure.
Next our parasailing adventure was about to start so the eleven of us jumped on the trolley that would take us to Ala Moana where we’d disembark and walk the mile to the wharf. Yes – more walking! Kerry Saxby would’ve been proud. By the time we reached the wharf we were hot indeed. We took our pre-paid vouchers to the counter, (with fully clad bottoms in case you were wondering!) and we were told that the boat was only licenced to carry 10 people. What!? Now you tell us. We tried to persuade them that Maisy was only little and they would hardly even know she was there but rules are rules and the driver of the boat could risk his licence if he broke the rules. Yada, yada, yada. There was a sign up that said something along the lines of “if you are cranky or rude you will incur a $10 charge!” It was supposed to be funny. Ross was very cute while he was trying to negotiate with the lady behind the counter, showing great restraint, he pointed to the sign and told her he was “VERY close” to incurring that $10 fee. He wasn’t joking. It was a major bummer. It meant that one adult had to miss out because the boat was going to be out in deep water for an hour and we couldn’t exactly leave Maisy on the beach by herself. I’m sure she would’ve made some lovely sandcastles but nevertheless. Someone had to miss out so I took one for the team. I didn’t really mind. I was the only one who had been parasailing before (it was in 1986 mind you!) So Miss Maisy and I wandered around a lovely airconditioned shopping centre for an hour and ended up having a lovely time.
The parasailers meanwhile, had an absolute ball. Toby and Georgia had initially been the most hesitant but faced their fears and ended up totally loving it. The day was so blue and clear that visibility was amazing and from all reports it was well worth the experience.
After the thrills were over we decided to go back to Ala Moana shopping centre and spend a few more dollar bills. (I’m a poet and I didn’t know it). We had an early dinner (affectionately known as “linner”) at one of our favourites: Bubba Gumps. The service is always fantastic at Bubba Gumps and the food was delicious too. We exercised our last opportunity to buy Hawaiian and put a few more dimes into the Hawaiian economy, Adam finally investing in the ukulele bass he’s been after, before heading back to the hotel for a refreshing dip.
Our last happy hour at the hotel was the best by far! There was a groovy Hawaiian band playing. It was a father and his three exceptionally musically talented sons, playing lots of covers we knew and loved. One of the sons was going off on the ukulele, playing it like a lead electric guitar! He was brilliant! Some of the audience bravely pioneered on the dance floor which set off an avalanche of dancers joining them. It was just so much fun! The crowd formed two lines and each person had a turn of dancing solo down through the middle – like a groovy Virginia Reel – high-fiving all the way down! Ross and Adam noted that the dance style of the white middle-aged man is universal and though we may be on foreign soil, the dance steps were just the same! The band had originally said they’d just play one more song but when the crowd protested loudly they decided to stay a while longer. They were having just as much fun as we were. Ross and Adam were heading up a conga line while the kids all moved and grooved until their legs were sore! This was all followed by a moonlight swim and spa and one last dessert run to the Cheesecake Shop and Haagen Dazs! YUM!
Now it’s time to pack up and head back to civilisation in the morning. We have had such a fantastic holiday and feel very privileged to have been able to experience it.
ALOHA from the Jones Crew!!!
