Oooh, lcuy, I've already audited PPC's tour. You guys just come on down for dim sum at Hong Kong Harbour View. I think I get a discount.

Or I can join you at any other dim sum venue!

I forgot to mention that!....if you go to Hanauma Bay bus, you'll more than likely get in. They close it off because of the lack of parking, so if you go by bus, you should be OK. Also, don't forget it's not free anymore either.

Are you also considering things such as the Dole Plantation as well as the Polynesian Cultural Center??

Dole Plantation?

BigJim, think we are going to skip the Polynesian Cultural Center. Just don't think we will have enough time as it appears that takes an entire day.

As for the Dole Plantation..we may stop for a sec when we do the North Shore drive. Depends on the time constraints and how long we have spent other places.

PPC, Melissa and Lucy...y'all just decide and let us know which day to get together for Chinatown and lunch..we can do Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday..just need to know in advance so we plan the other things.

This must be a good sign....just looked at my calendar..today is the 22nd AND we leave in 22 more days!!

Aloha icee,

Ahhhh 22 days... must be nice! 68 for me.

When you do your north shore drive be sure to stop in Haleiwa for Aoki's shave ice and Kua A'ina for a mahi sandwich or a burger... mmmmmmmmm.

Enjoy the windward drive... go slow... stop at one of the shrimp trucks for a snack. If you start your drive heading up the windward coast toward the north shore, you could certainly hit Hanauma Bay that AM. Also, I would hit the Macadamia Nut Farm and do the tour if you have time... a lovely place w/ great tasters and the coffee is wonderful. I would certainly do this tour over the Dole tour.

Enjoy the north shore... sink your toes into the sand at at least one of the beaches, if not more. STOP at the turtle beach... can anyone tell the name or where this beach is?? I could tell you from the passenger seat if you want me to come along!

Also, on the north shore, if you really want to explore... head out to Kaena Point... if you have a jeep or 4wh you can drive right past the parking lot & treck out as far as you want to go. A fun place to explore. The Albatross nest out at the point and are protected, so watch out for them... if you skip Dole you'll have plenty of time for this exploring.

Don't make dinner ressies for this day... you'll be much more relaxed. Wing it... it'll be wonderful to just throw caution to the wind and fly by the seat of your pants! ><

Have a wonderful time on one of my fav isles... wish I could join you all on O'ahu AND Kauai!

Aaaaalohhhhhaaaa!

Thanks, makai1, now I think we will definitely NOT make dinner reservations for the day of the drive. That way, we won't be feeling unnecessary pressure. And, from what you say, we won't be starving anyway after we partake of all your food suggestions!

icee,

That night when you roll in to Waikiki after a full day of fun and exploration, just freshen up (or not), and head out & beach hop for some pu pu's... it's all about the pu pu's!

The beach with the turtles that Makai1 mentioned - unfortunately I don't know the name of it. It is one of the beaches between Haleiwa and Sunset Beach. The best way I can describe to recognize it is:

It is a strip of beach that is just a short step (about 2 feet) down from the road, there is a strip of parking on the opposite side of the road and there are a few signs next to the beach that say "Do not touch the turtles". It was this sign that made us stop to look. On other drives past before we did stop, we noticed that often there would be a stretch limo or a bus stopped on the shoulder of the road on the water side.

Wish I could give you a better/more exact location, but I don't have a map here (and I've only been there once).

Great description, Bart... almost as good as being along for the ride... almost. On the east side of beach there are homes, and on the west side is a small open bay before more homes start. The beach has some trees very close to the road. Great turtle viewing spot!

Also, icee, when you are in Chinatown, since the "real icee wants a nice set of chopsticks with the bowl thingie", I think you need to find the most beautiful special lovely breathtaking lei you can find. What fun you'll have shopping for your special trinkets. PPC will lead you right where you need to go! My guess is you will LOVE!! Chinatown.

Have a great time...

makai1, as if I could get anymore excited, there you go using words like breathtaking!

To get to Diamond Head on the bus from the Marriot Hotel just walk to Kuhio Avenue, between Oahu and Paokalani there is a bus stop. Catch bus 22 or 58 headed to Hanauma Bay and get off at the Diamond Head stop…18th Avenue and DH Road. You’ll have to hike in a bit to get to the start of the trail. It will be a two hour excursion. Since this bus is the Hanauma Bay bus it could be crowded by the time it gets to your section of Waikiki.

Here's a suggested way of arranging your four days. Just a suggestion!

Sunday: Duke's for Brunch,then walk Waikiki Beach. Later that day catch bus to Diamond Head stop and hike Diamond Head. Wear a hat and take water. This shouldn't be too bad if it's late afternoon. Gives you a chance to work off some of the calories from the brunch. Dinner at Nick's. You can catch the bus on Kuhio to the restaurant and back.

Monday: Rent a car and head out early to Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona then press on to the North shore. Turtle Bay Resort makes a nice rest stop. Return via Waimanalo and you can catch Hanauma Bay for snorkeling in the afternoon. By the time you return to Waikiki it will be a full day. Relax at Hau Tree Lanai.

Tuesday: Morning tour of Chinatown—easy to get to on bus. Chinatown dim sum if you want. You could see the Aloha Tower afterward. Other downtown sights, Iolani Palace, the State Art Museum (free). Visit Ala Moana Center on way back to Waikiki. Unwind at Tiki’s.

Wednesday: Bus to swap meet if you haven’t done it earlier. Or anything else fun that I've forgotten. Dinner at Chai's.

Thanks applehi, aren't you the logical one?

Logical, me? Thanks! BTW, after hiking Diamond Head if you're tired and the wait for the bus seems long, you might consider calling a cab. Bring your cell phone and get the number of a cab from the hotel before you go. I don't think the fare would be more than $10 and if you buddy up with another couple that could be a faster way back to Waikiki.

So are we on for lunch/tour with PakePorkChop on the 17th?

And PPChop- did Ahnya finish her India Blog yet???

The beach with the turtles is Chun's Reef.

It is located about 1/2 way from Haleiwa to Waimea Bay.

If you are coming from Haleiwa, it will be one of the first beaches. Parking for this beach is on the opposite side of the road from the ocean.

Here is a site that shows some of the main beaches on the North Shore:

http://www.firsthawaiianvacation.com...thshoremap.htm

Lucy, you and MelissaHI and PPC decide what to do and email me at [email protected]...

We really want to do a Chinatown tour with PPC and then perhaps head over to AT for a dim sum lunch and some BAD ASS hula pie coffee!..The day doesn't matter to us as long as it is Monday 16th, Tuesday 17th or Wednesday 18th!!! But, if we go ahead and decide then I can make our other tentative arrangements.

I think we may have decided to rent a car for the entire time so y'all will have to tell me where to park, yada yada yada....

Another thing, I am reading not so great reviews about Nick's. What do you all think. I sure do like that big discount in the entertainment book.

If you do go out to Hilo Hattie's, walk almost next door to Sam Choy's for lunch.

I think we'll stick with the plan--Tuesday May 17, you, lcuy and Burta will take PPC's tour in the morning and come on over to Hong Kong Harbor View for dim sum lunch. Please let me know if you would also like a free tour of Aloha Tower (and how many people) so I can schedule it for you! It's quick--just 20 minutes.

chepar if you're reading this....can you come for lunch?