december 4th

My last day in paradise.

Off to the west of Waikiki Beach, a volcanic crater, Diamond Head, juts out into the ocean. The Americans used to use Diamond Head for defence purposes, but you can now hike up to the rim for some amazing views of the island. So, just a short hike later, climbing five hundred feet over the mile-long trail, I get to the top.

The views are as good as I hoped they would be.

Then I had to make my way back down to head back to Waikiki, which was probably just as difficult as the climb. But at least I wasn’t doing it in the heat of the midday sun. Doh!

Back in Waikiki, I had to figure out how to spend my last day, but there are only two things that you can do in Waikiki, sunbathe and shop. So I sunbathed. And I shopped.

Then, after my final, beautiful sunset over the ocean (and probably final look at the sun for a long, long time), I sit here, waiting for the bus to take me to the airport.

Despite all the crowds, I have come to really like this place for what it is – and I will be sad to leave…