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Mary enjoyed her morning coffee, but it tasted a lot like wine!
OK, fine, I’ll confess: I finally clawed my way back to consciousness at around 8:00 am… after approximately fourteen hours of coma-level sleep.
We heroically attempted to summon room service like civilized humans, only to discover the tragic truth: there is no room service. None. Just us, our hunger, and the crushing realization that we might have to put on real clothes and interact with the outside world.
We both got the same idea; we decided to go to the Elks for breakfast.
We checked on Diamond Head,d and it was still there.
It looks like a Diamond!
Diamond Head, known to Native Hawaiians as L’ahi (brow of the tuna), is a 300,000-year-old volcanic tuff cone formed by a single explosive eruption. Originally a navigational landmark, it was named “Diamond Head” by 19th-century British sailors who mistook volcanic calcite crystals for gems. The U.S. military purchased it in 1904 for strategic coastal defense, building tunnels and bunkers still present today.
Geological Formation: Formed about 300,000 years ago, it is an extinct tuff cone that resulted from magma interacting with ocean water, triggering a massive explosion, says the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Hawaiian Name (L??ahi): Ancient Hawaiians named it for its resemblance to the dorsal fin of a tuna fish, according to the Pacific Historic Parks.
The “Diamond” Misnomer: In 1825, British sailors found calcite crystals in the crater, leading to the name “Diamond Hill” (later “Head”).
Military Significance (Fort Ruger): In 1904, the U.S. government bought the crater for coastal defense. In 1908, the hiking trail, tunnels, and fire control station were built to defend Honolulu.
Modern Status: It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968, according to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
We took a short cab ride from our hotel, well worth the $12.00.
We just made it for breakfast as they were closing service early for an Elks formal meeting upstairs.
“Aloha, come on inside!!”
We had a wonderful table close enough to hear the ocean but far enough away from the seawall to avoid getting splashed by the occasional rogue wave.
One ordered quickly and was served within minutes, since the kitchen was about to close.
I went off the rails and had French Toast; it was terrific. The service was outstanding and the view spectacular.
No laughing at the legs!!
After breakfast, we walked along the perimeter of the Elk’s Lodge and spotted our hotel in the distance. No wonder it is called the “Pink Lady”.
It’s about three or four miles away!
According to the map…
The hotel is indeed in the middle of Waikiki!
We said good bye to the Elks and went back to the hotel!
