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Honolulu. Golf, And Waikiki
Song: Honolulu
We stayed well into the evening in Honolulu. The day on the links was beautiful although a little ruggued and difficult. Lunch on the rotating restaurant was spectacular.... Great food and fantastic view. We came into port quite early and got to see Diamond Head. We departed about 11:00 pm.
Entering the harbor
The fog bank was over the city
Diamond Head in the distance
The Aloha Tower was right outside our room
It's a beautiful city
Right outside the veranda
Time For A Walk Around Time
The Aloha Tower
Night time is magnificent
Did You Know? - The Aloha Tower is a lighthouse that is considered one of the landmarks of the state of Hawaii in the United States. Opened on September 11, 1926, the Aloha Tower is located at Pier 9 of Honolulu Harbor. It has and continues to be a guiding beacon welcoming vessels to the City and County of Honolulu. Just as the Statue of Liberty greeted hundreds of thousands of immigrants each year to New York City, the Aloha Tower greeted hundreds of thousands of immigrants to Honolulu.
At 10 stories and 184 feet (56 m) of height topped with 40 feet (12 m) of flag mast, for four decades the Aloha Tower was the tallest structure in Hawaii. It was built in the Hawaiian Gothic architectural style.
Where is the golf course??
Golf At Ko'olau Golf Club
We played golf! Correction! Sue played golf and Paul chased the little white ball! The pictures here were at the Ko'olau Golf Club .
On our way
Jump in...
Nice entrance
Garden inside
Paul killed his brother with a sand wedge
One rought course
Did You Know? - Carved out of a magnificent tropical rain forest on the windward side of the 2,000-foot Ko'olau Ridge mountain range, Ko'olau encompasses three distinct climate zones and features winding ravines, extreme elevation changes, and breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls. Situated on eastern Oahu, the rugged landscape of this tropical jungle course uses ravines as the target for holes and boasts lush vegetation and huge sand bunkers. Considered the toughest course in the nation from the back tees with a slope rating of 152, Ko'olau's spectacular setting will inspire you from beginning to end.
We met John from GPS
Did You Know? - Carved out of a magnificent tropical rain forest on the windward side of the 2,000-foot Ko'olau Ridge mountain range, Ko'olau encompasses three distinct climate zones. John Wokirka, a friend also retired from Boeing joined us on this adventure!
Rough everywhere
It was rough
Look cool... Was hot
Smash
Narrow fairways
Yes, it was hot! And we lost about two dozen balls between the three of us!
Just us....
"Crick!"
Simply beautiful
Did You Know? - Carved out of a magnificent tropical rain forest on the windward side of the 2,000-foot Ko'olau Ridge mountain range, Ko'olau encompasses three distinct climate zones and features winding ravines, extreme elevation changes, and breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls. Situated on eastern Oahu, the rugged landscape of this tropical jungle course uses ravines as the target for holes and boasts lush vegetation and huge sand bunkers.
Red soil and mirrored lakes
Geeze.. More difficult than it looks
Did You Know? - Koolau Golf course is a top 100 US golf course, and is rated the toughest golf course in the United States, with a slope rating of 155+. See below for a typical fairway!
Top Of Waikiki (Our Post Golfing Experience)
Can't resist a great dinner and spectacular view from the "Top Of Waikiki"
Up we go
At the top
Did You Know? - Enjoy Hawaii's only revolving restaurant. Whether its a view of the city or a view of Waikiki Beach, one thing remains constant – our award winning Pacific fusion cuisine will give your palate a delight it will never forget. . Check it out
Way at the top...
Fantastic view of the pink lady
Did You Know? - The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific, is located at 2259 Kalākaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. One of the first hotels established in Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian is considered one of the flagship hotels in Hawaii tourism. It opened its doors to guests on 1 February 1927 with a black tie gala attended by over 1,200 guests. The hotel quickly became an icon of Hawaii's glory days.
Great history
Did You Know? - During World War II, the Royal was closed to tourists and instead served as a place of rest and relaxation for U.S. submariners. While the Royal Hawaiian's lush tropical garden was (and still is) tranquil and poetic, on the beaches fronting the Pink Palace (sometimes referred to as the Pink Lady) one saw reminders of the war with rolls and rolls of barbed wire planted in the sand. The hotel was sold, along with the rest of Matson's hotels in Hawaii, to the Sheraton Corporation in 1959.
There she is...
Around and around
Did You Know? - This fascinating three-tiered restaurant, located on the top floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza, makes a full 360-degree rotation every hour. This hour-long revolution permits guests to view a live, colorful panorama of the island while enjoying cocktails or a delicious meal.
The dinning room is centered around an open sit-down bar that revolves independently and provides an additional level from which guests have an outstanding view of the city.
The plush rotation restaurant began serving the public in October 1965 and has hosted well over a million since then. Many guests return faithfully during every visit to Hawaii to their favorite restaurant with a view.
Seating close to 200 diners on the three levels, the room is tastefully decorated in a classy retro style. It is reached by taking elevators to the 18th floor and escalators from then on for the ascent to the top!
The Top of Waikiki serves Pacific Rim cuisine nightly including favorites such as Seared Scallops with Braised Pancetta, Chicken Cordon Blue and a Tenderloin of Beef on a Hot Rock…and that’s just for starters!
Aptly named, the Top of Waikiki is the crowning attraction of the Waikiki Business Plaza.
Ample validated parking is available in the building, as well as in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza, across Seaside Avenue.
The Splendid vista which awaits visitors at the Top of Waikiki is complemented by the epicurean delights prepared by the staff of experienced chefs under the direction of head Chef John Neff.
Wow....
The room is moving
Food was excellent
The Royal Hawaiian
After dinner we went to the Royal Hawaiian for a drink and watch the Luau going on next to the bar area. Only The Royal Hawaiian can present such a tropically elegant luau. With a backdrop of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach, the evening begins with Hawaiian melodies and refreshing Mai Tais or Luau Punch on the Ocean Lawn, where each guest is greeted with a lei.
The grounds were very pretty
Music right on the beach
Definitely pink
They do NOT build them like this anymore
Nice and cool inside
On the beach with Diamond Head in the distance
Did You Know? - Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu and known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi, most likely from lae 'browridge, promontory' plus ʻahi 'tuna' because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin. Its English name was given by British sailors in the 19th century, who mistook calcite crystals embedded in the rock for diamonds.
Aerial view
Sitting at the bar
We mean pink
Did You Know? - Of all Hawaii hotels, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel has remained an icon of luxury and romance. This legendary Waikiki Beach hotel known as “The Pink Palace of the Pacific,” is recognized around the world.Even old men get to drink in their establishment!
Great drinks
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