Red trolley took us to see Honolulu's cultural, architectural and artistic past. It takes approximately 100 minutes. We went into the CBD area, past the Honolulu Museum of Art, State Capital building and Iolani Palace - the only official state residence of royalty in the US. Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs - King Kalakaua, who built the palace in 1882, and his sister (and successor), Queen Lili' uokalani. Next was Izumo Taishakyo, one of the few Shinto shrines in the US, visitors can ring the Hiroshima Peace Bell and purchase omamori (traditional good luck amulets).
The next area was Chinatown, where we alighted. Walking through was very similar to the Chinatowns in other place that we've been to. We walked about a mile-and-a-half to find Lowe's Hardware (kinda like Bunnings), right next door to The Home Depot (another hardware store) and the Dole Cannery (pineapple cannery).
Had a cold drink at the Dole, it was so hot! David went and found what he wanted. Enjoyed lunch. On our way out, we decided to have a look in a jewellery manufacturing store and met a fellow who wanted to chat to us because he and his wife are planning to have a holiday in Australia. Another man in the store told us he lived in Charleville in the early 60's and that his family ran a French restaurant! Talk about co-incidences!
The customer from the jewellery store offered to give us a ride back to the shopping mall. We had dinner at our favourite place, 'The Cheesecake Factory' and then walked down to the Hilton Hawaiian Village where the free fireworks happen every Friday night!
Starting my Birthday celebrations (Australia time) - having a Margarita!
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