After the eventful morning, I came home, showered off the mud, took some ibuprofen, and headed to the airport to get my friend Erin who is visiting me for the week!
This was my first time picking up a visitor, so I asked a friend on the hike what the deal is with getting leis. Turns out, there’s a whole section of the airport dedicated to this. I left a little early to scope it out, and found the lei stands. I had pictures… but, well, they’re gone. I picked out a traditional plumeria. I missed the entrance the first time and ended up turning into to the parking garage, but finagled my way to a close parking lot and grabbed a lei. When I left, the lady didn’t make me pay which was very kind.
So, I welcomed her with a lei and we were on our way for our first stop… poke! We tried “the hibachi“. I think this is way better than foodland, and it sells them in “mini” bowls, which is helpful for smaller capacity stomachs. I got thai chili and some other flavor. Erin got citrus. Both were delicious.
Unfortunately, it’s more of a lunch place, so we might need to save it for weekends when Brian is back, or I bring home some to store in the fridge.
I showed her the apartment and had her settle into our guest bedroom upstairs. Then we had reservations at Lulu’s in Waikiki. It’s been on my to-try list. We were fortunate enough to have a mutual friend, Evan, come eat with us. Before we got there, we took a stroll down the main strip. Erin has been here once before and the memories were coming back to her. Waikiki was as busy as ever, it seemed.
The deck of LuLu’s overlooks Waikiki beach. I parked in the zoo parking lot and found a spot with relative ease.
I think the food was just ok, but my drink, the “guavalicious”, was incredible. Waikiki is always an adventure, and this night was no exception. There was an anti vaccination passport protest/rally pretty much right outside. They also chose to test the Tsunami warning… at 7pm on Oct. 2nd, which was very odd because it’s usually in the morning on the first of the month in Kailua. Then there was some live band somewhere, it felt like right downstairs. Anyway, Erin had another friend from grad school that was also in Hawaii and met us for a quick drink. They connected because Erin posted a picture on Instagram that she was here. Social media is such a funny thing.
Anyway, I thought it was on OK experience. Not my favorite Waikiki hangout. Glad we got Waikiki out of the way for this trip.