New Year’s Day in Waikiki, Hawaii.

Waikiki beach is not a bad place to nurse away your hangover. The New Year’s festivities at Fire Rum lounge were incredible; we arrived with just enough time to get our first round of drinks before the countdown began and the fireworks started. The 70’s theme that was planned was a flop; only a handful of people dressing up but the costumes were hilarious.  You can’t help but laugh at sparkling tie-died chaps overtop of a rainbow speed-o, platform shoes, disco ball around the neck and a 2 foot blue fro to pull it all together. Priceless. Since the condo that we had rented wasn’t available until the 1^st we (the family) crashed in a hotel that was barley big enough, 2 doubles for 4 people was a bit tight but drinking until 4 left us in a coma as soon as the lights were turned off.

After breakfast at a hotel down the strip, a little shopping that added a ukulele, some clothes and sunglasses to the luggage was done before moving into our room. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean from 15 stories up is quite the sight; there is a sense of calm that comes along with it. The division of the ocean was unique, people laying around on the beach, the swimmers close to the shore, surfers past them, sailboats out further, and the odd cargo ship or cruise ship in the very distance.

It is easy to see why they say that the Hawaiians worship the sun, watching the sunset from the balcony was incredible; the surfers were all sitting on their boards facing west, the bells from the shore started ringing, and at the same time a sunset cruise ship came into view. Something surreal about the whole thing. A late sushi dinner was fantastic and on the walk home off the main drag we stopped at a supermarket to pick up some fresh fruit for breakfast at the condo. Walking a few blocks off the main drag changed the atmosphere, it felt like you could buy “Anything” on the street. Dad was asked from if he “wanted some company” while he was waiting for the rest of us outside the store we popped in to check out. He’s gonna hear about that for a while.