day 3: the driving tour

we were inspired by www.alternative-hawaii.com/byotgdxo.htm. i modified the route slightly and off we went. we started by picking up some okazu at ebisu's catering service on king street. this may sounds cheeky, but it's the first thing we did that I didn't feel like a total tourist. this random to go place was like a combination of take out dim sum, but japanese in nature. there was beef teri, ume filled musubi's, teri chicken, chow fun, chow mein, japanese veggies (the kind that i only eat during new years), hash, shrimp tempura, etc. they wrap it all to go and you go on your merry way.



our first destination was ranked one of the best beaches in the world by the travel channel: Lanikai beach. on the way, we stopped at the pali lookout off for amazing views of kaneohe and kailua. Lanikai beach was just GORGEOUS. way less crowded than waikiki, we spread out and enjoyed our okazu on the beach. afterwards we enjoyed the water and sun for an hour or so before heading out.



we checked a bunch of beaches along the east and north shore including... HUKILAU beach! Nothing fancy, but we had to stop, just so I could take a pic next to the beach sign of the beloved restaurant I work for.



we also stood on the sands of the north shore where famed surfers come during the winter months to tackle the banzai pipeline and its waves. then i saw a real, live honu! just chillin' on the beach.



our last stop before heading back to the hotel was the Dole Plantation. it was sort of like a mini-disney like experience. the word dole was planted in the front, flags were flying; if you wanted th full tour, there was a train that ran throughout the plantation and you could go into the world's largest maze with over miles of pathways surrounded by hawaiian greenery. of course, it wouldn't have been complete without ...



tonight we have reservations for Alan Wong's then we'll be off for drinks at the W hotel. in what looks like a quiet office building, we walked off the third floor elevator for our 9pm reservation to a bustling restaurant. the noise level was high with what seemed like an 80% USC crowd. the bar was full and the entryway overflowing with people waiting for a table. thankfully we had made reservations and were seated immediately. the staff was very courteous and friendly but the tables a bit crowded. we felt a little like were were in our own little bubble with customers and waitstaff flirting all around us. in every direction a trojan fan could be spoted wearing some sort of USC paraphenalia. the menu was varied and almost overwhelming, filled with tons of seafood options which all looked yummy. tempted to just order pupus since there were so many that look good, we ended up going the traditional route with a starter and entree. we started with tempura ahi rolls as recommended by our server jason. they were rare on the inside and lightly battered and deep fried with a yummy soy mustard sauce. my meal was good, a twist on the spanish paella, hawaiian style but ry's meal was frickin amazing. he had mochi encrusted opakapaka which was lightly crispy and melted in your mouth.... SO GOOD. for dessert we shared a coconut sorbet. so so. from all we've read and what we experienced this was as good as fine dining gets in hawaii. we're somewhat jaded since we eat so well in SF regularly but overall the food was great and the service delightful. highly recommended.



Mia and Stefan fly in tonight and we'll be meeting up with them tomorrow after the big game.