Thursday, March 13, 2014
Rode UberX to SFO. Breakfast at Firewood where the veggie scramble comes with bacon. Forgot my contact lens case, purchased a new one. Hawaiian Airlines flight 11. The air conditioning was too cold. When I mentioned this to a flight attendant she asked if I wanted to purchase a blanket for $10. I declined, thinking that they should not profit from my discomfort. I didn't have anything easily accessible to cover myself with, so I was uncomfortable for the entire flight. As part of their standard service, they served breakfast. In the main cabin it was fresh melon, watermelon, pineapple, grapes, tillamook medium cheddar, crackers, a chocolate macadamia nut cluster, water, tomato juice with ice. Later: laughably weak rum punch. Diamond Head vacations airport-hotel transfer via SpeediShuttle. I was the last to be dropped off, so it felt like I spent an extra hour in transit that I wouldn't've if I had taken a taxi. Checked in to Coconut Waikiki. About 18 months ago it changed from a Best Western to a Joie de Vivre property. Upon arrival a medium-sized box of macadamia nut clusters sat on the bed—a nice surprise. The view from my room (705) is panoramic, facing the mountains across the Ala Wai Canal. I love it. I met Nate, Quyen, Dave, and Richard L at the bar at the Royal Hawaiian. We drank mai tais served by Dana, with whom Nate was familiar. Afterwards we stopped at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for mochi ice cream. I had sakuna and pistachio—yum! I asked Nate, "What time is it?" and that decided our next destination: the revolving bar and restaurant called Top of Waikiki. Bartenders Kameron and Garrett served us drinks, and I chatted briefly with our bar neighbors Joan and Frank. We walked to dinner at Tiki's with Jen and Chris joining. I walked to my hotel, part of the way with Richard.