Oh the Places You'll Go: Oahu

The thing about spending 10 hours on an airplane, both in terms of anticipation and in actual experience, is that it's tremendously less stressful than a shorter trip. Once you're on board, there is literally nothing you can do about it for the forseeable future, and even the most high-strung people tend to let go a little. A 777 has more headroom than my apartment (OK, a slight exaggeration), but there's ample time and space to get up and move about the cabin, there are plenty of restrooms, the flight attendants preface every announcement with "Aloha and mahalo" (I realize it sounds annoying, but it's actually soothing with time), and everyone is generally in a good mood. How could it be otherwise? You're going to Hawai'i, for crying out loud.

Plus, there were rumours that a snowstorm would hit The City the following day.

So you watch the movies, have your first "The Office" experience, sleep, drink water, walk around, read, sleep more, chat a little (I know! Even the FG wasn't quite herself on this trip.), and the time passes. You watch endless, endless, endless ocean waves until the islands finally come into view, and then it's freaking Fantasy Island, complete with leis, flowered shirts, and overwhelming friendliness. Not to mention Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians poolside. I keep expecting to see Tom Selleck come around the corner.

But seriously. Am staying in Waikiki, which translates as tourist hell, for the most part, and trips up island are going to have to wait until the work is done. I did make it to Jimbo's for fresh made udon one night, and am resolved to remain pu pu platter-free. There's nothing like sipping gin & tonics on your balcony, watching the sun go down. There are plans afoot for at least one visit to the North Shore (where the beaches should be quieter and the waves much bigger), and a drive down the windward side to see the mountains. And, I have a reservation at Alan Wong's on Saturday night ...

And it's much cooler and cloudier than it's supposed to be at this time of year, btw. I'm not making that up.