Beachin at Waikiki
Hawaii!!! Here’s an idea! Save yourself (in NYC) and your family (in Melbourne) a 20 hour commute (and a couple of grand in flights), and catch up instead 10 hours away… in Waikiki!
We stayed at the beautiful historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel and spent five days of bliss on Waikiki Beach.
By the pool at the Royal Hawaiian
We found great coffee at Bills Sydney
Aussie brunch at Bills Sydney - lattes in glasses!! Real good coffee. Yup
…and 100% Hawaii-grown Kona coffee, slash yummy brunch, at Island Vintage
Breakfast in a mango - why? Why not!!
Beautiful old tree walking to the shops
Here we are having mai tais at the Royal Hawaiian, sigh…
Mai tai break at the Royal Hawaiian
Mai tai break Rob-style
After hiring some boards and having a relaxed low key paddle amongst Waikiki’s surf…
Loved the shopping on Lewers St - gorgeous boutiques, and everyone is super friendly.
A walk up the beach for an incredible dinner at La Mer at the Halekulani Hotel…
…and for a more laid-back vibe, Mexican on the rooftop at the very chic Buho Cocina y Cantina…
We spent our final night at the rotating bar and restaurant, Top of Waikiki, taking in Oahu’s beautiful ocean and mountain vistas on a tranquil 360 degree rotation - gorgeous!
Our visit wasn’t all lazing about in the sun on beautiful beaches, getting up occasionally to run into the surf and cool off, or grab a mai tai and a taco from a nearby world-class restaurant.
Pearl Harbor still houses both the USS military vessel upon which Japan signed its 1945 WWII surrender to the Allied forces, and the memorial to those killed in the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack that launched the US into that war.
USS Missouri
The USS Missouri has a tour which, if you’re into WWII in any way, is pretty extraordinary. This is the actual ship from which MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender. Blamey was there as head of Australian forces in the Pacific, and the significance of that allied acceptance and treaty signing is awe inspiring. The historical moment, and the simple fact that these countries had unified to bring about the success of the campaign, is at the same time so momentous, thrilling, and tragic.
So, I just thought being on this ship was amazing.
Actual site of the 1945 signing
Instrument of Surrender, USS Missouri
By contrast the USS Arizona memorial, in which the bodies of servicemen are actually entombed, is of course horrific and affecting. The memorial itself is beautiful, and very peaceful and spiritual.
The fact you can see the Missouri from the memorial holds significance in itself…
USS Missouri from the USS Arizona memorial
I also loved the section of the memorial dedicated to US internship of Japanese during WWII, and celebrating the Japanese Americans who served.
Visiting Waikiki was such an amazing experience. Somewhere between the US and Australia, in vibe and culture. The people are gorgeous, the weather is perfect, the beaches are gooood, and the history is pretty fascinating too - Pearl Harbor, American colinization, the lot. July is a beautiful time to visit. Get yourself there, asap!!
Love Liv and Rob xx
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