With time left for an adventure before the end of 2025, good morning from Honolulu!  

Hawaii has been on my travel radar for a long time, and finally I’ve made the (long) journey across the US and half the Pacific to Oahu.  Cashing in what was left of my miles for some comfort, an early-morning four hour flight from Miami brought me to Denver for a quick layover.  I used to take this flight weekly in 2018 when I worked a contract in Colorado and United’s new 737 Max was a step up from those days. 

Bit of a strange layout on United’s 777 for the flight to Honolulu with some seats facing backwards, but I had some nice chats with my seat mates, including an ex-military pilot going to Honolulu to honor a WWII veteran at Punchbowl cemetery. 

United makes their flights to Hawaii special, with Hawaiian flight attendants and an island-themed food and beverage menu. 

Chasing the sun, I arrived at HNL and took a taxi to my hotel in Waikiki.  The Queen Kapiolani is a little long in the tooth, but has a great view of Diamond Head. 

With rubber legs from 17+ hours awake, I walked a bit in Waikiki and grabbed a tasty dinner.  The Japanese influence in Hawaii brings back fond memories of my trip to Japan two years ago, so I chose a ramen place for dinner. 

Hoping to see Pearl Harbor today – unfortunately they are limiting visits to the USS Arizona memorial due to restoration work. On Saturday, I’ll embark on a 7 day NCL cruise which will visit Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. Excited to begin my Hawaiian adventure!