Hawaii: Second Friday in Honolulu and a Morning Drive with Carol and Fritz.

"But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep,

and miles to go before I sleep."

~Robert Frost

Arriving in Honolulu at about 9am on Friday, October 18th after departing from Nagoya, Japan at about 9pm on Friday, October 18th was a little mind-blowing. Yes, you read that right. Since we crossed the international dateline, we got a "second Friday" in Hawaii. Sounds really great and all, but actually, it was extremely exhausting. Mostly because most of us didn't sleep all that well on the flight and then when we arrived in Honolulu it was morning and we had to be up all day and then give a concert that night before we ever settled down and could take a shower. Yeah.

But, we were in Hawaii, right? So tired. But in Hawaii.

Instead of chartering a bus for our whole group, we rented mini-vans at the Honolulu airport since it was more cost-effective. I was one of the drivers, which was nice because I always knew I'd have a comfortable seat and I always knew I'd be driving with a safe driver.

We went directly over to The Lutheran Church of Honolulu where we would be performing that night. The church staff had a buffet breakfast prepared for us with fresh fruit, muffins, and juice. It was wonderful.

Then we had free time to explore Honolulu or rest at the church. I decided to rest at the church because I was tired and I didn't have sunscreen and didn't want to get burned. As it turns out, that was a good idea. My friend Angela, who has fair skin like mine got pretty burned. I stayed and read and rested at the church.

Our concert that night was attended by a small number of people, but they seemed very appreciative. Many of the audience members were also members of the church and our homestays for that night. We stayed with Carol and Fritz in their ninth-floor apartment overlooking Honolulu. They were so generous and gave up their living room, where we slept on the futon. We took showers before going to bed which was divine. And then we quickly ended Second Friday as we fell asleep with the open window bringing in the slight night breeze. It was unusually muggy for that time of year, but we survived without air conditioning.

Emery with Carol and Fritz

The next morning (it was now, finally, Saturday) we awoke to Carol preparing a delicious breakfast, yet again with ever-in-season delicious fresh fruit, scones, and lemon poppy seed bread. So delicious.

Following breakfast, we loaded into the car, and Carol and Fritz took us up to a lookout in Puu Ualakaa State Park. The drive was beautiful and the scenery at the top was breathtaking.

Emery and Blythe overlooking Honolulu, Hawaii

It was really sweet of Carol and Fritz to take us on the drive. They were really lovely people. Good people.

After that it was back to the church to meet up with the rest of our group, load up the mini-van brigade and then we were off to Laie on the other side of the island of Oahu.

And Laie is up next...

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