January 5, 2001 - Friday

I got started a bit late today, head into Waikiki on the bus to move into Maria's apartment. She lives in a high rise in Waikiki and had a nice view of the canal and the valley beyond. I set my stuff down and got oriented before going to the bank with Maria and waited on a long line for her to deposit her money.

Maria's an interesting person - she's adventurous and has a wild side. She's studying different types of dances around the world, and used to be a belly dancer.

View of Diamond Head in the distant (Oahu), Hawaii, USA

We left for lunch at the International Market. She went to campus to get some stuff done and by the time I caught the bus for Diamond Head, it was 1:30. The hike up to Diamond Head was not too long, but the climb was a bit on the moderate side. There was a group of swimmers from a college in New York training in Hawaii. They were right behind me but trailed considerably when the hike started.

Diamond Head (Oahu), Hawaii, USA

Only one guy from the team kept up with me - a wide-shouldered lad named Greg. He and I chatted while we climbed. The trail wound through a dry scrubland-like environment and up a fairly bare volcanic mountain. We had to walk through a dark tunnel and then to another cave where a guy sat in there selling certificates for the climb for $2.

Diamond Head (Oahu), Hawaii, USA

We finally reached the top and took in the view of Waikiki, the Pacific Ocean, and a red lighthouse far below. The other swimmers showed up 20 minutes later and the small lookout area on top of Diamond Head became very crowded. I headed down after that and went down to the bus stop to catch a bus to Hanauma Bay.

Hanauma Bay (Oahu), Hawaii, USA

The bus didn't show for probably more than an hour and by the time I got to Hanauma Bay, there was only 40 minute left to explore the area. I didn't pay to get in but saw the beach far below along with tourists crawling up the stairs to leave the beach.

I left on the bus again and sat next to a guy who I didn't catch his name, but he's studying for a month here. He's from Wisconsin and was fairly friendly to talk to because he has the same wanderlust as I do. We chatted the entire time before I got dropped off at Waikiki again. I was in time for the sunset and I was rewarded by a beautiful sunset on Waikiki beach - one of the best sunsets I've ever seen.

Waikiki Beach (Oahu), Hawaii, USA

People gathered along the beach and just stars out into the ocean at the sun like they've been mass hypnotized. The sun set along the silhouettes of sailboats, of people sitting on a far pier watching the sun, of swimmers catching the last swim in the water. The skies and clouds caught the sun's last rays and scattered it into a vibrant array of colors. It was amazing.

I left for the International Market again after that and had dinner there before going to Maria's to sleep.