Cook Islands to Hawaii
After a week on Cook Islands we're ready for our next stop - Hawaii! We're up early and see one last sunrise over Raro. Gorgeous. We do a quick workout to burn off some nervous energy and then jump in the shuttle to the airport. Our driver is from Indonesia and came here just before the pandemic. He said that there wasn't much going on during that time. He'll probably stay a few more years before heading home. We arrive before check-in has even opened so we head off to get some coffee and brekky. We're aiming for the Rarotonga bakery which is only a 10 minute walk down the road. We get about halfway then remember it's Sunday so there's a good chance it won't be open. We head back to the airport and settle on a coffee and toasted chicken paninis from the one kiosk there. We check-in at the open air counter, pass security and customs pretty quickly then make use of the free WiFi until it's time to board. About 5 and a bit hours later and we've landed in Oahu, Hawaii. We're in cab to our accommodation in less than an hour after hopping off the plane (immigration and customs were a breeze). We dump our bags and head straight out. It's about 8pm and it's still pretty warm. We're starving and it's been too long since we've had some American Tex Mex. We've heard about a Mexican place called OMG (Oahu Mexican Grill) and make a beeline there (conveniently around the corner). We order burrito bowls and a Pacifico for Jeff and frozen margarita for Courts. It all goes down a dream. Time for a walk around to see what we're working with. We're staying in Waikiki, which is a big tourist part of Honolulu. And it certainly is. Lots of lights, shops, hotels resort looking bars etc. It's like a better version of the Gold Coast, if you're into that sort of thing. We wander around for a bit and think we've got the gist, so we head towards the beach with a a stop off for icecream. We walk along the beach and the water is so warm. We look forward to getting in tomorrow. But for now it's time for bed, we'll need our wits about us tomorrow for when we pick up our hire car and hit the streets of Oahu!
