From Kyoto to Honolulu - Day 18
Sunday June 29, 2025
We did a slower start today. It is going to be up in the 90s again today, and we will be going until we get on the plane around 10PM today to leave Japan. So we wanted to save up some of our energy for later in the day.
I have not been feeling the best yesterday and today. But when I was in the forest, I felt better. We walked along and took some photos. Then we came out along the river. There were little fish swimming near the edge of the water. We walked along the water, watching the boats glide along, and listening to the pair of buskers singing.
Bryan looked along the street for a restaurant that would be air conditioned. He didn’t find anything promising. So we took a taxi to Hard Rock Café Kyoto. The taxi that arrived was the first we’ve seen all trip that could fit all six of us (thank you, Lord!). We rode in the comfortable AC to the restaurant.
On the ground floor was only the gift shop. We took the elevator up to the third floor for the restaurant. There was a small wait before we were seated. Then we were seated in the smallest Hard Rock Café I’ve ever been in. There were maybe ten tables, and some stools at the bar, and in the window.
The food was good. The cold drinks were plentiful. The AC was effective. We were grateful for all these things.
After discussing music videos, and what music actually qualifies as “hard rock” Dylan took his leave. He will be traveling solo for the next week or so, before going home.
We had a few ideas of what to do next. Nonnie and G.B. opted to throw in their votes for the choice Desmond wanted, so off we went to the Nintendo Museum.
Unfortunately, a few train rides and a short but hot walk later when we arrived, the security guards waived us off telling us that we needed a reservation, and that it was sold out for today. Bummer.
It may have been a blessing in disguise, however, because my the time we turned around and made it back to the hotel, it was a good time to go to the station and catch a direct train to the airport.
We navigated the airport. Got boarding passes, went through security, went through customs, and found our gate for our flight to Honolulu. The flight took off around 10:30 PM. As the lights dimmed for take off, I prepared to sleep.
Then the lights popped back on and the flight attendants were serving drinks, then meal (at 11PM?) and then passing out breakfast bags and offering more drinks. By the time things settled down, I was beyond exhausted.
We all slept on the flight, thankfully, despite it being fairly turbulent. When we arrived in Honolulu Bryan was nauseous, I was experiencing ear and stomach pains, and Desmond was bleeding from an injury on his toe that had reopened at the end of the flight. We were a sad lot.
But we made it through customs quickly thanks to using the MPC app, and then Bryan found Desmond a Bandaid so he wouldn’t bleed all over the Über. 😂 Dad asked if he could sit in front and started walking up the left side of the car. When the driver kindly pointed out it was the other side, we explained we’d been in Japan for a few weeks. (Not to mention we’ve been up for way too long at this point and we are all a little fuzzy.)
The time change meant it was the morning of the previous day from when we had left Japan.
The Air BnB check in time wasn’t until much later, but when we arrived at the little condo to drop off our bags (which we’d arranged ahead of time) the lady cleaning the unit informed us we could check in. “Arigato gozaimasu!” Desmond said, with genuine feeling. She was Chinese, not Japanese, and we again quickly explained where we’d come from earlier in the day. She didn’t seem to take any offense, and even gave Desmond a little hug before she left.
We went back down the elevator and about ten steps away is the entrance to a little diner. We ordered burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and large sodas. The people serving our food (maybe the owners?) were very kind, and gave us some recommendations of what to do while we are in the area, and told us we could stop back in and ask them any questions we might have during our stay.
They piled our leftovers (including half a grilled peanut butter banana sandwich) into a to go box, and sent us on our way.
We headed back up to the air BnB and cycled everyone through showers and laid down for a rest.
In the evening, we walked into Waikīkī. There were lots of upscale shops (Tiffany, Gucci and the like). Tiki torches burned along the way. I admired the palm and banyan trees, as well as various flowering trees. We stumbled upon The Royal Hawaiian hotel where Dad had fond memories of eating breakfast buffets with his family. Then we went out onto Waikiki Beach and got our feet sandy. The sand was so soft! We found the International Market that mom remembered fondly from a visit many years ago. Unfortunately, now it is basically a mall and has lost its hand-crafted, farmer’s market feel.
Bryan had found a little food stand he wants to try for dinner. It took a couple tried, but we managed to find Sam’s Kitchen and eat there. Teriyaki chicken and rice. On our way back, there was a gelato place with a bunch of delicious sorbetto options as well. I got the raspberry and chocolate. Yum!
Nearer to our Air BnB, Bryan walked up to a salesman selling tours and told him, I’d like to take my wife to see some turtles while we are in Hawaii. What have you got? He launched into his spiel, and about 20 minutes later we had signed up for a full day bus tour around the island called “Sights and Bites” that includes lunch, free snacks, and eventually, turtles on the beach.
Finally, with the plan to wake up early to catch a bus for our tour, we walked back to our Air BnB and called it a night.
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