Monday 21 July 2014

USA 2013 - Part 13 (Honolulu)

Moon


We arrived into Honolulu late at night, to be greeted by this glorious moon! We had arranged a shuttle to take us to our hotel, The Miramar at Waikiki (currently closed for renovation). We had a few snacks on the plane, but we were starving.

Stash from the ABC store


There was an ABC Store just across the road from the hotel (in fact there seems to be one on almost every block!), and thankfully we were able to stock up on some sushi, juice, fruit and chips. The chips are from the same people who make the amazing Tings, but these were awful. Don't be tempted!

The next morning with booked some tours for the next couple of days before seeking out some breakfast. Thankfully, Ruffage Natural Foods was just a few minutes walk away. This little cafe and health food store wasn't anything fancy, but it was satisfying.

PB and Banana Smoothie at Ruffage
Veggie Scramble with Toast and Salad at Ruffage


They have a large range of smoothies, and I couldn't say no to a Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie. I also had the veggie tofu scramble with toast and salad.

View from Miramar


Our hotel was not beachfront, but if you peered through the buildings you had a pretty lovely view. After a quick hotel stop, we caught a bus out to Kahala Mall for one of the most important parts of the whole entire trip.

Much Ado About Nothing


We went and saw Much Ado About Nothing at the movies! I love Joss Whedon, and I love Amy Acker and Alexis Denisoff and Nathan Fillion, and I love Much Ado About Nothing. And this hadn't been released in Australia yet. I was so excited to see it! And I love it! Loved it, loved it, loved it!

White Corn Guacamole and Chips at California Pizza Kitchen
Califonia Veggie Pizza (thin crust, no cheese) at California Pizza Kitchen


The excitement of seeing the movie worked up an appetite. Thankfully there was a California Pizza Kitchen there, and they will bring you a menu with all their vegan options. We had some White Corn Guacamole with Corn Chips (needed a higher guac to chip ratio), and a California Veggie Pizza (with the thin crust and ni cheese).

Tempeh and Avocado Salad with a giant pickle at Ruffage
Vegan Special at Ruffage


Dinner found us back at Ruffage for takeaway. Ashleigh had a Tempeh and Avocado Sandwich with a Dill Pickle, and I had the Vegan Special (veggie mince, rice, salad, avocado). We took it back to the hotel and watched trashy movies. Delightful.

Diamond Head


The next morning we were up super early to go on our first tour! We went with Oahu Nature Tours on both our tours, and I cannot recommend them highly enough! Fantastic guides who are full of awesome information about nature! On this morning we were off to Diamond Head, which is a fantastic hike up to the top of this beautiful park. I am so glad we went with a tour group rather than on our own, there is a bus you can catch there but it drops you off ages away from the start of the hike! None of that for us. We were on the 6.30am walk, and it was a beautiful, cool, slightly misty morning. Perfect for this sun-phobic red head!

Super Antioxidant Smoothie at Ruffage
Vegan Chilli at Ruffage
Vegan Burrito at Ruffage


After a much needed shower it was back to Ruffage for a Super Antioxidant Smoothie, Vegan Chilli Bowl and Vegan Burrito. After this we went to The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center so Ashleigh could do some shopping. Then we caught a bus downtown to the most magical place of all!

Peanut Butter and Chai milkshakes at Downbeat Diner


The place, Downbeat Diner, an amazing diner where they can make almost everything into a vegan option! Like these milkshakes - one peanut butter and one chai.

Buffalo Sandwich with Fries at Downbeat Diner
Monte Cristo with Garlic Fries at Downbeat Diner


Ashleigh ordered a Buffalo Sandwich with Fries. I had a Monte Cristo with Garlic Fries, as I had long heard of Monte Cristo sandwiches. This was an very fried affair, as you can see! A bit too fried for me. The monte cristo comes with some maple syrup, which was good but odd right next to garlic fries and ketchup!. But it was all pretty amazing, perfect junky food. Nom!

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