One of our faithful readers asked the question:
What makes those mugs so special?
The answer is that they are free, without requiring any purchase whatsoever, though I feel compelled to buy something of about the same value with each trip to get one of the mugs. The coupon says “A $7 Value” which is a little high since some of their other mugs in the same size and quality are 2 for $5.
Think of it as a treasure hunt. Turns out, there is a use for the treasure, so don’t worry that you will be getting them for Christmas (unless you are an employee of Swanda, then expect it to be part of a gift basket). It gets me out and about — taking the shuttle seeing the sites, jumping off when the mood strikes.
And speaking of Swanda, I found the new car for him. He rented a Chrysler 300 (which Curtis refers to as the “Pimp-Daddy Car”) the last time is was in Texas on business. But I found one that is more in keeping with his size and style.
After the first Hilo Hattie run, I had lunch at Lulu’s across from Waikiki Beach — which when I walked in I got this weird deja vous feeling — I think I ate there years ago. Here is the link to their web cam if you want to see if I’m still there. http://www.luluswaikiki.com/cam2.htm
After lunch it was back on the shuttle to go back to the flagship store, and then be dropped off at the Ala Moana Mall store on the way back to Waikiki. Christmas ornaments for Swanda, plus surfing calendars (2 for $1.99) bring the total today to 3 more (plus 3 from yesterday) for a grand total of 18 mugs so far. And I still have three coupons.
Haven’t a clue about dinner tonight, could go back to the shopping center and ogle all the military boys on leave, or head south for Thai Food. Time will tell, and it’s cocktail time.
Ah — a little scotch on the rocks. I’m still on my first bucket of ice because the bucket is short enough to fit into the refrigerator. Handy, and energy saving. Another lovely thing about this hotel — the sheets and pillows. I don’t know whose brand they are, but the are the softest most comfortable (that goes for the bed, too) linens that I’ve ever slept on, on par with the Westin stuff.
Random comments on Waikiki:
It’s full of Japanese tourists and soldiers on leave.
I’m half a block from two backdrops for 1970′s TV shows — Magnum PI featured the Ilikai Hotel 1/2 a block down, and the marina 1/2 a block north was where Gilligan, the Skipper, Mary Ann, Ginger, the Professor, and the Howells set out on their three hour cruise (no extra charge for the extra days.)
I could buy a similar room in another Aqua property for $167,000 for a studio with mini-kitchen (translation: hotel room): http://frame.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetailPopup&cfid=759730&cftoken=82233374&ListingID=18374251
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