Hawai'i: Day 5

We had a few sick days in a row, starting with BB and ending with G, so we limited our time at the beach and stuck close to the condo. In times like these, it makes one appreciate all the conveniences of a big touristy city. In the wee hours, BB woke me with her tossing and turning, and a slight fever. So we slept in as late as she would let us and took it easy, taking a long while to decide what we wanted to do for the day.

Before coming here, someone told me that Waikiki is continually in the process of putting in glitzy new shopping centers, The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center being one of them. Drew happened by this one a couple evenings ago on a run and saw that they had a traditional Hawaiian music show in their courtyard. Since BB wasn't feeling well, I thought it might be fun to window shop their complex and see the high-end goods I can't afford. (Sometimes a girl just likes to oggle, you know.) As it turns out, the RHSC is so new that it's not even 100% completed and less than 25% occupied.

After a roundabout detour through the International Market and home (for BB's nap), I ended up across the street from the RHSC at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. Walking in through the main entrance of the WSP, there was this guy sitting on a stage demonstrating his ukulele skills. And towards the back, there's a ukulele music store with a full line of non-touristy ukulele's for sale. The entire place looks like it's geared towards Japanese tourists: half the store owners are Japanese and even more have signs only in Japanese. I found a store that was going out of business and bought flower dresses (non-matching) for the girls. On the way home a second time, we ran into Camille shopping at some street-side vendors.

Since this is Friday, we decide to walk over to see the Hilton Hawaiian Village's hula show. We got there a little late because of dinner so the place was already packed. By the time we found a decent place to stand, the fire baton twirler was doing his thing and they ended with some high-paced hula-ing, immediately followed by the fireworks. And then the grand exodus of people who aren't staying at the HHV.

On the stroll home, we stop off to see the hula show at the WSP, which is mostly a skin show and too loud music, and then to the RHSC to listen to the Hawaiian music, which is really good even if the dancers are so-so. That night, BB's low-grade fever starts up again. A few days later, despite the continuing runny nose, she busts two new teeth: she's got her full baby complement now.