Race day
The Honolulu Marathon is famous for a generous spirit: no hard cutoff, a huge Japanese running crowd, and a course that lets people finish in their own time. That spirit is why the race comes first here.
| HAWAII |
"I never think about my age, it doesn't help.
Age is neither an excuse nor an advantage,
Nor is it a genetic trait I was born with.
Health is largely a choice,
Staying healthy is a joy;
This means diet and exercise,
I'm totally involved. "
Preface
Mathea Allansmith, a retired ophthalmologist and a resident of Kauai, Hawaii, set the world record for "the oldest woman in the world to complete a marathon" at the 2022 Honolulu Marathon. Mathea was born on May 31, 1930. That day, she was 92 years, 6 months and 11 days old.
This is the 23rd marathon that Mathea has completed in Honolulu. Mathea herself is also excited about setting a world record, "I love being with this group of people. This is so exciting!"
Following her usual training regimen of walking an average of 38 miles per week and adhering to a strict diet, Mathea crossed the finish line with a time of 11 hours, 19 minutes and 49 seconds, with a big smile on her face.
In Hawaii, you don’t have to worry about being cut off, because the Honolulu Marathon is probably the only major marathon in the world with no cutoff.
In 2018, Sadao Ito, an 88-year-old man from Japan, finally reached the finish line after 17 hours, 50 minutes and 52 seconds! The organizing committee issued a warm announcement that this is the spirit of the Honolulu Marathon. Whether you finish the race in 2 hours or 17 hours, we are all proud of you!
This is also Haruki Murakami's first marathon - in 1983, the 34-year-old Haruki Murakami completed his first full marathon here: "In the Honolulu Marathon in December of that year, I ran the entire marathon with a passable result. Although Hawaii is hot, it looks lovely compared to Athens. Therefore, for me, the Honolulu Marathon is the first full marathon." From then on, he started running a marathon a year...
There is also the youngest marathon girl in the world - on December 8, 2013, 7-year-old Haruka Masuda, a second grader in Nagoya, Japan, completed the Honolulu Marathon in 7 hours, 41 minutes and 45 seconds.
For 47, the 2022 Honolulu Marathon may be her first full marathon. It also has special meaning for us to participate in such a special event on the 50th anniversary.
01
Before the race: expo and music festival
Honolulu, Hawaii
The day before the race, we first went to the Marathon Expo at the Hawaii Convention Center to collect the bib. Compared with other marathons, the Honolulu Marathon only gives out the finisher shirt after the race.
However, in the face of such a big anniversary race, we naturally had to do some shopping. The NB jacket I bought for the 50th anniversary of New York last year has been worn for almost a year and has become my favorite.
Honolulu Marathon did not disappoint me either. 47 and I bought a light shell jacket and Mizuno’s white Honolulu exclusive running shoes. The thought of being able to brand Hawaii’s exclusive logo to welcome the new year’s running season felt pretty great.
The staff of the Marathon Expo are all Japanese, there are signs in Japanese everywhere, and "こんにちは" can be heard everywhere.
There are even stalls nearby promoting marathons in Japan. It really feels like you are running a marathon in Japan.
The reason is that Japan Airlines (JAL) has obtained the naming rights of the Honolulu Marathon since 1985, and Hawaii has become the first choice for many Japanese marathon enthusiasts to travel overseas.
After waiting in a long line to check out, I read an email from the organizing committee when I got back. It said that there would be a Honolulu Marathon lighting ceremony and concert at Beach Walk Plaza in the evening. The five torches represented Honolulu Marathon finishers over the past fifty years.
47 and I thought that the lighting ceremony would be held after dark, so we walked slowly towards Waikiki in the dusk. The streets of Honolulu at night are very lively and safe.
However, the torch was lit before it was dark, and we completely missed the lighting ceremony. Fortunately, the concert had just begun.
The pre-race concert was of high quality, including Na Hoa and Henry Kapono, who won the Na Hoku Hanohano award
The atmosphere at the venue was very good. Everyone was sitting on the ground, free and unrestrained. The 50th anniversary of the Honolulu Marathon logo behind the musicians was particularly dazzling, making people look forward to the arrival of the race day.
In the sound of music, the flames swayed gently with the sea breeze, and a warm heat wave rushed towards us. We felt unexpectedly comfortable. Our thoughts also drifted into the distance with the singing of the island, echoing in the carnival of the Pacific for a long time.
02
The 50th Honolulu Marathon begins!
Honolulu, Hawaii
The race day finally arrived, December 11, 2022. 47 and I got up early because Hawaii has a typical tropical climate. In order to ensure comfort, the Honolulu Marathon starts at 5 o'clock in the morning.
It was still dark, so we followed the crowd towards the starting point, Ala Moana Avenue, which means "path next to the ocean" in Hawaiian. The biggest feeling along the way was that there were so many Japanese people. Standing on the track felt like we had traveled to Japan.
As the starting time approaches, bright fireworks begin to bloom in the sky. This is also one of the characteristics of the Honolulu Marathon. It starts with a grand fireworks to lead the runners forward!
We took out our cellphones, cameras, and pagers again and started taking photos frantically. I couldn’t think of another such a gorgeous start except the Honolulu Marathon.
After crossing the starting line, 47's first full marathon began. Since there was no cut-off time, our plan was to focus on mostly walk it and run occasionally if we felt okay. There were a lot of people at first, and there were also many people like us, taking pictures while walking.
At about 3 kilometers, we passed the Aloha Tower built in 1926. This 10-story clock tower was the tallest building in Hawaii at the time.
Then we turned right and entered Nu'uanu Ave. There was Santa Claus taking photos with everyone, and there were also security personnel with live ammunition on duty.
The shops on both sides of the road were nice enough to open early and provide drinking water and toilets for everyone. However, the parking spaces were limited, so I had to wait for a long time to get in line. I watched the cheerful crowd outside the door gradually thinning out, thinking that it might be another chase.
I was bored, watching waves of people passing by me, and I turned on the observer mode: there were many Japanese parents with their children. I was surprised that such a young child could participate in a full marathon. The Japanese really value the education of perseverance. (The minimum age requirement for the Honolulu Marathon is 7 years old)
In contrast, Chinese parents are always afraid of their children bumping into each other. There is always a natural bias against events like marathons that require physical strength and willpower. For adults who actually participate in marathons, they are often regarded as aliens by those who have never experienced long-distance running.
This reminds me of the scene mentioned by Liu Cixin in the third part of "The Three-Body Problem": Cheng Xin came to the future earth world after entering hibernation, and found that there were no men on the street, and they were all "women". "They" had fair skin, long black hair, slender figures, and pretty features. The boundaries between men and women were almost blurred.
Later, I heard from 47 that she also saw an old Japanese man. His family helped him line up. When it was his turn, he turned around and bowed deeply to all the people waiting behind him. It was a 90-degree bow and he stayed there for a long time. Although I didn't see it with my own eyes, it was very impressive to me.
At this time, there was almost no one on the track, and 47 was finally resurrected with full health. We couldn't help but speed up the pace, and the sky gradually became brighter. The entire sky gradually transitioned from the alternation of pink and blue to all pink. It was very beautiful. The sky in Hawaii is so charming.
But we didn’t admire it for too long, and walked all the way through Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States, the bronze statue of King Kamehameha, Kawaiahao Church, Honolulu City Hall, Mission Houses Museum, and jogged all the way to Kapiolani Boulevard.
This is close to the Ala Moana Mall, which has nearly 250 stores, and the crowds are getting crowded. We finally have the feeling of getting out of isolation and getting back to the game again. It feels good.
There will be photographers here to take photos for everyone, and the photographers will also actively invite runners to stand in the middle of the road to choose favorable terrain for easy filming.
When we arrived in downtown Honolulu, we finally relaxed. The track was very busy. Here we had to pass through the concrete forest of Waikiki, next to the towering hotels and the US Army Fort Deluch Military Museum. The track extends to the right to the bustling avenue, where there are all kinds of brand stores.
47 bought some sunscreen here, and then we walked forward calmly along with many 10-kilometer runners.
At about 8 kilometers, we passed the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel. Just outside the hotel is the world-famous Waikiki Beach.
It was finally time to say goodbye to the 10-kilometer runners. We were a little disappointed at first, fearing that we would suddenly become the last ones.
But obviously our worries were unnecessary. After a short jog, we had already caught up from the tail of the team to the less tail end.
The remaining people with us should all be marathon runners. Our team is still growing and the atmosphere on the track is as good as ever.
After 10 kilometers, the track turns left onto Monsarrat Avenue, which circles the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Shell. Next, enter Paki Avenue surrounding "Kapiolani Park", known as the first park in Hawaii.
Here we saw an old man participating in the competition fell head-on. Several contestants in firefighting suits immediately called for rescue. I think this old man must regretfully withdraw from the competition, but the story is not over yet...
Before 15 kilometers, the track approaching Diamond Head will go through a short climb, passing by the breathtakingly beautiful east coastline of Oahu and the landmark Diamond Head Lighthouse.
During this section of the journey, we will meet the fast runners returning to the finish line. This is a very strange race. You will find that the runners on one side are running fast, while the runners on the other side are walking very steadily. Everyone participates in it in their own way, and everyone is part of the scenery.
I was lucky and honored that I accidentally took a photo on Diamond Head Road and captured Mathea Allansmith, the 92-year-old legendary runner right next to us!
Of course, I was belatedly aware that if I hadn’t written this tweet, I might not have known about her, nor would I have looked through the photos on my phone, or shared her story, nor would I have known that I was only a few steps away from the legend at that moment. Of course, I also want to give special thanks to 47 for half an hour of toilet time.
It was almost 18 kilometers and nearly 5 hours. At this time, we entered Kilauea Avenue. There were residential areas and commercial areas on both sides of the road. Only then did I realize that walking is more tiring than running because I will be hungry...
There happened to be a Starbucks next to it, so we crossed the fence and bought breakfast, and then bought some buns at SevenEleven on the side of Kalanianaole Highway.
Eating while walking is a comfortable pace as this coastal section passes through the communities of Waialae Iki, Aina Haina, and Niu Valley. This is a wealthy area, and residents build their houses on the cliffs, overlooking the blue sea and sky.
We need to make a switchback on the Kalanianaole Highway and pass Kawaikui and Wailupe Beach Park. So it was very lively when I went there, because there were still a lot of fast runners on the opposite side, the crowd was bustling, fast runners and slow runners mixed together, creating a beautiful scenery for each other, and there were plenty of supplies. Although the sun was getting bigger, it was still comfortable.
But when we turned back, it was more difficult. Because after more than 6 hours, the Kalanianaole Highway began to be unblocked. Although it was not closed, we could only move forward on the sidewalk, and the sun was much brighter.
I suddenly thought of Harukami Muraki's deceptive words, "Although Hawaii is hot, it looks lovely compared to Athens." I have never been to Athens, so I don't think the midday sun in Hawaii is so lovely.
47 and I listened to Stefanie Sun walking and stopping. When we turned back, we saw the old man who had fallen down before. He walked slowly from the other direction. There were no other players in front or behind him. He seemed to be struggling with every step, but he was still persisting.
If the old man can finish the race, it will probably be dark, but I'm sure there will be people waiting at the finish line to give him flowers and applause.
While we were sitting on the roadside resting, we saw a Japanese player wearing prosthetics running past us, escorted by a team of pineapple-headed players. When we cheered her on, she shook her fist at us and encouraged us.
We continued to set off and turned left onto Kealaolu Avenue 35 kilometers before the track. The road here will be unblocked later, and there are still many volunteers holding on. When they saw someone suddenly turning in, they became extremely enthusiastic.
What’s even more surprising is that there are photographers here. You know, it’s been 9 hours since the game started. Honolulu, which is open, really deserves its reputation.
At the end of this avenue, the track turns right onto Kahala Boulevard near Kahala Beach and Black Point. There are many beautiful villas next to it, and the shadows of coconut trees hit the ground to give us shade, which was very comfortable.
Kahala Boulevard joins Diamond Head Road at mile 39 and heads west around Diamond Head. The day before, we originally wanted to visit the famous Diamond Head Mountain, but parking was too complicated, so we had to make a short detour and go back.
Today the Honolulu Marathon gave us a double portion of Diamond Head. When we came in the morning, we mainly watched people. This time we were closer to the coastline. On our left were the vast sea and cliffs, as well as the famous surfing resort and Diamond Head Road Lighthouse. The Dagu Gas Station that was in full swing in the morning had withdrawn, leaving us with the seaside observation deck.
Near the end of the 2-kilometer stretch, the track turns onto Kalakaua Boulevard next to Kapiolani Park. As long as we pass San Souci Beach and the Waikiki Aquarium, we can go straight to the finish line.
Finally, in less than 11 hours, 47’s first marathon was completed, and the results were pretty good.
We successfully checked in to the 50th anniversary Honolulu Marathon! And this is the 50th anniversary Honolulu Marathon with increased volume and no increase in price. We enjoyed it 2 to 3 times longer than others.
47 is in pretty good shape and is a capable person. Apart from being a little hungry, everything else is fine. After receiving the big gold medal and finisher uniforms from the volunteers, we even walked 2 kilometers around Waikiki Beach back to the hotel.
After we returned, we immediately ordered a large Chinese meal and various medal showcases, and then watched the nightfall gradually in Hawaii.
When we went downstairs to pick up the food, we put on the finishing uniforms that symbolized the glory of Hawaii today, and met a couple at the elevator entrance who were also wearing finishing uniforms. We congratulated each other. They obviously couldn't walk anymore and were limping to support each other. When they saw us, they were as surprised as anyone. I just said "so easy!" without mentioning our finishing time.
I think it may be that we extended the fatigue of 42 kilometers to nearly 11 hours, so the fatigue per unit time is actually not great, and we were eating and drinking along the way, and the energy relay was in place. My biggest running loss may be a few blisters on my heels.
03
After the game, visit Mr. Sun
Honolulu, Hawaii
In Hawaii, there is a popular saying that "Hawaii has given birth to two presidents, one is Sun Yat-sen of China and the other is Obama of the United States." It can be said that Hawaii not only influenced the West, but also the East. "
In "Honolulu" (I prefer to call "Honolulu" "Honolulu" because I think it is more oriental), Sun Yat-sen spent most of his teenage years, and there is a statue based on his appearance when he was 13 years old near Chinatown in Honolulu. On the recommendation of Dad Wang, we decided to visit it.
Because our flight was in the afternoon, we specially set aside time in the morning to visit Mr.’s statue, and he also took a photo with the Hawaii medal, achieving a linkage between different time and space.
Then we went non-stop to the Iolani Palace recommended by Cindy. Unfortunately, because it was a Monday, it was not open. We had to take a few photos around the palace, naturally with medals.
Around Iolani Palace, there is also the statue of the Queen of Hawaii that we missed while jogging the day before, Honolulu City Hall, and a beautiful church.
At noon, we found an Indian restaurant near the street. I ordered my favorite Lamb Masala. It tasted really good and was cheaper than the Indian restaurant next to our house. Especially the mango ice cream was amazing.
Finally, we drove the Tesla to a residential area near the airport, which was also the place we agreed with the owner to return the car. We said goodbye to Xiaote and also to Hawaii.
Postscript
Mark Twain came to Hawaii more than 100 years ago and wrote in his book: "Nowhere in the world has fascinated me like Hawaii and I will never forget it." For twenty years, Hawaii has always haunted me whether I was dreaming or waking up. How many memories have disappeared, but Hawaii remains vivid in my mind; life has gone through many changes, but Hawaii remains the same. "
More than 100 years later, 47 and I clocked in for the 50th anniversary Honolulu Marathon. To be honest, I really didn’t think going to Hawaii for running a marathon was such an awesome thing, but along the way, I saw so many people who seemed ordinary but were awesome.
The 92-year-old Mathea Allansmith, the 47-year-old who successfully challenged the first marathon, the old man who fell and got up again, the Japanese aunt with a prosthetic leg, the cute Japanese grandparents who helped each other wear each other...
I suddenly felt that running a marathon should actually be a state. Liu, the author of "The Wandering Earth" said: "I dream of traveling to space thirty years later, so I have been jogging for an hour every day and swimming twice a week. I have to be ready and wait for the day when tickets are cheaper." "
I feel that going to space is Liu’s marathon, and the marathon is not the goal, but the preparation before stepping onto the starting line. Your physical condition will not lie. Whether you have exercised well and followed a healthy diet and regular schedule will be known the moment you step onto the starting line. Having a goal worth looking forward to and being able to immerse yourself in this positive state at all times is a marathon.
When Mathea was asked what it takes to complete a marathon, Mathea responded: "Marathons are a surreal experience for me. Of course I have to train my body, but it's important to let my mind enjoy and soak in the experience. I never think about my age.
- End -
Words | Arsenan
Photos | Arsenan
Design | Arsenan
Before that long race day, Honolulu had already set the stage: a Tesla pickup, Waikiki mornings, a rainbow whale-watch boat, a west-side drive, a lost drone, and the kind of unplanned parade that turns a trip into a memory.
The island before the race
| HAWAII |
When saying "Honolulu",
As if chanting an unknown mantra,
Is it really like a spell?
Preface
I don’t have a strong attachment to islands, but I still want to go to Hawaii.
Listen to Tinana say: "We love Hawaii, not only for its blue sea and blue sky, but also for the happiness it gives us. It is a cheerful rhythm, retro sentiment, pure and true freedom, and the joy of walking on the rainbow."
Maybe this feeling is like what Haruki Murakami said in his novel "Hawaiian Summer":
"They don't know how cool Hawaii becomes with the trade winds blowing constantly from the northeast; they don't know how happy it is to read leisurely under the cool shade of the avocado tree, and go swimming in the bays of the South Pacific when the mood strikes."
01
First experience in Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii
After flying from Detroit to Hawaii for more than ten hours, we landed in Honolulu (Honolulu), Oahu, in the evening.
As soon as we got off the plane, we received the car pick-up information from the car owner. The car pick-up point was a bit far from the airport and where we lived. However, in order to test drive the Tesla early, we decided to pick up the car and return to the hotel.
The toilet signs at Hawaii Airport are very interesting. They are all in island clothes, and the girls have colorful garlands hanging around their necks.
As soon as we stepped out of the airport, the warmth of the equator hugged us tightly. Many people said "Aloha" to us along the way, which seemed to instantly eliminate the fatigue caused by the long flight. Aloha is a Hawaiian language that means love, admiration, goodbye, hello and other similar meanings. Its true original meaning is "I am in the presence of God" and is especially used in Hawaii to greet and say goodbye.
Taking the bus to pick up the Tesla was quite troublesome. We took the bus in the wrong direction, so we had to wait for an hour under the overpass.
Finally, I got the car successfully. I used the Tesla method I just learned on YouTube and took the lead on the road.
The EV drives quite smoothly, but the large central control screen is a bit distracting. Coupled with the twists and turns of the streets in downtown Honolulu and the busy traffic in Waikiki, I spent a lot of time thinking. I still have to pay special attention at night.
Due to Honolulu's relatively small landmass and the absence of many major roads, traffic in Honolulu has been a problem for years, and it is even considered one of the most traffic-congested cities in the United States.
02
Sunrise, sunset, driving a tram
Honolulu, Hawaii
The hotel we chose is on Niu St. The hotel is right outside Hawaii's canal, called Ala Wai Canal. The room's windows are large, one side faces the canal, and the other side overlooks Waikiki Beach. The scenery is great.
The next day, we woke up very early, probably because there is a five-hour time difference between Hawaii and Louisville, so it is easy to wake up very early due to "jet lag". We waited for the sunrise in front of the window, watching the sky gradually change from black to pink, and finally slowly dispersed in the golden halo.
On the first morning in Hawaii, we wanted to go out for a walk. The sun was not too bright and Hawaii was very refreshing in winter. The surrounding neighborhoods are very prosperous. We picked a Korean restaurant for breakfast along the way, and the prices were not as exaggerated as we imagined.
During the day we went to the Honolulu Marathon Expo, which was very lively. After resting for a while at noon, we were ready to have lunch.
In fact, the distance is not far at all, but the car is really difficult to drive. Maybe it’s because we caught up with the rush hour in Hawaii. There are people and cars everywhere. The urban area has become very busy, and parking spaces are super hard to find. It really took me a long time to go around and finally stopped in the underground mall.
The Chinese food was pretty good, and I was impressed by the rice rolls, but I was still thinking about driving and forgot to take pictures.
After eating Chinese food, we wanted to go to Costco to buy some food. Honolulu is a well-developed city. Although it is located on a small island in the Pacific, it has all kinds of American supermarkets. It is very convenient to buy everything and the price is similar. If you don’t go to see the beaches and volcanoes, it really feels like you are in the United States.
Maunalua Bay Beach Park
It happened to be sunset, so we picked a seaside park on the east side of the island to stop. Later we found out it was called Maunalua Bay Beach Park.
The wind at the beach was very strong, making my ears roar. Towards the evening, you can still see two teams of athletes racing against each other on the water, sailing into the brilliant clouds with the sound of clattering all the way.
The prices at Costco are similar to those in Louisville. Surprisingly, there are also Hawaiian characteristics here. The island clothes in the supermarket are all beautiful but also very fancy. I picked a relatively simple and elegant one, which is also in line with my always low-key personality.
In addition to the relatively common food of hot dog pizza, the Costco snack bar also has mango shake. I ordered a large cup, which tasted good. I felt refreshed after replenishing energy. I drove back at high speed. This journey was not as hard for me to drive as before. It must be because my driving skills have improved.
03
Canal, beach, rainbow boat
Honolulu, Hawaii
It was another early morning. Before dawn, you could already see many people running and walking along the canal. This also stimulated our motor nerves and decided to walk along the canal.
Not long after we went downstairs, we crossed a small bridge and arrived at the south bank of the canal. Compared with the north bank where our hotel is located, there are many fewer high-rise buildings here, and there is also a large green park.
Here, looking across the canal waterway, we can see the tall buildings on the other side. In the coconut breeze and the sea, several white boats are lined up on the shore. Along with our footsteps, there is a flock of pigeons.
It seems that the Hawaiian pheasant in front has long been unfazed, looking at the tourists leisurely, enjoying the sunshine of the island calmly.
At the end of the canal is a golf course, and you can see the villas on Diamond Mountain from a distance, which is particularly spectacular under the cover of the distant mountains.
After a U-turn, we returned to the North Shore. The sun was a little hotter than before. Everywhere we looked, we saw the colorful and high-contrast Hawaiian scenery. It formed a sharp contrast with the gray-brown winter in Louisville, which made people happy physically and mentally.
After going back, I saw that there was a World Cup knockout match between Argentina and the Netherlands. No matter how expensive the time in Hawaii is, watching the game is the most important. At this time, it must be paired with a can of ice-cold Aloha.
In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon, and this time I was finally driving at 47, and I became the big boss. Our destination was Diamond Head, and I could finally enjoy the street view of Hawaii easily. Yeah, it feels like the tropics.
However, it would be difficult to park at Diamond Mountain, and it was too hot outside, so we drove around in a circle, which was considered a visit to Big Bald Mountain.
After looking at the watch, it was almost time to go out to sea to watch whales, so we headed west, parked the car in the parking lot next to Ala Moana Beach, then went for a walk around Magic Island, and finally walked all the way to Pier F to wait to go out to sea.
On the way, we also saw a Japanese couple taking wedding photos on the beach. The photographer guided them into various poses, and then with the click of the shutter, the picture was frozen in the camera.
But they may not know that I was secretly photographing them from behind, leaving the story of the photographer and the beach couple forever in our Hawaii time machine.
We finally arrived at Pier F, and a rainbow loomed in the sky.
After a while, the enthusiastic captain jumped out of the boat and introduced today's itinerary to everyone, which was very exciting.
It was very windy on the sea and the captain was not sure whether he would be able to see whales today, but he said he would try to look for them.
Looking at Honolulu from the sea is a unique sight. There are volcanoes, sea and tall buildings. It is a picture of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Especially Diamond Mountain is majestic and majestic in the distance, which makes people feel that human beings are so small.
On the sea, the boat shook violently and the strong wind blew, and 47 soon became seasick. However, 47 was not alone. He could encourage each other with another spit friend with long hair. Finally, this spit friend gave 47 their unique secret recipe, which helped relieve the symptoms of seasickness. He was a really nice spit buddy.
We probably couldn’t see the whales, but before we had time to regret it, God gave us an unexpected surprise. The rainbow that had just been looming in the distance now became extremely clear, and it looked very special standing between the mountains and sea of Honolulu.
This unexpected surprise caught me off guard. I actually forgot that the purpose of this trip was to watch whales. It wasn’t until the captain issued everyone tickets for the repeat cruise that I realized it.
However, I don’t think such a revisit is necessary. I was lucky enough to see the entire Rainbow City on the sea, which was enough to amaze me, and I can return home with satisfaction.
We strolled back to the parking lot. It was almost evening, and the sun had also tempered its enthusiasm. There were more and more people on the beach. People were playing volleyball, lying down, and playing in the sea. It was really lively.
This reminds me of Lingshui, Hainan. The sunset on the seaside at that moment is unforgettable for a long time. I think many years later, I will definitely miss the time in Hawaii like this.
04
Morning jog, parade, flying
Honolulu, Hawaii
Two days ago, through the window, I saw many people jogging by the canal. I was also very excited. I just happened to take advantage of the jet lag before getting up. It was easy to get up early and go for a morning run around the river.
It's seven o'clock in the morning in Hawaii, and the sky is not yet bright and clear. The sun is hiding in the clouds in the distant mountains, glowing with orange-red light.
I slowly swayed in the direction of the sunrise all the way, with all kinds of magical changes in my mind to Zhang Bichen's lyrics: "I follow the direction of the light, towards the distance; and I step on the river of life, my madness is not in vain."
Jogging by the river is very comfortable. Hawaii is neither cold nor hot in winter. Occasionally, I can say hello and say "Morning" to friends I pass by.
I also took out my phone, turned it into portrait mode, and took a few random photos of runners. I really liked the emotions, enjoyment, concentration, and happiness captured in this moment.
I think this is probably the background of Hawaii.
I went back and took a quick shower and noodles. Facing the blue sea and sky outside the big window, I finished my breakfast and continued my journey.
Today is a self-driving tour. We plan to leave the city and go to the west end of the car dealership. In fact, we don’t know what the scenery is like there, and we don’t plan to check it out. In short, what we encounter is the best.
I left the city and the Tesla was mine, just in time to test the training results of the past two days.
Keawaula Beach
Compared with the crowded urban area of Honolulu, the highway outside the city is much easier to drive and smooth all the way. We also learned about charging technology, then went to Costco to use the toilet, and then went straight to Keawaula Beach in the west. The distance is actually not that far, after all, Oahu is such a big island.
There were not many people here, so we parked the car directly on the side of the road.
Only then did I understand what "clear water and white sand" really meant.
We have long been accustomed to the crowds of people on the beach. The quiet atmosphere and primitive feeling here made me feel a rare tranquility.
Far away from the continental shelf and far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there is a mountain, a sea and a beach.
Why express your feelings? Hurry up and fly!
I haven’t played with a drone for a long time, and I spent a long time researching it before connecting it to my phone.
The wind on the beach is extremely strong. It is very risky to fly a drone in such weather. If you are not careful, it is easy to crash into the sea. But since you are in Hawaii, you should have such courage.
With the determination to fly the plane for the last time, I thought that even if I could have some photo cache, I would be satisfied, no ink, just start it!
It was beyond my expectation that my Air2 could fly so steadily without even a strong wind warning. I had to admire DJI's technical strength and the excellence of its manufacturing in China.
In fact, the range that can be photographed is not very large, but the mountains, rivers and sea from the bird's eye view are really spectacular.
Finally, I use the drone to take a few photos of myself. Taking selfies with this super double selfie stick is my travel reservation, and I always get great photos.
Of course, Hawaii is no exception.
If you have the physical strength, you can hike all the way from Keawaula Beach to Ka'Ena Point, the westernmost point of Oahu, where the scenery will be even more special.
But we had no such plan because we were too hungry and needed to eat something good quickly.
When I went back to 47 and drove, I finally had my hands free to take pictures. The scenery on the road was very beautiful, and it looked great just by taking a photo.
We also stopped at Kea'au Beach Park for a while, and then the drone died heroically here. There is no need to be sentimental. After all, the photo just now was already off-center, so we didn't need a bicycle.
Kea'au Beach Park
Kea'au Beach Park
We chose a self-service hot pot restaurant in the evening. Because of the road closure, we took a long detour and parked far away.
We were also overwhelmed by the sudden road closure. Later, when we heard from the clerk in the store that there was a parade, we couldn't help but say in our hearts, "This is a damn parade!"
The hot pot is not bad, and you can get all kinds of ingredients. When I first entered the store, I was almost confused by the spicy cabbage on the table, thinking it was a Korean restaurant. It was only halfway through that I noticed that it turned out to be an authentic Chinese flavor.
We were very satisfied with the meal, and the price was not as expensive as in San Francisco.
The road was still closed when we went back. Since the parade was not over yet, we stopped by to take a look and see what kind of activities forced us to park so far away.
As soon as we squeezed into the crowd, we were attracted by the lively atmosphere. Floats passed slowly in the middle of the road. The community ambassador beauty queens and children on the cars kept saying hello to everyone. Enthusiastic cheers came from all directions of the crowd, accompanied by the whistles of the parade floats, which enhanced the fireworks of Hawaii at night to the extreme.
Holiday
I love these unplanned surprises, and they make traveling fun.
Finally we returned with Santa Claus waving goodbye.
Next, we will be greeted by an even bigger surprise, the 50th Anniversary Honolulu Marathon.
Postscript
In Honolulu, every day feels like a daydream. It was an unaccustomed sense of flow. 47 also said that he felt like he was floating all the time.
This dynamic should be more than just a physical feeling of floating far away from the continent.
It may also come from the scenery that flows every day, or from the cognition that I am not used to, which are constantly refreshing my boundaries.
On the first day, I was nervous about driving a streetcar in Honolulu that I was not used to, but on the second day I was secretly happy that my driving skills had soared;
This emotional turn is like missing a whale but unexpectedly seeing a rainbow; one second we were complaining about road closures for the parade, and the next second we were swarming into the carnival crowd.
This reminds me of Jimmy’s comic story ---- "Go Left, Go Right"
"In a maze-like city, people get used to seeing the same scenery, taking the same route, and reaching the same destination; habits make people's lives no longer change. Habits make people feel an inexplicable sense of security, but also an inexplicable loneliness. And you never know what your habits will make you miss."
I like the unfamiliarity in Hawaii. If the earth can wander, and we do something we are not accustomed to, wouldn’t it be okay?
It's good to go left or right, after all, life is full of surprises. Whether you go to the east to watch the sunrise or the west to watch the sunset, it is the best arrangement.
Recently, I am following "Our Folk Song 2022", and I really like a lyric from Xu Jun's "29": "There is no answer, only smoke filled with gunpowder. May you be as cool as the wind, as wild as a dog, and plunge into the dim lights."
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Words | Arsenan
Photos | Arsenan
Design | Arsenan