International Marketplace...or "Special Price...Just for You!"

The shrimp are HUGE here!

We checked out of the Hale Koa today, and into the Army Lodge up at Tripler. I won't lie...it's not exactly posh. The buildings are old cement structures...but it feels just like home back on Okinawa. When we checked in at the front desk, we learned that not only is the rate about 1/3 less than the Hale Koa...but everything is included in that price, so the cost ends up being about half, overall. Free parking (HK=$8/night). Free local phone calls (HK= 50¢ ea.). Free Internet (HK=$10/night). Free breakfast, free laundry, free printing/faxing, free BBQ Wednesdays. And no fighting traffic to get the the hospital!


We are THIS close to the back of the hospital.

We went to our room and were SO pleasantly surprised. Yes, the buildings may be old, but we have TWO rooms. TWO TV's. The bed linens are much nicer than the Hale Koa's 80s-throwbacks...and the beds and pillows are HEAVEN compared to what they offered. Jake has more privacy and his own TV...which will be so awesome while he's convalescing...and I won't disturb him with my late-night blogging habit. It is such a huge blessing. I'm so grateful things worked out the way they did.

We dumped off our stuff, and headed back down to Waikiki to celebrate. Jake really wanted to check out the International Marketplace.



We were intrigued by this gold "statue." We decided to put a dollar in the hat and see what happened. It was pretty exciting.



When we came across this silver "statue" down the road, we knew to be prepared with the video this time.



A dollar is pretty cheap entertainment, I think.



We finally arrived at our destination, and the sales-pitches began. Oh my goodness, how I wanted to pinch the cheeks of all these cute Japanese ladies who wanted to offer me a "special deal...jus fo' you!" I didn't want to be insulting, but I just couldn't help giggling when they'd show me the asking price and then encourage me to "twist their arms" for a better price. ("No customah today...too windy. Bad fo' bizness. I give you special price. Today only.")



After a few good finds for the family back home, we stopped for some Dole Whip and Shave Ice...Hawaiian staples.



Then Jake was dying to do the "pick a pearl" booth. As we approached, we were asked to draw a slip out of a basket. It was a 40% off coupon. Bonus!



These are the possible pearl colors.



Jake had to tap it 3 times and shout, "Aloha!"



That must be the magic word, because he got the black pearl he was hoping for! It was actually a shade of purple. Very cool. He ended up doing this twice...the next time he got a 60% off, so it was like he bought one and got one free. Woohoo!



All that shopping wore us out and we were starving, so we headed over to the Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch.



Jake, scheming how he can go into the pearl business to make a few bucks.



I want to go back, just for these avocado egg rolls.



Yummy Orange Chicken. OK, I know American portions are huge...but this is ridiculous!



This chicken was out of this world. I was so excited to see so many fresh mushrooms...but seriously, this plate could have fed our whole family. These plates ended up being 3 meals each for us.




We could get used to this!