Through My Cooked Lens

A day that is perhaps not so grand

On our second day in Hawaii, we had a slow morning because we had to attend our Hilton presentation (essentially a pitch for a timeshare). This was our third one of these, and while the offers were tempting, we remain unconvinced that they’re worth all they claim to be.

We kicked off the day with an Uber Eats delivery of coffee from Starbucks and Leonard’s Malasadas. After savoring our treats, we tackled the mandatory presentation, followed by a leisurely walk around the Hilton Hawaiian Village. From there, we hopped in a Lyft to head to our lunch reservation at The Deck, a charming restaurant nestled inside a hotel.

The Deck’s menu isn’t extensive, but the offerings are solid. I sipped on fresh juice and ordered their take on Loco Moco. For those unfamiliar, Loco Moco is a quintessential Hawaiian comfort dish, typically featuring a base of steamed white rice, a juicy hamburger patty, a fried egg, and a rich brown gravy. The Deck’s version swapped the hamburger patty for braised beef—an unexpected twist but still delicious! That said, the true standout of this dining experience wasn’t on the plate but rather in the view. WOW! Dining outside with such a breathtaking panorama was unforgettable. The only downside? Some overly friendly pigeons trying to crash the meal. Still, we chalked it up to ambiance and enjoyed ourselves.

After lunch, we decided to skip the Lyft and walk back to our hotel. GPS estimated the trek at around 45 minutes, but thanks to our questionable sense of direction, it turned into a 1.5-hour adventure (ha!). Along the way, we passed several shopping centers and lush foliage, making it a scenic and enjoyable stroll. We made a pit stop at the International Market, which is gorgeous in its own right, so I could visit Target for breast milk storage bags. Running out wasn’t an option—milk equals gold! I needed a way to freeze it for the flight home.

The day’s supposed highlight was a catamaran ride to Turtle Cove (or Canyon—not entirely sure what it’s called). Unfortunately, this experience fell flat, earning a generous 2/10 rating. While I did spot three turtles, the tour left much to be desired. It was advertised as operating at half capacity, but the coast guard’s idea of capacity is clearly different from ours. The boat was packed, with outdoor and some indoor seating fully occupied—29 people, including a baby.

Once we reached the snorkeling spot, we found ourselves among six other boats, each with its own crowd. The water was chaotic—we were constantly dodging kicks, boats, and waves. Whenever a turtle surfaced, all 50 people in the water rushed to see, creating a claustrophobic and exhausting experience. The waves didn’t help, either, and my husband inhaled enough saltwater to irritate his sinuses and initiate sickness.

In hindsight, we should have opted for a truly small-group tour or gone in the morning when it’s less crowded. To add salt to the wound, we later saw a turtle while snorkeling at Hanauma Bay—a much better experience that I’ll detail in a future post. If you’re considering this tour, skip it and choose another adventure.

Exhausted after the snorkeling fiasco, we returned to the hotel, freshened up, took a stroll along the beach, and capped off the day with dinner at Blue Water Shrimp and Seafood in the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Dinner was fantastic and a much-needed redemption after the day’s ups and downs.