From Waikiki to Chinatown
Checking out of the Turtle Bay Resort and driving for another hour, we finally arrived at Waikiki.
I always enjoy Waikiki. Yes, many people have told me often that Waikiki is too commercial, but I do not find it offensive. Let’s face it, unlike Kona, the Big Island, you won’t find any restaurant along Kalakaua Avenue closes at 8:00PM.
Besides the convenience (literally ABC stores are at the corner of every block), the Waikiki beach is gorgeous. 
The morning snorkeling at the North Shore wore us out, and the greasy food these days started to make my face break out. I desperately need some fresh fruits.
It is therefore the “Chinatown time.”
I normally do not bother with a car. Finding the parking spot can be tricky in Chinatown area. Either #2 or #13 bus will take us from Waikiki to Chinatown.
The bus fare is $2 per person, and offers a transfer for any other buses (including the return bus) up to 2 hours. That would be enough for me to sample some nice meals and shop for these exotic fruits.
When we asked the girl at the Concierge desk for bus schedules to Chinatown, she raised her eyebrows. “I’d warn you to be careful in Chinatown.”
Then I was surprised. “Why?”
“It is just a shabby place.”
Hum. For a moment I thought she meant that New York gangsters have taken over Honolulu Chinatown recently.
I nodded politely and thanked her.
The bus ride was smooth, and within 20 minutes we were in Chinatown already.
There are tons of grocery stores, nearly one after the other, along the Hotel Street (the main street that the city buses run through). Fresh produces and fruits are displayed in boxes and on stands.
It literally took us less than 2 minutes to find what we want:
Dragon fruit, Dragon eyes, Lychee, mangosteen…We loaded up! 
After the short and intense shopping, time for snack. We always go to this place Mei Sum Dim Sum (65 N Pauahi Street #A, Honolulu, HI 96817, 808-531-3268) whenever we are in Hawaii.
They have some nice dim sum selections, but what I like more is the dynamics of this place.
The restaurant seems to be run by a group of Chinese grannies, who serve efficiently and quickly. Even when they chat with us, the sentences are in a faster speed. 
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