Goodbye to Oahu

Our last day in Honolulu we were up at 6:30am, out the door by 7:15, caught the number 2 bus across town for about 45 minutes to meet at the Museum of Art to catch the bus for a tour of Doris Duke's Shangrila which just happens to be ONE block from where are staying! No exceptions, you can not just meet at the front door of the estate but instead you must start at the museum. But it was worth it! What an experience. For those who don't know who Doris Duke was, she was at one time the richest woman in the world. At 12 years old when her father died she inherited millions that he had made in tobacco and hydroelectric power. Her life story is worth checking out. Here in Hawaii after visiting in 1935 on her honeymoon, she fell in love the place and purchased five acres close to Diamond Head. Here she built her Shangrila. 

Those are 40 ft stone walls she built up from the ocean. She rearranged the coast line so her yacht could be parked there. You can actually see some local Hawaiians swimming in that spot today. We weren't allowed to take any photos inside but here is one to give you an idea of what we saw.

The entire house, all 14,000 sq. ft. is a tribute to Islam. Unbelievable! There are tiles from the 13th century, pottery from the Middle East and India, full rooms from Damascus, doors from Egypt, a mihrab, an alcove in the wall meant to tell the direction of Mecca. Doris outbid the Metropolitan Museum of Art, paying $150,000 for it decades ago. There are only six like it in the world. An amazing piece. There was so much to take in. What was hard to believe that this house is where she actually lived but it shows more like a museum. Not your folksy drop and visit place. In fact guests stayed in the playhouse. See it below.

From the outside you would never suspect that such an estate existed. The surrounding area is totally private with gardens hiding it all. And of course two camels keeping watch. This the front door entrance.

Back on the tour bus to our starting point. A quick look at the art museum, a walk for a bite to eat, coffee and a newspaper and back on the bus home. 

To complete our time in Honolulu we needed one last experience, a picnic on the beach with the setting sun. Luckily the rain held off long for us to just that. We swam, had yummy salami sandwiches, olives, carrots, ripple chips and fresh pineapple and papaya. What a feast. 

Even Yellow Bunny enjoyed her time at the beach. How could you not? 

So now all that was left was for the sunset. Thank you Oahu! Tomorrow off to Kauai.