Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-03-18
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
First Impressions Of a Wonderfully
Interesting Country.

Interesting Country.
Let Il be assumed that your steam
er arrives In Honolulu In the after
noon. While awaiting your turn with
the customs Inspector and other pre-
liminaries to Decentralization you have
been watching the screaming wharf
rats splashing in the water for nickels
that passengers throw over the side
in response to the invitation, Money,
money! dive, dive" During this
period the initial energies Of the rush
Ing tourist abate, writes George Cyrus
Thorpe In Travel Then. just as you
are going over the gangplank. a know
ing one has persuaded you to jump
into one Of the waiting automobiles
marked For Hire" He says some-
thing about Waikiki Beach and inti-
mates In careless way that In this
manner you may quickly iron out the
wrinkles of the days. fatigue and an
nihilate the impression Of tropical
heat. ttel
II is an excellent roadbed-the four
miles out to the beach. on to the left
a cloud hangs little over the fiat top
of the Punch Bown-a mountain rock
in the rear Of the city. The declining
sun bursts through this heavy sky ven
and beside the mountain you see two
big rainbows. They are there every
afternoon, but never carry your rain
clothes. Farther out you pass a rice
paddy, where a few Cinnamon are
wallowing with their carabaos and rude
implements. Then, too soon. your car
driveway and are before the steps of
the big white hotel on the side away
from the sea. The big open doorway
Of the generous lobby frames picture
Of sapphirine blue sea, and, deep In the
picture, you see tiny specks OF we'll
defined pink skinned men skimming
over the tops Of waves like fairies. You
refocus your mental vision as IL In
transit from Illusion to realism, but not
until you have walked through the
lobby to the great veranda facing the
sea are you able to get the proper
point Of view to explain this seeming
walking upon the water. The pink
specks, approaching rapidly, quickly
assume the proportions belonging to
near vision and the mystery Is solv-
ed; they are surf riders. This Is the
most picturesque form OF aquatics In
the world. It IL neither chfld's play
nor a landlubbers game, for the per-
former must fight his way with polish
ed plank out through the surf little by
swimmer to hold each advance ne
gains until he Is far enough out to
turn his plank shoreward. The surf
ride in reminds you Of running TOM
ahawinking Indians, or whatever you
like that you have not seen In reality,
but have visualized as fleeting, grace
full, hair streaming human speed. 1t Is
q fascinating diversion to watch these
suffers; but imagine doing 1t your
self! A trial Is absolutely fatal II
you are not drowned the first time you
will at least be badly spilled, but quick
ly up again with a single ambition-'o
stick to the plank upright for just one
ride. II you are clever and persistent,
and II your stay at Waikiki is long
one, you may succeed.
or course, the broad veranda Is Wen
fined with jolly tea parties, men In
fiannels resting from tennis, others In
long motor coats, riding suits, or tSe
mere pongee that announces no pur.
suit in particular Not for moment
are YOU allowed to forget that this Is
a land of pleasure, or, at least, OF nap
piness; that, whether or not there arc
lin an outlying district, for example
reasonably sufficient facilities Tor
pleasure, there is always unailoyed
good cheer. 81 ... .