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Obamas leave Hawaii after 11-day vacation
by Ishita Sood - January 4, 2010 - comments
President Barack Obama with First Lady Michelle Obama, boarding the Air Force One for Washington on Monday
Washington, January 4 -- The first family returned to Washington Monday, after their 11-day long vacation in hometown, Hawaii.
The Obamas boarded the Air Force One, which was to depart from Honolulu at 10:20 p.m. local time.
The first family wanted to stay
The President, along with family, arrived at the Hickam Air Force Base where about 50 people were eagerly awaiting to catch a glimpse.
Ramy Casicas, a senior airman hoped to shake the president's hand. He said, “I'm hoping to meet him today. My commander asked me if I wanted to meet the president. I couldn't turn that down.”
According to reporters, when the first family was asked if they wanted to go back to the mainland, they said “no!”
Later Mrs. Obama added jokingly, “Let's stay, we'll all stay. Are we all in? I'm trying to mount a coup.”
Last day of vacation
The Obamas spent their last day of vacation in Oahu. The President went for his routine early morning workout at the Marine Corps Base and later returned for a round of golf with friends.
Obama's golf partners included Bobby Titcomb, Marty Nesbitt and Mike Ramos.
Later, the president, along with his family went to the Honolulu Zoo around 5:30 p.m. The zoo was closed for the general public that time.
After the visit, the Obamas visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, where Obama's grandfather is buried.
What a holiday!
Even though it was called a ‘vacation’, the trip was coupled with numerous golf outings, homeland security and counterterrorism acts.
The President was daily handed three weekly updates from the White House Situation Room. There was plenty to keep the president busy in Hawaii too.