Honolulu, Hawaii - The Colorado Rapids were greeted in traditional Hawaiian style upon arriving at Honolulu Airport Sunday evening. As the party deplaned, they were greeted with natural flower leis as a welcome to the islands for what is to be eight days of preseason and participation in the Hawaiian Islands Invitational.
The flights took roughly 12 hours, but ended with smiles and excitement as the players snapped photos and posted messages on individual social media sites announcing their arrival to the island.
"Very happy to be here," midfielder Jaime Castrillon told ColoradoRapids.com. "It's an opportunity to visit a place I've never been to, Hawaii, a place that those from other countries long to visit. And this club gives us the opportunity, so you have to enjoy it. But first it's about what we came here for, and that is to continue preparing and to play well in the matches."
After arriving at the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort on Waikiki Beach, the team conducted a short walk and stretch along the beach at sunset, taking in the comfortable weather that is expected to remain all week.
The long day ended with a team meal, which consisted of a buffet which included salad, mahi-mahi, boneless barbeque chicken, steak filets, potato salad, noodles, rice, and a crusted dessert filled with guava, banana, and pineapple.
The team will conduct their first training on the island Monday at 10:30 local time.
