My husband and I have used 1 credit card for 10 years and we have enough points(10 years later) to go to Hawaii. Have any of you been? What do I just "have to do" and just "have to eat" while in Honolulu?
After the birth of my son and dealing with his genetic disorder and then losing our home to a tornado, we are sooooooooooooo ready for a vacation! And though we are ready, I am also nervous about leaving Lane home. THis will be our first time away from him. I know most likely he will be fine.......but remember, if something rare is going to happen to anyone, its gonna be me! I've even decided to update the will before we go. So you can see nerves are a little issue here. So lets get my mind on something else I love..........food! Where is the best place to eat? What is the greatest thing I can't leave without tasting?
stephanie
"Succeed! Because you have the opportunity to do so." - KD
Posts: 708 | Location: nashville | Registered: March 11, 2004
Stephanie: I don't know what it costs now, but back in 1997 (when we went the first time to Maui), it only cost about $100 to fly from Maui to Oahu, so you might want to think about flying over for the day.
Back in 1997, the male contingent of our group wanted to see Pearl Harbor and the females didn't, so the males flew over to Oahu for the day and the females went snorkelling on Maui. They said it was a really simple hop and all went well.
During our 2001 trip, we flew inter-island from Maui to the Big Island but, because that was all figured into the cost of our vacation by the travel agent, I don't remember what the inter-island flight cost that time.
Just a thought!
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7260 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Thanks everyone for the ideas. We are going to sit down and read about all these ideas Thursday night, go shopping for clothes Friday, Pack Saturday, and leave on Sunday morning. Thanks so much.
stephanie
"Succeed! Because you have the opportunity to do so." - KD
Posts: 708 | Location: nashville | Registered: March 11, 2004
On our trip to Hawaii, we had only one day in Oahu. DH really wanted to see Pearl Harbor, but we didn't think our then-four-year-old DS would be too thrilled with that. So he and I spent the day at the Honolulu Zoo. Maybe that's not as exciting if your little one isn't going along, but I thought it was an interesting and low-key activity. It was also surprisingly inexpensive, especially if you have a zoo membership where you live -- reciprocity is wonderful!
The zoo was within easy walking distance of our hotel on Waikiki Beach.
PS - I'm sure DH would agree that Pearl Harbor is a must-see.
I would agree with Tammy that if you are going to "do" Hawaii, I would suggest you include a visit to one other island besides Oahu. I have been to Maui, the Big Island and Kauai and love all of them, but my favorites are Kauai and Maui.
Can't help you with Oahu as I've never been there. If you decide to visit one of the other islands, I'll be glad to give you some info!
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7260 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Stephanie: We've been to Hawaii 4 times and are going again this July to celebrate a ton of things this year! Do you have to go to Oahu? Though there are many things to do on Oahu, most are very touristy (is that a word??!!) The other islands are more relaxing and it sounds like you two could use some "couple time". It's just a thought.
We've been to Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. Our favorite is the Big Island and are going to look at real estate again. Our dream is to move there in 5 years when daughter graduates from Law School--yep she wants to go too!!
North Shore is where all the big surfing waves are. Pearl Harbor is chilling - but a must see. The Polynesian Cultural is owned by Brigham Young University and we didn't feel worth the big bucks to get in - I agree with other post of Disney/theme parkish. Dole plantation has also become like that. Rent a car and weave through the towns, see the farmer's markets and neighborhood fresh produce stands. You'll never see such beautiful produce for SO CHEAP!! Pack a cutting board, knife and plastic forks/spoons in your check in bag and buy some great stuff at those stands. Then carve up and enjoy on your Lanai with your hubby in the evening....ahhhhhh, thinking of it now!!!
Do a luau no matter how "touristy" it is! They are a real blast and a must do at least once! Eat the poi - it's an ugly color and tasteless, however, scoop it with the rice and it's really good. I, too, like the poi! If you can talk to a chef early in the day - ask him to get you and your hubby some Moi filets. It is the fish of the royalty and not always available. We always ask for it at the Marriot restaurant on the big island and it's to die for fish and I'm not especially fond of fish. It's well worth it and you'll NEVER get it on the mainland!!!
I'm not a drinker, but you should have at least one Lava Flow! It's a cross between a pina colada and a strawberry daiquiri - they put the strawberry in first, then pour in the pina colada stuff and it causes the "lava" to come up the sides. It's a frozen drink and you can even get it without alchohol. Our daughter will be 21 just before we go and she said she's been thinking all year about having her first drink on the big island and wants a lava flow!
I had to laugh about your getting the "will" in order. We, too, have an only child and went without her the last time. Even though she was 18 at the time, I had lists of numbers, schedules to reach us, everybody we knew for her to contact if she needed something...etc. So I truly feel for you and don't think you're crazy at all!! You are just being a great Mom!
Have a wonderful and seemingly long overdue time with your hubby! ALOHA!!!!! Tammy
Posts: 43 | Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio | Registered: March 20, 2004
Originally posted by sautequeen: I know most likely he will be fine.......but remember, if something rare is going to happen to anyone, its gonna be me!
You are too funny!!!
I would ditto D's list. Except the Polonesian Cultural Center... not my favorite. I thought it sort of Disneyland-ish.
Pearl Harbor is a MUST see.
Poi... I'm the only haole who likes poi. I LOVE poi. You do need to try it. Hotel Luaus are very hokey... but I enjoy them.
Stephanie, We have been to Hawaii. Love it!! It is a very long trip, so maybe bring a portable dvd. There is usually a movie on the plane, but maybe there is something else you might enjoy more.
I highly recommend bread pudding for breakfast! That was my favorite treat! We went snorkeling, but it freaked me out and I couldn't do it.
Just enjoy and make sure you bring your camera. It is most beautiful at night when you can see the red hot lava glowing on the sides of the volcanos!!
Posts: 1376 | Location: West Florida | Registered: March 12, 2004
I'll send my brother an email and ask him for recommendations (he was stationed out there), but you HAVE to go to Pearl Harbor. Simply must go.
We also had a LOT of fun at Hanauma Bay. Just get there early.
My parents enjoyed the Dole Plantation, though we didn't have time to go when we went.
Ola is what has grown out of Turtle Bay's evening meals on the beach; my parents were there last year and raved about the new setup and how wonderful the food was.
We did the luau thing at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was HUGE (as in, lots of people), but fun. The gardens are phenomenal. The food was traditional luau food, which means some was good and some wasn't It's alcohol-free, which isn't a problem for some people, but is for others, so I figured it's worth a mention. The evening show is beautiful and I absolutely recommend it. It's where we got souveniers for everyone. Their gift shop is pretty neat.
Have a great time! And if my brother gets back to me, I'll post it up.
Oh! There's a restaurant we discovered here in Tampa but was born out in Hawaii, Roy's. It doesn't look like they have one in Tennessee, so it might be worth visiting while you're out there.
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
Where is the best place to eat? What is the greatest thing I can't leave without tasting?
