hawaii

10/18/20073:22:09 PM Link 1 comment | Add comment

I had a great opportunity to visit Hawaii in May. The non stop from Newark on Continental to Honolulu is not bad at all. 10 hours going and 9 coming back.

The time difference will definately play havoc with you for the 1st 24 hours. Guarantee you will be up at 5 am, and so is everyone else who just flew in.

Definately try to get at least a partial ocean view with balcony. We stayed at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider ( now the Westin Moana Surfrider). This hotel is one of the originals. Try to sit out on the verandah. Highly recommend.

Honolulu was a lot of fun and plenty to do for the one day that we were there. Try Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay.

While you will not need  a car if you plan just staying on Waikiki Beach, it's a good idea to have one if you are planning on any other excursions.

We were exhausted after Maui. Did the Road to Hana. If you are prone to motion sickness, be the driver. Yes it takes all day. You are going at 10 miles/hr most of the time. The amount of switchbacks is unreal. The scenery is unforgetable. Gas up before starting the trip. Once you're on the road , there are no gas stations. So bring food, drinks and use the facilities before you start out. Oh and bring bug spray....It rains there on and off.

The Haleakala Crater is another trip worth taking. Couldn't get my husband up for the sunrise tour, so we just did it in the morning. Beautiful views and then you get above the clouds and it' surreal. Make sure you bring a sweater, especially if you're doing the sunrise ( bring blankets for that).

We stayed at the Sheraton in Kanaapali Beach. Great rooms, didn't spend much time there though. Did the Old Lahaina Luau-love it!  The only thing that I would do differently, is to stay either in Wailea or Kihei, because it is closer to all the things that we wanted to do.  Staying in Kanaapali forced us to first drive 30-45 min to get the road that would take you to other parts of the island.

Stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. If you can afford it,  do it.  Thankfully didn't have to pay and were treated like royalty for 4 days, thanks to my husband. He was the Liberty Mutual's Rookie Liberty Life Leader for his region. Yeah!!!

Did the Napali Coast with Captain Andy's. Great tour, not for the faint hearted. You are on a zodiak for a good 1- 1.5  hours each way,  going at 55mi/hr and holding on for dear life. But what a great time!!!!!! The rest of the time on the Garden Isle was spent relaxing at the Hyatt. What a gorgeous property!!!!!

Couple of things to remember

Aloha Spirit

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Do rent a car, especially once you are out of Honolulu. And you cannot get around without a car on the other islands.

Food is expensive

Don't rent a convertible if you have more than 2 people in your travelling party... the luggage will not fit in the trunk.

If anyone has questions .. feel free to contact me             Lana