V-Flyer

Well, as lots of you will know this was a special year for Mr DL and I. Twenty years wed, and as I've usually gotten my way about where and how we go, this trip was down to Mr DL who has harboured a desire to go to Hawaii since we met.
having told me some lies :0 We initially flew into LAX and then up to LAS where he wasn't playing in a poker competition at all but had got fantastic tickets to see Elton John ( who I last saw in the 80's :0 ). The concert was fantastic but I did tell the Very loud American sat in front (sorry to all our USA contributors ) that I'd come to listen to Elton and not him ! . He got up 3 TIMES (in 2 hrs to go to the bar v( v( v( v( v( ). Anyway I digress. Back to Hawaii .
I really didn't want to enjoy this trip and insisted we went to Maui as well, so we initially flew into Maui with HA via LAS- HNL for 4 nights .
I loved Maui- very laid back and chilled . The sea is fantastic- warm and great for snorkelling. We rented a cono on the beach (literally) and had a fantastic time . After 4 days we flew on to HNL and Waikiki beach for 5 nights. This was the bit I wasn't looking forward to (and had referred to as being in Blackpool).
Know what??? I loved it . Laid back, chilled and loads to do. We rented another car after a couple of days and went up North (fabulous) to the East (I'd give Disney a wide berth) and to Pearl Harbour . We spent the whole day there and I could have spent another day there.
Hotels in Waikiki are a bit hit and miss- loats offer partial or ocean views . Be aware - most are side rooms that get no sun and you'll cran your neck to see the sea. We had a stunning ocean front room at the Marriott - in Waikiki you pay for what you get. Probably one of the best views I've ever had . Lots of good restaurants and bars so you won't starve ): .
The Hawaiian people are (in the main) fabulous- kind and helpful. Maholo oo) .
OK - that's the good.
The bad ?- it's 5.5 - 6 hours from mainland USA so it's a looooong trip .
The ugly ?- given the fabulous temperature (all year round) - lots and lots of hobos (many of whom are very young and blatantatly asking for drugs). All the benches are taken up by them and they sleep on the beach . The police however take no sh*t and move them on.
Would I go back given it's such a long bl**dy way??
I can't wait !!!!!.
Any v- flyers thinking about a trip ?? Book it !! You won't regret it .
Maholo for reading .
DL

DL

Thanks for the insights (Congrats on reaching your milestone BTW y) )

Having never been there, Hawaii presents an image in my mind of Five -O (the orginal ) and being hugly expensive, so to get the low down from a seasoned traveller like yourself is most helpful.

How is the jet Lag???

buns

Thanks DL, we nearly booked a trip to Hawaii last year but had to change our plans - we definately need to sort it out judging from your experience. y)

Welcome back DL Sounds like you had an amazing time on your special trip y) Wife and I have often spoken about Hawaii but the length of the journey puts us off Maybe not any more.
Thanks for posting and congrats to you both ^)

Fantastic review DL, so pleased to hear of such a fantastic anniversary trip.

Hawaii is on my list and can't wait to got here one day!

I heard that when VA get the 787 they will be trying to start a route out there - Non stop? Long long flight.....

Good to read your report DL. We have a trip to Hawaii planned for next September.

I thought it would be good to celebrate my wifes 50th birthday out there. It will be her special Hawaii Five O!!

We will be flying VS to LAX and then have a 14 day cruise out to and around the islands. I thought this would be the best way to see more than one isalnd as its so far to go to see only one would be a shame.

Roll on Sept 2012.

MrsPJH and I have debated a trip to Hawaii for a number of years..and thus far she's won on the (a) too far (b) looks like Blackpool arguments (and having lived close the latter for a number of years, it's compelling... ). Sounds like I may need to rehearse a different line of response.

DragonLady wrote:fantastic tickets to see Elton John ( who I last saw in the 80's. The concert was fantastic but I did tell the Very loud American sat in front (sorry to all our USA contributors ) that I'd come to listen to Elton and not him ! . He got up 3 TIMES (in 2 hrs to go to the bar)

Not uncommon nowadays, I fear. I was originally going to add "..in Vegas" but on reflection I realised it was all over the shop.

And just to top it off when we arrived back tonight there was a big box from Amex Plat awaiting us, containing a bottle of (decent ) champagne, some lovely chocs and a handwritten card wishing us a happy anniversary and hoping we'd had a good time in Vegas and Hawaii. Awesome .
For those of you considering the journey just book it - you know you want to . For those of you with trips booked you'll have a fabulous time .
DL

pjh wrote:MrsPJH and I have debated a trip to Hawaii for a number of years..and thus far she's won on the (a) too far (b) looks like Blackpool arguments (and having lived close the latter for a number of years, it's compelling... ). Sounds like I may need to rehearse a different line of response.

Having had the misfortune of spending my formative year in Blackpool (don't ask, although in fairness I got a good education there) I can assure everybody that, having visited Hawaii, it in no way resembles Blackpool. Trust me!

Rumors of Hawaii's Blackpool-ness have been greatly exaggerated ...

Glad you enjoyed it; ease of access to Hawaii is definitely one of the most positive features of living on the West Coast.

And if you really want the anti-Blackpool experience try this one

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/hiking_kau ... u_hike.php

DL glad you had a great time and thanks for the tips. You have certainly whet my appetite now - roll on May 26.

Smilie overload DL, I gave up reading it properly as it was a sea of yellow

Thanks for a great write up.

Hawaii has been on our winter holiday wish list for a while and even more so now. However due to the length of the flights we have decided to wait a few years until we are retired and do it with long stopovers in each direction

Thank you for all your tips and report. And Happy Anniversary.

After becoming slightly addicted to a certain Hawaii five 0 tv program, Hawaii has become somewhere I really want to visit.

My Hubby isn't sure about the long flight and time difference, but Hubby is 40 in 2013 and I'm thinking of taking him to Hawaii via San Francisco.

When we did it last time we did Lgw to las then las to Honolulu. Made a nice difference to the usual lax or sfo routes