Made It!

Steven picked us up at 5:30a and off to the airport we went. It was surprisingly calm and uncrowded at FYI (FAT), even the Starbucks line was almost nonexistent! Our flight was on time and we went to the same Alaska Airline terminal we expected. For once the restaurants were not crowded when we arrived. We ordered a mediocre breakfast and then waited for our flight. We found a few seats that had outlets in them so it was nice to be sure our phones were fully charged for the trip. It didn't take long and they called for boarding. We usually board now when they ask people to board who need extra time. We are slower than we used to be and don't want to hold others up. However, there are some young and energetic people who go pretty darn slow in putting up their bags in the overhead compartment. It was nice they had Hawaiian music playing as we boarded, makes you really in the mood for vacation. Our seats each had a power outlet, really nice considering they charge for a TV viewing tablet. Our flight was uneventful, a bit of turbulence but not much. I did dose off, was it because I had just 3 hours sleep last night or the Dramamine I took? Who knows, anyway it makes the time go faster and we even landed early! We had a complementary Mai Tai with the last beverage service, so now we are in full vacation mode! We left home in 33 degrees and it is 84 degrees here in Oahu with a breeze! So nice! Off to Dollar Car Rental and on to the Airbnb where we will spend a couple of nights. The owners are not home but they sent a really neat little welcome video showing us where and how to check in. Since I am a visual learner I really appreciated that! We did relax on the comfortable bed for a little while, then we knew we better get out and get some food or we would not be eating tonight. We drove past the Royal Kuhio where we will check in on Friday afternoon, then on to Foodland grocery store. We got a few deli items (we will pass on the fish tempura cakes next time - too gelatinous) but the pasta salad and greens were good. A glass of wine and we are set for the night. We aren't exactly sure what we will do tomorrow, we are contemplating a couple of options. For sure it WILL NOT include driving anywhere around Honolulu for very long! Crazy traffic! My pictures are not great but it is always exciting to fly into a place and see it from the sky. Eager for the rest of the family to arrive!

Flying Into Oahu

Pearl Harbor

Our View From Our Airbnb Room

 

Sunset Catamaran Trip

We all decided to book this Catamaran Trip for our last night in Waikiki. If weather permits, and it should, we will also see the Hilton Fireworks display from an ocean view. We are all getting pretty excited for this trip. We also plan a trip to Pearl Harbor and North Shore with a stop at the Dole Plantation. However, we aren't sure everyone will want to do all those things so at least the last night there we will all be reflecting on our adventure and celebrating our last night together. 

It should look something like this!

Luau Booked!!!

Now that everyone has purchased their airfare it was time to secure our reservation at the Paradise Cove . We will have the Orchid Luau Package. We are getting pretty excited about this!!!

Luau & Other Plans

The last few days I have been working on the Oahu 2016, Sierra BD trip. I am glad I checked on the Polynesian Cultural Center drink packages. They do not serve any alcohol on the premises. Therefore, the luau location has been changed to Paradise Cove. John and I went to this a number of years ago, it was our first luau and we enjoyed the activities they had before the luau. We will add transportation and look forward to a great evening with everyone on Sierra’s 21st Birthday!!!

COVE LEGEND

1. Cove Entrance
2. Arts & Crafts
3. Canoe Expedition
4. Cove Beach
5. Imu Ceremony
6. Paradise Cove Extravaganza

Booked Our Flights

Today we booked our flights with Alaska Airlines. We had a companion fare so we were able to book out of FAT for a little less than flying out of San Jose without the companion fare. We prefer not to have to drive home after a vacation but it isn’t always possible. Since we have only ONE stop it is a bonus for us as well. We will arrive before the rest of the family and we found a nice Airbnb place to spend the first few days.    

AIRBNB Honolulu

We booked an Airbnb place in Honolulu to stay before the week-long stay with the family at the Royal Kuhio. It has good reviews and for three nights it is less than one night a the Royal Kuhio! It should be nice enough with a memory foam queen size bed, Wi-Fi, and free parking. Since parking is premium in Honolulu that is a real plus. I'm sure we will enjoy our stay. We will have just a bedroom in this 2-story downstairs duplex. They also rent out the upper floor that sleeps 4-6. Looking forward to the view of Diamond Head!

Sierra & Julianne

Their flights are booked! The two of them will fly together out of Fresno to San Diego and then to Honolulu! It’s an exciting time!!! We plan to pick them up and take them directly to the condo. It’s a decent flight and time, considering it is out of Fresno!