As usual, escaping winter was difficult, with both Hubby and me scrambling to get everything done right up until the last minute, but we did it! After meeting up with a friend on the shuttle to the airport (Steve Winn, co-owner of Mr. Mac, who we have known since 1979 when we moved into the same neighborhood in Orem and then whose wife and I shared a hospital room after having our second babies one day apart!), we scooted right to the front of the line via Terry's status as Platinum traveler. No problems checking in (we're priority, don't ya know). Feeling a bit royal after that treatment, we were hungry so we walked into the Sky Room (only for select flyers!) where complimentary beverages, snacks, comfy chairs and a big screen TV awaited us. Perfect. No sitting in those hard backed airport chairs. Our timing was exact as we approached D-1. The line was formed, but being Priority travelers (just call me Your Highness), we accessed that line and moved right up to the front, presented our tickets, and boarded the jet.
Warning! No matter what your name, if you're not in 1st Class, don't expect much of anything complimentary anymore, at least on Dela. You'd think that on a six hour flight they'd at least give you a sandwich. No way, Jose! They did bring a menu by at least. We opted for spending $8 each for some dry turkey "sliders" (fancy name for a sandwich on hard bread) and a snack box. It did provide enough to get through the flight, but the beverage service was bad. I must have pushed the steward button 6 times and finally walked to the flight attendants myself to ask for water. All in all, bad service.
The video system went down 3/4 of the way through the flight, but I did get to watch an edited version of The American with George Clooney. Don't bother renting this movie about a hit man in Europe. George is always nice to look at, but a downer of a movie. Hubby and I shared an ear bud set and tried to watch this one together. THEN the flight attendant came by and asked if we wanted to watch a complimentary movie! We had already spent the $6 required to watch the first one. Yes, so we both opted for the Expendables. Thinking this one featured Robert Downey, Jr. based on the small picture of the movie on the screen when I ordered it, I was surprised when if was actually Sylvester Stallone. Well, what can you expect from a 3 x 5 inch screen! I wasn't that excited to watch old Rocky. And more disappointed when I finally realized halfway through the movie that this one was an R film, not edited! Click. Off. Read the Kindle instead. (Which has to rank as one of my top Christmas gifts EVER!)
We were happy to descend toward the island and even happier when we landed a little earlier than scheduled. Our luggage arrived within minutes (PRIORITY bag tag!) and we were directed to our Avis rental car (Priority renter, we didn't even have to go inside the little building) and then agreed to ask for a GPS. Hubby said, "I want to be sure they see the dents in the hood before we leave." I thought, what dents in the hood, but he's the seasoned traveler, so okay, if he sees dents, then he can report them.
A few minutes waiting, then Hubby comes out with an Avis attendant. I get out of the car, turn around to look at the car, and the girl says, "Wow, those are big." Here's what she and I both saw on the TOP of our rental, not the hood.
Look on the top just above the back door. It looked like someone very large had sat down hard!
This is the car they gave us after deciding someone should never have given us the first one that had the damage. It's a Lexus Infinity, ahhh, I'm a queen again!
We headed over to Laie and our little house on the beach. But, being hungry after that long flight (and realizing that by our original Mountain Time, it was 7:30 PM) we found a store and a "Drive Inn". However, there was no way to drive in! We ordered some Asian meals - Hubby's had crunchy noodles, broccoli and beef; Mine had Kalua, pork and cabbage. They were delicious.
It was a little hole in the wall of a "drive-in."
I was REALLY hungry.
You can see the gorgeous lava rock mountains that rise up steeply in the background just across from this little shopping mall.
It took us about 30 more minutes to drive to Laie, which is on the northern side of Oahu. The nice manager of the property met us on the driveway and showed us in. We are within walking distance of the Polynesian Cultural Center! It's a cute two bedroom bungallo with a beach right out back!
That's the ocean outside the doors on the left side of this picture!
The extra room where we've put our suitcases.
A bit small bathroom, but I'm not complaining. Whereas Hubby might spend some time in there, I'm not planning on much myself!
This is right outside of the patio doors. Take the little grass path to the left and you find stairs leading down to the beach. I'll get more pictures of the beach later.
We were really tired by 9 PM (which was midnight, our time) and had no trouble falling asleep. No air conditioning in this place, but you don't need it with the gentle ocean breeze that wafts in through the open window all night long.
I woke up at 8 AM - no wait, 5 AM - okay, it was early for a vacation no matter what time zone. My inner clock is impeccable! I had a business Skype conference which we finally got set up. While involved with the call, the sun came up over the water just out the doors!
This picture is overexposed because the light from the sun was so bright! The sun is just over the clothesline.
It is now 8 AM Hawaii time and I'm ready for a nap! I don't know what the plans are yet. Maybe we'll just sit and watch the waves and listen to the sound of the surf. Or take TWO naps! Ahhhh!
Sounds WONDERFUL! Wish I were there, out of the stress of work. Have a great time. You both deserve it.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun......I'm jealous!
ReplyDelete