Trip Report Nov 5-12 Oahu
Nov 16th, 2007, 10:27 AM
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Trip Report Nov 5-12 Oahu
Just returned from our trip to Oahu and will post our report. Will apologize in advance if it is too long and boring.
Arrived at Honolulu airport 9 pm November 5th. Went to get the Roberts Hawaii shuttle but somehow ended up with a different line. A white van. Ended up at the hotel at least an hour before others arrived on Roberts but still was a bit scary as we dont know who we drove with. Roberts is a better choice, at least you know you have professional company and drivers.
Stayed at the Ohana Waikiki West, was worried a bit as the reviews were mixed when I researched the hotel. We (mom and I) were put on the 12th floor, could have had a front view for an extra 10.00 a night but I figured I am not going to be in hotel to see so did not do. Turns out not only am I allergic to heights but my mother is afraid of them. For awhile you get free rides on the pink line of the waikiki trolly, will take you to the Alo Mona Mall and around Waikiki, every day first 15 minnutes of local and long distance calls are free even to Canada, We did a quick shop for some groceries and turned in for the night.
Nov 6th- we spent the day shopping, looking around, walking on the beach, just getting aquainted with the area. International market is just across the street and very lively at night. so much to see. Had breakfast a Keno (i think it is called this) 3.95, good deal. at the International market there is a thermal massage 45 minutes for $25.00, we did this and found it very enjoyable, actually went back on the weekend and had another one. Mother talked to front desk and explained her fear, staff was excellent and moved us to the 1st floor, the pool floor. very pleased with both rooms, very clean, and all staff very pleasant and helpful. Booked a snorkel trip for the next day to Haunama Bay and a around the Island tour for Thursday.
Nov 7- went snorkeling, this is a wonderful place to go to. we took a tour trip van for this, but it is easy to get there by bus, rent your equipment, dont know how much and the bus fee is 2.00 each way, entrance to park is 5.00, you must watch a video before entering. I would suggest you bring your lunch and snacks as it is a long walk to the snack bar. This was worth every penny. Beautiful place to go to. The only negative I can say is that some people have no respect. We were told before going in that you are not to feed the fish or stand on the reef or coral. I was amazed at how many people were standing not on the sand but the coral and reef. Spent the rest of the day at the beach in Waikiki, watched the free nightly hula show by the Duke statue by the beach and watched the sunset. and more shopping. again International market place. Every night there seems to be more and more.
Nov 8- took the Circle Island tour with Roberts Hawaii. Normally dont do tours, am very pleased with this one. Tour Guide was Duke, bus 632. If you can get him you are in luck. Not only does he give you information about the Island, but history and language too. Plus he is very humourous. Had a wonderful time, went to the Polynesian Culture Centre for lunch, did add on the canoe trip, but was pouring rain and did not get to see much or hear much. I would definetly next time rent a car and do the drive myself. Saw turtles on a beach, found out the the sand at Waikiki was transported there and is a man made beach. Still enjoyed my time there though. Macadamian nut farm was great, all different flavors and unique candy. Lovely day and I think having the right tour guide really makes it worth while. Again if you go see if you can get Duke Bus 632(i think that is his name.)
Went to Perrys smorg for supper, I thought this was a great place. Inexpensive and has a huge assortment of choices.
Nov 9- spent the morning at the beach, took a bus downtown and to Aloha Tower Mall, great mall, really cool things to see and buy, watched the hula show for the ship. An excellent place to shop. Easy to get to by bus, mall is not closed in and is by the ocean. Went to Galaxy restaurant, this is above the enterance to the International Market, breakfasts are 2.99 supper is 11.95 and you get to pick 2 entree items. I chose lobster and crab. you pay extra $1 for the lobster, Crab was okay but lobster had no flavor and was small, i think it is the cuban ones, not sure though. they do have other items that you can order from on the menu and I would do this next time.
Nov 10- took the bus to the Alhoa Stadium Market, did not go on right day though as there was a football game happening that day and we were told they were closing at 10 am and many people did not show up to open. Still found lots of things to see and buy, although found the t-shirts a better deal at the International Market place, necklaces were better priced at the Aloha Tower Mall. Easy to move around town on the bus, bus drivers were helpful and if you have any questions you can always call the bus line. Macadamian nuts at the farm cheaper and better. Market place at Stadium is neat to see but we found better to shop elsewhere. Spent the rest of the day at the beach, did have breakfast at Denny's across from Ahana Waikiki West, try to get Tina as your waitress, great service and she is funny, we were told by another staff member that return customers as far away as Australian and Europe phone ahead of time to see when she is working.Also did the beach walk, excellent cream puffs at Papa Beards.
Nov 11- spent the day at the beach, watched hula show again, walked downtown and lucked out. There is a young man who does paintings by spray paint, beautiful paintings, he is a wonderful artist, amazing to watch. so please I bought 2.
Nov 12- spent our last day on the beach, there is a wonderful little beach just past the statue of Duke, it is enclosed by stones or reef, you can get an airmattress and just float around with no real worries of being carried out to sea. sandy bottom, water not really deep. most I thought was 4 feet. We bought air mattresses at ABC and they will put air in them for 60 cents. Excellent to have on the beach and then when you go home find some one to give them too. that is what we did.
I think that is all, Our trip was just to get away and relax. I had a wonderful relaxing time and will definetly return. I will stay at the same hotel, maybe try different restaurants, I hear Bubbagumps is great, Next time would drive the Island but I am glad that I did the tour, at least this way you get to see exactly what there is and decide where you want to go, planning ahead of time the stops to make. less rushed that way i think.
We also found that we were treated wonderfully by everyone we came in contact with. I really enjoyed Waikiki much more then Maui. Easier to get around and you can do it without renting a car. The bus actually has a route that will take you around the Island. I think that is all. Hope this helps some out.
Arrived at Honolulu airport 9 pm November 5th. Went to get the Roberts Hawaii shuttle but somehow ended up with a different line. A white van. Ended up at the hotel at least an hour before others arrived on Roberts but still was a bit scary as we dont know who we drove with. Roberts is a better choice, at least you know you have professional company and drivers.
Stayed at the Ohana Waikiki West, was worried a bit as the reviews were mixed when I researched the hotel. We (mom and I) were put on the 12th floor, could have had a front view for an extra 10.00 a night but I figured I am not going to be in hotel to see so did not do. Turns out not only am I allergic to heights but my mother is afraid of them. For awhile you get free rides on the pink line of the waikiki trolly, will take you to the Alo Mona Mall and around Waikiki, every day first 15 minnutes of local and long distance calls are free even to Canada, We did a quick shop for some groceries and turned in for the night.
Nov 6th- we spent the day shopping, looking around, walking on the beach, just getting aquainted with the area. International market is just across the street and very lively at night. so much to see. Had breakfast a Keno (i think it is called this) 3.95, good deal. at the International market there is a thermal massage 45 minutes for $25.00, we did this and found it very enjoyable, actually went back on the weekend and had another one. Mother talked to front desk and explained her fear, staff was excellent and moved us to the 1st floor, the pool floor. very pleased with both rooms, very clean, and all staff very pleasant and helpful. Booked a snorkel trip for the next day to Haunama Bay and a around the Island tour for Thursday.
Nov 7- went snorkeling, this is a wonderful place to go to. we took a tour trip van for this, but it is easy to get there by bus, rent your equipment, dont know how much and the bus fee is 2.00 each way, entrance to park is 5.00, you must watch a video before entering. I would suggest you bring your lunch and snacks as it is a long walk to the snack bar. This was worth every penny. Beautiful place to go to. The only negative I can say is that some people have no respect. We were told before going in that you are not to feed the fish or stand on the reef or coral. I was amazed at how many people were standing not on the sand but the coral and reef. Spent the rest of the day at the beach in Waikiki, watched the free nightly hula show by the Duke statue by the beach and watched the sunset. and more shopping. again International market place. Every night there seems to be more and more.
Nov 8- took the Circle Island tour with Roberts Hawaii. Normally dont do tours, am very pleased with this one. Tour Guide was Duke, bus 632. If you can get him you are in luck. Not only does he give you information about the Island, but history and language too. Plus he is very humourous. Had a wonderful time, went to the Polynesian Culture Centre for lunch, did add on the canoe trip, but was pouring rain and did not get to see much or hear much. I would definetly next time rent a car and do the drive myself. Saw turtles on a beach, found out the the sand at Waikiki was transported there and is a man made beach. Still enjoyed my time there though. Macadamian nut farm was great, all different flavors and unique candy. Lovely day and I think having the right tour guide really makes it worth while. Again if you go see if you can get Duke Bus 632(i think that is his name.)
Went to Perrys smorg for supper, I thought this was a great place. Inexpensive and has a huge assortment of choices.
Nov 9- spent the morning at the beach, took a bus downtown and to Aloha Tower Mall, great mall, really cool things to see and buy, watched the hula show for the ship. An excellent place to shop. Easy to get to by bus, mall is not closed in and is by the ocean. Went to Galaxy restaurant, this is above the enterance to the International Market, breakfasts are 2.99 supper is 11.95 and you get to pick 2 entree items. I chose lobster and crab. you pay extra $1 for the lobster, Crab was okay but lobster had no flavor and was small, i think it is the cuban ones, not sure though. they do have other items that you can order from on the menu and I would do this next time.
Nov 10- took the bus to the Alhoa Stadium Market, did not go on right day though as there was a football game happening that day and we were told they were closing at 10 am and many people did not show up to open. Still found lots of things to see and buy, although found the t-shirts a better deal at the International Market place, necklaces were better priced at the Aloha Tower Mall. Easy to move around town on the bus, bus drivers were helpful and if you have any questions you can always call the bus line. Macadamian nuts at the farm cheaper and better. Market place at Stadium is neat to see but we found better to shop elsewhere. Spent the rest of the day at the beach, did have breakfast at Denny's across from Ahana Waikiki West, try to get Tina as your waitress, great service and she is funny, we were told by another staff member that return customers as far away as Australian and Europe phone ahead of time to see when she is working.Also did the beach walk, excellent cream puffs at Papa Beards.
Nov 11- spent the day at the beach, watched hula show again, walked downtown and lucked out. There is a young man who does paintings by spray paint, beautiful paintings, he is a wonderful artist, amazing to watch. so please I bought 2.
Nov 12- spent our last day on the beach, there is a wonderful little beach just past the statue of Duke, it is enclosed by stones or reef, you can get an airmattress and just float around with no real worries of being carried out to sea. sandy bottom, water not really deep. most I thought was 4 feet. We bought air mattresses at ABC and they will put air in them for 60 cents. Excellent to have on the beach and then when you go home find some one to give them too. that is what we did.
I think that is all, Our trip was just to get away and relax. I had a wonderful relaxing time and will definetly return. I will stay at the same hotel, maybe try different restaurants, I hear Bubbagumps is great, Next time would drive the Island but I am glad that I did the tour, at least this way you get to see exactly what there is and decide where you want to go, planning ahead of time the stops to make. less rushed that way i think.
We also found that we were treated wonderfully by everyone we came in contact with. I really enjoyed Waikiki much more then Maui. Easier to get around and you can do it without renting a car. The bus actually has a route that will take you around the Island. I think that is all. Hope this helps some out.
Nov 17th, 2007, 07:53 PM
#4
Thanks for posting your report maplebc! It's always nice to hear from people that used the bus. A car can make thesee easier, but a combination of the bus and tours is still a good way to get around.
How nice to get free LD phone in your hotels, too!
How nice to get free LD phone in your hotels, too!
Nov 18th, 2007, 09:57 AM
#6
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Thanks for your report. I enjoyed reading it.
LOL, we also ended up in a non-descript white van. We waited for a Roberts van, when none appeared we boarded the white one. We were the only customers, so we had a direct ride to our hotel. It was cheaper by a few dollars than Roberts.
Yeah, I am bugged by reef walkers too! If they're not comfortable floating in the water, they should get one of those rafts with window in the pillow part or not go out at all.
Thanks again.
LOL, we also ended up in a non-descript white van. We waited for a Roberts van, when none appeared we boarded the white one. We were the only customers, so we had a direct ride to our hotel. It was cheaper by a few dollars than Roberts.
Yeah, I am bugged by reef walkers too! If they're not comfortable floating in the water, they should get one of those rafts with window in the pillow part or not go out at all.
Thanks again.
