We got back Monday night and we had a wonderful time...

Day 1 ? Sunday, October 24, 2004

Before we knew it, we were in the air. The flight from St. Louis to Vegas was about 3 hours long and seemed as though it was 12 hours! When we landed in Vegas, we had to find our way over to Terminal 2. After walking around for a while, we went outside and found the shuttle to Terminal 2. We got there and got checked in. The flight from Vegas to Honolulu was 5 hours and 50 minutes long, but I swear this flight seemed longer than when we fly to Germany! But, after three movies (Raising Helen, Terminal and 50 First Dates), we arrived in Honolulu! It was about time!

We stepped off of the plane and were welcomed by Worry Free Vacations and were given the traditional Hawaiian Lei Welcome (with a hug, kiss and lei). We picked up our luggage and then we looked into renting a car; we checked with Budget and National. We ended up going to National. We decided on a midsize and it was only $240 for the entire week (with tax). We went to their lot to pick it up and to our surprise, the girl there said "I have a convertible, would that be okay?" We quickly accepted. We drove to our hotel and checked in. We were given room 317. I had read reports about how loud the lower floors were and how paper thin the walls were ? but we didn't have too much of a problem. The only problem with the rooms were the toilets that seemed to be alive! Otherwise, the room was spacious, cozy and clean!

We ended up watching the baseball game (World Series Game 1) and then we ran across the street to browse around the International Market. They had so much stuff there! We got sucked in by the Pearl lady. She let you pick an oyster and then you could open it and buy the pearl inside (for $12.99). Jason did it and then she tried to sell us a setting for $100+ and when Jason didn't bite, she got mad ? it was kinda funny! Then we walked around the entire market and ended up at one of the 38 ABC stores in Waikiki. We ended buying bottled water, snacks, and snorkels, etc. I know, we're suckers. After our shopping excursion, we put our suits on and ran down to Waikiki Beach (which is what our hotel lays on). After we swam for about an hour we went back to the room and ordered room service. We ate our dinner out on the balcony and it was so relaxing. After we finished, we watched the beach for a while and then went to bed!

Day 2 ? Monday, October 25, 2004

Today we woke up at 6:30 a.m. and had to be ready to be picked up to go to our orientation breakfast. We were picked up and taken to a different location where we were fed a fantastic breakfast. Then we watched a little Hula show (the girls and the guy were from the Polynesian Cultural Center) and then another gentleman told us about all the local things to do and what tours to get on. We decided to do the Atlantis Submarine Dive. So we left the orientation and were surprised that there wasn't shuttle to take us back to the hotel. The only shuttle they had was going to the Maui Divers Jewelry tour which we didn't have time for. It was like 10:00 and we had to be at the Hyatt by 11:10 to be picked up for the Submarine Dive. To my disgust and fury, we walked 2 miles back to the Hyatt where we were picked up for the submarine dive. Anyway, we arrived to the Atlantis Submarine Harbor and took a shuttle boat out to the dive spot (about 8 minutes out). The dive was so fun, we saw shipwrecks (placed there by Atlantis), plane wrecks (placed there by Atlantis), sharks, sea turtles and all kinds of little tropical fishes. We took a shuttle back to our hotel and when we got there we asked the activities desk about the "Coconut Postcards". We couldn't find these anywhere and we really wanted to get them! After we talked to the Activities Rep, we decided to get our suits on and go to a beach, so we did.
Next we hopped into our Sebring Touring convertible and drove to the Miramar Hotel where we had to pick up our tickets for our Missouri Stars & Stripes Tour and our luau. Then we drove down by Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay and up to Kailua and Lanikai. Somehow, we got lost in Kailua while it poured down rain! Needless to say, we didn't make it to the beach that day!
So, we drove back to the hotel and decided to go out to dinner. We changed into our clothes and went to the Hula Grill on the Lobby level of the hotel. We both had our first and second Lava Flows (these things were soooo delicious). Then I had a Tropical Itch (after hearing so much about them), it's the one that comes with a back scratcher. This drink was sooo nasty but, of course, I drank the whole thing. After dinner, we went for a stroll on the beach and it started to pour again! We got soaked! We went back to the room, dried off, watched some TV and went to bed.

Day 3 ? Tuesday, October 26, 2004

I woke up early at about 5:15 am and jumped in the shower. When I got out he was ready for his shower. We got ready and then we left to go to the Hyatt to be picked up by "Roberts Hawaii" for our Missouri Stars & Stripes Tour. We arrived at the Hyatt at 6:20 and we weren't picked up until 6:40. Our driver's name was Ted and he drove bus 623. Ted told us to call him "Cousin Ted" because we were all "Ohana" (family). Our first stop was the USS Arizona Memorial. At the memorial (we arrived there at about 7:30 am) we were quickly put into "Group 2". We had about 45 minutes to look around, so we did and we went into the gift shop, the museum and shot some pictures of the Synus (sp?) ? which was an Aircraft Carrier, the Bowfin (submarine), the USS Missouri and the USS Arizona Memorial. Then we were called to watch the movie before heading over to the actual memorial. Next, we rode a boat over to the memorial. After the USS Arizona, we caught a trolley over to Ford Island to tour the Mighty MO! (the trolley was right outside the Bowfin museum). The Might MO was neat. We had a tour guide named Toby who actually served on the MO. He was the Captain's Personal Assistant (I don't know the military term for it). Toby knew so much about this ship, it was amazing to listen to him talk. Next, we got back on the bus and drove to Pizza Hut for Lunch. After lunch, we took a tour around Honolulu where we saw the Capital Building, Iolani Palace, The First Catholic Church in Hawaii, the Governor's Mansion, the business district and Chinatown. At the end of the Stars & Stripes tour we went over to the Punchbowl National Cemetery (named Punchbowl because it is an extinct volcano crater shaped like a punchbowl). Our tour guide here was Henry who was from the American Legion. He, too, was very knowledgeable. There was a gorgeous lookout of Diamond Head and all of Honolulu from Punchbowl. Finally, we were dropped back off at the Hyatt, where we walked back to our hotel and went down to the beach for a little swim. After a good swim, we went back to room and took showers. We planned out the rest of our week and headed our for dinner. We drove over to The Hard Rock Café for dinner. Here we both had our first Blue Hawaiians (these, too, were sooo delicious). We both fell in love with the Blue Hawaiian and the Lava Flow. Finally, we drove back to the hotel and went to bed!

Day 4 ? Wednesday, October 27, 2004

We woke up and had breakfast at the Hula Grill. Around 8:00, we drove over to Diamond Head and hiked to the top! It about killed both of us but, it was well worth it for the view at the top ? it was absolutely beautiful!
After Diamond Head, we drove up the east coast and stopped at Sandy Beach Park and changed into our swimsuits, we didn't stay here because you couldn't swim in that water because it was too choppy. So, we kept driving and looking for another beach. First, we stopped at Makapu'u Beach and the waves about drowned me! We ended leaving this beach right when I got out of the water. We ended up at Kailua Beach. We got there around 11:30 and we left around 2:45. At 3:00 we went back to the hotel and took showers to get ready for dinner. We went and ate at Duke's Canoe Club on the Lower Lobby level of our hotel. We both drank our Lava Flows and then we tried the Paninis (a banana/pineapple drink). Finally, we went back to the room to relax and ended up go to bed.

Day 5 ? Thursday, October 28, 2004

We woke up and had breakfast at Duke's Canoe Club. Duke's has the most amazing breakfast buffet! After we ate, we left for Hanauma Bay. We got there about 9:00 and we saw our video about safety at 9:15. We were down at the beach by 9:20. We snorkeled until 11:30 ? it was so much fun and so interesting. We stopped at the Hanauma Bay snack shop and I got a HUGE Shave Ice (absolutely huge and delicious) ? we shared it. Then we left and went to the hotel to change for the Dole Plantation. Finally we drove towards the North Shore for Dole. We got there around 3:30. We took the 20 minutes Pineapple Express Tour, then we bought some souvenirs, tried some Pineapple ice cream and at the end, we did the Maze which ended up taking us like 45 minutes because we didn't know there were little maps, plus we didn't grab a pencil to shade in the stations we found! You have to find 6 stations while you're in there and there were little maps telling you kinda where they were and we didn't know that. This is the largest maze in the world, literally. It's in the Guinness Book of World Records.
On the way home we drove up to the North Shore just to check it out a little. We didn't see much that night. Then we drove back to Waikiki and stopped at Bubba Gump's at the Ala Moana Shopping Center for dinner. We finally made it back to the hotel at 9:30 pm and we crashed as soon as we got there!

Day 6 ? Friday, October 29, 2004

We woke up, ate breakfast at Duke's and got ready to go to the North Shore to swim with sharks. On our way we got lost (despite having perfect directions) and we got stuck in traffic, so we called and rescheduled for Saturday. Instead, we eventually found our way up to the North Shore. We drove all the way up the East Coast and over to the North Shore. We passed the Kualua Ranch and the Polynesian Cultural Center which was closed! Once we hit the North Shore, we drove by and stopped at all the big beaches like Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, Pipeline, etc. We drove through Haleiwa (a small historic town) and we went to the Dole Plantation again to get our Hawaiian names and get our Souvenir pennies (he collects them). After that we drove back down to Haleiwa and walked up and down the entire main street of the town and went in all the little shops. We finally found our Coconut Postcards at a small shop called "Polynesian Treasures"! After that we drove back to the hotel. We got stuck in horrible traffic for about an hour. We finally got back to the hotel and we didn't move after that! We ordered room service for dinner and we watched TV. We quickly fell asleep watching TV.

Day 7 ? Saturday, October 30, 2004

That's right, Happy Birthday to me! It's my 27th birthday?
We had our usual breakfast at Duke's and then we headed back to Haleiwa on the North Shore to swim with the Sharks at Hawaii Shark Encounters. Our waiter at Duke's told us about a man that was attacked by a Tiger Shark on one of the other islands two weeks earlier ? that made me nervous!
We arrived to the Haleiwa Harbor at about 9:30 am. We got on the boat, her name was Kainani. On the boat was Jimmy (the owner) and Don (the deck hand) and we were the first to arrive. Next came a couple from Seattle, then 3 young adults with a young kid (the kid's name was Rad, which was short for Radharra ? Sanskrit) from Hawaii. We rode the boat about 3 miles out to sea and we stopped at a buoy they had placed years before. They put the cage out in the water and told us that 4 at a time could go. So, the first group was the couple from Seattle and us. We saw a bunch of sandbar sharks, Galapagos sharks and two huge female Tiger sharks! It was sooo cool. It was unreal. Don would throw bait out to keep the sharks around. He also got the Tiger sharks to bite his bait on a rope and fought the sharks, it was great! Poor Rad and the couple from Seattle got sea sick and kept vomiting over the side of the boat. Everyone in the cage kept thinking it was bait for the sharks. I felt so bad for them. After this, we stopped at a couple shops in Old Haleiwa. Then we headed back towards Waikiki. We went to Hilo Hattie to look for Aloha wear to wear to the Luau. Hilo Hattie is at the Ala Moana Shopping Center, so we also walked around the mall a little. Then we went back to the hotel and took showers for our luau. We, then, went to the Hyatt to be picked for Germaine's Luau. We rushed to be there on time and we were sweating. Then, all of a sudden, it started raining and the damn shuttle was late picking us up ? so we had to stand out in the rain! Again, I was furious. But, finally, we were on our way to the luau. Our host, Alika, was hilarious. We got to the luau, got our pictures taken with our shell leis and found a seat right in font of the stage. The show was great so far (dancers, singers, etc.). We got a few drinks and then we were given the "ok" to go to the buffet. I got the same type of stuff I would get at home, but he tried the "Poi". The show continued but, then it started to rain. We got some trash bags but, they didn't help at all. Then it started to pour! Eventually, we all got back on the bus and headed back to Waikiki. Apparently, the luau was on the desert part of the island and it hasn't rained there in God knows how long! Just my luck! Anyway, Alika had us play games on all the "ugly buses" and he told jokes, sang and he just cracked me up! He was the best part of the night! Finally, we went back to the hotel and went to bed. All in all, my birthday was alright ? up until I got home and found out what happened on my birthday at home.

Day 8 ? Sunday, October 31, 2004

We woke up, packed a little, and then went to breakfast at Duke's. After we ate, we packed up everything and took our luggage down to the bellman's desk to hold until about 9:30 pm. Then we were headed out to take the rental car back to the airport by 1:30. Before we left we had our underwater cameras developed. We finally got to the airport and as we were dropping off the car, we realized we could rent it for the rest of the day for only $30 more ? so we just turned back around and went and picked up our luggage. We just drove around all day, we ate at Cholos Mexican restaurant on the North Shore, we drove around Waikiki at night looking at everyone's costumes and we drove to the Pali Lookout and it was gorgeous even though it rained all day! On our drive from Pali Lookout, we found a bunch of waterfalls! It was great! Finally we returned to the airport at about 7:30 and dropped off the car. We waited for the Agricultural Inspection and we checked in! They made us check our bag of souvenirs at the boarding gate and low and behold, they lost it! It ended up in Detroit! We didn't get our bag until November 3! I was soooo furious.
Finally, we went home!

Sounds like fun. We are going in March and looking forward to it. We are planning to stay at the Hyatt, can you tell me your impressions of this hotel?

The Hyatt seemed nice...but, my boyfriend and I did make the comment that we would go nuts if we stayed there because A LOT of the tours are picked up in front of this hotel and at times it gets REALLY crowded - but there may be another entrance. I know that there's a little village type thing across the street called "Kings Village" and it seems pretty neat. The hotel seemed very nice though and it is very close to everything. It basically across the street from our hotel and down one hotel. You weren't planning on staying right on the beach, were you?

I have been told that it is right across the street from the beach. We were looking for a hotel that seemed centerally located. We are only planning on renting a car for about two days. Is it your experience that this will be enough? We will be there for six days.

It is right across the street but, the street that you have to cross is Kalakaua Ave and it is relatively busy. I just didn't know if you wanted to be at a hotel that is ON the beach. Don't get me wrong, it is not a far walk, maybe 5 minutes to the beach...not bad at all. The Hyatt is in a great location, we thought so anyway.

The rental car depends on what you want to do while you're there. How long will you be there? You definitely need one for the North Shore (if you plan on going there)...
What things are you wanting to do and see?

Sorry, I just read that you will be there for six days! I'm a little absent minded.

We are definatly wanting to go to pearl harbor and Whale Watching. Also North Shore, Diamond Head, Sea Life Park etc.
I noticed that you did the atlantis submarine, did you feel closterphobic? Were you able to see out of the sub easily?

Two days of a car rental may be enough. Because you could do Diamond Head and the Sea Life Park in one day (they're kinda in the same area - Sea Life is across the street from Hanauma Bay - I think, if I remember correctly) and then you could do the North Shore and Whale Watching in one day.

The Atlantis Submarine was actually pretty nice. I didn't get claustrophobic at all. It is very easy to see out of the sub because each person pretty much has their own window and the windows are pretty big. Have you ever been to Disney World and rode the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride? If you have, I would say the sub is maybe 2-3 times bigger than that. It wasn't bad at all. How many people are going with you and what are the ages? Maybe I can give you more ideas. I already know you'll have a great time, it is absolutely beautiful there AND there's so much to do.

My wife and I, and possibly one other couple. We are all late twenties. We welcome any suggestions you can give. Thank you for all of your help.

Well, you might like the swiming with sharks thing, I don't know that your wife would like it - I was kind of nervous until I went in the water - but it was definitely amazing.

I definitely suggest walking Kalakaua Avenue (your hotel is between Kalakaua and Koa)at night one night - say around 9:00 - everything comes alive. There are street performers, etc. It's very neat to just walk around. Make sure you take a stroll through the International Market.

I would suggest a luau, but I didn't necessarily like the one we went to - it was too commercialized. It did all of the ancient Hawaiian rituals, but I felt like I was at a concert or a comedy show - I just didn't like it.

I would suggest you have breakfast at Duke's at least once and being in your late 20s you may like to have dinner at Duke's once to experience the atmosphere. It does get very crowded though.

I'm trying to think of what else you may like...Where are you from?

We are from Kansas. I don't know that my wife would be up to doing the shark thing. Dolphins are more her style. Do you play golf? Did you see any, or hear of any, nice golf courses to play? We are also into nightlife. Is Dukes the best hangout?

My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt this past September and loved it. The rooms are bright and spacious, plenty of nice stores in the open air lobby and several very good restaurants. It's right across the street from the beach, not even a 2 minute walk.

As far as it being too busy in front, we never experienced any crowds out front and there are multiple entrances you can use.

We rented a car for 2 days when we were there. There are 2 car rental places right on the hotel property, Budget and Hertz (I think). We got a great rate with Budget on line and the cars are in the parking garage of the hotel (very convenient).

My husband and I are going to Oahu next Thursday. We'll be there for 6 days. I found a great deal online for a car rental, so we'll have it the entire time we'll be there.

I've been to Hawaii before, but my husband has never. Thanks for posting your trip report. We'll definitely have to check out the restaurants and places you guys went to.

I hope that it's nice and sunny, not too rainy while we're there (I'll be sure to pack an umbrella, just in case)!

There are a ton of golf courses on Oahu, they all looked very nice. There was one on the East Coast right before Sandys Beach and it looked nice - I didn't let my boyfriend play any golf (I told him he could do that at home, he wasn't too happy)!

If you're into the night life, then yes, Duke's is a great place (they have a barefoot bar too). I would think anywhere on Kalakaua Ave would be great...altogether the night life in Waikiki is great!

All in all, you're in a terrific location and the Hyatt is very nice, and even though we didn't stay there, I'm positive that they will take great care of you.

Oh and if you want something cute to send to people back home, get a Coconut Postcard. It's an actual coconut that they paint like a postcard and you write in the address and they send it to the person just like that! I thought it was cute.

Plus, on the flip side, with a lot of the tours picking up at the Hyatt, it may be very easy for you if you take any tours. I suggest the Missouri Stars & Stripes Tour to visit Pearl Harbor. It takes a whole day, but you get to see alot!

Thank you for all of the great information. I am glad you had a good trip. Good luck in the future.

Are there any good helicopter excusions on Oahu? I'd love to experience Hawaii from a helicopter. I also want to do one of those bicycle tours where you bike down a volcano. I think it starts at sunrise and along the way, you can stop for pictures and stuff. I know there's one in Maui, but what about Oahu?

How much of a distance is between the boat and the cage?

And I don't know of any bike tours on Oahu. No heli's lately either. Maybe a glider ride.

The distance between the boat and the cage is approximately 15 feet or so - I don't know exactly.