Trip Report December 4 - 10
Dec 14th, 2005, 07:59 AM
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Trip Report December 4 - 10
My husband and I left from Newark, NJ on Sunday, December 4 on a direct flight to Honolulu. It was our 5th trip to the islands. Once we arrived, we grabbed our luggage and walked over to the Budget car rental. We avoided the courtesy van because Budget may be accessed by walking to the end of luggage claim and cross the cross walk to their office. Saves a bit of time if you do not have too much to cart. After getting our compact car, we drove to the Holiday Inn for a three night stay. I was a bit nervous booking the Holiday Inn. Our other trips we stayed at the Doubletree (which is a block up) and love it. The Holiday Inn was cheaper so we thought to give it a chance since it was a short stay. I was pleasantly surprised on the easy self park, the hotel itself was older but decent, and the staff was very helpful. Paid $101 with the AAA discount and $10 to park. This first night was just walked the main strip and went to bed.
The next morning we went to my favorite breakfast spot, Eggs N Things and then off to the North Shore to watch the Sunset surfing competitions. We had great Crab sandwiches at Ted's Bakery along with a slice of chocolate haupia pie. For dinner my husband and I went to our other favorite, Little Village in Chinatown. The restaurant has parking in the back and well worth the short drive from Waikiki. Food is very fresh and staff is friendly.
On day two we planned to go to the beach in Waikiki but the Sunset competitions were in the finals. Traveled up to the North Shore early and had a breakfast sandwich at Ted's Bakery. The sandwich is on a fresh roll, with egg, cheese, bacon, and potato. Very good! For lunch we went to North Shore Country in the shopping center in Haleiwa. I had edemade and cone cups (rice in tofu) and my husband had an authentic loco mock. Saw this eatery on Rachel Ray’s $40 a day when she went to Hawaii. Another good place to eat. Traveled back to Waikiki for a few hours at the beach near the Hilton which is across the street. For dinner we walked down to Hula Grill and had appetizers for dinner. Our favorite is the Goat cheese quesadillas. For dessert we have the ice cream sandwich, to die for! To work off some of the sandwich, we walked the strip to shop and see all the decorations in the hotels.
On day three we woke up and went to Zippy’s for breakfast on the way to the Flea Market. Going to the Flea Market is a must in my trips to Oahu. Got tons of souvenirs like Mac nuts, t-shirts, and handmade jewelry for great prices. Went we got back, we checked out and headed to the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. Got a discount rate through the Vans Triple Crown surfing website for $189 a night. What a resort! As part of the resort fee, you receive more than just parking. We got an hour of snorkel equipment, use of a great gym, and etc. For dinner we went to Haleiwa Joe’s for appetizers and drinks. All the ones we tried were delicious.
On day four we work up and went to Pipeline for the trials of the competitions. Saw all our favorite surfers. For lunch we went to Romy’s and had garlic shrimp. Very messy but well worth it. I can’t believe how fresh shrimp is in Hawaii! Went back to the resort to snorkel and off to dinner at Jameson’s. I didn’t know much about this restaurant but that they were known for stuffed shrimp. My husband had the shrimp and I had scallops in wine caper sauce. Dessert was ice cream pie. Everything was the best! Now I will make it a point to go to Jameson’s each trip to Oahu. Service was also very attentive and friendly. He told us where they film Lost (our favorite show) and that stars from it have dined there. On the way back to the resort we stopped at Foodland for water and snacks for tomorrow’s trip to Pipe.
Day five, we went to Pipeline to see the competition. At night we drove into Haleiwa for their Xmas parade. We had dinner at Kua Ania. We both had burgers and fries. Headed back to the resort to pack and bed early.
Final day we checked on either a late check out or use of hospitality room at the front desk. Wasn’t able to get a late check out due to the resort being book but they scheduled us for the hospitality room at 5:30 pm. Again, we were off to see the competitions at Pipe. Came back around Noon to check out and hold our luggage. Drove back to the competition but stopped at Ted’s for our last slice of pie. After the competitions we drove back around 4 pm to the resort. Took some last photos and waited to use the Hospitality room. While waiting in the Lobby, we noticed Dog, The Bounty Hunter (another favorite show of ours) checking in. Since my husband and I are big fans, we asked him for a photo and talk to him for a bit. Very cool. Used my hospitality room and we were off for a bite before the airport. Stopped at a Mexican place in Haleiwa. Had nachos and burritos before our flight. When we got to the airport we were bumped to the direct flight back to Newark. Our layover flight was delayed so we were moved to the direct one which we were thrilled!
Wasn’t happy to see the snow in NY/NJ when we got back. Already talking when our next trip will be!
The next morning we went to my favorite breakfast spot, Eggs N Things and then off to the North Shore to watch the Sunset surfing competitions. We had great Crab sandwiches at Ted's Bakery along with a slice of chocolate haupia pie. For dinner my husband and I went to our other favorite, Little Village in Chinatown. The restaurant has parking in the back and well worth the short drive from Waikiki. Food is very fresh and staff is friendly.
On day two we planned to go to the beach in Waikiki but the Sunset competitions were in the finals. Traveled up to the North Shore early and had a breakfast sandwich at Ted's Bakery. The sandwich is on a fresh roll, with egg, cheese, bacon, and potato. Very good! For lunch we went to North Shore Country in the shopping center in Haleiwa. I had edemade and cone cups (rice in tofu) and my husband had an authentic loco mock. Saw this eatery on Rachel Ray’s $40 a day when she went to Hawaii. Another good place to eat. Traveled back to Waikiki for a few hours at the beach near the Hilton which is across the street. For dinner we walked down to Hula Grill and had appetizers for dinner. Our favorite is the Goat cheese quesadillas. For dessert we have the ice cream sandwich, to die for! To work off some of the sandwich, we walked the strip to shop and see all the decorations in the hotels.
On day three we woke up and went to Zippy’s for breakfast on the way to the Flea Market. Going to the Flea Market is a must in my trips to Oahu. Got tons of souvenirs like Mac nuts, t-shirts, and handmade jewelry for great prices. Went we got back, we checked out and headed to the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. Got a discount rate through the Vans Triple Crown surfing website for $189 a night. What a resort! As part of the resort fee, you receive more than just parking. We got an hour of snorkel equipment, use of a great gym, and etc. For dinner we went to Haleiwa Joe’s for appetizers and drinks. All the ones we tried were delicious.
On day four we work up and went to Pipeline for the trials of the competitions. Saw all our favorite surfers. For lunch we went to Romy’s and had garlic shrimp. Very messy but well worth it. I can’t believe how fresh shrimp is in Hawaii! Went back to the resort to snorkel and off to dinner at Jameson’s. I didn’t know much about this restaurant but that they were known for stuffed shrimp. My husband had the shrimp and I had scallops in wine caper sauce. Dessert was ice cream pie. Everything was the best! Now I will make it a point to go to Jameson’s each trip to Oahu. Service was also very attentive and friendly. He told us where they film Lost (our favorite show) and that stars from it have dined there. On the way back to the resort we stopped at Foodland for water and snacks for tomorrow’s trip to Pipe.
Day five, we went to Pipeline to see the competition. At night we drove into Haleiwa for their Xmas parade. We had dinner at Kua Ania. We both had burgers and fries. Headed back to the resort to pack and bed early.
Final day we checked on either a late check out or use of hospitality room at the front desk. Wasn’t able to get a late check out due to the resort being book but they scheduled us for the hospitality room at 5:30 pm. Again, we were off to see the competitions at Pipe. Came back around Noon to check out and hold our luggage. Drove back to the competition but stopped at Ted’s for our last slice of pie. After the competitions we drove back around 4 pm to the resort. Took some last photos and waited to use the Hospitality room. While waiting in the Lobby, we noticed Dog, The Bounty Hunter (another favorite show of ours) checking in. Since my husband and I are big fans, we asked him for a photo and talk to him for a bit. Very cool. Used my hospitality room and we were off for a bite before the airport. Stopped at a Mexican place in Haleiwa. Had nachos and burritos before our flight. When we got to the airport we were bumped to the direct flight back to Newark. Our layover flight was delayed so we were moved to the direct one which we were thrilled!
Wasn’t happy to see the snow in NY/NJ when we got back. Already talking when our next trip will be!
Dec 16th, 2005, 01:24 AM
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JEC: We ate at Little Village last July and, you're right, it's very good!
Thanks for all the details and including some prices for us to compare!
I thought ALL the car rentals were shuttled to ( for airport security, I was told)??
Belle
Thanks for all the details and including some prices for us to compare!
I thought ALL the car rentals were shuttled to ( for airport security, I was told)??
Belle
Dec 16th, 2005, 10:50 AM
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I would consider the atmosphere at Jamesons to be casual. My husand and I wore shorts. The menu is more fine dining than others in town.
In regards to the reply about airport security, we were not stopped to walk across to Budget. Maybe since we arrived in the early evening?
In regards to the reply about airport security, we were not stopped to walk across to Budget. Maybe since we arrived in the early evening?
Dec 16th, 2005, 02:17 PM
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Thanks for a great report! We also like Eggs 'n Things and love the burgers at Kau Aina. We've also made a point of visiting the Swap Meet each time we're on Oahu. Lots of the same stuff like Tshirts and beach towels, but some unique items also.
We also trekked across the parking lot to the National car rental. Figured it was quicker than waiting for the shuttle bus, hauling our luggage aboard and then hauling it back off. But, probably not a good idea if you have small children; the traffic is heavy in this area.
We also trekked across the parking lot to the National car rental. Figured it was quicker than waiting for the shuttle bus, hauling our luggage aboard and then hauling it back off. But, probably not a good idea if you have small children; the traffic is heavy in this area.
