Okay, HBOT... here's your chance to tell me everything I'm doing is wrong. Criticize my vacation agenda...
- Thread starter The Tradition
- Start date
A lot of things require reservations these days. We were in Europe not long ago and many of the main things to see required reservations months in advance.
If you are someone who just goes to sit at the pool or beach and drink, then go to eat, then no, you don’t need to plan ahead.
True but like to get the local input of people and hand outs at the destination once we get there. Will be in T&C during that same time and don’t have anything planned. We like to go on vacation and figure it out as we go or what we feel like doing.
Yep, like I said…that’s how I’d do most vacations. If I went all way to Oahu and missed out on the Arizona because I winged it and didn’t realize I had to buy tickets ahead of time though, I’d be pissed.
This is true and my SIL makes the reservations, so I can’t speak to it, but Hawaii is somewhat different because logistically, there can only be so many people on each island at the same time. For example, the coffee farm tour was awesome and I think we booked it while there. I think if you want a helicopter tour out of Kona (and I can’t stress going out of Kona enough) there was a booking in advance requirement. But he might be able to find one still.
Same can be said for those going to Italy. You have to book the coolest things WAY in advance.
Yes, depends on the location, for sure. Also, if it’s a couple vs a family or with small kids. Lots of variables.
I didn’t think Trad’s itinerary was complicated or overfilled at all.
This is true. I read somewhere that the Arizona Memorial isn't a tough ticket EXCEPT on days when two cruise ships are docked at the same time. These double-ship days result in massive crowds at Pearl Harbor.
Agreed. In fact, I think he might get bored on the big island and wished he booked more activities. I know I’m being tough on Hilo but it doesn’t deserve a whole day. It literally rains all of the time and is basically a town like you’d see many places. Not a high value target.
I should also add that my advice pertains to the big island only. We didn’t do any other island. Another trip some day, when I’m retired and don’t need to worry about being gone for so long.
We were supposed to go to the site north of the airport but the weather/sea was too rough so we diverted to the hotel site. Boat was like the SS Minow and was listing to port. Was a long ride back.
We're going to be at the VNP all day on the Hilo day.
Hilo is the launching and ending point for that (and also the 50 minute drive to Mauna Kea for the sunset) because Hilo is much closer than Kona to those sites.
Bring VERY warms clothes for Mauna Kea. It will be below 40 up there at night.
True, it is closer but the drive across the island is only an hour and a half, if I recall correctly.
It's more like two hours and you have to pass by Hilo on the way. That's a long time when you had to drive two hours to get there in the first place and then drive around all day exploring.
Conversely, the drive to VPN from Hilo is only 40 minutes. So, eliminating an hour and twenty minutes of windshield time BOTH WAYS seems smart, to me.
The oahu portion sounds pretty close to what we did. I would go back in a heart beat. Enjoy! And Mrs Trad is doing well?
You don’t have to pass Hilo. You could take the southern route and see the black sand beach on the way.
We fly in to Kona and spend three nights in Waikoloa. Then we drive over to Hilo taking the north route and stay in Hilo for two nights. Then we fly from Hilo to Honolulu for five nights in Waikiki.
She has good days and bad days. That's another reason to not commit to anything too jam packed.
Yes, agree on the issues with limited space and tickets at locales like PH. When we go to island destinations, it’s do what we feel like doing that day with no plans other than make a reservation to do something when they have an opening we can slide into so to speak. I want no timelines and stress when on vacation.
We went up to the observatory/telescope area of Mauna Kea, unbelievable how high up that is. Actually gives you a bit of hypoxia and just a weird feeling but so worth the drive up.
Anyone know if they are docking at the Arizona yet? We went several years ago and they had docking issues they were working to repair underwater and it seemed like it was going to take years to fix. So, we took a boat out to the site and just parked for a few minutes as the guide spoke about things and then they took us back. Sorta a let down.
9/3 or 9/4 I would do the coffee farm tour. Hawaii is the only state which grows coffee. This is the one we did and you do a UTV/gator tour of the operation:
Kona Coffee Farm Tours | Buddha's Cup
Experience a family friendly tour of our highly rated Kona Coffees & Kona Teas along with farm animals and fruit trees. Choose the tour that fits your schedule today!
buddhascup.com
Here a bunch of others:
BIG LIST of Kona Coffee Tours on the Big Island (2024)
Organize your own Kona Coffee Tour and Tasting with our tips on how to visit, where the best farm tours are, and what the best tour time is
www.lovebigisland.com
We just got back from Hawaii (5 nights in Oahu & 10 in Maui). For Pearl Harbor, the Arizona and the Missouri were good tours, I would skip the sub visit (plan for maybe 3-4 hours total). The Arizona tour takes about 1 hour total between waiting in lines, introductions, boat ride there and back and the 15 minutes you get at the memorial.
Since you are doing Diamond Head, keep driving down the road and see the Halona Blowhole as that was cool and easy to do.
We drove through the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens and that has some great views. We then drove around the North Shore to see the sights and stopped at the Dole Plantation on the way back. It is a huge tourist trap, so we just walked through the store and got some pineapple whip and left.
Hanauma Beach was cool and lots of people were snorkeling (we didn’t). It is only open Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations open 2 days before and they will sell out in 2-3 minutes from opening.
Since you are doing Diamond Head, keep driving down the road and see the Halona Blowhole as that was cool and easy to do.
We drove through the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens and that has some great views. We then drove around the North Shore to see the sights and stopped at the Dole Plantation on the way back. It is a huge tourist trap, so we just walked through the store and got some pineapple whip and left.
Hanauma Beach was cool and lots of people were snorkeling (we didn’t). It is only open Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations open 2 days before and they will sell out in 2-3 minutes from opening.
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He got halfway up Diamond Head yesterday, stopped for a cigarette and had a heart attack. RIP Trad.
Vegas: Meh.
Big Island: Fantastic!
Oahu: Unbelievable!
Phoenix: HOT!
I'll post more later. Still getting over the jet lag and a billion things to do before I have to fly to Raleigh for work tomorrow.
Arrived in Vegas in the early evening. Walked around the immediate area near the Waldorf Astoria to find some adult beverages to bring back to the room, had dinner, and went to bed.
The next day we took a taxi to the weed store and got a throw-away vape. Then we marched south to the MGM and then worked our way back north through the casinos. Visited the M&Ms store, the Hershey's store, the Hard Rock and other sites. Came back to the room to rest (it was 100+ degrees outside) and then enjoyed some cocktails and appetizers by the pool for awhile. Then we went to the Miracle Mile Mall to pick up our show tickets and dinner voucher (we booked a dinner and show package). We then went back on the casinos tour, only getting as far north as the Bellagio before we had to turn back for our dinner reservation. Dinner was at the Rainforest Cafe and then we went to the theater for "Vegas! The Show." This was an old-school style Vegas review. Not the hippest show in town, but something I wanted to see before everything about old Vegas is completely gone. Very talented singers and dancers. I really enjoyed it.
The next morning we flew to KOA and took an Uber to the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort for three nights. This was FABULOUS because all we wanted upon arrival was chill time, and this resort delivered. Beautiful beach (but rocky), fantastic pool, a lovely property and wonderful folks working in the restaurant/bar. Easy walk to restaurants and shops. On the last day, we visited the nearby Hilton resort. Let's just say I'm glad we visited and explored that, but I'm also glad we didn't stay there.
After our third night we took an Uber back to the KOA airport and rented a car. We drove through Kona and the surrounding towns and went to the Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge). So much history here and sacred grounds. It was fascinating.
Then we drove north through Waimea (amazing views along the way) on our way to to the Waipi'o Valley Lookout. Again, a jaw-dropping view dripping with history.
Then we continued on around the windward side of Big Island, stopping at sites like Umauma Falls in Hakalau. Simply beautiful (but you do have to pay a nominal entry fee). You can do ziplining over the falls but we didn't do that.
Then we arrived at the Doubletree in Hilo for two nights. My wife didn't want any more driving so I headed up to the Mauna Kea visitor center for the sunset (a 50 minute drive from Hilo). Absolutely amazing! There's a small peak near the visitor center with a surprisingly hard hike (due to the thin air) where you can see a fabulous sunset above the clouds.
Dropped off the car at Hilo airport and took an Uber back to the hotel to rejoin the Mrs. The Doubletree is located in what once was a beautiful area that has been allowed to become neglected. Located on "Banyan Drive" there are 100-year-old banyan trees lining the road planted by celebrities like Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart. The state is tearing down the condemned property next door. But there's another one just as bad on the other side of the hotel. It's a real shame because beyond the eyesore closed hotels, the rest of the immediate area is beautiful with fabulous parks and beaches.
The Doubletree is past it's prime, too, but our stay was fine (we had a really nice corner room with two balconies) And great service and food from the restaurant and bar. You're pretty much stuck eating there if you don't have a car. No walkable alternatives.
The next day we took a tour bus to the black sands beach, Rainbow Falls, and the Volcanoes National Park. Great tour except for the place selected to buy your own lunch. It was a crazy-busy convenience store!
We weren't able to fit in the manta ray snorkeling and Mrs. Tradition didn't want to do that anyway. I also didn't want to stay sober until after 9 p.m. Kinda bummed about not doing that.
After five nights on the Big Island it was time to fly to Oahu. Our flight provided a great view of Mauna Kea from the plane, and I was actually able to zoom in on the visitor center where I was two days earlier.
I'll review our five nights on Oahu in a later post if there's interest.
Too bad you missed the manta rays, that was probably my favorite thing. But everything was awesome.
