Off to Oahu

We were up early, did the last minute packing, stripped the beds and started a load of towels as requested and headed to the airport.  Bill dropped everyone and the bags off while he returned the car.  We were sitting next to the gate that said 8 but it had machinery of a security check so Ted asked where we were supposed to line up.  The gate attendant asked if we would like to pre-board and showed us where to stand.  It has to be Ted's gray hair, what he has of it, that got us a jump on everyone else on the plane!  That's my story and I am sticking to it!

It is a short 47 minute flight and we landed, got a minivan for the 6 of us and headed to the Embassy Suites on Waikiki.  We were given guava juice and a box of cookies while we were checking in.  We emptied our glasses!

Our room was actually a suite with small kitchen bar, LR, BR and bath.  The kids had the same but we had a king bed and they had two queens.

Once settled we went to the happy hour where you could have anything you wanted from the bar and some light snacks.   I had just a Coke because I could feel a migraine coming on and hoped the caffeine would help.  Music was playing and my head was getting worse so I went back to the room, took a pill and went right to bed.  

I was fine in the morning and we all had a complimentary breakfast buffet.  An Asian lady helped Morgan negotiate chopsticks because she wanted to learn.  She took some home to practice.

Then we took a walk along Waikiki Beach from our hotel to the Moana Surfrider, the grey lady of Waikiki.  Ted and I have stayed there as well as the Royal Hawaiian (pink hotel) in the past.  We walked on the concrete path when we could and the sand when it ran out.  Diamond Head is always visible from any spot on the beach.

To return, we went in front of the hotels, and walked through the Royal Hawaiian Center.  The inside and outside are all one.

We found another Christmas tree!

Morgan wanted to stop at a particular store so we checked out after having had the bill corrected.  Paying $40 a day to park is highway robbery but charging us twice was a bit much.  There was no problem getting it fixed.

We had a devil of a time finding the store because it was in a strip mall where there were several buildings and addresses were hard to ascertain.  We had to wait for it to open at 11:00 but Morgan found what she wanted and used her money from Aunt Marilyn to pay for it.

Finally we were headed to the last stop of our two weeks in Hawaii, Disney's Aulani Resort.  It looks like a cross between Kidani and Polynesian Resorts at Disney in Orlando. 

 

They stored all our belongings while we waited for our room and gave us leis, welcome buttons, wristbands, fruited water and a place to change into bathing suits.  After a bit of lunch at the Ulu Cafe, Ted and I opted to sit in the shade on lounge chairs at the adult pool so the four of them could ride the lazy river while we attended the various phones, purses, shoes, cameras, etc.  Just as they decided to change, we received the text our room was ready.  

Kara had requested the Ewa Tower, floors 7-9, because she knew we could watch the luau show from any of our 3 balconies.  We were on the 9th floor and it was perfect.  They had two queens and a bath, we had a king and a bath and Morgan slept on the foldout chair in the LR.  There is a dining area, kitchen, washer and dryer and a half bath too. 

We didn't want to spend a lot of time going out for dinner so I started some laundry while Ted and Kara went to a nearby grocery.  Sushi, orange chicken, pasta and meatballs, etc. were brought home and we finished up just as the luau entertainment started.

We all went to bed about 9:00 and I was awakened at midnight by the fireworks.  I watched most of them but then could not get back to sleep.  We will be so screwed up when we get home!