First Trip to Hawaii? Essential Vacation Tips!

 

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Off to Hawaii

While I write this, my mind keeps wandering back to my recent vacation. The memory of the warm sun on my skin brings a smile to my face. Hawaii was truly a stunning paradise. The weather was perfect throughout our stay. Out of the 9 nights we were there, it only rained for one day. The weather forecast had predicted 80 degrees each day, but it felt even hotter. We escaped the freezing New Jersey weather of 30 degrees and were welcomed by summer temperatures, air-conditioned homes, and beautiful tropical flowers everywhere we went.

After two planes and a four-hour layover, we finally landed in Honolulu. We spent an entire day traveling, and we were exhausted with the 5-hour time difference. We left home at 4:30 a.m. and arrived in Honolulu at 7 p.m.

My daughter met us at the airport, we were ready to eat and go to bed. We were on East Coast time, and it was really 12 am for us. It was hard adjusting to the changes in the time. I wonder about people who travel for work in different time zones. How do they stay sane?

I had never imagined that I would spend a vacation in Hawaii, but this trip was going to be special because I was going to see my new grandson for the first time. My daughter, who is a member of the United States Navy, was stationed in Hawaii and had recently given birth to her first child. As a first-time grandma, I just had to go and visit her, my new son-in-law, and the new addition to the family.

We were planning to go in December, during Christmas time, so I knew that everything would be expensive due to the holiday season. When I thought about this tropical paradise, the first thing that came to my mind was the cost, the long flight, our hotel stay, and various other factors that could prevent me from visiting.

Hawaii was not a place that I had thought of visiting before. I am not a swimmer, even though I plan on learning soon, so I had no intention of going snorkeling or surfing. I will share about how I ended up going snorkeling without knowing how to swim another time. However, I am quite experienced at lying on the beach with the warm sand between my toes and getting waist-deep in the water.

If you are a nature person, love water activities, or just want to relax with beautiful, clear water, a trip to Hawaii should be on your list of places to visit. There is plenty to do for all ages. The Hawaiian island is filled with museums, aquariums, zoos, hiking, biking, surfing, and so much more that I can go on and on. I want to tell you what my family and I did during our stay.

 

From the deals, I went to Groupon and searched for places to visit for free, and this is why I plan to make another visit in the future. I had hotel deals and excursions coming up. I was able to choose a hotel and booked parasailing.

When to Purchase Airfare 

It is important to remember that purchasing airfare at the last minute should be avoided at all costs. In our case, we bought our plane tickets in October, but by that time, the prices had increased by an additional $400 compared to earlier in the year.

My daughter had planned for us to stay at a hotel where many military families stayed, and it was supposed to cost less. Unfortunately, we were too late to book and all the rooms were already taken. I should have realized that December is a popular time for vacations, and booking earlier would have been a better idea.

The best time to purchase a plane ticket to Hawaii is during April, May, September, and early October. Be cautious of any holidays during these months which can cause a price change.

To Pack and What Not to Pack

I tell myself each time I go away, “I’m not going to overpack. I even packed weeks before my trip, but still, I OVER PACKED! We were staying for 10 days, so I planned on checking bags. (Check baggage fees with your airline) 

I used the Roll Method when packing which created more space in our luggage. I did not purchase sunblock and some other items because I knew I would not need them coming back to New Jersey. I waited until I arrived, brought sunblock, and gave the remainder to my daughter.

It is possible to purchase some items before reaching your destination or wait until you get there. Hawaii has plenty of Targets and Walmarts. However, avoid buying huge bottles of sunblock or things that you won’t be able to use. Also, be mindful of the items you buy and ask yourself if you will have enough space in your luggage.

It’s recommended to bring trial-size toothpaste and deodorant. Most hotels provide shampoo and conditioner. Although Hawaii is warm throughout the year, some nights can get chilly, so it’s a good idea to pack a light sweater. If you plan on hiking or going in the water, make sure to bring comfortable and appropriate shoes. Your feet will thank you later.

The hiking trails can be muddy and slippery, and some beaches have rocks with sharp shells. Water shoes will come in handy. One thing to keep in mind is to bring insect repellent. We went to a few gardens, and the mosquitoes almost ate us alive.

Ambassador Hotel Waikiki

I booked a room at the Ambassador Hotel Waikiki for three days and two nights. The deal was great. The amount I spent for 2 nights, some hotels charged the same amount per day. The hotel was clean; we were given reusable water bottles, and the room was just like my Groupon voucher stated. There was an outdoor pool, gym, and laundry room on-premises.

I still laugh. My only complaint was the beds. There were three twin-size beds. I shared the room with the kids. Those beds were so narrow that when I turned over, I almost fell off. I’m cracking up laughing now. I don’t know why I just didn’t put two of them together. They were comfortable, but they sure weren’t made for an adult. 

 

I wanted to make sure that this was no scam and that I actually had reservations at this hotel. I was a little nervous about booking a hotel. Yes, I read the reviews from other people, but I wanted to make sure we had our reservations with the hotel.

I personally witnessed people booking through third-party companies and arriving at the hotel not having their reservations. I didn’t want that to be us.

Call your hotel directly and confirm your reservations. Booking a room with a kitchen can save money on eating out every night. I spent almost $100 per day on eating lunch.

Stopping at a grocery store to go food shopping can help shave the cost of spending money when you’re out. You can cook breakfast in the morning and have lunch and dinner at a restaurant. (Traveling with a family will add up).

Plan ahead, most restaurants have a website with the menu and prices. Check them out prior to visiting so you’re not playing the guessing game of where to eat each night.

Sightseeing. See what is near the hotel.  Check admission fees, if there is a restroom on-premises, check to see if there is parking, if you can walk, or if there is transportation.

There were a few parks within walking distance from the hotel with beautiful plants, trees, and Hawaii’s tropical flowers. The beach was a short distance that held Fireworks on Friday nights. Ala Moana Center Mall was filled with all your popular stores and several restaurants.

We went and took a photo with Santa Claus. Coming from New Jersey, I found it funny to see Santa in a Hawaiian shirt and inside an air-conditioned studio.

Minutes away, you will find Ala Moana Beach Park, which is a FREE public park on the island of Oahu with a quiet beach and free parking. http://www.honolulu.gov/parks

Visit my other blogs for wonderful things to Do and See during your Visit to Hawaii!

• THINGS TO DO IN HAWAII FOR $20 or LESS
• BEST EXPERIENCE TO HAVE WHILE VISITING OAHU

 

 

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