Hawaii 2019 - Day 3

Today was a great day! T got up really early, but once Lola was ready for the day, she invited the kids to watch tv in their room while MBM and DD got ready for the day.  They were great company watching TV.

The day started off with heading down for breakfast.  That 1 hour wait was a little long, but we went at the "busy" time according to the sign as we entered the breakfast.  The kids waited very well, despite how hungry we all were. The buffet has so many choices, we all got to eat what we enjoy!  DD really enjoyed the Miso Soup for breakfast!  Lola had another omelet and T even had 2 yogurts!  Don't forget about the mini Donuts, B's Fav. 

After breakfast we headed back to the room to get ready for our Lagoon day!  We all got our suits on, packed some snacks and headed down to the lagoon. We had a great afternoon in the water.  AA and Lola went snorkeling where Lola got pretty close to a sea turtle and didn't freak out!  The most impressive event was T snorkeling.  He did so well that he spent over and hour with AA and DD checking out all the fish and turtles.  Back at the sand, B, MBM and Lola built berms, moats, sand castles and enjoyed the hammock. We drank a lot of pina coladas,  lava flows and longboard beers, but had a great afternoon near the water.  Lola and AA also took turns playing let's try and catch a fish in a plastic cup to help the kids out... no one caught a fish, but wow did it keep the kids entertained for a long time.

After 4 hours at the lagoon (fed by the ocean), we headed back to the room to get cleaned up for dinner, at the Luau. Showers by all, we cleaned up quite nicely.  AA and Lola listened to the end of the epic Grey Cup game, where the bombers actually pulled off a win after 29 year drought.

We took the Tram which was running today. (it was closed for maintenance, but reopened today unexpectedly).  We had to split up, and the kids came with Lola and AA while MBM and DD had sit by themselves.  They kept us entertained with T's "pamphloups" (pamphlets) and the funny conversations.  When we sat down, the lady beside Lola said something that prompted Lola to say "these aren't my kids".  Not until 2 stops later and listening to our conversations, she realized Lola wasn't lying.  "oh  these really aren't your kids".... so funny.

The Luau was a great time.  With awesome drinks,  buffet supper and great entertainment.  Oh don't forget about the cool tattoos the kids got.  From our surprise, T and DD enjoyed the dancing and singing more than B.  She just loved the fire dancing, and could really do without the other dances.  B really enjoyed the interactive things, like learning to Hula dance, and raising your glass to Hawaii. 

The boys drank a fare bit, and decided they needed some more from the Kona Tap room, so the ladies took the kids back to the room for bed, while AA and DD enjoyed some Karaoke and beer at the bar. 
The kids went to bed really well, maybe it was all the physical activity and walking they did today.  Once asleep, the adults chatted, played some games and now ready for bed.  AA fell asleep before the Company had left the room, again, and now it is time for bed for Lola.

It was  super relaxing day, which was needed for all the adults!

Hawaii 2019 - Day 2

Good morning!

Sorry for the late post, we had a busy night switching rooms.  Let me explain.

On Day 1 when Lola and AA arrived, we asked if we could get rooms near DD, MBM and kiddos.  The front desk attendant found us the closest rooms available - almost 10 rooms apart, including 1 stairwell.  Lola wasn't very happy when we saw how far apart the rooms were.

AA enjoying the sunshine while Lola went to a yoga class in the morning

Lola enjoying her Pina Colada

AA having a BEvERage

On Day 2, when MBM and DD arrived, they asked again at the front desk if there was anything closer.  This time, the lady was much less helpful simply stating "no, this is the closest" and "we are full all week".

Someone was excited to see Lola waiting for them at the airport

Discussing what the black rocks are made from

They took their room package and we went to the room.  Only to find upon arrival that MBM wasn't given any room keys.  So their baggage made a detour at AA and Lola's room while MBM went to the concierge to get keys.

Lola trying to look happy

After moving bags and a quick snack for T who left almost as many crackers on the floor as made it in his mouth, the gang got ready for some swimming.  The kids had a blast swimming for rings and going down the slides.  B even challenged AA to a race at the end of their swimming adventure and was certainly making up ground from AA's lead towards the end.  AA claims she is more streamlined than he is, MBM claims she is a strong swimmer - both statements are correct.

Before swimming, Lola and MBM were still very much upset about the room situation.  Even DD was sad that his "favourite part of vacationing with us" was unlikely to happen - when we can sit in one of the rooms and visit, play games, eat snacks, drink...BEvERages and discuss the plan for the next day.  So AA tried one last time to get the room changed, this time by texting the number listed on the hotel app.  This time the inquiry was much more successful and the attendant on the other end much more willing to assist.  AA was told that there was a room that was closer than MBM and DD's current room and that it was being cleaned by housekeeping.  Once the room was released, AA would be notified.

This was great news which made the ladies much happier.  And DD.

After swimming, it was time for another snack - this time of pepperoni that Lola had as emergency snacks from the Vancouver flight and cheese sticks which were purchased before AA and Lola picked up the crew from the airport.  Then, everyone got dressed and we made our way to dinner at an Italian restaurant.  On the way to the restaurant, AA texted again to see if there wan an update.  And there was, the room was available and was 6 rooms down from AA and Lola's current room. AA and DD took a look and determined that this was a much better situation and that they would take the room.

Dinner was excellent.  Everyone had an appetizer, main course and dessert with the all inclusive plan everyone is on.  Most people had pizza for supper whereas Lola had Mahi Mahi and potatoes, she devoured it and said it was very good.  B's favourite part was dessert (surprise, surprise) and had some of everyone's dessert even though she didn't want Tiramisu or Cannolli and only wanted sorbet with AA.

After supper, Lola and DD took the kids back - T could barely keep his eyes open and already had asked more than once if they could go back to the hotel room to go to sleep.

"Now this is a salad" - Lola (note the potatoes)

Lola's Mahi Mahi

MBM and AA went to the front desk to get the room switched.  While switching the room, they learned that the new room only had a king bed and a pullout couch.  So, the decision was made that it would be a double switch tonight where AA and Lola would move to the new room and DD and MBM would move to AA and Lola's room.

To make things even more confusing, the new room (on paper) is under MBM's name while AA and Lola are now using it.  We figured this was a better alternative than trying to get the front desk lady (who ironically was the same who checked in AA and Lola and MBM and DD) to switch everything around.

With new room keys in hand, the switch was made.  After all was done and kids in bed, it was time to test the monitor situation.  It works but only when the monitor is in AA and Lola's closet.  At one point, DD wanted to make sure everything was ok in the room so went to check on the status.  He swiftly came back asking MBM if she had a room card because his was for the old room.  MBM did not have a room key as DD said he had one.

So, because of all the switching, this was actually AA and Lola's issue because they are still listed as the occupants of that room.  So AA went to the front desk with his ID in hand to get a new key because he "forgot his key in the room".  There was no issue getting a new key and AA was even able to quickly grab a beer for his walk back to the room.

It was quite an eventful day, so much so that AA passed out before 11pm when MBM and DD made their way back to "AA and Lola's hotel room" with their newly minted room key.

Tomorrow should be another relaxing day spent at the resort with a Luau for dinner.  Time to wrap up this blog so that we can make our way to breakfast soon, AA is getting hungry.

AA

Hawaii 2019 - Day 1

Today was a travel day to The Big Island of Hawaii.

We were lucky to have a ride to the airport by Lola's parents.  It was nice to get picked up by someone you know, rather than a taking a cab.

Once at the airport we headed to get Starbucks and then to our gate.  A flight from Calgary was leaving for the Greycup, so they had a cart with Bomber stuff.  It was pretty neat. 

We had 2 uneventful flights from Winnipeg to Vancouver and Vancouver to the Big Island.  Lola didn't get to enjoy the Premium food like AA did, but it was very enjoyable sitting at the front of the planes!

Arriving in Hawaii, it was almost 10:30 pm, AA got the rental van , picked up Lola who collected the bags and headed to the hotel.  Settled in and excited to pick up our travel family when they arrive tomorrow.  They have been enjoying the beach on Ohau for the last couple of days.

Aloha Lola.