Hi, Everyone!
Well, we've been back for about two weeks now, finally finished unpacking the laundry!
I don't mean to turn this into a trip report, just some highlights--
We stayed Kauai 5 nights at Marriott Waiohai Beach club. A first-rate place! We got a 2 bdr, 2 bath condo with complete kitchen, Beautiful, large, lovely pool, also got a great rate--$750 total, includes tax and rental car, for 5 nights! That's just a special introductory offer, not to be repeated. The going price for this joint is around $400-$450 per night, a little out of our range. I told the kids to remember this, we won't be making a habit of staying in such expensive places again (unless I can scrape together enough Marriott Rewards points!)
Next island--6 nights Maui, Embassy Suites. Again, a winner! This time, just a one bdr, one bath condo with "kitchenette" (microwave/fridge,coffee maker/dishwasher--so who needs a stove?) Again, great place--right on nice section of beach & huge pool!
Next stop--Waikiki! It doesn't get any better than this! Our hotel--Hilton Hawaiian Village, which is a village and resort unto itself. The price? Nothing! That's right--zilch, zero, nada--used Hilton Honor points (took 2 years to get enough) for 6 free nights (we left late day five, called it the 6th night). So for free, just about any room would do, right? Well, I just asked if we could get a room in the Rainbow Tower. Since we're Hilton Gold members, we not only got a Rainbow Tower, but upgraded to an Executive king suite! On the 28th floor, with 2 bathrooms, an L-shaped room with a king, sleeper sofa, sent up a roll away cot for dd at no extra charge! We had a fantastic view of the harbor. I thought it looked familiar, later learned I had seen it before. Do any of you remember the old series "Gilligan's Island"? Remember the opening, showing the boats at the harbor? Well, that was the harbor it was filmed from! I could sit on my balcony every morning, drink coffee, and look right down to where the 'Minnow' was launched! I sang the theme song from Gilligan's Island for my kids, surprised I remembered it all without missing a beat, both kids stared at me open-mouthed then said "that's even dumber than that song you sing M-I-C-K-E-Y....." Oh, well, they just don't appreciate culture! Great trip, except for the day I ended up in the ER............kind of dumb of me............I'm always looking out for the family, failed to take care of myself. I got seriously dehydrated. I first noticed it when my mouth was dry and no amount of drinking water relieved it. So, I just went back to sleep. Woke up the next day with a splitting headache, just took some Tylenol, we had a scheduled tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center with bus transportation and I didn't want to miss it. I finally realized something was seriously wrong when I got dizzy and almost passed out eating breakfast. Fortunately, we were at the hotel (Rainbow Lanai) so it was just a short elevator ride to the room. I still stubbornly insisted I was fine, just needed some rest. Then I suggested dh take the kids to PCC and I would spend the day resting, figured I had just overdone it, and I didn't want to ruin the day for everyone else. Well, dh wouldn't hear of leaving me like that (I couldn't walk straight). Much to my great embarassment, he called for an ambulance. Next thing I know, there's paramedics all over my room. "No, I don't want to go to a hospital! I want to go to PCC!" Well, when you're in an ambulance, no one listens to you! Actually, it was a good thing I went. They started an IV in the ambulance, and I started feeling my parched mouth getting moist in a few minutes. I told them all the meds I routinely take, including Vicodin for siacitia (sp?) Well, I'm always careful with my meds, never exceed the recommend dosage or timing, however, turns our I was so severely dehydrated it concentrated the drugs in my blood so it was like an overdose. Well, by the time I got to the hospital I was well on my way to being rehydrated, but they kept me there 6 hours running tests. They said it was good I came in when I did, otherwise I could have had serious reactions to the dehydration and the drug build up. The only thing that really sucks about the whole experience is that we had pre-paid for our tour (Roberts Tours $350!) and they won't give us our money back! We called and cancelled, 2 hours prior to the tour pick-up, but the guy was really snarky, he just said they didn't issue refunds for cancellations less than 24 hours. We explained that I was ill and going to the ER, he just said so sorry, that wasn't their problem, their website clearly states their cancellation policy (we made the reservations by phone, nothing was said about the cancellation policy!) Honestly, you'd think they'd make an exception for such circumstances! Now that I'm home I've written several emails to Roberts Tours asking that considering the circumstances they not charge us (BTW, it was $350!), but so far no answer. Phone calls I'm just placed on hold!
Well, I'm just rambling here now. The trip did end on a good note, even though I'm still fighting Roberts Tours. The Hilton called to see if I was ok and if there was anything they could do, they even sent up a lovely fruit basket. They siad they were so sorry about Roberts Tours, they had no control over them, and suggested next time we arange our tours through whatever hotel we stay at or at least ask for a recommendation. Those tours depend on recommendations and reputation so if we had booked a tour through the Hilton's recommended operators they would be much more inclined to give us a refund. Still, the Hilton gave us 20,000 HH points to help ease the blow of our lousey experience. Nice going!A good point to remember if you book tours, book them through a hotel or agency they want to maintain a good relationship with, since most individual customers don't represent repeat business, anyways!
If we do go back to Hawaii I think I'd like the next trip to be just one island--island hopping is exhausting. We'd probably chose Oahu, since its the most diverse, although all were winners! Aloha!
.... he would love to swim w/dolphins...but what else is there to do? Thanks so much for any ideas!!!
