HHI Trip Report, July 27- Aug 2, 2008

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi Ellen! We have been wanting to go to HHI for a while now...I have to come back when I have a few minutes to read your report. Thanks!!!

 

[karajeboo]

OMG!!! How fast do you read??

Sad, huh? I work in front of my computer so it just happened that I flipped over the the DISboards page and refreshed right when you posted! Just take it to mean that I'm enjoying your report!

 

[allaboutmm]

You always do GREAT trip reports and pictures!!!! Now I want to go to HHIR!!!! We are hoping someday to do a February or April vacation with the kids. Can't wait to show my DH your report, might make those vacation plans come sooner!!!!!!!Thanks again

 

[Camster0307]

Lucky, lucky you!! I have read that the Marriotts are beautiful. I LOVE that sensation of going over the bridge to an island and losing all your cares! We always say that about an island we love here in NJ, LBI. Aaaahhhh....

I double that "Aaaahhhh!

Great update Ellen! The only way you'll get me on a boat is to see some dolphins! Very cute. And, so are your boys, btw!

 

[50 years Too!]

Ellen,

I am loving your reports.
Those boys are the cutest. I especially love them all in the tub.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[mmmcq]

FYI, when you do plan your next trip....there is a place you can call through which you can get t-times for the next day at a reduced rate (drastically reduced...I'm not sure why I said that). It may only work well in the beginning of the season, but my DH and his friend who was with us played 4 different courses in 4 days in Apirl 2007 and said it was the best golf of their lives. They thought at least 3 of the courses were amazing. I can't remember what the service was....but I'm sure my DH found it by googling HH.

 

[podsnel]

Hi Ellen! We have been wanting to go to HHI for a while now...I have to come back when I have a few minutes to read your report. Thanks!!!

Hi Lauren! Thanks for reading!

Sad, huh? I work in front of my computer so it just happened that I flipped over the the DISboards page and refreshed right when you posted! Just take it to mean that I'm enjoying your report!

You always do GREAT trip reports and pictures!!!! Now I want to go to HHIR!!!! We are hoping someday to do a February or April vacation with the kids. Can't wait to show my DH your report, might make those vacation plans come sooner!!!!!!!Thanks again

WOW!!! Thanks for the fantastic compliment!! You really made my day with it! Hope it helps with DH! I was speaking with someone yesterday who owns an oceanfront condo in Palmetto Dunes (lucky them!!! Bought it 20 years ago- even luckier!! ) and she said they had a very mild February this past year, it was gorgeous- but it's not always that way. Let me know if and when you decide to go!

I double that "Aaaahhhh!

Great update Ellen! The only way you'll get me on a boat is to see some dolphins! Very cute. And, so are your boys, btw!

So I guess you being a stowaway on my DCL Western cruise in November is out of the question? Damn! I had Pods sleeping out on the verandah and everything!

Ellen,

I am loving your reports.
Those boys are the cutest. I especially love them all in the tub.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for loving it!

FYI, when you do plan your next trip....there is a place you can call through which you can get t-times for the next day at a reduced rate (drastically reduced...I'm not sure why I said that). It may only work well in the beginning of the season, but my DH and his friend who was with us played 4 different courses in 4 days in Apirl 2007 and said it was the best golf of their lives. They thought at least 3 of the courses were amazing. I can't remember what the service was....but I'm sure my DH found it by googling HH.

Is it called Last Minute Tee Times? I will take advantage of it next time, we were too scattered this time to get our act together and call when we should have. Glad to hear your DH thought so much of it- thanks for the advice!

 

[mmmcq]

Duh, of course it was called Last Minute Tee Times..... Yes and it worked great. I don't know how well it works during the rest of the season, but that week - just after the Heritage Classic - they had no problem finding courses. I think there were a couple of places they wanted to play on, but couldn't find decent times for.....but they were happy campers. Our friend, my DH's golf buddy, raves about that vacation every time we see him. We also took him to Walt Disney World in 2004. (The friend is a priest who loves our family vacations - probably because our trials and tribulations of parenthood make their way into his sermons for the next year. Thankfully we now live 45 mins from him and attend a different church!)

 

[podsnel]

I forgot to post from our first day- except, it's the hot tub!

 

[Camster0307]

So I guess you being a stowaway on my DCL Western cruise in November is out of the question? Damn! I had Pods sleeping out on the verandah and everything!

Definitely out of the question - but thanks for the offer!

I did a cruise once in my life and enjoyed it up until our full day at sea. It just freaked me out, standing on the deck and seeing NOTHING BUT WATER all around me. NO land in sight!

 

[princessesrule4]

I enjoyed your report and pics!! We just got back and had a great time too! We are going back in October!!

 

[podsnel]

We got off the boat at 1:00, and all headed STRAIGHT for the pool- it was just a little hot, and the pool felt fabulous!! We had a quick bite from Tide Me Over, and I went to check out the resort on the "Behind the Ears" tour. I believe the CM was Carolyn (?) and she was really good to listen to, and, of course, very friendly! She pointed out lots of hidden Mickeys along the way, although I never could make out the Mickey the passenger/Donald the pilot one! But here's one of the others-

I loved hearing all the backround behind the names of things, and that the reason this building is different from all the others is because it was originally supposed to be restaurants and shops for the 400+ villa resort they initially intended to build.

I also loved seeing these two AMAZING trees, which they believe are between 300 and 400 years old- OMG, they are so beautiful! One of them actually has a small palm tree growing in the center of it!

Those trees at HHIR, the live oaks, provide such wonderful shade, it literally feels 15 degrees cooler when you walk under them. Really awesome.

The tour was finished a little before 3, just in time for me to make 4 Mickey tiedye shirts (to be worn on our DCL Western 11/1) with my family- unfortunately, the only family member willing to get out of the pool to make these shirts was my DH (the CM's had some activity going on, I think, and my boys don't like to miss ANY games!). So, we proceeded to rubber band a LOT of shirts. I probably forgot to mention that my right hand had been cramped up since the kayaking- I have a wierd inflammatory arthritis that probably caused this to happen, but I would not hesitate to go kayaking again because of it. Anyway, I was having a tough time with all those rubberbands, so it was good DH was there! Once he was done with the banding, however, he ditched me just like the other boys! It was good the CMs were there, because THEY are the the ones I made the shirts with- hmmm...maybe I should be taking THEM on the cruise! Anyway, we finished the 4 shirts, and I had MAJOR Mom guilt- DS14 didn't have a shirt. When I signed up for this I thought it was a one per customer kind of a thing. It's not, obviously, based on my experience. So I went back and they let me make one more shirt for Sean. I was so grateful they let me sneak that last one in, I wouldn't let them help me with any of it, I felt like I had already monopolized so much of their time! So, anyway, here they are!

By the way, everyone's favorite CM, Harry, was helping someone make a shirt when I went in for the last one. He was so patient and sweet with this child! Dottie, you can be very proud, your son is a gem.

 

[Connears]

The tshirts are great! Especially for those of us who lived thru the original tie-dye era! Love the Mickey Ears! I can't wait until next June....but your report is really helping. I know what you mean bout the trees helping with the southern heat....Even your porch is "cool" enough to use for reading, eating and especially at night for relaxing. We love being in buiding 30 and 29 way at the end of the resort...yet a close walk to everything.

Connears

 

[podsnel]

The tshirts are great! Especially for those of us who lived thru the original tie-dye era! Love the Mickey Ears! I can't wait until next June....but your report is really helping. I know what you mean bout the trees helping with the southern heat....Even your porch is "cool" enough to use for reading, eating and especially at night for relaxing. We love being in buiding 30 and 29 way at the end of the resort...yet a close walk to everything.

Connears

Ya know, Connears, I feel ashamed to say I never made it to Bldg 30 or 29, OBVIOUSLY I need to return to give the resort a much more thorough head to toe!!! Thanks for liking the tshirts- I think next time I'll do all red, white and blue for all the patriotic holidays!
And yes, the southern live oak shade, I think, is an incredible blessing!!!

 

[podsnel]

A little more time hangin' by the pool, and it was time to head back to the villa for showers and dinner. We stopped up at the beach for some family pics (we did not take too many of my family, because we were not complete without DS14) on the way-

Then the fireants showed up, so we moved-

One of us-

Then we went to Hudson's, which had been recommended to me by so many people, both on these boards and here at home! Unfortunately, we had quite a wait for dinner, but we found ways to entertain ourselves-

We found some seats at the outside bar, and enjoyed the sunset and music- and some VERY STRONG vodka tonics!

We were just about to start chewing on the bar when our table was called! Everything on the menu looked sooo good, but they had stone crab claws for a special ( didn't know they had 'em in SC!) appetizer, and we all (adults) got an order. They were delicious- stone crab claws are one of my favorite things!

Hudson's has the BEST hushpuppies- they're really little and very sweet- I think I threw down about 20 of 'em!! We all had fish for dinner- I had cobia,DH had stuffed shrimp & they were great, and DS11 ordered Neptune's Seafood platter!!! Sorry I don't remember what everyone else had, but i DO remember we had a couple of bottles of Pinot Noir with our meal!

Soooo relaxing-

The desserts looked too good to pass up, but we were too full for them then, so we got desserts to go- bread pudding, bourbon pecan pie and I got chocolate peanut butter pie, because I can NEVER pass that up EVER!!!! I ate it for breakfast on Friday morning, it was the breakfast of champions!!!

Thanks everyone for recommending Hudson's, we all had a good time and the food was great, I'd just get there earlier next time!

We got home & DH & I were EXHAUSTED and headed straight for bed- when I was almost asleep, we realized Steven & Mariana were looking for us to hang out- so sorry guys!!! We're golfing in the morning! We made it up to them on Thursday night-

 

[Connears]

I know what you mean about the wait at Hudson's..we waited forever in June 2006, but we didn't have as good a meal as you did. We had a new server and he got almost everything wrong..we are very understanding, but there were 6 of us and it just took forever with all the corrections. The best
things were the steak my son had and the shrimp were very good..the rest wa average if best...don't think I will return soon, but it wasn't horrible. I just have other favorites that we can't miss!

Connears

 

[podsnel]

I know what you mean about the wait at Hudson's..we waited forever in June 2006, but we didn't have as good a meal as you did. We had a new server and he got almost everything wrong..we are very understanding, but there were 6 of us and it just took forever with all the corrections. The best
things were the steak my son had and the shrimp were very good..the rest wa average if best...don't think I will return soon, but it wasn't horrible. I just have other favorites that we can't miss!

Connears

Is Vassilli's your favorite? I think I remember you talking about that one on the restaurant thread. Sorry you didn't have a good one at Hudson's - we enjoyed it, and it was a good spot for us with the 5 boys ! I think on my next visit I will try all different places, and with the large group of us, we may grill a few nights instead. Have to see how it goes- but DH & I ate at Tapas on our last night, and that I will HAVE to go back to- it was fabulous!! Have you been there?

 

[karajeboo]

Is Hudson's the "dive" right on the water? I think there's a touristy restaurant right next door? If so, we ate there too and it's wonderful!!!! So glad we ditched our friends who wouldn't have walked through the front door if they'd gone with us - but those are the BEST restaurants - hidden gems!

 

[Camster0307]

Ellen - Your pictures looked divine! I'm telling you - put me at a bar on the water and I'm good to go! And I love me some crab legs - any kind!

 

[Connears]

Is Vassilli's your favorite? I think I remember you talking about that one on the restaurant thread. Sorry you didn't have a good one at Hudson's - we enjoyed it, and it was a good spot for us with the 5 boys ! I think on my next visit I will try all different places, and with the large group of us, we may grill a few nights instead. Have to see how it goes- but DH & I ate at Tapas on our last night, and that I will HAVE to go back to- it was fabulous!! Have you been there?

Actually, Vassillis is one of my new favorites(only been once). We consistantly return to Old Oyster Factory and Frankie Bones, but we are planning on trying Tapas next trip..sounds wonderful!

Connears