So..Tell me about Hawaii...and Fiji??

[Travel Mum]

Andona, I have been lucky to have spent many, many holidays in Fiji over my child and adult life. I even lived there from age 4-6 so it will always hold a very special place in my heart. Of the resorts, Castaway is the most special to me as DH and I spent our honeymoon there and then, many years later, we took our children back for my big birthday. Waking up in our Beachfront bure #15 on the morning of my birthday, certainly eased the blow of turning 40!

So I love my Fiji trips but, for us, they are "blob out" holidays were I spend lazy and relaxing days on the beach and by the pool. DH will be more active than me as he will snorkel daily, canoe, take out the hobie-cat etc. Over a holiday I'll probably snorkel a couple of times but the biggest treat for me is to lay out by the pool, or on the beach, reading a good book - such bliss. I always go with a pile of books (now only my Kindle though) because the worst thing for me would be to run out of a book to read mid Fiji holiday!

With the exception of when you stay at a Denarau hotel, stays in most hotels and resorts mean not really leaving your resort. It's much more of a stay-put holiday hence very relaxing.

Hawaii is certainly a lot more of an active holiday as there is so much to see an do. As you can see from my post above, there are good driving itinerary options on Oahu and there certainly are on the big island of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai too. We are only going to Oahu this trip but it will be a combinaton of beach time (DD14 tells me that she is so keen to sunbathe on Waikiki beach and check out the cute surfer guys! ), sightseeing to places like Pearl Harbour and the places mentioned in my itineraries, going to Wet n Wild, visiting Aulani, cage diving with sharks (DH, Brother-in-law and my 15 year old nephew), eating out at lots of different places and of course shopping at both the outlets and the massive Ala Moana shopping centre.

So they really are such diffferent types of holidays. Hope that helps

 

[Franrose]

Waking up in our Beachfront bure #15 on the morning of my birthday, certainly eased the blow of turning 40!

Mental note to self: book Castaway for 40th!!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

AWIDY, I just finished reading your TR! Thankyou

I was wondering - were you happy with the Hilton Hawaiian Village? Would you recommend it for Waikiki? It sounded like you were well placed to visit Ala Moana etc?

Andona

We did enjoy. We stayed in the A'li Tower which gave us an extra private pool.it also has its own reception whilst all other towers share the one check in The tower was also very close to the beach and we walked along the beach to dinner spots like pf chang about 10 min away. A further 5 minutes and onto Kalakua Ave the main street. Cheesecake Factory, Macy's all there. Lots of hire stands nearby for snorkeling gear, sun beds, surf boards.

Within the resort is an ABC store were you could get sandwiches and fruit, munches and drinks. Nice pizza place, fine dining, Starbucks, and pool side service for cocktails great. For being in the middle of Waikiki you felt quite removed. You could never leave but that would be no fun.

The other spot I would look at is around Trump Towers, Embassy Suites. This is where PFChang is. A little back from the beach but not too far.

Previously I had always stayed down the Diamond Head of Waikiki which outs you right near the traditional beach but I would go back to Hilton for sure.

Mia



Bus stop out the front of the hotel we used to get to and from Ala Moana, Pearl Harbour and Marine Park. It is a huge resort with lots of towers, four pools, shops even a post office.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Loved your TR! Just a quick question (sorry to hijack the thread) How did you find the sea life park dolphin experience? Do you think it would be a good birthday present for DS 8?

Hi Jess

The sea life park was great. It was not Seaworld. It had a real family run feel to it, great staff. Felt like I was at a place in movies like Flipper or Free Willy.

We did the Dolphin encounter where they got to kiss and hug the dolphins and give commands for waving and standing. My DH had to be in the water with them. They really loved it but I wish I had of booked the swim encounter. There were abou 20 people in the line so a bit of standing around. It wasn't a lot more and I think that would have been the icing on the cake. We spent about five hours. We were in the earliest group for the dolphins, we fed the sea turtles and played in the touch pool, watched the dolphin show, had lunch and headed back by bus to town.

Happy to answer any questions.

Mia

 

[Franrose]

Franrose, Castaway Island looks beautiful and certainly gets some good reviews. Our budget is yet to stretch far enough to go to Castaway, but one day I'd love to try it, even if it was just for a few nights. We stay at Navini Island Resort. It doesn't advertise, but books out months (if not a year in advance) just from repeat business and good reviews. If you're looking for somewhere else to try in Fiji, I can highly recommend it.

I'd struggle to go elsewhere now Wanderlust, although your spot does sound gorgeous (and repeat business is the biggest teller IMO)! I was at Castaway as a kid of maybe 9 or 10? We went there and also to "Club Natasi" which is Malolo Island resort now, just across the way from it. I remember enjoying both but there was just something about Castaway, and so it's always been my yardstick for Fiji. When I think about Fiji (what it's like to visit, what's good about it) in my head, unconsciously I'm thinking of Castaway.

So anyway, fast forward a few years [I don't want to say decades here, but... decades ] and we've stayed at a few different places, Musket Cove and Matamanoa, the Sheraton Villas and also on private property over on the other main island (just up behind the Jean-Michel Cousteau resort, we could wander down the hill to visit it). And each time has been a lovely trip but not quite as amazing as I'd remembered it, kwim? I have quite literally sailed past Castaway on trips to other islands and looked wistfully at it and the families getting on/off (because it is a pricier island, definitely, so we'd picked somewhere less expensive). Anyway, as winter approached this year I was keen for a getaway somewhere out of Australia (I love that when you go overseas you arrive and it feels, smells & sounds different - you *know* you're on holiday) and casually researched Castaway prices. I can remember sitting on the couch saying to DH, "what do you think. It's xxx amount and we could go in September and life's short - can we fit it in the budget? Should we do it?" and feeling SUPER guilty for hitting the buy button, lol!! (Does anyone else get that? The guilts for some reason? I'm getting them again now as I start to commit to what I want for Dis next year! Partly because I know so many other people struggle to take a small break anywhere in a year, let alone overseas, and I feel like I haven't done anything to deserve it.)

So the minute we arrived on the island - boom - there it was, the Fiji I remembered and had been looking for all my life! I remembered the whole place like I'd been there just yesterday and yet it's been closer to 30 years. It's like, you're looking for Disney so you go to Dreamworld and it's ok, but you're still looking for Disney... and then you go to Disney and there it is and it's perfect! (Speaking of which, I haven't been able to bring myself to pay to go to a Gold Coast theme park since we got back last year ha ha.) So DH and I have decided there is no Fiji for us anymore, there's Castaway, and that's it. If we have to save a little longer or go there a little less frequently because of the cost, we're ok with that, it's worth it to be in the right place kwim than to go twice as often to somewhere that's mediocre. It would be like trading two or three trips to Dreamworld (from NZ) for one trip to Disneyland/WDW, I'd rather do the one trip and it be exactly what I'm looking for than two 'nearly there' ones.

Adona, to be honest Fiji probably isn't the best place for scenic drives. .

No, probably more scenic walks, scenic snorkels lol... on many of the outer islands, your feet or something that floats in water are the only modes of transport!


This is my view to my left and my right as I sat reading a book one day... my 5yo is the little pink blob snorkelling amongst fish in the foreground of the second picture, while dad and Miss 6 have gone kayaking around the corner. Pictures kind of make it look like just anywhere, but it's a really magical spot.

 

[Travel Mum]

I'd struggle to go elsewhere now Wanderlust, although your spot does sound gorgeous (and repeat business is the biggest teller IMO)! I was at Castaway as a kid of maybe 9 or 10? We went there and also to "Club Natasi" which is Malolo Island resort now, just across the way from it. I remember enjoying both but there was just something about Castaway, and so it's always been my yardstick for Fiji. When I think about Fiji (what it's like to visit, what's good about it) in my head, unconsciously I'm thinking of Castaway.

So anyway, fast forward a few years [I don't want to say decades here, but... decades ] and I've stayed at places like Musket Cove and Matamanoa, the Sheraton Villas and also on private property over on the other main Island (just up behind the Jean-Michel Cousteau resort, we could wander down the hill to visit it). And each time has been a lovely trip but not quite as amazing as I'd remembered it, kwim? I have quite literally sailed past Castaway on trips to other islands and looked wistfully at it and the families getting on/off (because it is a pricier island, definitely, so we'd picked somewhere less expensive). Anyway, as winter approached this year I was keen for a getaway somewhere out of Australia (I love that when you go overseas you arrive and it feels, smells & sounds different - you *know* you're on holiday) and casually researched Castaway prices. I can remember sitting on the couch saying to DH, "what do you think. It's xxx amount and we could go in September and life's short - can we fit it in the budget? Should we do it?" and feeling SUPER guilty for hitting the buy button, lol!! (Does anyone else get that? The guilts for some reason? I'm getting them again now as I start to commit to what I want for Dis next year! Partly because I know so many other people struggle to take a small break anywhere in a year, let alone overseas.)

So the minute we arrived on the island - boom - there it was, the Fiji I remembered and had been looking for all my life! I remembered the whole place like I'd been there just yesterday and yet it's been closer to 30 years. It's like, you're looking for Disney so you go to Dreamworld and it's ok, but you're still looking for Disney... and then you go to Disney and there it is and it's perfect! (Speaking of which, I haven't been able to bring myself to pay to go to a Gold Coast theme park since we got back last year ha ha.) So DH and I have decided there is no Fiji for us anymore, there's Castaway, and that's it. If we have to save a little longer or go there a little less frequently because of the cost, we're ok with that, it's worth it to be in the right place kwim than to go twice as often to somewhere that's mediocre. It would be like trading two or three trips to Dreamworld (from NZ) for one trip to Disneyland/WDW, I'd rather do the one trip and it be exactly what I'm looking for than two 'nearly there' ones.

Same with me FranRose, I compare every Fijian resort to Castaway and nothing measures up. I won't begin to name the other places I've stayed, but between holidays and work trips, its is a lot. I do know that one reason that I personally put Castaway on a pedestal is because of the important times in my life that I've spent there but I also know that every other person I know who has stayed there feels the same. Sadly, over the years, it's become too pricey for our family anymore though (It was such a shame when, a few years ago now, the Americans discovered it because that's when the prices shot up!). Next year I'll be standing on the beach at Mana wistfully looking over to Castaway.......

 

[Franrose]

Same with me FranRose, I compare every Fijian resort to Castaway and nothing measures up. I won't begin to name the other places I've stayed, but between holidays and work trips, its is a lot. I do know that one reason that I personally put Castaway on a pedestal is because of the important times in my life that I've spent there but I also know that every other person I know who has stayed there feels the same. Sadly, over the years, it's become too pricey for our family anymore though (It was such a shame when, a few years ago now, the Americans discovered it because that's when the prices shot up!). Next year I'll be standing on the beach at Mana wistfully looking over to Castaway.......

When I was there as a kid, there was a small photography crew and a couple of models taking fashion shots over a few days, I got to follow them around and "help" as they set up shots and swapped clothes over etc etc and in the end did some kid clothing modelling for them too (could have been the start of a bright career ha ha... not!! ). I wondered if that's what made Castaway seem so fun? Because Club Natasi was cool too, I remember the toad racing etc etc... But no, I think it's just everything about Castaway, the people, the way the beach is set out (and it's a spectacular beach), the food, the gardens, the bures...

Speaking of people, do you remember Big Mama? I wanted to ask staff there about her but a) felt embarrassed calling someone "big" even though I swear it was her name and b) by now, she might have passed on

 

[Andona]

You are all so helpful!! Thankyou

We have been to Hawaii twice and really loved it both times. First trip was for 4 weeks and we did 12 days on the big island and the rest Oahu.

Zaccy, great to hear about beautiful scenery ! I was wondering where you stayed on the Big Island? I'm interested in any suggestions for towns and hotels etc.

Andona, we are going to Hawaii with my sister and brother-in-law and their children and we are both getting a rental car for a few days that we are there. For two of those days, I have designed driving itineraries for us so you might be interested to see them. Throughout my actual itinerary, I have lots of photos of the various spots but, when I cut and paste it onto here, of course those photos don't appear. Here is the text though:...............................


So I can report back on how they went when I get back

Travel Mum, thankyou so much for sharing that!! I can't wait to hear how it went - I have copied your itinereary into a folder to keep - this sounds like just the sort of thing that would suit us.

Franrose, Castaway Island looks beautiful and certainly gets some good reviews. Our budget is yet to stretch far enough to go to Castaway, but one day I'd love to try it, even if it was just for a few nights. We stay at Navini Island Resort. It doesn't advertise, but books out months (if not a year in advance) just from repeat business and good reviews. If you're looking for somewhere else to try in Fiji, I can highly recommend it.

Note to self - look up Castaway island and Navini resort.

The more I read on this thread the more I'm convinced that the next two years will be Hawaii and Fiji. Because of DS's school commitments etc we won't be able to do another longer trip for a few years so the mainland USA trips will have to wait. Fiji and Hawaii sound like lovely options in the meantime

My husband and I have always been like your DH - we still would go stir crazy sitting around a pool all day. IMO, lazing around a pool could put us anywhere in the world, including NZ, so we have no interest in that. When a family member first suggested Fiji, we said "No, way. How boring". However, keen to give anything a try once we agreed. No one was as shocked as we were by how much we ended up enjoying it. I think what we loved the most was the way we became unbelievably relaxed despite managing to keep ourselves mostly busy.
The resort we stay at includes all watersports equipment and a tour every morning as part of the accommodation costs. Every morning, after breakfast, the resort boat would take us to places such as a deserted island, snorkelling, a local village market, fishing, another resort, sand cay, dolphin spotting etc. Then in the afternoon we would either kayak, swim, or snorkel the protected reef around the Island. .

I'm definitely going to look into the Navini resort - snorkelling, visiting local markets, boat trip etc would all appeal to us. If there is something to get us out and busy for a while in the morning, followed by a relaxing afternoon by the pool then I think that could be a good alternative to our usual driving-tour kind of holiday.

We used to have that kind of holiday when our kids were little but in recent years our holidays have been far more about sightseeing than relaxing - BUT I think we both NEED a bit more relaxing on our holidays - I just need to convince DH of it!

We did enjoy. We stayed in the A'li Tower which gave us an extra private pool.it also has its own reception whilst all other towers share the one check in The tower was also very close to the beach and we walked along the beach to dinner spots like pf chang about 10 min away. A further 5 minutes and onto Kalakua Ave the main street. Cheesecake Factory, Macy's all there. Lots of hire stands nearby for snorkeling gear, sun beds, surf boards.

OK, I definitely need to add the Hilton to my list of possibles then... sounds great.

I'd struggle to go elsewhere now Wanderlust, although your spot does sound gorgeous (and repeat business is the biggest teller IMO)! I was at Castaway as a kid of maybe 9 or 10? We went there and also to "Club Natasi" which is Malolo Island resort now, just across the way from it. I remember enjoying both but there was just something about Castaway, and so it's always been my yardstick for Fiji. When I think about Fiji (what it's like to visit, what's good about it) in my head, unconsciously I'm thinking of Castaway.

Wow! that is an amazing endorsement for Castaway! I will absolutely put it on my list of places to check into.

I have changed the Subject of this thread to "Tell me about Hawaai..and Fiji..." They are BOTH places that I want to visit and clearly there is a wealth of experience here on the boards.

Thank you!

Andona

 

[Melbourne5]

Andona

Just to mix it up air pacific fly to Hawaii from Fiji and vv so you might do both in the same trip! Have friends who have done it this way and loved it.

Have done Hawaii twice ( Hilton on Waikiki beach and Sheraton on Waikiki beach) and Fiji a lot ( westin, Sheraton villas, on denaru island, rydges , outrigger and warwick on coral coast and Malolo & jean michel Cousteau on the outer islands) .

Hawaii highlights: waikele factory outlets, ala moana shopping, dukes on Waikiki beach, shark cage diving at halewa, the north shore surfing spots, a dole whip from the dole pineapple plantation. A round island helicopter tour - stunning scenery ( lowlight: my gear being stolen off Waikiki beach after I took a 5m swim....)

Fiji - stay on an island and really relax. Mainland stuff is ok but a little dull. Jm Cousteau resort is all inclusive and out of this world for a good time ( we took kids too).

Good luck.

 

[Franrose]

Just going through my US pics and had to drop off one more Castaway photo...

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Andona

Just to mix it up air pacific fly to Hawaii from Fiji and vv so you might do both in the same trip! Have friends who have done it this way and loved it.

That sounds like a great plan. The best of both worlds.

Andona, it seems that a pool is really important to you and this may eliminate Navini as it doesn't have one. The ocean is so clear and calm (albeit quite shallow at low tide), that I never felt a want for a pool. Also, there are only 10 bures, all oceanfront, and each has it's own hammock and loungers. Unlike lounging around a pool, we would lie out in front of our bure and pretty much see no one all day. Even though the resort was fully booked, most of the afternoon it would feel like we were rich and famous (I wish!) and had booked a whole island to ourselves. Loved it.

 

[zaccy]

In Hilo we satyed at the Castle Hilo Hotel - nothing flash but fine for a few nights, there is fairly limited accomodation options on this side of the Island.

On the Kona side we stayed at the Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona which is privately owned condos managed by Outrigger and is right on the coast (no beach though just sharp volcanic rock) there is a golf course on site and several pools but not eating places. Our condo was lovely but the reviews can be a bit hit and miss - with the kids it was great to have a bit more space and somewhere to wash and cook.

You will need a car on the big island unlike Oahu where the public transport is great there is very little public transport on the big island.

I tiresd to post some photos but I don't have photobucket so it was a no go - I can't stress enough how beautiful and how different Hawaii is, sometimes you are in lush green rainforest and then not too far away you will be in the middle of bare expanses of volcanic rock.

 

[cola]

I was thinking maybe 4-5 days each on Oahu, The Big Island and Kauai ? Is that a plan or do I really need to go to Maui as well?

I'd say 4-5 days Oahu and 8-9 days Big Island. There is a reason they call it the Big Island - it is BIG (compared to the rest) There is a lot of driving to be done on the Big Island. If you are stopping to look at things, getting from the east coast to the west coast is 2 days (overnight in the volcano at Volcano House I can't remember what the food was like, but remember the views of the steaming caldera from the dining room!) You need a few days relaxing on the west coast so you can get the best evening early evening helicopter ride over the lava flow if it is flowing We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa outside Kona, which was quite amazing Most of the west coast (dry side of the island) is a lot of lava flows, so very few beaches, most of the resorts have man made beaches. If you go up Manua Kea, it easily takes a day.
There is at least a couple of days driving around on the east coast (the wet side - Hilo is the wettest town in USA), all very lush and tropical, waterfalls, mountains. With Manua Kea, you get get 11 out if 13 climate zones on the one island - you can have snow on Manua Kea most of the year, with enough to ski (Jan/Feb) (though it's a very low key ski field, no lifts etc.)

Saying 4 days for the Big Island is a bit like saying 4 days for WDW, sure you can do it, but a few more days you will see a LOT more, and it gives you a bit of time to actually stop and relax.