July 8, 2011
We packed up all our stuff, checked out the room, and asked for keeping the luggage at the bell desk of Grand Waikikian/Lagoon tower.
Then we enjoyed our final shopping at Alamoana Center until 2PM or so. After getting back to the Hilton and receiving our baggage at the bell desk, we went up to 8th floor of Grand Waikikian to use their lounge for some drinks and shower for my wife and daughter.
We took a taxi to Honolulu airport; it took around 35 USD excluding tip.
I and my wife felt that we chase our girl all the time though, it was really great vacation as a family!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Honolulu in July 2011: Day 6
July 7, 2011
We visited Outrigger Reef Hotel to have a buffet breakfast provided by Club Wyndham; after that, their Japanese sales rep, Mitue, explained the system and took us a tour for their time-share. Since I have the time-share of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club, she recommended to purchase a smallest share of their Waikiki condo near Trump. Hilton's point is also transferred to Wyndham's point (Hilton 7,200 → Wyndham 77,000). They call it PIC or rescue. It turned out that Wyndham is the pioneer of the time-share business. It costs 1.12 million JPY in total, including all the discounts, taxes, and expenses. Their management fee is also cheap, 24,000 JPY or so per annum. That said, I thought I should make full use of Hilton Grand Vacations Club, I decided not to buy it.
Then we went to DFS to purchase souvenirs.
We got back to hotel around 3PM and met our friends, a man and his wife, who are almost the same age of our parents. The man who talked to my wife at Haneda Airport happened to sit next to us and we promised to meet while in Honolulu. His wife flew from D.C. to Honolulu. We were invited to their 2LDK room of Lagoon tower; they originally planned to share the room with their friends, but their friends did not come due to the earthquake and turmoil in March 11, 2011. We had a nice talk and his wife showed us a great hula dance. After my wife and our daughter going back to our room at 6:30PM, I remained in the room and continued to talk to him until 9PM. We both were drunk and really enjoyed it. We promised to meet back in Japan because we are living in cities, which are 30 min drive distance.
We visited Outrigger Reef Hotel to have a buffet breakfast provided by Club Wyndham; after that, their Japanese sales rep, Mitue, explained the system and took us a tour for their time-share. Since I have the time-share of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club, she recommended to purchase a smallest share of their Waikiki condo near Trump. Hilton's point is also transferred to Wyndham's point (Hilton 7,200 → Wyndham 77,000). They call it PIC or rescue. It turned out that Wyndham is the pioneer of the time-share business. It costs 1.12 million JPY in total, including all the discounts, taxes, and expenses. Their management fee is also cheap, 24,000 JPY or so per annum. That said, I thought I should make full use of Hilton Grand Vacations Club, I decided not to buy it.
Then we went to DFS to purchase souvenirs.
We got back to hotel around 3PM and met our friends, a man and his wife, who are almost the same age of our parents. The man who talked to my wife at Haneda Airport happened to sit next to us and we promised to meet while in Honolulu. His wife flew from D.C. to Honolulu. We were invited to their 2LDK room of Lagoon tower; they originally planned to share the room with their friends, but their friends did not come due to the earthquake and turmoil in March 11, 2011. We had a nice talk and his wife showed us a great hula dance. After my wife and our daughter going back to our room at 6:30PM, I remained in the room and continued to talk to him until 9PM. We both were drunk and really enjoyed it. We promised to meet back in Japan because we are living in cities, which are 30 min drive distance.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Honolulu in July 2011: Day 5
July 6, 2011
I borrowed a Compact car at Alamo for $82.30, including insurances, taxes, one infant seat, GPS navigation system; I've already booked the car online.
Waikiki Hotel Pier Shuttle
1778 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96815
Toll-Free Phone:(888) 826-6893
Hours: Sun-Sat: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Then we went to Waikele Premium Outlets mainly to buy clothes for our daughter and newly-born my wife's younger brother's second daughter. We arrive at the Outlets just before open at 9AM. Whenever you go to the Waikele Premium Outlets, you should stop by Information in the center courtyard and show your JCB or VISA card to have coupons for discounts.
Waikele Premium Outlets
94-790 Lumiaina Street
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 676-5656
Waikele Premium Outlets is located just 15 miles west of Honolulu directly off H-1 Freeway, exit 7.
We enjoyed shopping there until around 2PM; actually, our daughter kept walking in the shops and it took a longer time to finish it.
After that, we went to Kahala mall to buy some foods and drinks at Whole Foods Market. Kahala mall is not that big; it might be mainly for locals, rather than tourists.
Since we had time, we also drove to Kailua Beach.
Kailua Beach Park
450 Kawailoa Road, East O'ahu
Kailua Beach was beautiful; its sand was fine and some people were in the sea.
Prior to going back to Alamo, I drove the car to Lanikai Beach just next to Kailua Beach; there were a lot of mansions along the way but no parking lot as described in some books.
I drove back to Alamo and filled the gas just before returning it to the shop; filling took time since I had no clue how to operate it. (I needed to push up the lever or something before starting; I never saw this process before not only in Japan but also in Hawaii. I just asked a shopkeeper for the process.)
It was a good drive in Oahu.
I borrowed a Compact car at Alamo for $82.30, including insurances, taxes, one infant seat, GPS navigation system; I've already booked the car online.
Waikiki Hotel Pier Shuttle
1778 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96815
Toll-Free Phone:(888) 826-6893
Hours: Sun-Sat: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Then we went to Waikele Premium Outlets mainly to buy clothes for our daughter and newly-born my wife's younger brother's second daughter. We arrive at the Outlets just before open at 9AM. Whenever you go to the Waikele Premium Outlets, you should stop by Information in the center courtyard and show your JCB or VISA card to have coupons for discounts.
Waikele Premium Outlets
94-790 Lumiaina Street
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 676-5656
Waikele Premium Outlets is located just 15 miles west of Honolulu directly off H-1 Freeway, exit 7.
We enjoyed shopping there until around 2PM; actually, our daughter kept walking in the shops and it took a longer time to finish it.
After that, we went to Kahala mall to buy some foods and drinks at Whole Foods Market. Kahala mall is not that big; it might be mainly for locals, rather than tourists.
Since we had time, we also drove to Kailua Beach.
Kailua Beach Park
450 Kawailoa Road, East O'ahu
Kailua Beach was beautiful; its sand was fine and some people were in the sea.
Prior to going back to Alamo, I drove the car to Lanikai Beach just next to Kailua Beach; there were a lot of mansions along the way but no parking lot as described in some books.
I drove back to Alamo and filled the gas just before returning it to the shop; filling took time since I had no clue how to operate it. (I needed to push up the lever or something before starting; I never saw this process before not only in Japan but also in Hawaii. I just asked a shopkeeper for the process.)
It was a good drive in Oahu.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Honolulu in July 2011: Day 4
We got up at 5:30AM and arrived at Eggs 'n Things around 6:30AM. There were about 10 people waiting outside of the restaurant. I let a restaurant staff member know my name and he gave me a pager. It took about 10 min and we sat together at the table. I ordered Spinach, bacon, cheese omelet (cheddar cheese, potato); my wife chose Strawberry pancake with whip cream. They are two of the most popular dishes at the restaurant.
Eggs 'n Things
http://www.eggsnthings.com/
View Larger Map
Then we went to DFS for my wife's shopping. After that, we took a pink line trolley to Ala Moana Center; if you show JCB card, it's free of charge.
At Ala Moana Center, on top of the clothing shops, we also went to Shirokiya to buy some groceries like a pork cutlet. It has many Japanese takeout food shops with reasonable prices.
We walked back to Grand Waikikian and took some rest. Then we went to Halekulani hotel; it's sophisticated and tranquil atmosphere. I think Hilton Hawaiian Village is better for a family with small children.
We visited DFS again to look for a souvenir like chocolates and cookies. We then took a pink line trolley again back to Hawaiian Village.
Eggs 'n Things
http://www.eggsnthings.com/
View Larger Map
Then we went to DFS for my wife's shopping. After that, we took a pink line trolley to Ala Moana Center; if you show JCB card, it's free of charge.
At Ala Moana Center, on top of the clothing shops, we also went to Shirokiya to buy some groceries like a pork cutlet. It has many Japanese takeout food shops with reasonable prices.
We walked back to Grand Waikikian and took some rest. Then we went to Halekulani hotel; it's sophisticated and tranquil atmosphere. I think Hilton Hawaiian Village is better for a family with small children.
We visited DFS again to look for a souvenir like chocolates and cookies. We then took a pink line trolley again back to Hawaiian Village.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Honolulu in July 2011: Day 3
Today is 4th of July, Independence Day.
I went to surfing with a borrowed 8 feet long board and enjoyed 2-hour ride. Unlike the last year, I had watershoes. My daughter played with sand in the beach with my wife.
Since we were very hungry, we headed for Wolfgang's steakhouse at Royal Hawaiian Center. Honestly speaking, I and my wife thought that their STEAK FOR TWO was not better than the one in Tribeca, Manhattan.
Our family went to the lagoon and pool near the beach; our girl seemed to like playing with water!
Then we went Food Pantry at Eaton Square to buy some foods and drinks.
The fireworks began at 8:30PM and lasted for 20 min!
I went to surfing with a borrowed 8 feet long board and enjoyed 2-hour ride. Unlike the last year, I had watershoes. My daughter played with sand in the beach with my wife.
Since we were very hungry, we headed for Wolfgang's steakhouse at Royal Hawaiian Center. Honestly speaking, I and my wife thought that their STEAK FOR TWO was not better than the one in Tribeca, Manhattan.
Our family went to the lagoon and pool near the beach; our girl seemed to like playing with water!
Then we went Food Pantry at Eaton Square to buy some foods and drinks.
The fireworks began at 8:30PM and lasted for 20 min!
Honolulu in July 2011: Day 2
We brought our daughter to the lagoon again; she seemed to be happy with playing with water. After that, we went to Ala Moana Center for shopping.
Since it's the previous day of July 4th, there was a parade in the street of Honolulu when we walk along Kalakaua Ave.
Since it's the previous day of July 4th, there was a parade in the street of Honolulu when we walk along Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu in July 2011: Day 1
We stay in Grand Waikikian for the first time since I became an owner of the time share, Hilton Grand Vacations Club last year. I reserved a 1DK plus, including living/dining/kitchen, one bed room (two beds)+bath tub, shower/toilet/washroom, washing machine and drier, and dishwasher. It's big and great place to stay in!
We went to Foodland at Ala Moana Center and bought some foods and drinks. Then we let our daughter play at lagoon near our room.
We went to Foodland at Ala Moana Center and bought some foods and drinks. Then we let our daughter play at lagoon near our room.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Free WiFi at Grand Waikikian
Network: hgvc
You are required to enter password which is given in your packet including room key.
You are required to enter password which is given in your packet including room key.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Honolulu, Hawaii
Our family will stay in Honolulu, Hawaii for one week including the Independence Day!
Free WiFi at Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport)
Network: TIAT
You need to register your e-mail address and nickname.
You need to register your e-mail address and nickname.
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