A long-awaited reunion

[blackcat20]

Hotel breakfast was the usual; packet scramble, toast, bagels, yoghurt, cereal and cooked to order omlettes. A quick bite then we took the shuttle back to the airport.

We were a little worried that our baggage was overweight (and one bag was) but HA charged us the standard baggage fee and didn't bat an eyelid at the extra kilos. For some annoying reason they carry carseats and prams for free, but portacots incur a standard bag fee.

We used the Amex centurion lounge which was great as they have a family room; an actual enclosed room with tv, seating, books and toys. So we could eat without worrying that the kids were annoying others.


Our flight departed from gate 210 which was the most insanely long walk, 15 or so minutes from the lounge. I can see why they have buggies running people back and forth.

The flight was uneventful, we had an extra legroom row of three seats which worked well as Master TC could sit between us with Miss TC or stand in the legroom if he had energy to burn. Fortunately he chose to nap for the first hour

Lunch was a chicken 'hot pocket' and pack of chips (they kindly gave us four serves despite only three seated pax) plus a comp coughtail. Multiple water runs during the flight, and a Honolulu cookie co shortbread before landing

 

[blackcat20]

Nothing like a little JQ delay on the way home, at least we got to have a sleep in.

 

[Pushka]

Nothing like a little JQ delay on the way home, at least we got to have a sleep in.

Three hours so far? If there are passengers in Aus Naval uniform then one of them is my nephew.

 

[blackcat20]

Three hours so far? If there are passengers in Aus Naval uniform then one of them is my nephew.

Ended up being four hours. I didn't see anyone but was a bit preoccupied with Master TC who has endless energy. He finally fell asleep an hour out, only to be woken (screaming) when they put his seatbelt on

 

[blackcat20]

Once we arrived in Kona, TV headed off to collect the car while I stayed with the kids and collected the bags. Once he returned we headed north to the Hilton Grand Vacations at Waikaloa.

Our room wasn't ready (as expected) so we drove to the nearby shops (Queens marketplace) to grab an early dinner at Romano's Macaroni Grill. Given the time difference this turned out to be a good option. The kids both had a good feed and I enjoyed their blood orange cosmo.



The room was ready right on 4, and I'll admit it was much nicer than the photos online suggested. We had a ground floor two bedroom apartment, with a bathroom and very large ensuite, full kitchen and laundry.

The kids loved the huge ensuite tub.


We had a golf course view, which meant the occasional person teeing off out the front , but otherwise the view was pretty spectacular. Breakfast on the lanai was a great start to the day.

 

[blackcat20]

The kids absolutely loved the pool. It was well set up for families, with a main pool and two shallow kids pools, plus two water slides.




Day two we made the mistake of just trying to turn up at a restaurant for dinner, only to find everything packed (likely due to the public holiday) so we ended up at Tropics Ale House which was actually a good find. Fabulous Mai Tai and the fish tacos were delicious.



After that we dined at places that took reservations but ironically for the rest of the week it was pretty deserted.

 

[blackcat20]

One of the perks of staying at HGV is access to the facilities at Hilton Waikaloa, so one morning we headed over to use their pool. The pool is fabulous but requires a bit of effort especially with two little kids, so we only did it once.

We parked in the parking lot, toted the kids up a flight of stairs to reception, then caught the train to the pool stop. Then we completely missed the elevator (their accessible signage is awful) and walked across a rope bridge (which I'm never doing again) to access the ramp down the other side of the pool. You have to visit the pool shop to get wristbands and towels.

The kids loved the pool though so it was worth it, and we stopped to see the dolphins after a good swim. Then TV took Miss TC for a swim in the lagoon where they were lucky enough to swim alongside a turtle.

When it was time to leave I decided to walk around the lagoon and take the lift up to reception. Except there was no signage for this lift either, and it was not where I expected to find it. After much wandering I found it tucked in a corner of the function space next to the toilets, and only because I saw someone in a wheelchair coming from that direction

 

[blackcat20]

The Island Market at the Queens shops is good for lunch, we had a few poke bowls and tried out their sandwiches as well (sandwhich being a chicken burger in my case). Not the cheapest, but still cheaper than dining out given no tip required, and it worked well for us given Master TC naps at noon.


We picked one afternoon to head down to Kona proper, to take the kids to where we got married (at the Royal Kona hotel). A quick stop to point out the spot, followed by Mai Tai's overlooking the ocean at the hotel bar.

Then a slow amble back through town to Fish Hopper which I'd booked for dinner. A nice spot to watch the ocean with coughtails and fish and chips (and poke nachos).


Then an obligatory stop at Scandinavian Shave Ice for a sno cone before the drive back to Waikaloa.

You just can't go past the sunsets in Hawaii

 

[blackcat20]

The two other places we ate dinner were A Bays Island Grill (fish tacos)



And Kuleana Rum shack, where we just had a selection of their starters, and the kids shared an ahi and rice which they demolished.


These two melt my heart

 

[love_the_life]

These two melt my heart
View attachment 297400

That is such a gorgeous photo - and my haven't they grown - seems like yesterday that Ms TC was a gleam in your eye. And now she's a big sister to young Master TC.

 

[blackcat20]

When we left Kona, our plan was for TV to drop myself, the kids and the bags at the airport, and we would wait while he quickly dropped the car back. But as soon as we got out of the car, a young man appeared with a trolley. He gathered up all the bags, noted down our booking references (two because Miss TC was on her own booking), and promised to have us checked in by the time TV returned. And he was right he dealt with the check in agent, tagged all our bags and had sent us on our way just as TV strolled up. He definitely earned his tip.

The HA lounge is a teeny tiny space with self serve coffee, soft drink and pretzels, but at least it has aircon.

The flight to Hnl is nice and short, just long enough for a coughtail and snack.


On arrival we collected our bags and made our way to where our prearranged ride was waiting. @TomVexille can provide details, but we were very excited to see a limo waiting for us


We quite enjoyed the ride to the Hilton Village

 

[TomVexille]

Transfers were booked with Top Limo Hawaii. $65 each way flat rate.

 

[levelnine]

Transfers were booked with Top Limo Hawaii. $65 each way flat rate.

Was that a premium over other options (ie cars that are not a stretch limo)? Or do you get the stretch thrown in for free?!

 

[blackcat20]

Was that a premium over other options (ie cars that are not a stretch limo)? Or do you get the stretch thrown in for free?!

We selected the "whatever is available" option and got lucky on the limo.

 

[TomVexille]

Was that a premium over other options (ie cars that are not a stretch limo)? Or do you get the stretch thrown in for free?!

What @blackcat20 said. The booking form does ask for how many bags you'll have, so I suspect that gets taken into account when allocating a vehicle.

We did pay $10 on top of the $65 each way for a car seat for the little one plus tip for the driver each way.

Overall I think it was only a minor premium over the cost of a cab to guarantee the peace of mind that we were getting a vehicle large enough to fit all of us and the amount of stuff you have travelling with two small humans. Also, uber/lyft ect. are not an option when travelling with little ones as they are generally not exempt from carseat laws like commercial operators are. And it was much cheaper then hiring a car + parking, and no hassles of trying to return the car before an early morning departure.

 

[Katie]

Was that a premium over other options (ie cars that are not a stretch limo)? Or do you get the stretch thrown in for free?!

On our two trips to HNL, we ended up with a limo at least 40% of the time when we just needed a cab. That was mostly from downtown HNL, leaving our hotel, etc.