Paradise Bound

Welcome to our web site!

We've enjoyed reading others and decided it was our time to join this communication medium. And what better time to start than when headed out on vacation. Yes, vacation again! Oahu for two weeks at our Ko Olina timeshare.

The week before was full with Craig in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Tampa. We were concerned about weather delays since we were flying through Denver on Saturday. Little did we know that DC was to have a "MAJOR weather event" on Friday and Saturday as we were to leave. The hysteria began on Wednesday with the news stations reporting a MAJOR event. By Thursday night they were closing the schools and raiding the grocery stores for hybernation supplies (milk, eggs, bread and toilet paper). Being a true Harvey, we already have cases of the hybernation supplies (Costco had coupons the week before on all the "basic necessities").

Craig changed his flight back from Tampa to 7 a.m. on Friday. This would be in the height of the storm, but would allow more time for him to get home and get us to the airport for our 7:54 am flight from BWI through Denver to Honolulu on Saturday. Well, Craig arrived in DC with RAIN falling! And yes, they had already closed the schools on Thursday night in preparation for the big event!

We arrived at BWI with ample time (that would be 30 minutes before the flight in Craig's view and 1 hour and 30 minutes in Jeannie's view). And the adventure begins..........

We flew United Airlines on USAir miles. We "had to" fly First Class due to no economy reward tickets available. We did our normal routine where Craig checks in two bags and then takes the rental car back while Jeannie checks in any additional bags and begins to head to the gate. When Craig checked in, they had only printed one checked bag tag. The agent printed another and Craig had a funny feeling about it but didn't act upon it at that time. All was going well until Craig got into the security line. Something made him look at his luggage tags and low and behold "Houston we have a problem". One bag was going to Honolulu and the other was going to Kauai. He waited until he got to the gate to address the issue with an agent. Based on past experiences of lost luggage he braced himself for what they were most likley to say, that you have to wait until you arrive to declare the luggage lost. Well, to his surprise and delight, this was not the case! The agent called down and asked the ground crew to locate and retag the bag! We were amazed, but somewhat doubtful that it would really happen.

Being avid USAir flyers (not because of spectacular service but more for the chance to sit in more comfortable seats and beverage service!) we had low expectations for our flight. Craig had warned Jeannie that there would be a snack for the meals. Were we ever surprised and delighted with our experience. United has an excellent First Class experience and we felt like we ate our way to Hawaii on excellent food and service!

Jeannie had left on the trip with a bad cold. It got worse as we flew. But the flight attendants were wonderfully attentive and provided her with cool cloths and extra attention. It made the whole experience that much more special.

We arrived in Honolulu at 5 p.m. to high 70's and cloudy conditions. We made our way to baggage claim with some apprehension as to whether the mistagged bag would make it. However, based on the rest of our experience the bag miracle might happen. And low and behold it did! Go United! We look forward to our flight home!

We quickly got our rental car and headed to Sam's Club!! Yes, we needed to get our hot dog dinner and necessities! No trip is complete without visiting the local Sam's Club and/or Costco!! Craig had to get his traditional 10 pound bag of Maui Raw Sugar to take home (yes we lug a 10 pound bag of sugar all the way home just so he thinks it is a little taste of paradise).

We checked into the Marriott and have a view from the 9th floor of the mountain and marina.

Jeannie is still sleeping and hopefully will feel better after the long day and drain of her cold.

Craig is currently sitting on the balcony watching the sun rise and placing the finishing touches on this blog. It is a surprise Blog for Jeannie. I hope she likes and furthermore I hope she takes it over!

Aloha!