Aloha!!

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Haweewee (Hawaii) here we come,



Welcom back to the family, friends and strangers (inc...our Texan friend) who have been coming along for the ride...We hope you are still enjoying the blog.



The last leg of our journey is approaching and what has affectionately become known by us as Ha wee wee is where we are heading next. We are sad to be leaving the mainland US but are also looking forward to a time to "chillax".



We flew into LA last night and stayed at The Hilton just near the airport and thank god we did not bump into those skanky Hilton Heiresses. We may have shopped as if we were like them but no nude videos were made during our stay or overnight stays required at the local penitentiary. After dumping our bags in the huge (read huge!!!) room, a quick change was had and the girls slipped on their bathers. This is only the third time they have had a chance to utilise the pool facilities as we have been going NON-STOP with the promise of a beach and pool escape in Haweewee.



The girls decided that they would dress up for dinner, so after showers on came their fancy gear. The Gman put his formal thongs on! Dinner was at one of many Cafe's at the Hotel and during our dinner we noticed many women and men dressed up. Huge amounts of make-up, hairspray and fake tan (and boobs) were on display as far as the eye could see! A Ballroom Dancing Competition was being held at the Hilton while we were there and it was on a School Night...who would have thought! After dinner, I suggested to the girls that we may be able to sneak a peek at the dancers, much to G's delight (I thought he may enjoy a bit of eye candy..you know, skimpy costumes, lots of skin on show, etc). Having attended many comps during my youth, I was not shocked at the display on offer but the Girls and G were taken aback. All ages were competing....young, middle aged, old and almost deceased...albeit all as orange in colour as actor George Hamilton's (apparently natural) tan.



After a sneak peek with the assistance of a hotel employee (I keep telling my kids it never hurts to inquire...they just think I'm embarrassing as I will talk to anyone), it was time for an early night....10.35pm to be precise.



Alarm went off at 6am this morning, no time for breakky, let's just queue for the shuttle bus to the Airport. First in line, to the disgust of all behind us when they copped a view of the many suitcases we had, we waited for the bus and were shortly on our way.



We have just boarded a flight with American Airlines. OMG never again is the word I would use. First we arrive at kerbside check in at 7.30am & apparently there is an issue with our booking. We get carted to the internal check in & stand in a queue which clearly deals with all types of " Issue's". After quite some time the woman serving checks us in, which did not seem to be an issue and then we made our way to our listed Gate #45. We sat there for ages until our flight was finally called up. Then we had to be transported from our terminal #45 to the plane by bus, which was a farce. The organisation of this was comical to say the least.



On the plane we go for our 10.30am flight, are congratulated by cabin staff for being so diligent and punctual and then the plane takes off. Blankets are sort of handed out to those that got in first...anyone near the back that wanted one....too bad ....all gone...tuff luck!!!! The cabin staff start serving drinks (free of charge) and food (which requires payment) to the front of the plane. The host and hostess are making their way towards us & I explain to the girls early on that as there isn't a huge variety or amount to choose from, they may need to have a secondary preference for their meal/snacks. Having chosen their meal off the menu we now just need to wait for the trolley to arrive. After 2 hours, both of the trolly's get to row #26, they are served and yep you guessed it....it's now run out of the meals (that is almost 60 meals short). All they have is snacks.......Host's continue on and get to about row #33 and that is when I overheard a conversation that from here they have about three packets of crisps left for the remaining length of the plane...aren't we just soo lucky, we are in the back row #36.



When the cart gets to our row and all of the adults ahead of us have stripped the cart bare, me being Mumma Bear mentioned to the Host that there are 3 children in the back row (our 2 and a young 5yo girl with her mum on the other side sitting next to G). He said sorry but all I have is a (singular) bag of mixed nuts..I then queried if they really expected three young kids to sit for approximately 6 hours unfed. With that he hands me two bags of mixed crisps stating that is all he had left. Graham and the Mum also got a little involved at this point and then to our amazement he asked for the payment of the crisps and nuts. Total paid for said food was over $12.. (All I could think of was Mrs Flanders from the Simpsons crying " Somebody think of the Children").



Now we all know that saying "Karma is a Bitch"...we know it is not the fault of the staff on board that the food ran out but as it would happen the Host's overhead locker, sitting above G's seat, with all their personal belongings and their food inside wouldn't open. It was jammed shut....so now they also are to make do without food for the duration of the flight. I just hope all the safety gear is not in there as well.



Now on to Ha wee wee...While there, I hope to get : lei'd upon arrival (with beautiful local flowers of course), hear the sounds of water lapping on the beach with seagulls and wildlife in the distance, have a dinner at a Lu'ai and hopefully that will make this God forsaken trip on AA worthwhile.



A quick visit is definitely required to a salon to get nails looked at as thong (Aussie casual footwear or known as flip flops in USA) wearing is on the agenda, maybe a massage or facial...clearly need all the help I can get these days.....so sick of being called Ma'am.



A few things have come to our attention during our stays at many Hotels. While some are fancy, others fairly basic, they all have one thing in common. Their beds and pillows suck...are awful....uncomfortable....and they use the worst pillows they could find which are square??? Never seen small square pillows before, (know the large European ones), but many had them. Double beds are what we have slept in. I just didn't think there was a need for doubles anymore. Who wants a double when there are such things as Queen or Kings available. Just ask my mate Dave who runs his own Snooze store in Melb....( free plug here Dave... Hope that is ok with you???) How many do you sell Dave, surely not too many these days??



Most nights G loves to bed hog the mattress, I then get to attempt to sleep on approx the width of a 30cm ruler. ....It's so comfortable that I often suggest to G that he try it himself...but he never seems that interested. Stealing the doona during slumber at night is another of G's favourite pastimes...Hence the reason for our latest trip to Walmart....needed another pair of pj's...pretty sure the girls appreciate me not flashing my bare bum during my sleep....



To be brutally honest....I've had a ball !!!! as I know the girls and G have too. I may not have experienced all the rides but MummaBear is happy knowing her cubs and G have been able to notch up another experience of their own. If you could travel or ride it, it's been achieved. If you could see it, it's been seen. If you could eat it...you guessed it....we consumed it.



Now to those who don't know me, I probably sound like an ungrateful Biatch but that is just my sarcastic nature. Let' s just say I give as good as I get!! I can be quiet at times but if someone lets me put words down on paper or blog .....watch out!!!



Almost at Ha wee wee...will check in with you after I've had a nana nap and to see what kind of experience we have at our destination, but first let me leave American Airlines with a song so eloquently put by Taylor Swift....We are Never! Ever! Ever getting back together!! Got it!



Well, had about a 10min siesta and not long now til we land. Our time with AA has not really got much better but we shall just move on.



Arrived at Honolulu Airport, all went to plan there but have two young girls disappointed as they missed getting a lei upon landing. Seems like we were the only family not to get one.....some passengers appeared to have more than their fair share but what ya gonna do?...



Out to Taxi rank, wait our turn and whoa we seem to be in luck. A couple of beautiful white stretch limo Taxi's ( yep they have Stretch Limo Taxi's here) arrive to collect passengers.....Girls, think our luck is changing!!!



Ohhhh, hang on, wait a minute, no no no!......they just gave the limo to a couple who each have just an overnight bag. What the hell.....we have a truckload of luggage and need the room but noooooo, let's give it away to someone who could fit into the sidecar of a motor bike....genius.!



Next limo arrives....not as bad a decision by the terminal staff at the rank. They load up a family of five in this one but again they are only carrying one bag each.



Finally get our taxi and it just had enough room for us all and the luggage. By this stage kids had hit their limit. Sitting in the back seat with the girls, unfed ( still nowhere to get something for them to eat at the airport), lei-less and now their chance of a Limo ride missed, I just managed to keep sane til we got to the Motel. Anyone need a drink.....think I do, but let me feed the kids first!



Chat to you next time.



Love to all,

Lisa xx

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Photos

Post dinner cocktails, mock tails and beers
Enjoying our last night at the Fairmont Hotel

A bit of decorum please
The girls on their best (poshest) behaviour

No decorum
Running down the hallway at the Fairmont to our hotel room

Last swim on the mainland
At the LA airport Hilton Hotel

Happy family
Our last dinner and drinks before we head off to Hawaii

Final packing
Thankfully the hotel room was large which allowed us to sort all our cases out

Welcome to Hawaii
Beautiful!