We're earning miles today

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THE ELOPEMENT IS ON!!!! Both of us got got up very early Wednesday morning and were off to Dulles airport for a 12:30 flight to Honolulu with a stopover in Los Angeles. We arrived in Hawaii at 7:30 pm local time. It is now 10:45 pm local time which means Vanda and I have been up for over 21 consecutive hours. Both flights were long, 5 plus hours to LA and just under 6 hours to Hawaii, but we arrived excited and ready to go. We rented a car and arrived at the Hale Koa hotel about an hour after arrival. By this time Vanda was her usual famished self, so we had dinner at 9:30 -- 3:30 am Thursday in DC. The restaurant in the hotel was an open air one with a huge banyan tree in the sunken courtyard. The moon is full tonight and lends a romantic splendor to our first night here.

The Hale Koa hotel is on Waikiki beach on the island of Oahu. It is a resort for military personnel and DOD civilians and is sponsored by the Armed Forces Recreation Center. It has a Post Exchange and Vanda has already made a visit - but after dinner. Shopping is her number 2 priority. Wonder what's number 1??? The lights of Honolulu are beautiful at night. Vanda has been good so far, which means we have not met Charlie Chan or McGarett of Hawaii Five-O.

Now, heresssss Vanda.....

I think one of us is running on fumes . . . and it's not Vanda. Anyway, we each earned 4844 miles today. By next summer, we should have enough miles for two tickets to Ireland. At LAX we called our families to let them know our whereabouts. By the way, neither of us has ever been to Hawaii before. Now we'll upload a few photos we took today on the trip. Goodbye until tomorrow.

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Photos

Host and Hostess Gifts
Vanda and I made a big basket of Maryland gifts for my cousin, Sandy Santiago, and his wife Lucille.

Vanda's boarding pass
Vanda's boarding pass

Comments

[Chris]

I was just there and I miss it already! The friends we took want to move there and the Dad hasn't been the same since. I am so happy for you that the flight went well and you're there! Looking forward to the pictures! Savor every moment! Love, Chris

[Robert, "Son"]

Sounds like fun!!!!
Hey Dad and new Mom, This is all very exciting!!!! It was great reading your blog and seeing the pictures. You both must be thrilled to be in Hawaii, but I'm sure your tired from the trip. Oh by the way dad, the caps lost 1-2 last night!!! It is 7:00 am here so It's 1:00am where you are. Although, if I know jetlag you should be waking up shortly! Ok, time for me to get back to work. I wish you both all the best this weekend! and Congrats again! Love, Robby

[Ann Carden]

Such a fun post! (Rob, you're a wonderful writer!). Glad you arrived safely. BTW, love the tag on the luggage!