Hello hope no one was worried about us (back in June). No month long camping trip this year. This year was the long awaited for trip to Hawaii. The kids have mentioned Hawaii a number of times as an ideal vacation destination. From when they were really young before we started the crazy long camping trips and at times as suggestions for options instead of spending a month in our camper. The time had finally come as we've been all across the lower 48 traveling to or through each state (we sort of messed up not staying a night in Oregon on the first Big Trip when we traveled through the state from Seattle to northern California. But to be fair all states wasn't even in our heads at that point we just hoped we made it through that trip in one piece) and it was finally time to venture out further afield. Alas we couldn't take our beloved camper the Paper House to Hawaii so instead of a grueling 30 day cross country camping trip we opted for a 10 day luxurious trip with time spent in a hotel and a 7 day cruise to visit the islands. I feel the cruise sleeping quarters was the closest thing to camping, every thing else was luxury and we reminded the kids and each other a few times that this is more like how normal people like to take vacation. We've been back quite a while now and the thing I miss most is not having to cook. It's what I notice the most, it was pretty awesome to not have to cook and worry about meals. When we are camping it's always been just like at home, while we eat fast food on travel days and go out once or twice to somewhere nice otherwise it's like being at home with me cooking the same meals just prepared in the camper or on the Colman grill instead of the kitchen. It sure helps keep cost down in general but anyway this was a really nice "vacation" from cooking this year.
Our first stop was the island of Oahu. We flew in on a direct flight from Minneapolis. It was our kids 2nd time on a plane with there first just a month before on a quick weekend trip to Orlando for a work adjacent event with my coworkers and their families celebrating the sale of the company I work for, the company that allows me to take a month off each year. It raised some eyebrows when I only took two weeks off this year and I gotta tell you working 12 months in a row is for the birds. Anyway it was really nice to have that practice run in so the kids knew what to expect to when they fly. Our flight to Hawaii was 8 hours. I was more worried about it than anyone. Could I sit for 8 hours straight how would I stay entertained. I mentioned it once out load driving somewhere a few weeks before the trip and Lucas's response was "8 hours that's nothing, I've been training for this my whole life". Which is true we often are in the car on travel days 8-10 hours, so I asked him for some tips. And he was right, turns out a book and couple of movies is really all you need to make it through.
Our time on Oahu was spent in the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This big complex of hotel towers, restaurants, and shops, every thing you need. We worried about jet lag quite a bit but really going to Hawaii wasn't bad we got in late and went to bed about 9pm (2am central) and were up really early (like 4am) but it worked well, we didn't oversleep or anything that we were worried about as we had tickets to the USS Arizona memorial at 9 in the morning. The first day there we did some tourist stuff, we went to Perl Harbor and did the memorial in the morning. Then that afternoon I had gotten tickets to Diamond Head so we took in that hike. I was the only one that really wanted to do Diamond Head and everyone was very noncommittal to actually going that afternoon but when it rolled around everyone went and I think it was the highlight of this first leg of the trip. The next day was our beach day we got a couple cabana's by the pool to use as our home base and spent time in both the pool and ocean, reading, a surfing lesson, and Becky and Crys spent some time in the spa. Was a pretty relaxing day and wrapped up our time in Oahu. That next morning we had to check out and catch a boat for the next part of our trip. Here's pictures from our stay on Oahu. Lots of pictures.
The Munsch's are on the plane! Getting ready for takeoff!
Becky looking ridiculous. She really just wanted to sleep the flight away
We flew over the grand canyon so I had to get a picture... oh we'll be back there someday and complete our hike.
We made it! Getting our Leis on arrival
View from our hotel room. So it was just a normal hotel room and we didn't expect a whole lot just a place to sleep. We all booked our rooms together or our travel agent did and Becky's parents room was amazing, on a higher floor with a much better "partal ocean" views then we have here. So while it didn't matter much was a bit of a let down. Worst part was we had to use 2 different elevators to get to them and was a bit of a pain meeting up. Guess we assumed we'd all be closer together and we could see there are corner rooms that you could connect a kids room and stuff that would have been great for the boys room but we didn't know any of that... moral of the story book it yourself and make sure what you're getting and what's available. If we hadn't seen how much better it could have been in their room it wouldn't have been a deal at all. But spending the same amount for quite a bit less was hard for me to swallow. We didn't spend much time in the room anyway so in the grand scheme it didn't really matter.
View of the beach in front of the hotel, the hotel says the Hawaiian Village is on Waikiki beach but it's really not, that's down a ways this beach is named Kahanamoku Beach, it's all connected I guess but I found that interesting.
Becky and Marc getting there feet wet the first day we ran down to check out the beach.
Cool tree in the middle of the Hilton Village
At Pearl Harbor, waiting for the girls and Lucas to arrive. We had to take two Lyfts anywhere we went.
Sunken or Lost Ship memorial not really sure what it's called was off to the side towards the submarine museum. Very interesting.
Inside the museum, it was small and really crowded, made it hard to really take in properly
We took the tour to the USS Arizona, this is right after stepping in.
Marcus looking at the wreckage
Oil is still constantly bubbling up from the wreckage
America
Picture of the entrance on the way out of the memorial
Before picture ready to hike up Diamond Head
And we're walking
and walking...
and stopping for a selfie
It was a cool trail, everyone I talked to said skip Diamond Head it's not worth it. But I enjoyed it so you heard it here, don't skip it, take the hike. It's not exactly easy but nothing worth while usually is.
Becky taking in a view of the rim of the crater
Samus out on the plank
Marcus same shot
Lucas in the tunnel
Stairs we walked past, we will get to take them later on the way back
Taking a break
Picture of some of the bunkers on the ridge
Becky and Jason
Marcus and I
Stairs to the top
Bunker just below the top of the trail
View from the top, looking back towards our Waikiki beach and our hotel off in the distance
It's a long ways down to the surf
Dar and Lucas, Dar didn't have quite as much fun as the rest of us on the hike.
Becky and Lucas hamming it up. I always enjoy a hiking Lucas. He never wants to go but usually has the most fun.
Continuing on the hike, heading down you go through the bunker down this spiral staircase.
Heading out a tunnel, tried to get a silhouette.
Almost got a good one... almost
Heading back down
Remember the yellow stairs... we meet again
Lucas smiling like a lunatic. Going up we didn't see anyone smiling or looking like they had fun on the hike so Lucas made sure to smile at anyone we passed to let everyone know the hike is fun... or that he's crazy.
After shot we made it just in time the park was closing soon
The hike continued, ride share would only pickup at a pullout outside the park where we were dropped off so had to walk a ways through a tunnel in the crater wall to get there.
Palm trees outside our hotel.
Cabana time
Fire works on the beach that night we caught part of them from the in-laws room
Ain't no one happier than Samus in a tree
Yes I think we might be in paradise
Stroll along the beach front
Becky on the beach with Diamond Head in the background
Schools in session. Time to learn to surf
Class photo before the fun starts... we're way out there I bet it was at least a quarter mile paddle to get in position. I was beat at this point before we got started. Everyone else looked like they were gliding on top of the water... I was plowing through.
Marcus was basically a professional. Great student, the surfing crew loved him. He had a great time taking the most turns and living it up.
Samus riding giants, all the kids were naturals at catching the waves
Becky's Mom, Crys riding a wave. Good shot of the beach in the back ground. Also this was pretty much how I rode the waves, I couldn't stand up at all. We purchased pictures of everyone but me. It was nothing to see.
Riding
Waves
Lucas throwing a double shaka
Becky is up on her feet
Marcus...this kid loves the Ocean
Marcus making it look easy. Check out his video below it's pretty awesome.
I wrote this post mostly in August... finished it up here in January of 2024. Better extremely late than never. Hopefully I get the posts of the rest of the trip before next years Oregon trip. Yes you heard it hear first it's finally time to officially check off Oregon (aka The White Whale) from the list.
