catharsis

Could I hijack the OPs thread slightly to ask a Hawaii question?

We're planning a week in Maui in August, followed by 4-5 days in either Kauai or the Big Island.

Opinions as to which is the better option when paired with a week in Maui (Kaanapali) ?

HomerJay

There is no right answer, but the Big Island and Kaua'i are as different as can be.

The big island is much closer, and has an active volcano, the funkiest city in all Hawaii (Hilo), farms, a big ranch, and the resort area around Kona. Personally, I find Hilo extremely interesting for its history - the town was nearly destroyed twice by tsunamis - on April fool's day in 1946, and again in 1961 (IIRC). Because of that, development stopped, and much of downtown Hilo has buildings dating back to the early 1900's.

The big island also has the volcano, Volcano House, lava tubes, and macadamia nut farms. It has a weather phenomenon called "vog," a mixture of fog and volancic fumes.

Parts of it near the volcano are desolate as hell, but it's cool to walk on newly formed earth, so long as you watch where you're going.

Kaua'i is much more beautiful. It has Hawaii's only river, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the amazing cliffs on the northern part of the island, the "tree tunnel," the wettest spot on earth, and it is amazingly green and always in bloom.

It's like asking what flavor ice cream is best. No right answer. Both are wonderful. They are just very, very different.

paul4040

Probably going to be difficult given I am not GGL.

AmaaiZeg

For an affordable beachfront condo in HNL , check out Waikiki Shore by Outrigger. A studio at easter , 6 nts , is about $1.3K inclusive of taxes and cleaning. Perfect location, overlooking Fort Derussy and direct beach access. The only downside is pot luck whether you get a refurbished or old style furniture condo.

hsmall

Sorry to be a bit thick but how are you getting to 980 TPs? I would have thought you would get 140 for CAI-LHR; another 140 for LHR-LAX (sold as I with the upgrade to F) and 140 for LAX-HNL (class I). Which makes 140*3*2= 840?

DesertNomad

I find this hard to comprehend... "reasonable"?? I've never spent anywhere close to $300/nt on a hotel anywhere in the world, including a resort in the Maldives, and Raffles in Beijing.

mikeyfly

Did you cancel this one in the end Fitch ?

Fitch

Sorry you are quite correct. I was overenthusiastically quoting MMB which as we know is notorious for false promises Barring a happy IT failure at BA, I should indeed expect 6 x 140 = 840 !!

Not a TP run though, so would be quite happy with £1.59/TP for a holiday in Hawai'i and the chance to try out F on the A380 LHR-LAX ... though as you may have seen on my related post today, the whole trip may be off anyway

cgtechuk

This. We went last year and did Maui Oahu and Big Island, Now going back this year to do the stuff we didnt get a chance to do last year. Love the place Although we are going exDUB as a position to CAI isnt ideal for us

TravellerFrequently

This.

catharsis

Update: I'm travelling into OGG, spending a week there and then 4 nights/5 days in LIH.

Accomodation is finalised in Marriott Vacation Club properties, so next order of business is to seek advice on whether a car is necessary, what the 'must-do's on Maui and Kauai are etc.

I will of course check other FT resources but thought I would put this content into this thread as the closest to a CAI-HNL master thread that exists.

ExpatSomchai

We did an ex CAI on BA/QR recently. Inbound we transferred to Le Meridien Pyramids. Great location and hotel was just OK. On the return stayed at Le Meridien Airport. As SPG Gold at that time we arranged a pick up from T2 to Le Meridien Airport and actually also received VIP service for free. Probably as it is a business destination for me and have stayed a few times. Hotel is great and would certainly recommend it.

m0hamed

They offer to anyone requesting pickup for free.

HomerJay

Absolutely, you want a car. Maui is full of must-do things, depending on your age. Take a bicycle ride down Halaakala, from the 11,000 foot level to either the 3,000 foot level at the Kula Lodge or all the way down to sea level at Pai'a. it's all downhill. Snorkel or take a glass bottom boat to Molokini. Drive the road to Hana. All three are good enough to be on your bucket list.

My suggestion is to take the bike ride to and from the Kula Lodge. That way, you can get off there and explore the Tedeschi Winery and some upcountry towns like Makawao, which is amazingly laid-back and modern day new-age or hippie. Make sure you have lunch in Pai'a, where you can watch the windsurfers across the street at Baldwin Beach. The Pai'a Fish Market has been there since forever, and makes the best fish burgers in the universe. And you really don't have to go all the way to Hana. It's 36 miles, but at 10-15mph. Hana and the Oheo Gulch (seven pools) aren't nearly as wonderful as the road itself.

There's a lot to do on Kaua'i, and again, you can do it by car. If you are doing this by MVC, I strongly suggest you call the resort in advance, and chat up the concierge, who will steer you in the right direction. Safe travels and aloha.

Keep it Riel

Back to Cairo... Was there c. 2 years ago. Times were tough with tourism down significantly and no social security system to speak of. However the Egyptian authorities are hyper sensitive to looking after those tourists that do go.

Went to the pyramids, which are an absolute must see. Had booked a guide and car for the day so were escorted in. Mrs KIR wanted a camel ride so the guide negotiated one for each of us. Half way through my camel was led away from the wife's and the camel-guy gave me a bit of a sob story about how times were tough, blah, blah, blah. I wanted to get back to the Mrs so gave him a token amount to shut him up.

Told the guide about it as we were driving back out of the site and he immediately turned the car around, found the guy in question, gave him an absolute verbal toasting and got my money back!

Every guide / vendor in the pyramid site is licensed and these licenses can be taken away for even the smallest misdemeanor. A firm No Shukran (no thanks) and they WILL leave you alone.