Hawaii is fabulous! Have you been there, Dimpz or Caitie? I can just feel those breezes and smell the flowers.

Dimpz you will enjoy your journey. My favourite is & I know I will spell it incorrectly is Yosemite National Park. We visited at the end of winter with snow everywhere, just beautiful.

I loved San Fan, the houses had me puzzled. The coast down to Carmel is lovely, Pebble Beach etc.

I am an amusement park hog, so loved Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Seaworld & the Zoo in San Deigo is very different. Aaahhhh bringing back lots of nice mermories. The first time we travelled there the Aussie accent was still new & unknown to lots, we had fun with it.

While in Hawaii you must go to the Hawaiian feast were they cook a pig in the ground by the beach. When I think Hawaii I think of the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Cheers
Spooky

Toots & Spooky ~ No we have never been to Hawaii, this is all new ground for us. We will be visiting Yosemite amongst other national parks. You two are making me look forward to it even more.

Spooky ~ A Hawaiian feast is on the list, along with a volcano.

Dimpz - Aaaah Hawaii - tradewinds, flowers and rainbows can't beat it!

Must do-s: The Polynesian Cultural Center (has the feast as part of the dinner plan - just so/so more like a picnic, flies and all native dancing was great and the evening show was superb), Dole Pineapple Plantation, and The Arizona War Memorial (Pearl Harbor).

Everything is quite expensive because supplies have to be imported from the mainland...it's worth the spirit of Aloha.

If you are in Honolulu, be sure to rent a car to visit these sites - no tour needed, just a plan - and get up to the north shore as well. Diamond Head (the Volcano) I passed - long walk uphill in high heat - went to their hearby fabulous zoo instead, while others did it.

Great way to end a vacation before heading home!

quote:

We have never visited any part of the U.S. We are looking forward to seeing Bryce, Zion & Grand Canyons. This will be a really 'different' trip for

Dimpz you're not going to Canada as well are you. What you have told us sounds great. Have never been to Hawai.It is a good stopover point to relax after your tour. We have never been to USA or Canada and they are on our wish list.

Roxy ~ Yes I think it is the Polynesian Cultural Centre we are going to & Pearl Harbour is also ticked. We are doing two islands Oahu & Hawaii. To be honest I have not involved myself too much in the Hawaii planning, as Mr Dimpz is now retired I figured it was time that both of us shared the planning & booking duties.

Jen ~ We are debating if Canada & Alaska will be 2009 or 2010. My husband has it firmly in his sights.

Yes, Tootsie, I've been to Hawaii a couple of times. I think those warrior dances they do might remind those from Down Under of the Maori of New Zealand. You know - the ones where all that testosterone is thumping across the stage.

Dimpz On the Big Island as they call the actual island of Hawaii, go to the volcano, well worth the drive, there are numerous historical sites to go visit and well worth the visit. Beautiful parks and plantations.

quote:

Originally posted by Caitie:
I think those warrior dances they do might remind those from Down Under of the Maori of New Zealand. You know - the ones where all that testosterone is thumping across the stage.

I have a Maori brother-in-law & a Samoan brother-in-law, both have wonderful voices & on rare occasions will perform a warrior dance, mainly when the nieces & nephews were younger to entertain them. I look forward to seeing the Hawaiian dancers.

quote:

Originally posted by mid life traveller:
Dimpz On the Big Island as they call the actual island of Hawaii, go to the volcano, well worth the drive, there are numerous historical sites to go visit and well worth the visit. Beautiful parks and plantations.

MLT ~ My husband is a volcano 'nut' & has signed us up for a volcano day tour. Hopefully we will be able for his sake, to be close to the active part of the volcano.

Hi everyone,

Apologies for being rude and not posting back here, i had the post set to automatic response through emal, so saw a couple of updates initially which i took note of, then didn't follow this train of conversation further.

I ended up booking accommodation at the MGM Grand. I remember walking through that casino when i was there 7 years ago, and wasn't too badly priced.

Now i just have to figure out with what we're going to do for the 3.5 days we're there. I have heard that the Outlet Shopping is pretty good, so that'll take care of one day for us!!

One tip: When you're there - go to the Casino and ask the "boss" (ie the guy behind the guy behind the table) for some cards. They keep packs that have been used - perfectly OK but used. VERY smooth.

They generally will have a few sets if you ask nicely.

NB: DO NOT WALK BEHIND THE TABLE YOURSELF !

They can be a great souvenir or present when you go home. They generally have a lable on them naming the Casino etc.

quote:

Jen ~ We are debating if Canada & Alaska will be 2009 or 2010. My husband has it firmly in his sights.

Great Dimpz. Only hear good reports about Canada. Now that is on our list - could be next year or 2010. (Depends on the money) My man badly wants to go to Las Vagas. Think he has been talking to someone who has been there.

quote:

Originally posted by Dimpz:

I have a Maori brother-in-law & a Samoan brother-in-law, both have wonderful voices & on rare occasions will perform a warrior dance, mainly when the nieces & nephews were younger to entertain them. I look forward to seeing the Hawaiian dancers.

At the evening show of the Polynesian Cultural Center you will see the best dancing ever (fire and lights and all - fabulous; outdoor ampitheater syle). On the premises of the center - think one huge lushly landscaped park with bridges and streams, the various Polynesian countries have an exhibit to visit in natural surroundings; Somoa and Tonga are 2 of them - fabulous demos and performances - I enjoyed it there as will you!

Note: If you are spending the day there, from a.m. through the luau and evening show, wear comfortable clothes and shoes - "dressing" doesn't matter for the show. All day you will be going through jungle like surroundings and the luau is really "rustic" in a covered pavillion, on the grass, long railroad car style picnic tables, buffet of food choices with paper plates, and a singing and dancing show while you eat...I would still do it again - but nothing to write home about. Plus if you are spending the day there - you have to eat somewhere unless you pack a lunch!

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