Aloha!

I always say to the grandkids to work hard and start saving now.
We got money because Mike worked hard at the same job (sometimes really wanting to quit) for 30 plus years. We have money because he trusted me with the finances and retirement planning.

If you know anything about me I do not spend money unless we have it to spend.
All that being said - Yes Mike and I took our (his) dream vacation to Hawaii.
Yes it was expensive and Yes I would recommend it to everybody who has a desire to go.
Mike has been talking about it forever. He knows I am not a good flyer so he didn't push.
I surprised him with this vacation. I had only two condition. one - direct flight. two - I was not going to spend 9 hrs on a plane sandwiched 11 seats across with strangers. We flew first class. Our flight attendant lived in South Elgin right down the street from us.

huge thumbs up. Loved the reclining seats

I booked the flight and the room and Mike was responsible for our itinerary.
I booked the trip thru Expedia. We upgraded our room to a suite when we got there. Great idea by me. 2 TV's and 2 bathrooms.
We hit the beach and Mike bought us leis.

These things are not made of orchids like you would think. Nope, plumarias.

I was very excited to wear mine and wore it the whole next day when we walked to the grocery store and sat thru a presentation so we could get our luau free. $200 free!

Turns out some people are sensitive to the oil from the flowers.

Hence our luau picture has only Mike wearing one. Yup - boob rash for me.

They asked if anyone was celebrating and our dinner table couple (a young cute friendly couple from Chicago) told them we were. We got up with 3 other couple and had a special dance.

These kids were so cute and sweaty

We found a great Hawaiian (Alika) at the activity desk who helped us though our weeks activities. We figured it easier to let someone else do the driving. Great Idea!!! Traffic there is horrible.

Our hike up Diamond Head was challenging, but I made it.

Mike squeezing thru a bunker 

I did not go that way I took the longer route around.

The big reason Mike wanted to go was to visit Pearl harbor and the USS Missouri so we signed up for the military tour that included both and a trip to the military cemetery.

The tour on the Missouri was emotional for me, I stood where they signed the peace treaty so My Dad could come home.

below deck sleeping quarters

All the tour guides (bus drivers) were wonderful. I learned so much in an air conditioned bus with someone else driving.

The weather was perfect so we decided to hang out at the resort on the weekend. Mainly because I had 7 blisters on my feet and they needed a break. The place was not crowded at all. Mike and I chose the pool over the ocean. We are not ones to sit around a pool for too long though.

I was very excited to visit this shop

Sunday night was my surprise. Mike booked us on a sunset dinner cruise. I did get to try poi. It wasn't as bad as people say.

toast to 32 years

We still had one day left so we hunted down our friendly activity director Alika and he got us on the island circle tour for Monday.

It made stop along the way.
Mike got to try a shrimp shack like the guys from Hawaii 5-0.

Mike got the garlic and I got the coconut

We stopped to watch the surfers on the North Shore (apparently a big deal). You couldn't help but notice the large population of homeless. Our bus driver told us that they are trying to build housing for them, but most don't want the help. Somethings are the same everywhere.

Drove thru the mountains to a temple.

Apparently if you ring the gong you drive away evil spirits.

so long evil spirits

 We made stops along the way for so many photo opts. Yes this place is beautiful.

Our last stop was on my wish list. I was hoping for a coffee or pineapple plantation. We drove through coffee farms but we stopped at a Dole pineapple farm. Turns out Hawaii doesn't export them anymore. The Dole planation we were at, is closed down and they just grow for the island. It is Soooo much sweeter than what we get here.

We got lucky and everything was perfect for us. The flight home was overnight and with a 4 hour time difference it took us a few days to get back into our Illinois routine.

Mike and I had a warm, fun, relaxing vacation to HAWAII.

There are so many more pictures to share so I posted them on my shutterfly account.