Post #808379 by SouthSeasKat on Wed, Mar 15, 2023 12:32 PM

Just a few updates. I'm on Big Island right now, roughly 1/3rd of the way through the trip.

Started with a first class flight from HND to HNL:

Mix your own drinks at the JAL lounge, so I made a jungle bird (came out a bit oranger than expected):

First class on Hawaiian. The crew and the food was amazing. The Mai Tais were plentiful but... a bit caustic. Pre-mixed and low-shelf rum. I had to ask for POG juice to make them drinkable.

On account of my status, The Royal Hawaiian upgraded to an Ocean View room, and for my mother, they gave us chocolates, strawberries, and coconut cake. The breakfasts were all huge enough (and included) to basically serve us as two meals.

And I cannot begin to rave adequately about the staff. Just top notch. Was not prepared for the Japanese style service, but on account of my travel origin, I was assigned to the Asian Management Team and it was about 50% English/50% Japanese. My stay also included a credit, so we probably spent more money on tips given to the staff than we did outside of what I prepaid! I hate tipping culture in the US though, we don't do it in Japan. Just pay people a living wage! I'll gladly pay the higher rate.

I had a few different Hawaiian Mai Tais, but I started with the Vic's 44:

We did Pearl Harbor, and only did the newly reopened control tower and the Pacific Aviation Museum, I failed multiple times to get Arizona reservations. That was frankly enough. That and the grounds took us like five or six hours.

Today is Day 2 of the Big Island, and on Day 1 we did the full circuit. Kona Coffee, Volcanoes, Waterfalls, and lots of rolling pasture cattle ranch land. 12 hours. For the next couple of days, we're probably just going to chill in Kona. I'm headed to the Cheeky Tiki tonight maybe?

Then it's off to Maui!