Melbourne to Hawaii with Jetstar -5th July 2023

We were picked up by Gavin at 12.30 at Wheelers hill and then driven to Melbourne International airport in about 45 minutes. Dropped off and purchased a luggage cart and made our way to checkin. All went well.

Check in was efficient and delighted to be informed that our flight was on schedule. Through check in inside 15 minutes then into immigration and security and all electronic and efficient and through inside another 15 minutes. All worked well. Then into the duty free and Ken purchased 2 small bottles of Gin for the forthcoming cruise on Pride of America.

We boarded after sitting in a lounge and at 3.10pm we were ushered into a holding area for a short wait then into the boarding area. We boarded at 3.35pm, all well done and we were sitting in Seats 1D and 1E at the very front of the plane. Not the Business class as we know it , but comfortable in recliner seats.

The Pilot advised that our departure was delayed approximately 25 minutes through contractor delays.in cleaning g and provisioning.

The flight service of the staff was excellent. We had drinks served about 40 minutes after departure followed by a meals of excellent quality and good wines. Ken had a Lamb Shank and Vegetables for Amin followed by a scrumptious desert. By approximately 6.00pm we had been fed and we were ready for sleep, with the promise that we would be awoken for breakfast after 5.30 and / or 6.00 hours.

Sleep was a challenge in the comfortable recliner seat. We both dozed rather than slept. But the time for sleeping passed quite quickly and we obviously achieved more sleep that we expected. Breakfast came at 4.30am ( Hawaiian time) too early , but we had a fruit platter and then a type of dessert, with orange juice and coffee. It was very good not to the Singapore Airlines perfection , but more than adequate.

Landing occurred at about 6.10am, all professional and all worked well. We exited the plane after an enjoyable flight at 6.25pm, quickly through Immigration and Customs within another 15 minutes, collected our luggage inside another 10 minutes and departed the internatgiomnal airport expecting to find our car rental at the designated pick up. In our case this was through Designated area 3 which was closest to the departure point. We hadn’t at this time received any arrival instructions, these were to be sent after our departure..

Frustratingly, we waited for some 15 minutes, then asked for assistance they called the driver who was a Departure/ Arrival Gate 5 and he advised he couldn’t comer to us as had no perm it fpor that area. The phone conversation wasn’t helpful. He advised he wasn’t coming to us and we had all our luggage. We said “too hard” we will get a taxi , as we were 30 metres from the rank, with 2 cars available immediately. It o cost us money but we were desposited at The Grand Hawaiian within the Hilton Hawaiian Village within 25 minutes. will follow up at the airport re TransferZ over the next 2-3 days. So that didn’t go as planned.

We had been concerned that HGVC The Grand Waikikian would not have rooms available until mid afternoon (3.00-4.00pm). This proved to be the case with the holiday 4 July (Independence Day) with every room and bed booked out. Nothing available until 4.00pm.

So what to do, we were tired and our body clocks were out of cynic! There is a lounge on level 8 of this building for arriving and welcoming guests but we had a long wait until 3.30pm. We checked in , at least the early part, then went to the lounge and relaxed, slept a boot and the time did pass (albeit slowly).

Check in was fine and we were in our Unit / villa on 2408 here at the Grand Waikikian, it is simply a stunning unit of one bedroom with 2 vqueen beds. Well fitted kitchen , stunning lounge area and toilet and bathroom and washer/ dryer.

So all has gone well and at 5.00pm we have unpacked, are delighted with our accommodation and despite being exhausted we decide to have an early dinner at CJ’s a small restaurant selling all day food. The place is flat out and we are staggered at the numbers. Here we are quickly informed that it is American Independence Day 4 July and there isn’t a vacant be in Hilton Hawaiian village for the whole week.

We have salads, Ken enjoys a Cobb and Jeanette has a chicklen.

All good we enjoy finish quickly and decide an early night. Ken showers and is in bed asleep by 7.35pm and Jeanette by 8.00pm. We sleep the clock around with Ken waking at 7.35am and he then gets up. Jeanette goes back to sleep until 8.45am.

Last night after dinner we did some minor shopping for breakfast so this morning we had juice, yoghurt and fruit. All very good. Ken Showered whilst Jeanette caught up with emails etc. Bad news for our Dees with Clarry being out for another 3-4 weeks withi this ongoing hamstring. Cannot see them doing any good.

After Breakfast we stand out on the balcony watching the traffic and out in the water we can see the “Atlantis Submarine “ arrive for its day with tourists.

We depart for ala Moana Shopping Centre, we walk slowly and Jeanette say her knee is pretty good. Ken visited the Territorial Saving Bank, at the Shopping Centre where we have a cheque account and needs assistance with changing his password. A lovely lady, who is a trainee tries to help, but we receive little assistance or encouragement. He tries his card using his usual password and it works, we draw some money our. This was important as we now have sufficient US $ in our hands, via cash, this card and our Qantas Card. A very good out come.

Then Lunch at the Food Court with Chinese at the Panda Express. It was superb food, which we both enjoyed.

Then to FoodLand to do some shopping for the next 2 days. Jeanette knew what she wanted and after about 45 minutes, we ;aid US$57 for our goods after a Senior discount. From here we decided that a taxi was the easiest way back to the Grand Waikikian and this was a good decision. We arrived back and had unpacked by 2.20pm . We both needed a cool drink and Ken got a drink with ice, which was cold and good.

At 3.00pm he went for a walk around the lagoon and along the beach, took photos and then positioned himself to go to Tapas Bar , where he enjoyed bees and crisps. As he was about to leave he was stopped by a chap who invited him to sit with is family as they celebrated a family reunion. They were from California, north of San Francisco and were having a reunion of about 20 people over the American Independence Day week. There were 19 people having a late lunch of fish and fries together with salads and hamburgers, washed down with Bud light and other drinks. He had heard my voice was inquiring what we were doing wouldn’t and couldn’t let me sit by myself. I spent some 45 minutes with them. Very enjoyable.

Then walked back though the grounds, feeling pleased with myself, got stopped by a small group asking me to take photos. They were 3 couples from Mexico here for a wedding and it was my pleasure.

Walked back and as I entered our Suite, Jeanette said she wondered what had taken over 2 hours. I explained and got another drink then tried to turn the TV on. It wouldn’t work but then called and had a serviceman come up. He said a circuit had been blown, by someone using a Firefly stick etc. He fixed it over about 15 minutes then ensured both televisions in the bedroom and lounge worked with all the smart feature.

Dinner tonight is light snacks and a drink after an enjoyable day. Then strawberries and ice cream. The phots attached reflect our first 2 days here at HGVC Hawaiian Village.

The above painting hangs between the foyers to the Grand Waikikian and The Lagoon Tower, we do love it and it symbolises the gardens and relaxing environment of this wonderful environment.

Below is a gallery of photos taken this afternoon around the resort