It’s the greatest feeling in the world when that wide body Airbus A330 sets down on the runway especially at HNL Hawaii. It was an uneventful six hour flight and the adrenalin was high so we were ready to get on with our vacation/research. It’s plain to see that HNL is expanding, because the pilot parked almost in Honolulu itself. For the first time since we have been going to Hawaii, we saw quite a few Southwest planes parked on the ramp. Business must be really good. We still remember in December, 2001 right after 911, 36 of us on a wide body American Airliner from St. Louis to Honolulu. There were almost as many flight crew as there were passengers!

It took us, like forever, to get to the luggage carousel. I think I got my steps in for the day. Seemed like an interminable length of time before luggage began to “flow,” but that is just the way it is when all you want is to get into your bathing suit. There are a myriad of ways to get into Waikiki from the airport, but we usually opt for a cab as we are anxious to get to the hotel. Not many people queued up at the taxi stand, in fact we were number two. For the first time ever we scored a stretch limousine for our thirty minute ride to the Halekoa.

The Halekoa (House of the Warrior) Hotel is a perk of my retired military service. It is actually a U.S. Army Installation and part of Fort DeRussy located on Waikiki Beach next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We were early, of course, and our room wasn’t quite ready. We stowed our luggage and headed for the gym locker rooms, bathing suits and flip flops in hand. We were excited to see and try out the new Aquatic Center which had just been completed after a year of construction. WOW! It was worth the price of admission. A new raised Infinity pool (adults only), a regular pool with not one, but two water slides, a huge children’s only play area with pirate ship and tons of water features, and the “piece de resistance” a thirty-six person hot tub. What a way to relax after a day of travel!

Of course, another great way to relax after a long travel day is to retire to the Barefoot Bar. Well, not actually retire, but at least stop by for one adult beverage. We tried to sneak up on two of our favorite bartenders, Anthony and Rachel, but they were too sharp for us that were a little travel lagged. They spotted us sneaking, and it was like old home week. They are both such gracious people! After one we were done (drinks that is), as our room was ready.