"The Jungle" - Hawaii Day 3

Oahu is more than a beautiful beach destination. I spent Day 3 hiking through the rain forest about 20 minutes from Waikiki. The company I used was called Bike Hawaii, and they are the only company that can legally take hikers into this private 75-acres in the Moana Valley. We were picked-up from our hotel around 9AM. We were in a group of about 10 people. Bike Hawaii was prepared for the rainy weather with our lovely rain boots and ponchos. Matise (spelling?), our guide, prepared us for the wild boars, fed us trail mix, and fabulous turkey sandwich's and even took our pictures.

The entrance of the Bike Hawaii Trail

Matise showing us the secret to Paul Mitchell conditioners.

Jason is standing in the jungle, in the rain,
talking on his cell. ??? haha

200 ft private Bike Hawaii Waterfall

Hiking down through the Bamboo Forest

A Road Less Traveled...

Bike Hawaii option 2...bike ride down mountain
and have lunch at gorgeous overlook.

Bike Ride overlook of Waikiki and Diamond Head

Definitely time for a drink.
(Shorebird at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach)

The group at Indigo's.
Indigo's is a high-end and very trendy restaurant in
Oahu's China Town. The food was delicious.
The first Friday of every month this area is one big party.

We ended the night at Chai's Island Bistro near the cruise pier.
Chai's is one of the top restaurants in Oahu.
The food and entertainment were amazing!

My next posting will cover my journey to the North Shore. :)

"All about the Waikiki Hotels" - Hawaii Day 2

Day # 2 was all about the hotels. :) When you select Waikiki as a destination the hotel is very important because there is a huge variety and they are each very different. You need to decide what is most important to you. Is it the amenities such as the spa, restaurants, and close to shopping? Or is it the ability to walk out to the beach from the pool? Or is price?

View of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head

I started at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, which is across the street from Waikiki Beach. We ate breakfast at the Embassy Suites, which was great. The three best things about this hotel were: 1) FULL daily breakfast is included 2) Rooms are very nice 3) Cocktail hour and 4) Nice pool area, which is on the top floor of the hotel so you can see the ocean while lounging at the pool. (3 star)

View of the Embassy Suites Pool with the
Outrigger Reef on the Beach across the street.

Then we toured multiple Outrigger properties. We started by having a guided tour of our hotel the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. They are just finishing renovations at this hotel. The pool area will be very nice once renovations are completed. The restaurants were great and right on the beach. (3.5 star)

We then went to the Outrigger Regency on the Beach Walk which is a condo property that is perfect for the small family or group of friends looking for something low key. This property does not have much in the form of amenities, but the units are very nice and trendy and have a full kitchen. The property is about 2 blocks from the beach and BRAND NEW. (2.5 star)

Then the Wyland Waikiki, which was about 4 blocks from the beach and straight up from the Waikiki Beach Walk. This is a moderate property that is perfect for the young and trendy. The hotel includes its own "Chill Room" for relaxing after a hard day laying out at the beach. :) The pool was very small. (2.5 star)

We needed to "Chill" in the super massage chairs.

The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach was our lunch stop. We ate at the famous Dukes Canoe Club Waikiki. This restaurant is right on the beach with a large bar which is party central every night of the week. Especially for those looking for a casual local bar experience. The pool was nice and overlooked the beach. (3.5 star)

We also visited the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber which is located a few blocks from the beach and next door to the International Marketplace. This is the best shopping area in Waikiki for discount shopping. The pool at this hotel was under renovation. (2.5 star)

International Marketplace for discount shopping.

Now, to my favorite resort in Honolulu. I toured the Kahala Resort and fell in love with it! It might be that they have Dolphin Quest right on the property. (I am in LOVE with dolphins.) However, it was much more than just the dolphins. From the lobby, to the rooms, to the restaurants, I didn't want to leave. This resort is located about 15 minutes from Waikiki in a very wealthy neighborhood next door to the golf course where the annual Sony Classic is played. The beach seems private, even though NO beach in Hawaii is private. My local guide said the Kahala has the BEST brunch in all of Honolulu. (5 star)

Kahala Lobby
(The chandeliers were AMAZING!!)

A Mazarati, which is rented to guests staying at the Kahala.
(No, they did not let me test drive it.)

Luxury rooms at the Kahala

View of the beach and the
Dolphin Quest swimming area right from the room

We finished our night at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. This is a beautiful resort located across the street from Waikiki Beach. It is a large property that has a nice pool, multiple restaurants, entertainment, a full spa, and shopping right on site. The rooms are recently renovated and are very nice. They even had a Dress Shop right on property for those ready for the beach wedding. (4 star)

I don't know about you, but that was exhausting just thinking about all the hotels I toured in a single day. My next posting will cover my day in the jungle and my evening eating at the trendiest restaurants in Waikiki.

"Oahu Landing" - Hawaii Day 1

My trip to Hawaii last week was jammed packed with FUN, ADVENTURE, and FOOD!!! Too much for just one posting. I'm going to try and break it down day by day.

I've been in the travel industry for 12 years. This was my FIRST time to Hawaii. I arrived at the Oahu airport around 5PM. (7 hr flight from Salt Lake City and a -3 hr time difference)

I was met at the airport by Aloha VIP. I was given a lei greeting and photo op. So far...so good.

I was traveling with a group of 12 Travel Agents from across the country. The Oahu Visitors Bureau brought us to Oahu to learn all about the island, so that we can SELL, SELL, SELL!!

I was taken to the Outrigger Reef on the Beach to meet up with my group. The Outrigger Reef on the Beach, was recently renovated. The rooms were very nice. I would give it at least 3.5 star. The beach was small and the pool did not over look the beach, which I did not like. However, they had a Starbucks, and a great restaurant called Shorebird. Plus, the location for shopping was excellent!

(View from my partial ocean view room at the
Outrigger Reef on the Beach.)

I checked-in at the Outrigger, and was given directions to a local sushi restaurant for dinner. I asked for cheap and was told to try Todai, which was about three blocks from the hotel. We found Todai in about 10 minutes, and ate buffet style sushi and Asian cuisine for about $35 per person. The Sushi was okay, but it is meant for someone that will eat A TON of food and does not really care what the sushi tastes like. :)


We stopped by the Hilton Hawaiian Village and visited some shops on property. The hotel was gorgeous and it had a great beach and pool area. It was the largest property I visited while in Waikiki.

Day 2 consisted of a lot of hotel site inspections, so check out my next posting on my FAVORITE property in Honolulu.

U of U Bowl Game Packages

Running Utes are Bowl Bound!!

We did it! 12-0 and the Mt West Conference Champs and now we are off to a bowl game!

What I don't know yet is which one. However, Morris Murdock Travel will be ready when the announcement is made on SUNDAY, DEC 7 TH.

Please call Wendy at 801-483-6363 or 800-809-9910 to hold space. If your name is on the list, then you are guaranteed a spot on one of our packages. We are NOT requiring a deposit to put your name on our list.

Packages will include:

• Round trip air from Salt Lake City
• 3 nights hotel
• Game and Tailgate tickets
• Transfers
• Plus, a hospitality desk during the package and MORE!!

Call today to hold your seat!! Seats will go fast!

Packing for Hawaii

Well, I'm leaving for Hawaii in two days. I will be in the sun, surf and sand for 10 days! Can you believe that after 12 years in the Travel Industry I have yet to visit the Hawaiian Islands? I gathered tips for packing from both my colleagues and the web.

Here is a list of items I'll be taking...

1. Sunscreen (duh)

2. Sandals (no brainer)

3. Snorkel gear (okay...that one I might have forgot)

4. Hiking clothes: Hooded sweatshirt and sweat pants for hiking at higher elevations (definitely would have left this off my list)

5. Lightweight raincoat or poncho (I'm from Utah, we have sweatshirts and snow coats, this I'll have to buy)

6. Old, well-worn aloha shirt (nobody likes to be a tourist)

7. A laid back attitude!

Check back in two weeks for pics!! :)

The PERFECT Time for a Princess Cruise

Its time to get away! Everyone needs a vacation after an INTENSE election and economic slump. Ignore your 401K and go make some memories with your family that will last longer than the housing fiasco! I tease. Seriously, if you can take some time off and can afford to lose yourself in the Caribbean, then I suggest a cruise on Princess Cruises. Click Here for details on the Princess Cruise Month Reduced Deposits and On Board Amenities available through Morris Murdock Travel. Give the Gift of Memories for the Holidays. My family enjoyed the Caribbean Princess last Christmas. We were able to get out of the SNOW and onto the Sand of Eastern Caribbean ports: St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and their own private island in the Bahamas.

Four words... "Movie Under The Stars"...
We could not have asked for anything more for the holidays.