"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.

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!! :)