Went to Hawaii, got a tattoo.

I just got back from the biggest trip of my life. My wife and I spent 10 days on the Big Island of Hawaii. What a great time! We did so many fun things. Our host took us out on a small 17' Zodiac inflatable boat to whale watch. We got really close to them about a mile off shore. We snorkeled with huge manta rays another day. We saw Kilauea Volcano erupting! Went to a Luau at the Kona Hilton. Rented a Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited for one day to tour the island. Went zip lining. Went to the beach a few times. Farmer's markets, shopping, etc. To top it off, I got my first tattoo at 65 years old the day before we left. I've been thinking about one for 45 years. You only live once!

I’m 56 and never really been anywhere
Good for you , I bet it was a fun adventure

kamloops67 said:

I’m 56 and never really been anywhere
Good for you , I bet it was a fun adventure

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My next goal is to get a passport. The only other country I've been to is Canada.

I like the Big island a lot. Used to own land overlooking Onomea Bay just north of Hilo.

Onomea said:

I like the Big island a lot. Used to own land overlooking Onomea Bay just north of Hilo.

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I had some really good shave ice in Hilo!

Very cool Honu tattoo.

The Big Island is a special place. I caught my first Blue Marlin there, along with my personal best yellowfin tuna on spinning rod - 140 1/2 lb.

Have you booked a second trip yet?

I graduated from High School on the North Shore of Oahu...I left in 1978 and haven't been back since. At this point I'm afraid I might be disappointed.

G-Mac said:

My next goal is to get a passport. The only other country I've been to is Canada.

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Most of the places I dream of visiting are in your beautiful country
Between Canada and the United States we have a lot of nice places to see

Congrats on a tastefully done tat.

Both of my Sons-in-Law sport expensive, well done ink.

In my present condition a tat would look like Silly Putty. A few more rounds of Ensure and I might reconsider.

Only thing you missed on the big island was the Arizona memorial (a must see in my estimation) but again I served 22 years in the Navy and wished I had a "dime" every time I manned the rails with entire crew and gave her a salute along with some tears. Glad you had a great time and well deserved I'm sure.

Murphy's Law said:

Only thing you missed on the big island was the Arizona memorial (a must see in my estimation) but again I served 22 years in the Navy and wished I had a "dime" every time I manned the rails with entire crew and gave her a salute along with some tears. Glad you had a great time and well deserved I'm sure.

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The Arizona Memorial is at Pearl on Oahu...

glenwolde said:

I graduated from High School on the North Shore of Oahu...I left in 1978 and haven't been back since. At this point I'm afraid I might be disappointed.

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Quite a few songs and anecdotes say "Don't go back", and with good reason. My last couple of visits to England have had moments of pure joy where things are as I recall, tempered by bitter disappointment at nice places trashed. Examples on request.

I'll echo Rusty, Nice tat.
Will you need to declare it when returning?

LVSteve said:

Quite a few songs and anecdotes say "Don't go back", and with good reason. My last couple of visits to England have had moments of pure joy where things are as I recall, tempered by bitter disappointment at nice places trashed. Examples on request.

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I lived in Haleiwa which was pretty much "the country" back then. I'm pretty sure it's not anymore. We used to ride through town as teenagers on our motorcycles with .22 rifles slung on our backs. We'd ride out to Kaena point to shoot. The cops would just wave at us. I bet you'd get arrested today. A friend of mine had a clay target thrower and we'd take my pickup and shoot clay pigeons launched out over the water. I'm sure that's all built up.

G-Mac said:

My wife and I spent 10 days on the Big Island of Hawaii. What a great time! We did so many fun things....

To top it off, I got my first tattoo at 65 years old the day before we left. I've been thinking about one for 45 years. You only live once!

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I'm glad you enjoyed the trip, but I don't envy the flight.

That's quite the turtle tattoo... Was Mowie Wowie one of the fun things you did?

s&wchad said:

I'm glad you enjoyed the trip, but I don't envy the flight.

That's quite the turtle tattoo... Was Mowie Wowie one of the fun things you did?

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Depends how deep in the Continental US you live and if you can fly direct. It's 6 1/2 hours from Vegas direct. Still better than flying to London.

Nice trip, I'm happy for you!

When we go to the big island we hit the Volcano Winery. My wife just loves their product. You did not mention it but I hope you stopped in!

Sounds like you had a great trip, G-Mac!

The big island was my last trip to Hawaii.

Harley-Davidson paid for my family and myself for 10 days at the Kona Hilton.

We had a fine time touring around the island and standing on the southernmost point in the U.S.

Also chartered a single engine plane and pilot to tour the island and watch Kilauea lava flow into the ocean.

Went to a party at Kona Harley-Davidson ("southernmost H_D Dealership in the U.S."), got tee-shirts and a bunch of swag.

Went to the cattle ranches and saw the paniolos.

Did some body surfing at Makaha Beach.

Even stopped in at "Hilo Hattie" on the east side.

Amazing how different the islands are comparing west side to east.

As we had flown through Honolulu, on the way home we took some time and took the kids to see the Arizona Memorial and took the tour of the USS Missouri.

We spent a little time on Waikiki before catching a last minute limo ride back to the airport.

Second last trip to the islands, Kawasaki paid for my wife and I to spend a week on Maui.

We stayed at the Kea Lani overlooking the beach and the sunken crater of Molokini.

Took a couple of day trips to Lahaina and rode the steam train to the sugar plantation.

Even lounged under the famous banyan tree.

That was a "dream like" trip.

I'm very sad to see now what the fires did.

First trip to the islands was to Oahu.

Kawasaki paid for a couple friends and myself for a week at the Sheraton Waikiki.

We rented a car and drove around the island and had fun at Waimea Falls and Chinaman's Hat beach.

We flew through L.A., so I layed over a week and spent time with some old friends from St. Louis.

The islands are magical, and any normal person would dream about living there.

But being as I am a motorcycle guy, my friends at Kona Harley-Davidson brought me back to earth by reminding me,

"The islands are small. After a week or two, you will have ridden every road on the Big Island.

You can hitch a boat ride to the other islands and ride their roads, but those other islands are so small, you will have ridden all the roads in a days time, each.

Much greater opportunities for riding on the mainland."

Still in all, the Hawaiian Islands are a tropical paradise not to be missed!

John

John, you are the first guy I've come across who made it to Hawaii by motorcycle!

Just after the kids left the nest, and it was our 25th anniversary, we went to Hawaii. I had a lot of FF miles so we got 2 ist class tickets for free. Our connection was in LA (not ORD), so the flight was somewhat manageable. We stayed for 10 days, 5 in Waikiki and 5 in the North Shore.

On the special day we went to a Luau and wore matching outfits (shirt and dress). Almost the best vacation ever.

Our second trip to Hawaii was 25 years later. But this time we took a 12 day cruise out of LA, and thus got to stop at multiple Islands. No airline flight issues at all.

We wore the same outfits to our party on the ship. When we had our pics taken, the hair was greyer but they still fit.