Kansas to Oahu Part I

Author Message   Edgar Inocentes Senior Member Username: Traveler88 Post Number: 441 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 209.242.132.226 Posted on Wednesday, January 06, 2010 - 03:27 pm:    Here's an excellent example of how to travel space-a with young ones. Great advice Cherie, and thank you for being so positive. John D., you might want to include this in your "How to..."   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 2468 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 99.92.38.251 Posted on Sunday, January 03, 2010 - 03:59 pm:    Cherie, I think you could teach a class on how to trave spaca A with little ones. You did all the right things, and it worked. Your are so right crabby kids don't make happy travlers, but crabby older folks don't either. Glad it work out for you.   Marijane Sipple Advanced Member Username: Mjs Post Number: 181 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 204.214.128.135 Posted on Sunday, January 03, 2010 - 08:17 am:    Thank you for the excellent report, Cherie. We are looking forward to Part II! Can you give us the phone or contact number for the Five Palms BOQ at Kaneohe Marine Base? Thank you!   John McClellan Advanced Member Username: Mccljp Post Number: 224 Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 157.127.124.15 Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 - 01:31 pm:    Excellent advise in your post, glad both the family and the husband managed to get there. Enjoy.   Cherie Schenker Member Username: Cheriemt Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2009 Posted From: 205.172.16.102 Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 - 07:12 am:    And you might get to visit with cool guys like Rich Cat-VI if you stay there. ;)   Cherie Schenker Member Username: Cheriemt Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2009 Posted From: 205.172.16.102 Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 - 07:11 am:    Almost forgot: BOQ a.k.a. Five Palms is in the process of renovating. Everything is switching to two-room suites without a hike in the rates. And: You don't have to cross the flight line at K-Bay like you would if you stayed at the Cabanas, which do not have private bathrooms. I'd stay there rather than the Lodge at K-Bay. Better views, cheaper, walking distance to the beach, commissary, O-Club, Tiki Island, etc.   Cherie Schenker Member Username: Cheriemt Post Number: 28 Registered: 10-2009 Posted From: 205.172.16.102 Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 - 07:06 am:    We stayed with some new friends we met through this site. A lovely Christian couple who are definately making a difference in their world. We were truly blessed & inspired to have met them.   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 3728 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 - 06:35 am:    Cherie, Great tips for unaccompanied spouses traveling with children! It helps encourage some who are on the fence to provide them constructive information on how to cope with the challenges of Space-A. Thanks for sharing. p.s. Who were your "hosts" in San Diego? Did you stay with friends?   Cherie Schenker Member Username: Cheriemt Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2009 Posted From: 205.172.16.102 Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 - 06:16 am:    My 8, 10 and 2 year old and I left Newton, KS (a suburb of sorts to Wichita) via Amtrak headed to San Diego Wednesday, December 16. I highly recommended Amtrak. It is easer to travel on with children, especially if you upgrade to a private compartment which includes your meals. We also have found that it is normally cheaper than flying commercial with a military discount. We arrived in San Diego Thursday morning and met some new frieds and fellow SPATS. We had a wonderful time seeing the sites of San Diego and the wonderful zoo there. Definately a must-see. Our hosts were both charming and a true blessing to meet. Saturday, Dec. 19 we arrived at NAS North Island hoping to catch a C-40 to K-Bay. We wanted to arrive the day before my husband's R & R started. Unfortanately there were only 45 seats available and those were taken by Cat III, leaving many behind at the terminal. Fortunately, another bird came in shortly also headed to K-Bay and took all remaining passengers. We arrived late Saturday evening and were lucky enough to hitch a ride with the duty driver to BOQ (Five Palms) as Enterprise closes at 1 p.m. on Saturdays at K-Bay. BOQ is clean, provides breakfast during the week and the price was right at $49 per night. Being across from the O Club and having access to the pool also was great. And, it is a short walk to Tiki Island, a mini golf course, etc. for kids. It also is a short walk to the Commissary and MCX. Also: Laundry facilities are available and free--a must with kids. I packed a handfull of the new All in One Purell Sheets in my suitcase. They came in very handy. We had hoped my husband would arrive from Afghanistan on Dec. 20th, but that was not to be. He finally arrived late Dec. 24th-- a wonderful Christmas present. We moved into Bellows AFS Dec. 23. It is a great place to make home base if you are traveling with kids. Beautiful beaches, laid back atmosphere and fully equipped kitchen. We rented an ADA cabin, which is right on the beach, for $80 a night. The kids can take hula lessons, lei making classes, etc. for $10. They also have mini-golf for $4. Internet is free in the cabins but is not wi-fi yet. Breakfast is free on Thursdays. Great food: 1) Agnes's Portguese Bakery in Kailua. The donuts, hot dogs and spinach pasteries are cheap and incredible. 2) Ted's Bakery on the North Shore. Unbelievable Chocolate-Coconut Cream pie and mahi mahi sandwiches with homemade buns and fresh local greens. The bacon shrimp sandwich is worth buying too. Don't bother stopping: L & L Drive-In Waimanalo. We have toured: Kualoa Ranch and the Dole Plantation. The Ranch was a little overrated, but it would be really neat if one had never ridden a horse or ATV. The kids loved the train ride at the Dole Plantation and for $5, the price is right. The misc. beach parks are nice, but Bellows is just as nice, unless you are wanting to surf, and you can just walk out the back door. General Recommendations: 1) If you are traveling with a little one needing a car seat bite the bullet and get a Sit n Stroll Stroller. It is a car seat which easily converts to a stroller and is flight approved. It is a lifesaver. 2) Make the baby's "checked" luggage a cooler. You'll want snacks if you get stuck in a terminal longer than anticipated or arrive later than anticipated. Remember: Hungry kids are crabby kids and junk food only makes matters worse. Non-perishable snacks are a must in the diaper bag too. 3) Don't count on a changing table in the terminal restroom and bring a blanket and neck pillows for the kids. 4)Get your rental car on post if at all possible. It was less than 1/3 of the price of companies off-post and we got a free upgrade to an SUV. Bellows Notes: 1) Pack & Play cribs and baby gates are available and free. 2) Put everything in th frig, as the bugs are plentiful but not bothersome. 3) A rental car is a must with kids or if staying at Bellows. You can travel the island at your leisure. We are used to driving 1/2 hour to get milk, so driving to see the sites wasn't an issue. The Garmin does come in handy! 4) Pack a new board game. I surprised the kids with Yahtzee for Christmas. We have been having great fun playing as a family in the evenings. But, crayons, word books and handheld video games are great for the plane. More adventures in Oahu soon to come!