After so much anticipation the day is finally here. Brooklyn has been the
funniest. The first thing she says when she opens her eyes every morning is the
countdown to when we leave. She has been telling us how much she is trying to forget
it because the excitement is too much and she won't be able to sleep if she
thinks about it.
A couple things here at home to tidy up before we can get on the road, but
its the day. Today we will breath Hawaiian air.
The two hour trip into the city seems almost unbearable, but with the help
of Disney and Tron, it seems like no time that we are pulling up in front of
Buffet Royale with the intent of filling up our brood so the airline or airport
food would not need to be purchased. Cammie had us all laughing as she reached over the back of her chair, poked the guy sitting behind her and then hid back behind her chair.
Then we were parked in front of Dave and Lori's, Lori graciously offering
to drive us to the airport and keep the SUV at their place while we are
gone.
Airport check in was a piece of cake. No checked baggage, our mobile check
in saved our seats, first flight was domestic, all just a breeze. The kids
were happy to see a play place next to our gate but spent more time watching the
planes go up and land on the runways.
Then we are in our seats, G, Brook and Sydney in one row, Bob and Mad
across the aisle, and Cam in I a row back. I thought the kids were pretty calm
through take off although they were pretty stoked and loved the new experience.
The trip into Vancouver felt like a quick up and down. By the time the
kids were finished their pop (OMG - Mom and dad let us have pop!) we were
looking over the Vancouver area at the Fraiser River. The TV's in front of the seats were ignored for large parts of the flight while they looked out the window and a lifesaver when their wasn't anything to see.
We had a long walk through the airport to customs and our next gate. With
the five kids it took almost the whole two and a half hours we had to make the
connection. It had a few humourous people that we met. A couple security
staff that had seen us coming with our ten pieces of carry ons had wagers on how
many checked bags we had. One had guessed 7 suitcases and another had guessed
14. They were both surprised and wrong when we told them we were travelling
with only what we had. The customs official was a little less entertained and
instead had to verify if we had return tickets booked already and we were planning
to come home. Then we were at our gate area. Of course the kids were
starving, so Grant rushed through the dinner areas right up to boarding, picking
up some wraps and sandwiches and sushi to feed the crew while on our way to
Maui. Ack- I almost choked at the price he paid but of course nothing had a
price tag on it. I can't tell if the food was really that horrible or if it was
just the sour taste in my mouth from the cost.
I loved the fact that on the flight to Vancouver there was a TV that the
kids were able to watch and I assumed the same would be available on the flight
to Maui. No such luck. No personal TV on that flight to help occupy the kids
and make the time fly by, no overhead in flight movie either. I was quite
bewildered until they announced later in the flight that iPads were available to
rent with previously loaded movies on them for $10. Headphones extra. First the
first beverage cart would come by with drinks - for purchase - the same cart would
come by again in a half hour with drinks for free.....
Fortunately, we brought our own iPads and devices to keep us entertained.
The six hours did. Seem to drag a little but all five kids did fall asleep and
made their flight go that little bit faster. I was entertained by a Jodi Picolt
book called The Pact.
Then we started the descent, the lights of the island were in view. There
was the Lahaina highway and Kihei, the lights going up the west Maui side to
show the way to the valley and the airport.
The kids loved that it was outside and it was open with no walls. No
baggage to pick up so we headed straight to the shuttle bus and over to our rental
car.
The kids were so wide awake, even though it was 2:30am, we set up their
beds while they ran around looking in all the nooks and crannies. Even though
they protested, we sent them off to bed. Tomorrow will be a new day that they
can explore.
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