Jet Lag from the East Coast

Hi Again,

I%26#39;m trying to put together a rough itinerary for my upcoming trip (14 days!) and I%26#39;m wondering about how jet lagged I can expect to feel the first couple of days. Should I plan any activities (plane rides, hiking) the first couple of days or just plan on relaxing by the ocean?

I%26#39;m coming from the East Coast, leaving at 9am, and arriving in Kauai at 6:oopm.

Jet Lag from the East Coast

You might want to put off the most strenuous activities one day, but you aren%26#39;t going to feel that bad. Just try to stay up as long as you can the first night and you%26#39;ll change over to Kauai time pretty quickly. We usually spend the second day having a leisurely breakfast out, then stocking up the condo or house, a little relax on the beach, etc. The next day, we are ready to go.

It%26#39;s coming back home that is the real bummer! I usually feel like a zombie for three or four days.

Jet Lag from the East Coast

For me I am fine going no jetlag just up early every morning because of time difference but the coming back is another story I am a waste for at least 2 to 3 days.

I figure it%26#39;s because I am so excited about being there and so bummed to be leaving.

Marie

Same here... first day was a little rough but we got up earlier than everyone else so beat the crowds to the beach.

Coming home... LOL I am still a wreck. Can%26#39;t wait for this weekend, I plan to hibernate.

I hit the ground running on arrival. Usually run out of gas early evening of second day. Otherwise fine. Going west is easy. Eastbound is difficult.

Going home, do the best you can to rest on the plane. A Mai Tai or two is an excellent non-prescription medication to assist in getting some sleep.

We like to take advantage of the time difference the first couple of days. We naturally wake up early so we do early tours and such. We find we get up early every day to watch the sun rise and get a early start. Evenings we go to bed early since Kauai is not exactly nightlife central. We don%26#39;t really feel jet lag until we head home and back to work. Time difference or regret that vacation is over? You decide!

Same-o, same-o....but, as visitors, we just came from the west coast, and acclimated to HST on kauai almost immediately.

First day we did take it pretty easy, treat ourselves to breakfast at joes on the green, after a nice hike past the hyatt, along the makawehi cliffs, and back to poipu kai..

Then head to our favorite activity ladies, Gina or Leslie at Brenneckes, to set up our pre planned paying adventures, drive over to the Beach House and make reservations for sunset for our last night.

Reast of the day was beaching it and snorkeling.

Then walk back to the condo for a short swim in the fresh water swimming pool.

After all that, we would open our complimentary bottle of wine, and bbq.

Sleep would come fairly early, about 8:30 or 9:00..and we would be all refreshed, early, for the next day.

Then , the rest of the days were normal adventures, and exploring all over the island.

Like the others, it would take me two or three days to get back on pacific time, in Orange County, Ca., I was a zombie, and all messed up.

Actually, put three days leeway in there before going back to flying.

So, I think your fun light will be glowing just fine when you are here.....back in NC, afterwards , might be a bit different story.

What is interesting, is that now as residents, and flying back to the mainland, we fly the AA red eye, and get some sleep on he palne and arrive at 5 am..

Then, take care of basics, and head off to visit freinds, and crash fairly early...with not a much of a problem with jet lag, as when we were visitors.

Have a marvelous kauai visit, you should do pretty well on the garden island end of the vacation.

Denny

Denny

We usually choose to just hit a beach on our first day and avoid anything that involves much activity or driving. Like the others mentioned we tend to wake up really early for at least the first week which actually is pretty nice.

On the return trip we take some Tylenol PM just before we board our red-eye flight and end up sleeping quite a bit through the night. We usually feel pretty good for the first day or two back home but then it catches up with us and we%26#39;re pretty tired for several days.

Coming from Mich. We were pretty tired the first couple of days. But there was no better way to get back to normal than relaxing on the beach and enjoying the beautiful ocean. Being there for two weeks was great though. We didn%26#39;t feel like we were going to miss out on to much taking it easy the first few days. You are going to love it there.

KDgardens

Thanks so much for all the input. I planned an extra couple of days off of work after returning home to adjust to the zombie-ness or to cry my eyes out that vacation was over, whichever way you like to put it.

I%26#39;m stoked I%26#39;ll be bushy-tailed for the time on the islands. Coming home I%26#39;ll muddle through somehow.

We flew from Boston on a two-leg flight. We had no problems at all adjusting to Kauai time. We planned our ';must get up early'; activities for the first couple of days - including the trip from the Northshore to Waimea, and our morning helicopter tour. Of the 17 in our party, no one complained of jet lag during the trip. I did use a little trick that has worked well for me on other trips. I wear two watches for a few days before leaving, one set to the time zone at my destination, and one to ';home time';. May be pure bunk, but it helps me look forward to my ';vacation time'; and seems to make the transition easier.

But .... as noted, the return was like slammming back to earth. We returned very early on a Sunday, after the redeye from CA (during which very little sleep was possible). Following a hearty breakfast - we slept for a good chunk of the day. Return to work on Monday was tough. It%26#39;s now Thursday evening and the brain fog is still present, and getting up is still a challenge.

Hard to say if it%26#39;s all jetlag or just plain after-trip let-down.

Jeep or convertible

Does anyone have any thoughts on what type of car to rent in Maui? I am renting a convertible in Ohau, but thought I might need a car that is more rugged to take the road to hana in maui. I was thinking of a Jeep. Do you need ones in maui or would a convertible work just as well?

Jeep or convertible

Convertable works just fine. You don%26#39;t need a jeep for the road to Hana.

Jeep or convertible

You don%26#39;t need a Jeep on Maui. Are you familiar with them? Not the most comfortable, air-conditioned type ride. No trunk.

Convertibles scream TOURIST. Are you familiar with them? Teeny tiny trunks, so it%26#39;s doubtful that you will get much luggage in them. Issues with wind and sunburn. And, in my opinion, when you have the top up -- you can see as well around you. Are they trendy? yes.

We try to rent something close to what we drive at home. Vacation is not the ideal place to learn how to drive a different car.

%26lt;And, in my opinion, when you have the top up -- you can see as well around you.%26gt;

Oops! I meant you CAN%26#39;T see as well around you.

I completely agree with BLBL - we go with something as similar to what we drive at home. A Jeep is not needed - strictly a personal choice - most have had the 4wd disabled - suspension and seat comfort not the best and luggage storage limited. A Convertible, to me would be a pain.

';Convertibles scream TOURIST';

just curious, is there something wrong with being a tourist? I mean there is no way you will ever be mistaken for a native or local that I know of. Convertables are fun and you do have the option of top up or down...something you can%26#39;t do with a regular car (unless you have a blow torch). Jeeps on the other hand are a pain and not comfortable but they are rented a lot so to each their own I guess. As to the tiny trunk luggage question, once we arrive at our digs we no longer have a luggage issue, with just two people you have the whole back seat and if you do have the top up, there is plenty of trunk space.

I drive a 4door Jeep Wrangler at home for my everyday car, ( http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Ep01MeuwgNA/Sdg16EjdTRI/AAAAAAAAB3I/PIatbkYGKCs/s912/P1030507.JPG)

and the second my wife and I decided to go to Maui, i knew we had to rent a jeep there as well. Nothing could be better. While I will admit the older (06 and older TJ model Wranglers) we not that comfy, the new JK line (07 and younger) are MUCH more comfy, with power options finally and feel MUCH better on an every day road. Please dont let people persuade you against a jeep as being uncomfy and hard to drive, that simply isnt true. For refrence, I am 6%26#39;5 300lbs, and drive my jeep Everyday 40miles in and love it. I say rent a jeep in hawaii, its one of the atmospheres that they were made for in my eyes.

%26lt;';Convertibles scream TOURIST';

just curious, is there something wrong with being a tourist?%26gt;

Come on, Bill - you know me better than that. My point is that you may be targeted for theft. This point has been pointed out consistently. Then again, it%26#39;s probably easy to detect the rentals from the locals%26#39; cars anyway.

Just checking BLBL...and yes you can tell the local cars from the rentals in just about every case.

The convertable would have a trunk that you can lock things in or at least they would be out of view.

We always rent a convertible when at the beach... not sure why just seems to be the thing to do. We have rented one for our July trip to Maui. Who really cares if you look like a tourist..

We have two kids and we carry two big suitcases and carry on bags. We have to keep the top up from the airport to hotel to accomodate the suitcases. We also keep carry on bags in the front with us... but it really isn%26#39;t a problem. Once we have unloaded our suitcases into hotel, I just carry one large beach bag everywhere we go. I leave nothing in the car!!! If I ';have'; to, we will lock thinks in trunk (if we are all snorkeling in the water and can%26#39;t watch or hold our stuff). I have a waterproof dive bag to keep with me in the water for essentials (that if stolen, vacation would be ruined) like hubby%26#39;s wallet with cash and credit cards and car keys.

As for the jeep thing... we have had one before and really doesn%26#39;t work for us with the kids/ suitcases from the airport.

Go ahead and be a TOURIST... I vote you go for the convertible. You can get them for about the same rate as other cars.

Historic Lana'i

Here is an article from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Lana%26#39;i is on their 11 Most Endangered Historic Places List.

preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/site鈥?/a>

Historic Lana'i

Thanks for the link NC, read a short story in the Honolulu Star about this earlier in the week. I hope they can preseve things on Lanai, the island would not be the same if it was ';upgraded'; to modern.

Historic Lana'i

Mahalo for the link. I had seen Bill%26#39;s link earlier to the Honolulu newspaper article. I think it is a very good idea to list the city as endangered. Mr. Murdock is not going to live forever, and who knows if he even has some plans for changes.

MrsV alerted me to the comment portion at the end of the page and it is certainly clear that people do not want changes. I hope all the TA forum readers who know and love Lana%26#39;i, go to this page and post their comments.

eye pencil

What to do with Coco Palms?

You can share an opinion at:

friendsofcocopalms.org

What to do with Coco Palms?

its scheduled for a D9 remodel and I think condemmed by the county /state

What to do with Coco Palms?

I took the survey. Thanks for that link.

I just want it bulldozed. It looks horrible. Whatever they decide to do later is fine but tear it down.

Maybe I%26#39;m just too sentimental, but I do hope they are able to do something to retain the history and culture of what it used to be. The buildings definitely need to come down...they are rat-infested and simply not safe at this point. I would hate to see the area just become barren land.

David Penhallow wrote in Friday%26#39;s (4-24-09) Garden Island News letters the following:

';Coco Palms in decay

The owners of Coco Palms have not been good custodians, and it has become a metaphor of decay. The Planning Commission should deny the permit extension.

I believe that if Mrs. Guslander was alive today and in charge of the grounds, the lagoons and the coconut grove would be in pristine condition. There was an innate sense of responsibility of the people who live on this island that they take care of Kaua鈥榠, especially the sacred and historical area of Wailua where the Coco Palms is situated.

This is my vision: Turn the Coco Palms site into a park.

What I would do with this park is restore the Elvis Presley cottage (King鈥檚 Cottage) and other selected rooms as museum pieces. I would restore the restaurant on the grounds. All of the revenue collected to visit the site would go to maintain the park. I would bring Mrs. Guslander鈥檚 museum back to Coco Palms, which is now held in trust at the Kaua鈥榠 Historical Society. Have KHS headquartered there and curate the museum. I would have the Queen鈥檚 Audience Hall restored for meetings, Hawaiian classes, banquets, etcetera. I would open up the Seashell Restaurant across the street with an overpass.

I believe that the idea of hotels and condominiums have come and gone on the Coco Palms grounds. The land at Coco Palms needs to breathe again.

What I foresee is Santa Claus in a canoe coming down the lagoon at Christmas as before. The Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunt for the children once again a yearly tradition. The Lion鈥檚 Club contest fishing for tilapia for the children of Kaua鈥榠. The Queen Deborah Kapule celebration in August. The torch lighting and tree planting ceremony. The same events as when Mrs. Guslander lived at Coco Palms.

I would charge for the events so as to maintain the site. Coco Palms could be known around the world as a unique spot for people to come and visit where the spirit of Hawai鈥榠 still lives.

Kaua鈥榠 has always been known as the separate kingdom. This island and its people have always been different and independent. We need to own and cherish our specialness. We need to be proud that we are privileged to live on the Garden Island.

The Wailua area is probably the most sacred spot in all the Hawaiian Islands. There are seven heiau that go all the way up to Mt. Waialeale. And, we need to honor and protect our ancient heritage.

I believe that the time for a hotel 鈥?a big, cement edifice fronting the ocean 鈥?is gone. I see a return to traditions. Larry Rivera will still have his weddings; on Elvis Presley鈥檚 birthday, Larry can recreate Elvis in Blue Hawaii coming down the lagoon in a canoe.

Knowing how Elvis is connected to Hawai鈥榠 and Kaua鈥榠, it could become a known worldwide event on this island. The bottom line: having Coco Palms as a park using part of it for authentic Hawaiian traditions and another part as Grace Guslander鈥檚 vision, I believe, would bring in a constant source of revenue to our island and steady employment for our local residents.

It is visionary idea that includes everyone who loves and lives on Kauai and also includes everyone who visits our island yearly as our guests. A park concept is not an exclusive concept; it is an inclusive concept. It is a concept of aloha.';

David Penhallow, Lihu鈥榚

I agree with jebett. It is such an eye sore right now.

The park idea expressed above sounds like a great concept, at least in theory. The question is whether or not it would be economically feasible and would sustain itself in the long run. If so, then I love the idea. I know Grace Guslander died in 2000, and was living in Wailua at the time. I wonder what her thoughts were during the 8 years after Iniki, when the resort was sitting empty. I know the insurance settlement was severely tired up and there was nothing she could do.

In the survey what David wants I want. I would like to see a large community center where wedding could take place plus have local activities. I%26#39;d like to see it become a beautiful park. A museum is a great idea. Maybe Priscilla Presley wants to get involved. Anyone know her???

Whatever it becomes, the condo idea didn%26#39;t work. A hotel? Maybe a B and B or boutiquey hotel on the grounds, but a big hotel. We can%26#39;t fill up what we%26#39;ve got.

I wouldn%26#39;t give the developer an extension either. He%26#39;s had over a decade to figure this out. If that was my kid he would have had the keys to his car taken away long ago. That developer is on restriction in my book. No more chances. He blew it.

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

I agree 150% with everything David Penhallow (who wrote the ';Coco Palms'; book as well as ';After the Ball'; and ';The Betrayers';) said - I read that in our editorial section of the paper this morning and actually cut it out and put it inside the front cover to my ';Coco Palms'; book that he wrote. It will be interesting to see what actually happens, but I thought it would be nice to have his vision inside the book.

Ditto, ditto, ditto -- David - bravo!

Malama Pono,

Janet

I have the book next to my bed and have been doing a lot of reading again the past week. Clearly there is no way to completely replicate the resort to its pre-Iniki form, but the park concept sounds more and more appealing to me. I%26#39;m just a big sucker for nostalgia. I just wish I had stayed there back when I first visited the island in the late 80s.

Ought to do something with those clam shell sinks. Those are such a vivid memory for me.

If You Had Just ONE Day...???

Because we%26#39;re at the Hawaiian Hilton for a wedding the end of June, we won%26#39;t have much time for sightseeing. But four of us thought we would rent a car for one day and drive the Island. Any suggestions on the route and stops along the way - sights, lunch etc.? Where would you rent the car from - here or when we%26#39;re there? None of us have ever been to Hawaii before! Thanks much!

If You Had Just ONE Day...???

1) Check out Dusty%26#39;s page on driving around the island to get a good idea of what to see.

2) Rent the car from home (the prices are always higher if you try to negotiate at the desk). FWIW - there is a Budget rental office just around the corner from the HHV. There may be a different rental agency actually in the resort.

3) Get up super early if you are planning a drive day during the week. Honolulu traffic can be brutal during the rush hours but driving gets much easier once you are out of ';town';.

If You Had Just ONE Day...???

Just talked to my spouse and he says ';if I don%26#39;t have to drive, that would be great';...he always drives and misses so much! So we%26#39;re now looking at E Noa Majestic Circle Island Tour..any thoughts? Then we%26#39;ll do Pearl Harbor on our own another day. Thx.

Enterprise is less expensive that the agency at HHV. They will pick you up at the hotel.

If you drive yourselves it would be much better. Tour buses do not stop at many of the sights. When they do stop, it is a quick stop.

If you go on your own, you can stop where you want %26amp; stay as long as you want.

A couple of driving tours:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29222-i37-k647862…

Maps:

www.discoveringhawaii.com/HGDAMovieDrive.pdf

www.aloha-hawaii.com/assets/resources/36.pdf

I have another good Oahu map on file. If you want it, send me a private message with an email address.

Really agree with Dusty - I know your husband will feel like he misses a couple things driving, but the freedom to take time when you want it, and not waste it where you don%26#39;t outweigh missing a couple things.

We did what is usually recommended - early up to the north shore ( stops at Dole Plantation and Haleiwa for shave ice along the way ), relax a bit at turtle beach/Waimea Bay/Pipeline. Stop at %26#39;Shrimp truck %26#39;, stop at Mac nut farm. Stop at Kailua beach and/or Lanikai to relax again, then finish up with Makapuu, Halona blow hole, sandy beach.

If you are going for one day then it is really up to you. i would rent a car, less time waiting for busses, we rented at enterprise in Waikiki, and had a blast. If you like snorkeling or scuba diving, this is one of the best places in the world to do it. Hanauma Bay is an acient volcano, Sharks Cove is okay as well. But if you want something to never forget go on a shark dive out of Haleiwa, on the north shore. you will never forget it. You will be in a cage. That will be the story to tell back in Toronto.

http://sharktourshawaii.com/

Also here is the other tour for sharks, check out the video.

www.hawaiisharkencounters.com/videos.asp

Free guided hike into Na Pali area May 9

honoluluadvertiser.com/article/鈥?001

Free guided hike into Na Pali area May 9

For clarification, according to the article you are starting from the last lookout and go about the Pihea trail. This is not the Kalalau trail.

Free guided hike into Na Pali area May 9

The Sierra Club organizes hikes most every weekend to somewhere. Not 100% free IIRC. Believe there%26#39;s a nominal $5-10 donation.

Their hikes are listed in the Things to Do section of the paper.

GUess I should have read the link first. This is DNLR led so probably 100% free.

Sounds interesting.

Hank,

You will be hiking the PIHEA ( Pee-hay) trail from the pu%26#39;u o kila lookout. You will have some fabulous views of the kalalau valley.

But, as mentioned, this is not the kalalau trail that leads to the kalalau valley from Ke%26#39;e beach area on the north shore.

For this you drive to the west side and up wiamea canyon road , until it ends past the koke%26#39;e museum at the pu%26#39;u o kila lookout.

Check the hiking section in the Utimate Kauai Guide Book for many of the Koke%26#39;e state park other trails on all of the different shores of kauai.

I think you would have a marvelous hike, and learn a lot more than those of us who have not gone with guides...since they will be highly knowledgeable about the plants and trees and other aspects.

In fact I may let erica know , that we could be learning by going along with the BLM, as well.

Mahalo,

Denny

Sorry , it is the DLNR, and NOT the the BLM...I will need to beat feat to make it up there by 09:00, after getting off work at the gym.

I still think it would be worthwhile, for our visitors to also go along, and gleen some great info, as well as well as get in a fairly easy 2.5 to 3.0 mile r/t hike.

We would also check on the trail conditions if we have been having rain up there....it can get a bit slippery and muddy....if those are the conditions we will go to plan B.

Denny and Erica

trips

does anyone know who the best company is to book trips with?

trips

I would ask local friends and family. See a travel agent. He/She should be able to book you with Classic Hawaiian Vacations or ... darn! I%26#39;m blanking! Will get back to you.

FYI - take extra caution booking on line through the zillions of on-line agencies. Given the economy (and some questionable business practices) bankruptcies are common. Going through a reputable travel agent may be the best approach.

Oh, and United Airlines has a good package.

When you get to the point of choosing a hotel, do some research on this site and ask us questions.

trips

Sorry i actually meant trips while in Hawaii, im already all booked up to go.

Where are you staying? Personally, I would work through the hotel concierge ... like for The Arizona/Pearl Harbor Memorial. The exeception would be the Polynesian Cultural Center - take a look at the packages on-line. Some include pick up/drop off at your hotel. It%26#39;s a great service.

And you don%26#39;t need a booking agency for the Bishop Museum (walk-in); Iolani Palace (book directly on-line and take The Bus there).

What do you want to do? Like to do?

ScotlandVavavoom .... here is what you do.

Upon your arrival and while waiting for your luggage at baggage claim area, look around in the baggage claim area for a tourist rack stand and go find yourself ';101 Things To Do'; magazine and what ever else looks interesting re: rack cards, This Week and/or Oahu Guide magazine. This is your beginning.

When you are ready, go down to see your hotel concierge for help in suggestions and recommendation as to what tours are available and what they would recommend for you.

Because everyone has different ideas as to what to do, the ';101 Things To Do'; magazine will help you with what ever tours you might be interested in.

There is alot to do and see, good luck and enjoy your vacation. ';Live Aloha';!

Is ';101 Things To Do'; on-line. It seems like there is a current post ... Dusty?

D you have a good travel guidebook and map?

go on line at www.101thingstodo.com/hawaii/oahu/index.pbp

Online brochures %26amp; travel planners:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28932-i36-k269940鈥?/a>

Hi ScotlandVavavoom, I%26#39;m just across the Irish Sea from you. I am making my tenth trip to Oahu this year. If you drop me a message telling me what you would like to do or see, I%26#39;ll see what I can help you with.

Regards

John.