Jul

28

Our vacation … pt1 - Before we even LEFT!

Filed Under Our Family | 

It took Kathi nearly a YEAR to plan this special trip for Erin and Julie’s high school graduation. We were really excited about sharing our new love for the Big Island with the kids!

Over the course of the next few entries, I’ll share with you the highs and lows of our vacation, starting with…

  • FEB 08

We’re ready to GO!

Got our tickets on ATA, a deal @ $473 each, and though we’ve never flown ATA before we’ve heard they were “Okay”.

We’ll be staying in Hilo at a rental for three days then over to Kona for seven days. We bought an “Explorer” package from Shell Vacations Club (SVC) and we’re using our points for a condo in Kona.

  • FEB 08

Found a beautiful rental to stay at in Hilo. The house is less than 100 yards from the ocean (cliffs drop off to the sea).

  • APR 08

OH SHIT!

ATA just filed bankruptcy!

I heard it on the radio on my way to work. I had to spend most of my day rescuing our trip to the tune of an additional $200 each and an extra day. When I started looking in the morning there were five or six airlines with a $600ish fair. By the time Kathi and I discussed the situation I was down to two (by around 1:30pm). Got tickets on United for another $1200+!

The extra day hurts too. The condo we’re staying at is completely booked and can’t give us an extra day’s stay. According to the SVC agreement we can’t request anything less than a minimum stay at any location until 60 days prior to our arrival.

We would need at least two rooms, for five of us, if we tried to get a hotel for one night.

We decide to wait and see.

  • MAY 08

Well. We lucked out with SVC. We got a condo for one night at their second Kona location.

Whew! The last bit of vacation rescue has been successful!

THIS IS TOO MUCH STRESS!

!!!!! I NEED A VACATION !!!!!

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