It's easy to get distracted in Hawaii!
Serendipity is when someone finds something that they weren’t expecting to find. This is normally associated with a good outcome – something pleasant and unexpected. However I had the pleasure and misfortune of experiencing travel serendipity twice on the same day – the day I arrived in Hawaii.
I’m on the move again; albeit for a short time (3 weeks). Quite honestly I had to get out and explore again. As much as I absolutely love seeing friends and family in the US and evangelizing about Meet Plan Go and extended travel, I can’t find my inspiration or happiness there. I yearn to be moving and exploring; I sometimes feel like this is a curse, but you can’t really change the fiber of your being, so instead I try to work with it.
Ron and I celebrating my birthday at work in 2004
Surprisingly I’ve never been to Hawaii before, yet I have passed over it many times at 30,000 feet. Recently while in London I met up with an old friend from my corporate past as he was traveling this summer. He was my old assistant who worked for me in my past corporate life. And I can safely say he was my favorite assistant I ever worked with; and I’m not just saying that because he’s also a fellow Aquarius and former pastry chef. He brought life and levity to my daily corporate existence and most importantly he put up with my type A insanity while also baking me strawberry cakes.
Ron lives in Hawaii now with his partner Mark. He has invited me numerous times to Hawaii, and finally I bit. I really needed a break from the US…yes, yes, yes…I know that Hawaii is the US – stop hyperventilating; honestly, it doesn’t really feel like it. It’s this weird laid-back island with seemingly more Asian influence than American influence. Plus – he offered the icing on the cake – “You can stay with us at our house and we have an extra car to use.” I know that you don’t pass up staying with a local, free lodging, and transportation in Hawaii! So I escaped to the turquoise water and welcoming smiles of Ron and Mark.
Mark and Ron's Green House
I arrived at the baggage claim to Hawaiian leis and hugs from Ron. I was a bit stunned, as I wasn’t expecting to see him at baggage claim. Nowhere in America, or most other countries, do they allow non-passengers into baggage claim. Hawaii is different apparently. We waited for my bag picked, I pointed to it, Ron picked it up and away we went chatting away and out the door into the hot Hawaiian climate.
Ron is an avid reader of Ottsworld and knows me quite well from my life prior to Ottsworld so when I arrived in his home he pointed out that he had plenty of Diet Coke and peanut butter for my 2 week stay. This was the best welcome ever! We quickly put down my bag and took the car out exploring around Kailua where Ron and Mark live.
Soon we were winding around volcanic cliffs and peering out on the glistening ocean. I was once again reminded of how amazing it is to travel with a local in tow as Ron took me to little secret spots, tucked away behind million dollar homes to photograph the sunset; locations which don’t exist in guidebooks. As we were walking down one of the public access pathways to another picture perfect view serendipity intervened. Coming up the path was a familiar face – the only other person I knew in all of Hawaii – Yen, our Meet Plan Go Honolulu host.
We all stared at each other in amazement. I had planned on seeing her later in the week, but I had never planned to serendipitously run into her on a remote part of Oahu. Ok universe…I’m listening now…
We chatted excitedly we made plans to see each other the next day for some hiking and afterward Ron and I continued our secret, local, sunset tour. We arrived back at the house to make meet Mark and go to dinner, but before we left I wanted to quick freshen up as I was sweaty and had been on the go since I arrived at the airport!
That’s when serendipity #2 hit me. I went to my suitcase to unlock it and get my toiletries and I was greeted by a lime green lock. Wait a minute…that’s not my lock.
My first reaction to the imposter green lock was that TSA had inspected my bag and put the wrong lock back on – damn TSA! Immediately my mind was racing on how I could cut it off and tweet my dissatisfaction with them. Then slowly the fog started to lift; I looked at the bag and realized that I had made the stupidest traveler mistake ever. I had picked up the wrong bag and taken it with me!
Luggage tags - they are important!
My heart sank in embarrassment as I searched for the United Baggage number to call with my tail between my legs trying to rectify the situation. The bag was exactly the same as mine – but in my excitement around seeing Ron in the baggage claim I completely got out of my normal routine and didn’t check for tags. As I listened to the phone ring I realized they probably didn’t care about this excuse. I also realized that they had been trying to call me during the day but I hadn’t picked up because it said it was a blocked number and I was too busy touring around!
Mark and Ron demonstrated their hospitality and aloha spirit by driving me and someone elses luggage all the way back to the airport on the other side of the island. I thought to myself – how can I call myself a professional traveler; I made the biggest rookie mistake ever. I guess it goes to show you that even ‘professionals’ have a bad day…see the Cubs Franchise if you don’t believe me.
It was an eventful welcome to Oahu full of unexpected experiences. I can hardly wait to see what the next 3 weeks brings!
Ron and I overlooking Diamond Head and Honolulu
I’ve filled up the rest of my time here with some great travel experiences which I will bring you over the next weeks. And I will be testing out the theory of if Hawaii can be a solo, and not super expensive travel destination or not. Staying with locals is a good start to the experiment! Stay tuned for Shark cage diving (doing this today!!), photo safaris, star gazing, lots of hiking, manta ray snorkeling, and hopefully even some cattle herding. I have a lot planned for Hawaii – so stay tuned!
Have you ever made a stupid rookie travel mistake – please tell me about it to make me feel better!
By Katie October 27, 2011 - 6:38 am
My biggest “rookie” mistake was leaving my daypack on a bus heading to the Budapest airport. It was close to the end of my trip, the bus was getting crowded, so I took my pack off and set it on a ledge in between seats to save room. As more and more people got on, I kept getting pushed further to the back of the bus and was at the back door by the time we reached the airport. I just hopped off with my suitcase, completely forgetting about my backpack toward the front of the bus.
And yes, I did manage to get it back… 🙂
By NLM October 27, 2011 - 7:06 am
Oops. The No Travel Required guys eat pastrami, you take the wrong bag…what a morning’s read! I love when things don’t go perfectly because it reminds me to keep my expectations in check, lol.
Have a wonderful time in Hawaii. Get over to Kauai if you can.
By Stacy October 27, 2011 - 9:45 am
Sea-Tac and Pittsburgh allows non-passengers into baggage claim.
By Katie Petersen October 27, 2011 - 10:07 am
Definitely, yes. Hawaii is a fantastic solo, not-so-expensive travel destination. I spent three weeks there this summer and loved it! It’s funny that you mention serendipity – shortly after I’d booked my trip, I learned that a good friend of mine from my years as an exchange student in Germany now lives in Honolulu. Hadn’t planned on it, but we ended up having a blast exploring the island together :). I would also recommend paragliding, if you enjoy flying. It’s a stunningly beautiful way to see the landscape. Have a great time!!
By Laura October 27, 2011 - 11:16 am
I love Hawaii! And while it is really expensive, there are ways around that for sure. I can only imagine the initial stress you felt when you realized you had the wrong bag. Glad you got it sorted out! Have fun!!
By Lori October 27, 2011 - 11:49 am
Just got back from Hawaii 2 weeks ago, after spending 15 days on the islands. It was my second trip to the islands and this time my fiance and me decided to visit Moloka’i for a few days. Would recommend it, a local described it to us as saying we would get a look back at what Hawaii was like back in the 50’s, while I didn’t quite get that impression, I found the island to be remote with beautiful scenery, the locals to be super friendly and a relaxing atmosphere, just want we needed after exploring Maui and Oahu. Just beware the Ferry Trip from Maui is expensive and the trip back to Maui was extremely rough but it just added to the adventure. Have fun enjoying the Islands!!
By Sherry October 28, 2011 - 12:49 pm
I just saw some old pics of Hawaii in the 50’s…it’s sooo different! However I have to stay that by staying with locals it doesn’t seem nearly as touristy as I thought it would! Currently I’m planning on going to Oahu and the Big Island only, but will keep your suggestions in mind in case I get the opportunity to do more!! THanks for stopping by and reading!
By Lori October 28, 2011 - 4:21 pm
I agree staying with locals does make it less touristy and on our last visit with family. My finance is 1/2 Hawaiian so we usually visit with his family but we still do the touristy stuff too. I think if you stay with a local or know some locals you get a different prepective of the islands.
By Amanda October 27, 2011 - 6:46 pm
Oh, we all have these moments! Don’t feel bad. 🙂
And, for the record, you absolutely CAN do Hawaii solo and on the cheap. I visited this past February for a week and stayed with a friend (finding someone to stay with really is key!!). I stuck to Oahu and used TheBus and visited a lot of free and/or cheap spots. I spent less than $35 per day, and that included souvenirs and gifts!
Can’t wait to read about your shark experience! I, too, booked with Hawaii Shark Encounters. However, no sharks showed up the day I went! So the guides took us out whale watching instead. Still a great experience!
By Sherry October 28, 2011 - 12:47 pm
Great news about your cheap Hawaii. It certainly does help to stay with friends! I’m loving it so far!
By Kiera October 27, 2011 - 7:45 pm
I don’t know that I can recall any US airport where you can’t get into baggage claim – LAX, PHL, IAH, SEA, etc…
Hawaii is awesome. My favorite island is Kauai but each island offers something different. You need to visit the Iolani Palace.
By Sherry October 28, 2011 - 12:47 pm
Actually – you may be right. I guess it’s that it seldom happens that i have someone park their car and come meet me. Plus – when you travel internationally (which I do mostly), non-flyers can’t come to baggage since you have to go through customs first!
By Nancy & Shawn Power... Inspiring YOU to Travel! October 27, 2011 - 9:07 pm
Regardless of the mishap, we hope you’re having a wonderful time in Hawaii. We just spent 5 glorious weeks there exploring all the Islands and loved every inch of it!
Can’t wait to hear more.
Nancy & Shawn
By Kelly Wetherington October 27, 2011 - 11:37 pm
Airport security staff love me all over the world as they often have profited from my “rookie mistakes!” I tried to carry onto a place a bottle of wine and my favorite sweet chili sauce onto my flight home from Australia. This was after traveling/flying around the world for a solid year, I knew better! The security officer did seem quite pleased to confiscate the liquids that I assume she enjoyed later that evening with her dinner. AND I have given away two Swiss army knives and a Leatherman to lucky airport security staff. Feel better?? : )
By Sherry October 28, 2011 - 12:45 pm
Ok- quite frankly Kelly – that does make me feel better! 🙂 I’ve given up new bottles of sun screen too come to think of it!
By Sarah Reijonen October 28, 2011 - 1:43 pm
My husband and I put unleaded in our diesel rental car in France. It was the first day we got it and we would have it in our possession for another two months! Woops. Needless to say, the car puttered to the side of the road and my husband spent three times attempting to suck the gas out through a hose after hiking and hitchhiking back and forth to the nearest freeway exit. No luck. So my husband laid on the gas and sped off the freeway letting the car die in a parking lot. It was Friday so we were stuck for two more days outside of Paris before getting our car purged and getting back on the road.
Can I just say this was day three of our RTW trip. That’s my excuse, though I’m sure there will be many more stories like this. I can only hope!
By Mihaela November 3, 2011 - 1:24 pm
hi,
i think it happens to everybody at least once in a life; i once lost a flight because a i took the wrong train and didn’t get in time to the airport 🙂
By Lynn Nill November 3, 2011 - 9:03 pm
Sherry, I’ve left a bag with all of our underwear at the side of the curb at the airport when going to my cousin’s wedding in Chicago. My uncle, the father of the groom, patiently took me and Lee shopping the next day for new underwear. It was one of those classic “I thought YOU had it” situations…and pre-9/11, so an abandoned suitcase didn’t require bomb squads and terminal evacuations! And no, we never saw that suitcase again.
Happens to everyone at one time or another…