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juju-journeys · 5 years ago

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Hawaii

I have attached my info for Hawaii. Lots of places to shop and visit. I went to Hawaii in 2015 to the 4 islands.

This is the Web site and click on the link for Waikele Outlet in Hawaii. Print out a list as they have many good brands and you can join up and get discount vouchers but you need to spend a fair bit in each store. I used my Travel card at all these type of shops and only put the large items on the credit card.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/centers/index.asp

You will need to book a Roberts bus for the trip to the Factory Outlet otherwise check at the front desk as they may have a company they use. It is limited time shopping with the bus trip but we got a guy and he took us there and we said a time and he was back for us and it was great as we were not queueing to get on a bus. Shops open at 10am and close late. One friend took just the local bus but that would have taken 2 hours.

We also went to the market at the Stadium this year and we took a taxi and that was also great as some of the items in the ABC shops were so much cheaper and the same product. Plus a lot more home crafted jewellery and other items. There is a taxi rank and you can ask for a fixed price as they want to get back to Waikiki. We went Mid May this year and not too hot but still many tourists at the Factory Outlets.

Macy’s ( there are 2) are very good for clothes and if you go to the Information counter and take your passport you get a 10% voucher for International guests off clothes but not cosmetics, perfume or jewellery. But when I was there I paid $5 and got a separate coupon as it was Breast Cancer day so I got more bargains.

Try Ross Dress for Less in Seaside Avenue. It looks like an Op Shop but have all the brands. They have Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren and the t-shirts cost around $12 - $20 US. TJ Maxx is similar near Ward Centre and Nordstrom Rack. This is 2 bus stops past Ala Moana Shopping centre. You need to go through all racks as they are in sizes as well as tops, jumpers, dresses etc. I had to get a large in the polo as they are European sizes but a US 10 for most other items. Mary said it was too busy but we went after dinner and I got shorts and ¾ pants for about US$15 Nine West brand.

I got a Ralph Lauren cable cotton knit for $20 and Tommy Hilfiger polos for $25. T shirts for $12 US and polos for $23 -$30. The solid colours are cheaper.

Off Saks has opened a store near the International Market Place in Kuhio Avenue.

Walgreens have cheap cosmetics but Target and Wal-Mart are much cheaper around $4-5 for Revlon and Cover girl and Maybelline. Wal-Mart and Target are at the back of the Ala Moana Shopping centre which is the largest outdoor shopping Mall. Great for your big bags on M & Ms with many different flavours plus the Reese’ chocolate. I spent ages trying to decide.

Tipping for any service is 15% for taxis and food where there is a waiter service or barman. We asked a waiter and all the tips go to the waiter, the person who takes away the plates and fills up the water, the chef and barman and they get around $6 an hour so that is why the food is cheap. I just worked out 20% as it was much easier and if I used my travel card then I left cash as a tip. If a porter takes your bags it is $1 per bag.

In Hawaii you also have the Ala Moana Shopping Mall which you can take a bus down Kuhio Ave , you must have correct fare, but you can combine the 3 fares together and the driver will give you the tickets as the driver doesn’t give you change. Old Navy is another good store has reasonable clothes for men and women. Check if you have a courtesy bus at your Hotel to take you to Ala Moana. When you alight, give the driver a $1 either in person or there is a small bucket. There are also trolley buses in all different colours.

Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Dillard’s , Bloomingdale, Sears are the Department stores and Forever 21 for the younger crowd.

ABC shops and Walgreen, Whalers sell food as well as souvenirs and they are everywhere. If you want Milk, look at the cartons in the grocery stores as they have many different from 1% fat to full cream milk as in Aust. Don’t ask for milk at a café, ask for half and half. That is the closest to milk. I take a bag of tea bags with me as their Tea is not as strong and not always have black tea.

Most places have happy hours and not just drinks, it is food as well so you need to get there between 5pm and 5.30 pm so check the times out.

Appetisers are our Entrees and US entrees are our mains.

Cheese Factory at Royal Hawaiian centre – Kalakaua St . We got there early and we still had to wait just, go to the front desk and put your name down. In the end we did not go in just because of the wait. Or book online.

PF Changs – Lewers St – great modern Chinese cuisine and happy hour with half price San Choi Bao. I went here 3 times in a week. Plus the sweet potato fries. Yum. Happy hour between 4-6PM. Go to their website and join up as you get a free dish.

Californian Pizza Kitchen in Kalakaua Ave near Macy’s has the best Cobb salad and good pizza.

Yard House in Lewers St- good happy hour food, 2pm – 5.30pm

Rum Fire at Sheraton Happy Hour 3-4PM.

Hula Grill 4-6PM

Tommy Bahama 2-5PM

Cinnamon at Ilikai 2-6PM

Try these Pais Deli and Cream Pot for lunch or brunch.

A friend found this to help with tipping.

There is a Korean place in Kuhio Ave and you must get there early as the queue goes down the street and it is similar to a cafeteria .

Roys in Lewers Street, the best Chocolate lava cake and not too sweet. A very nice restaurant.

Top of Waikiki restaurant, it is a revolving restaurant in the main street plus they have happy hour for just drinks, but the best steak I had for a long time. Now closed.

Check out the Aussie guide to happy Hour online or join Aussie in Hawaii on FB.

The International Market place has opened fully renovated with lots of new shops and eating places.

If you get a cup of tea/coffee or soft drink it is a bottomless cup. They will just keep filling it up. I sometimes got the unsweetened iced tea, just for a change while out and about.

There are so many places to eat along the main streets . I just walked everywhere around Waikiki as we stayed at the Maile Sky with my niece and not very fancy as I was moving to another Hotel with my trip and walked back from the Aquarium. My hotel has changed its name so I stayed a few nights in that area. This year I stayed at Hyatt Place down near the Zoo and breakfast was included so that was a bonus.

A great day trip is to the top of Diamond Head the extinct volcano . The entrance as you are walking towards Diamond Head is to the left. We went to the right along the beach and it took us ages to walk around it then we walked into the Park then up to the top. But did not make it to the very top as I walked too far already. We got a bus back to Kuhio Ave and caught it near the White Church. Just ask the information booth in the park. You need to book online now as they limit the amount entering each hour.

You can get a day trip to the Ranch where 150 films and TV shows were made etc. We did the ATV tour which was wonderful. Peg and Mary did a Zip line tour and said it was amazing.

The active volcanos are on the Big Island – Hawaii. It takes 36 minutes by plane to either Hilo or Kona.

Pearl Harbour is a half day trip and you cannot take in big bags and you can leave in lockers. The USS Missouri is now stationed there plus a submarine.

I did a Grand Circle trip around the island when I was by myself and went to the Northern beaches, Pali pass, the Dole planation and a macadamia farm. So check the trips before you go.

Don’t walk around the beach front near the park at night along the Ala Moana Boulevarde. A few homeless people and a bit scary.

Don’t forget to declare all the food including Chocolate you have going into Hawaii and back in Australia.

NEW YORK - SHOPPING

Well the best place in the whole of NY is Century 21 ( C21) for shopping. You must get there early in the morning as it is so packed but they stay open quite late in the evening. There are two, one around 66th and number 1972 Broadway up near Central Park and the other is Lower Manhattan near Ground Zero in Cordtlandt Street. Just take the Subway it is so easy and just get a ticket and use the same one and just keep adding money. Lisa and I used one ticket and she swiped it then I did, and it costs around $2.70 for each trip ( not sure the price as at today) so we put $10 on it with an attendant at the station for the first time then we added at a vending machine. If you get to an interchange station, and you need to change trains, then you don’t have to swipe again. There is no swiping when you leave a station just go through the turnstiles.

Also Macy’s is around 32nd is also great when they have sales.

The other stores are TJ Maxx and Marshalls you will need to look them up. H & M is in 5th Avenue at the back of the Rockefeller Centre and Ann Taylor is one of my favourite brands and Loft is from the same group which has Demi Moore as its model and look up the Garment district as well for upmarket clothes.

Chinatown was good which also leads into Little Italy and that is in Canal Street. Little Italy has great food and also has a few street vendors for cheap goods. That is around Mulberry Street.

The M and M shop is near Times Square. If you want cheap tickets for shows you will need to line up early in Times Square. But you can just turn up on the night as they have returns at each venue that you can get around 6pm. Good morning America and other shows have free concerts so look that up. We took a bike ride around Central Park but we were driven as it was too hot. There are lots of people selling bike rides, bus trips on the busy corners. Be very careful around Times Square as it is so busy and keep your bag in front around there especially. I do try to avoid going through 7th and Broadway as it so busy. There are Hawkers on lots of corners that sell anything and everything and I got pashminas very cheap around Ground Zero.

For food steer away from 7th, 8th and Broadway as these tend to be more expensive and the other streets that run parallel have great food. We walked most of the time as the distance between streets are not far not like in CBD Melbourne.

We did a dinner cruise to Statue of Liberty but did not make the island as a storm was coming so we ended up at Ellis Island where all the immigrants first landed and it has a great old building. The Statton Island ferry is free and it goes past the statue. We went to Rockefeller centre and saw the Empire State Building from there as it is closer to Central Park.

Look up Free activities in New York. I went to the Chelsea Market and walked the Highline. You get a great view of the Hudson River and walking high amongst the buildings. A great morning after getting into NY to get over the jet lag.

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juju-journeys · 5 years ago

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Ju Ju

The people’s names in brackets are my friends you gave me suggestions for my trips.

DECIDING WHAT TO TAKE

This depends on how many days you are away and what type of trip you are taking - a bus trip, a cruise, hotels or staying with friends.

Does the Hotel have laundry facilities or if you are staying for a while - is there a Laundry Mat nearby.

Most Hotels have an iron. If there is not an iron in the room, ring the Front Desk

Always check what is included with the amenities on their website.

Take a peg less clothesline with the hooks and not the suction caps ( Aussie Disposal about $7) and some pegs. I bought some at Daiso’s (Japanese store) which was just $2.80 and have hooks. These are good as some coat hangers in your Hotel rooms cannot be removed.

Take a wash bag for delicates as if you are sharing a load then you can separate yours easily. Most laundry mats in USA have vending machines to change your notes into coins and buy soap powder. Most washes cost about $2 and they use quarters and takes about 35 minutes to wash. Then the dryers cost about the same for about 45 minutes. Don’t make the temperature too hot.

WHAT TO PACK

Golden rule – make a list what you want to take, then lay it out and then cut it by a third. There is always one or more piece that you will not wear.

For a summer holiday

One pair jeans

2 pair of ¾ pants,

2 shorts,

1 pair of good black pants. If black is not your colour then the colour that will match your evening tops

5 nice tops for day time that mix and match with your shorts and pants

4 nice tops for evening

1 cardigan for night and/or jacket,

1 rolled up rain jacket

1 long sleeved top.

Shoes - Pair of thongs if you can walk all day in them. I cannot.

Runners or sneakers for walking

Good walking sandals or skechers

Nice pair of sandals or ballet shoes to wear at night

5-7 Bras as they can be easily washed

Underpants – well I take all my old ones and throw them out after wearing. ( Mary told me this one.) My last trip I took 14 pairs and must admit I did wash a few pairs and then started throwing them out in the waste basket. Good way to have more room in your suit case for all the items you will buy on your trip.

Socks- this is up to you.

PACKING

To pack, I roll all my tops together. Shoes I put in plastic bags. Toilet bag at the bottom of the suitcase and at the end, so when the suit case stands up, it is on the bottom. I bought the packing cells from Kathmandu and placed my bras in one, undies in another and socks in the third. These are great as on one side of the cell is mesh and when you put them in your suitcase and squash then down all the air comes out. You can also buy these at Daiso (everything is $2.80 shop). These are located in Box Hill and 2 in Melbourne CBD.

Toiletries

When I have booked my trip then I start buying items for the Toiletry bag especially when they are on special. If you are going on a small trip then and are getting low in what you are using now - shampoo etc and if you think there is enough left for the days you are away then put that away in your toilet bag. Same with toothpaste, deodorant, moisturiser, eye makeup remover, conditioner, cleanser, sun tan cream etc. The packet of cleanser wipes are also good to take. Once your trip is finished you can just throw them all away and you have more space and less weight in your suitcase.

Always keep the small sample bottles after use as they are very handy to take small amounts of your conditioner etc away with you.

Put all liquids in Zip lock bags as for sure something will leak. I take a few extra as some always will break and they are also good for carrying food in on day trips.

Put in small nail scissors, nail file and I use the nail polish remover pads (and do not take a bottle ) or otherwise buy the remover when you get there. I buy a 6 pack of the flat Kleenex tissues as they fit very easily in your hand bag which does not take up too much room.

MAKEUP BAG

Same goes for the makeup. If you are getting low with your foundation, eye shadow or eyeliner etc. put them in your make up bag. I buy an inexpensive mascara or take the small travel size. Less is better. Or in US buy up as Revlon, Estee Lauder etc are very cheap.

SHOPPING IN USA

Clothes and cosmetics are so much cheaper in USA. When the Department stores have the Free gift sometimes you only need to spend $30 so then only buy one item and get a free gift. So go back the next day and buy the next item and so on. End of season sales are just brilliant with extra 25% to 50% off. I love Labour Day sales which starts around 2nd Monday of September. Revlon nail polish is about US$5 plus tax, same with Maybelline, Covergirl, Prestige.

Sizing I usually go down one size only for USA and go up one size for UK and Europe. Some say go down 2 sizes for US.

List of Department stores in USA.

Bloomingdales and Neiman & Marcus very expensive and have High end brands

Nordstrom – up market and similar to David Jones

Macy’s – they have sales all the time and sometimes as good as or better than the Outlet malls. Visit the information desk show your passport and you 10% off voucher for 30 days. Read the fine print as discount not on perfume or makeup.

Dillard’s and Belk’s - similar as Myers.

Wal-Mart - huge variety cheap cosmetics, plus they have food and alcohol.

Sears – cheap like K Mart

Target - huge variety of cheap cosmetics, plus they have food and alcohol

VARIETY STORES

Wahlgrens – sells souvenirs and a variety of food etc Phone cards, cheap cosmetics

ABC Stores - sells souvenirs and a variety of food etc, Phone cards, cheap cosmetics

Duane Reade – pharmacy sells food, cosmetics etc.

Discount Stores – Look online if any of these are near where you are staying

Nordstrom Rack ( discontinued lines) - lot of racks

Burlington Coats ( not just coats but discontinued lines) - lot of racks

Ross dress for less. My favourite store, just ask Lisa. You must go through a lot of racks but it’s worth it. The racks are in sizes and in categories, tops, dresses, knits etc. My suit l bought last year in Denver was $70. So I bought 2. I believe Irene found one great store in Oregon and Hawaii.

Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Kohls - all very similar to Ross’s

Century 21 in New York and it was Leanne who showed me the way to shopping bliss. My first Calvin Klein suit I bought for $100, plus it has bags, cosmetics, so many different brands but you need to get there first thing in the morning as it gets so busy and close very late.

FACTORY OUTLETS IN USA

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/centers/

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/

LAS VEGAS

Best place to shop especially Labour Day sales is Vegas. 2 Factory Outlets – North and South. Join up online and you can get coupons. The South is near the airport and North is past Fremont Street. North has more high end shops. Just take the Express bus to both Outlets. Look up the website and plan your day. Shops open at 10 am and close quite late either 9 or 10pm. I usually plan my day and have a list of shops I want to visit.

The South Outlet is all under one roof and has great bargains. I shop here first as both have different discounts. The South had Tommy Hilfiger Polo shirts for $25 then the North had the same items for $35. Ralph Lauren in the North I got a cotton cable knit for $20. So I always go to both especially if you love shopping. The South has Elizabeth Arden and the North has Estee Lauder and Lancome. Ann Taylor is a great store for ladies. I got my sister a t-shirt for under $5 in the summer sales and good quality. Skechers sales are great, buy one get second for half price. Levi jeans you can get around $40.

There is also the Fashion Show Mall very similar to Chadstone with lots of eating places it is just past Treasure Island and also the Miracle Mile Shops which part of Planet Hollywood complex. It has H & M, ABC shop, Wahlgrens and lots of places to eat as well. There are 2 Ross Dress for Less in Vegas. One is near the M & M shop and the other down past Wynne’s Casino.

HALF PRICE TIX IN VEGAS- Check the website for locations and shows.

There are many places along the strip you can get tickets for shows that night for half the price. They open around 10am and you can get reasonable priced tickets for Shows that night or the next plus food vouchers and tours. It might cost you $2 and get a voucher that gets you a Buffet for less than $20, just an example. If you come back the next day you get the VIP treatment and line up in the express line.

HOTELS in Vegas

Most Hotels are Casinos and you do not have Tea/Coffee facilities in your room. Some have Mini bars or occasionally you get a Refridgerator but you can request one. Sharon bought me an Infuser, it is a big element that you put in a cup of water and it boils. Some Hotels include breakfast in your deal so that is great. If not, then take your own bag of tea bags or coffee from home or from the previous Hotel you stayed at, buy the infuser, take a cup bought from a $2 shop together with your plastic bowl and then buy some cereal and milk from Wahlgrens/ABC/Whalers or whatever store is closest and you are set for breakfast. Always take every packet of Tea/coffee in every Hotel and save it for the rest of your trip. If you run out just ring the Front Desk and ask for more when the cleaner comes around.

Sharon always told me to leave a dollar on the pillow case for the cleaner each day and they leave extra tea/coffee for you.

FOOD

The size of the meals are so big and quite cheap but remember to calculate your tip which is roughly 15-20% of the bill before the tax. The wages are very low for a waitress. They get only around $6 to $8 an hour plus the tips. We asked one girl and her tips also cover the person who clears away the dirty dishes, the cook and the barman. Some places have a suggested tip percentage on the bill so they will list 10 %, 15% and 20% so you can choose. If you pay by card you can add the tip on. I usually leave my tip in cash. If you are at a bar then it is $1 per drink. Sharon told me to keep my dollar bills so I can leave the tips separately. Sharon is my guru for tipping and much more.

If you eat in the restaurants that are part of your Hotel in Vegas, and nearby Hotels you can use your room key and will put your food bill onto your Hotel bill so when you check out you can pay by either credit card or cash.

Good places to eat.

PF Changs – Asian food but modern

Roys in Hawaii in Lewers Street – has the best Lava cake for dessert. There are a few around the US

Californian Pizza Kitchen – not just Pizza, I love the Cobb salad. Yum.

New York Cheesecake Factory – not just cheesecake

Wolf Gang Puck

Hard Rock cafe

Buffets are in every Hotel in Vegas.

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