Destination Hawaii!?

liviaforev

Hy,

I would like to plan a trip to Hawaii next year. This is my first time there. Could you give me some suggestion about the Islands? Which is the most beautiful to visit? The best period to go there? Do you suggest any websites where to get some informations?

I'll travel with my husband and my daughter.

Thanks

Livia

Answer
The best time to go to Hawaii? Anytime!! The weather is always great!

The rainy season is late winter/early spring (usually Jan - March). But "rainy" means maybe a few minutes a day (if you are on the western side of most islands; the eastern side, like Hilo on the big island or Hana on Maui, are more rainy).

Although Jan - Mar are rainy, things are also somewhat more expensive then. That's when the weather is at its worst on the mainland, so everyone is escaping to warmer climates - and the prices reflect that. It's also whale-watching season - if you've never seen a whale in the ocean, it's a must!

Fall is lovely, and less expensive because few people travel then. But if your daughter is in school, that would be a problem.

If summer is the best time for your family to travel, by all means go then. It might also be expensive (that's when most families take vacations), but I have to warn you - Hawaii is NEVER cheap! Some times/places are just less expensive than others. But it is ALWAYS worth every penny!

As for where to go - a lot depends on your interests and the age of your daughter - toddler? tween? teenager? college?

Kauai is very beautiful and laid-back, but it may not have enough to offer for kids.

Lanai is very high-end with a lot of golf courses and little else.

Oahu has the nightlife in Waikiki, along with sightseeing and history at Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center, plus more quiet beach areas outside of Honolulu.

The Big Island has the only active volcano - depending on your daugher's age, that may be a good option. How often can you say you've stood on top of an active volcano? The Kona side of the Big Island is lovely.

Maui seems to be everyone's favorite (including mine!). It is beautiful, not as crowded as Oahu (although much more crowded than it used to be), and has a wide variety of things to do.

The Hana highway is a must (what a previous poster refered to as the "divorce highway") - TAKE A TOUR! If you're driving, you MUST keep your eyes on the road - it's very curvy, with mountains on one side and a dropoff to the ocean on the other. On a tour, you'll see the gorgeous landscape and waterfalls instead of just the blacktop, and the tour can go on parts of the road that your rental can't.

Snorkeling at Molokini is supposed to be great - haven't done it myself yet.

Lahaina is a nice "old Hawaii" town, with a lot of nice places to stay. Kaanapali and Wailea are more touristy and upscale, but very nice. Kihei is more budget, but there are still nice places to stay. The island isn't that big, so no matter where you stay, any other place on the island is just a day-trip away.

For a family, I'd recommend Maui (for beach and water activities) or Oahu (for history, sightseeing, shopping, and nightlife).

Or spend a couple of days on both! Interisland flights are only about $50 - $60 one-way.

You can get more information about the islands from www.gohawaii.com (the official tourism site for Hawaii)

You can get some good air/car/hotel packages through Apple, Pleasant Holidays or Funjet. You can also check with a travel agent; there are a couple of suppliers that agents use for Hawaii that do not sell directly to the public.

Have a great time! Hawaii is my favorite place on earth!

Has anyone traveled on a plane with a 20 month old?

Kelly S

I leave in 10 days on a plane ride with my 20 month old and im nervous, what should i bring? how did youre kids react to the taking off anf landing? any advice would be great thanks

Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three kids. My oldest was very active and I remember at 20 months, he slept 20 minutes of a 11 1/2 hour flight. I was pregnant and very tired when we arrived!

This is a tricky age to travel. They like to run and hate to be confined.

One "sanity-saver" is to get him his own seat. Children are much more comfortable and settled in their familiar car seat. If you have not booked a place for him, try to see if they can arrange an empty place next to you and bring his car seat to the gate. Be nice but they often do this for families if the flight is not full.

Bring your car seat to the gate and if you are not successful, it will be gate checked with the strollers and wheelchairs. Never check a car seat in as luggage. It could too easily be lost and/or broken in transit.

It would be very hard to hold a 20 month old calmly in your lap!

Make sure your car seat is approved for air travel. If you are flying a U.S. company, here is the FAA's page on the subject;
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

If you are flying a non-U.S. company, see your airlines' website.

Don't worry about the ears. This is an over-rated problem and quite frankly, in 13 years, I barely remember any children having problems going up or descending. If you are concerned, visit the doctor in the next few days and make sure his ears and clear and infection-free. Flying with an infection or other blockage could be painful, if not damaging. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.

If you want to give him something to drink, by all means offer but please don't wake him or force. The critical time is not landing/touch down but the TOP of descent, when everyone's ears have to reverse pressurization. The AAP suggests simply that the child be *awake*. Just moving his head, talking, etc. helps the ears.

http://www.aap.org/patiented/flyingbaby.htm

For entertainment, I found at that age, less is more. Coloring things, play dough, pipe cleaners, stickers, small plastic toys like cars or animals and chunky books with openable flaps work well and keep them busy.

Get him a couple of new toys and surprise him during the flight. Something new will occupy him longer.

I can't recommend a portable DVD player for such a young age. Usually they wont wear the earphones (do NOT play it over the speakers in the plane). Experiment at home if you think it would work.

Don't fixate on getting him to sleep. Other passengers will not complain about him if he's quiet and playing. They will also not complain if he's crying and you're trying to do something about him.

Bring a change of clothes for you both and at least 1/3 more diapers than you think you'll need. Learn to change him standing up because the changing tables on airplanes are tiny and most toddlers hate to lie down in a strange place.

Don't worry about security. Most exempt liquids meant for a child. In the very unlikely case that they would take a something away, they'll just take it from you.

Get plenty of sleep, both of you, the night before. During your journey, let him drink, eat and sleep as he wants. Be a "good parent" once you get to your destination but just get through your trip sanely.

For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com

Have a good flight!

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i am traveling with my 1 year old and my almost 3 year old ion 2 weekss..?

nanasmama1

and desperately want tips and advicee to make this 2 and half hour trip bareable for everyone! (including flight attendents!)
you dont understand because theres an extra o and s? i am traveling with two children a one year old and child who is ALMOST 3 years old. i will be making this trip in TWO weeks. more clear?

Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I now fly a lot with my own three children. We usually travel between Europe and California about twice a year.

First of all, try to fly in the morning if you haven't already booked. Many "tips" say to fly when they nap. I've seen this go wrong sooooo many times! One small delay and you have one (maybe two) big meltdowns. Children are in better humor in the morning and flights are less likely to be canceled or delayed.

Try to sit at the bulkhead. These are the seats with a wall in front. With no row in front of you, there is no one in front to disturb. You can also get in and out of these seats more easily.

Try to get an extra seat for the baby, if he doesn't already have one. Bring the car seat. This is a Big Subject so I wont go into details but if the baby has his own place, he'll be both safer and you all will be more comfortable. Ask at check-in if this is possible. Never check a car seat as luggage! Gate-check if if you are unsuccessful getting an extra place.

Is the baby off bottles (yet? if ever). Try to get him on a sippy cup before leaving. These are much easier. If not, use the kind of bottles with disposable liners. Measure the powder in each liner ahead of time. Much easier than those fiddly containers. Needless to say, make sure the bottle is always at room temperature.

Learn to change him standing up. Do this at home first. He's too big for airplane baby changers. Use the handicapped lav for more room. Better yet, change him in the waiting area so that if you're lucky, you wont have to do it again until you're on the ground at your destination. Then change him again before you get your luggage (there's a wait for that anyway).

Have the older one bring a backpack with some toys of his choice. Mom, check that bag first! Security doesn't allow "looks like" or "can be used as a weapon" toys. Especially boys do have a few things usually that wont fly (pun intended).

Buy a new toy for each child and surprise them with their treat as you get into your seats. On the tarmac, headed to the runway, everyone MUST be seated and this can be tough on little ones. Hopefully, these new items will keep them busy until they're in the air. (Doesn't have to be expensive, you can even hide perhaps a toy or two for the little one so he "forgets").

Don't worry about their ears. This is a highly overrated problem and I rarely saw it in all my years of flying. If they don't have an ear infection, they'll be fine. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes. The AAP recommends that at the TOP of descent (landing is too late) that the child simply be *awake*. Any head movement, coughing, laughing, drinking, yawning, helps adjust their ears. Please don't force them to drink. Also, so many children fall asleep on take-off. Do NOT wake your child up unnecessarily to force them to drink either.

It's too short of a flight to buy any fancy electronical gadgets or worry about their sleeping. The secret to flying with toddlers is to make sure they're fed, watered and rested so make sure they get a good nights' sleep the night before. Don't mess with their schedules and don't worry if a nap is delayed or even skipped. Don't force them to stay up on the way to the airport.

For more information, ten years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com

Good luck and have a safe and zen flight!

When I travel this October my son will be 15 months does he need a plane ticket?

Raquel C

In October I wll be going my country and am taking my soon who will be 15 months in October so I wanted to know does he need a plane ticket?

Answer
You are flying internationally so you will have to pay something for your child to fly, even if he is on your lap. He will also need a passport so I hope that's already taken care of.

Children under age 2 are allowed, by most airlines, to fly on their parents' laps for free or for a small fee. Commercial air travel is safe so there is little chance of anything going wrong but if it does, a child on a lap is not protected. The only way to fly safely is to make sure your child has his own seat and to bring an approved car seat on board.

If you fly a U.S. company, here is the information you need;

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

If not, consult the airlines' website to find out what car seats are accepted.

If you don't booked a seat for him, find out if the flight is full. Then, if it's not, at check in, ask nicely if you can have an empty seat next to you to place your carseat in. They often do this for families.

I will say that my toddlers were much more settled and much easier when they were in their familar seat. Not to scare you but some parents haven't been able to keep a hold of their little ones and have been "off loaded" as a result.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-01-23-airtran_x.htm

I will admit that I've strapped down an unhappy little one more than once. Toddlers hate to be confined and simply don't understand that they have to be seated sometimes. Firmly anchored in, I could then consol them while we landed.

To get through the airport, they sell all sorts of gizmos like these (I'm not promoting these sites, just showing you the products);
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html

I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. I skip on the stroller and she can even ride in it at age 3. She usually prefers to walk and then I load the carry-ons abord.

Besides, taking your car seat onboard virtually guarentees that it'll be there at your destination. Checking them risks damage and loss. On my last flight, three of our four bags didn't make it but our seat did since it was used on board. Wont you need it when you get there?


Just some other small tips;
-Bring a change of clothes
-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need
-Learn to change him standing up (don't try to fit him on those tiny babychangers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)
-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.
-Get up and move around with him but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones
-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!
-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you
-Bring slippers, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!

It's actually a myth that children need to suck on something for take-off and landing. I rarely saw it in my 13 years as a Flight Attendant and I fly about twice a year between Europe and California since each of my three were 4 months old. I have never, ever done anything special with them for take-offs and landings.

ENT specialists simply recommend that the child is awake for landing;
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm

The delicate time is not during take-off or landing/touchdown but at the *top of descent*. This is usually 40 minutes to an hour before landing and everyone's ears have to reverse the pressurization. I can confirm that when I worked, if any passengers had ear problems, this was the time. Not just children either! They actualy felt *better* as we got closer to landing.

The BEST way to avoid ear issues is to take your little guy to the doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. Make sure yours' doesn't have one of those! The doctor will look in his ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.

About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed, both on line and in Real Life. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web.

Feel free to visit;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Have a good trip!

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