Why You Should Come Visit

We recently took both sets of our parents back to the airport.  Dan's came in February, and mine left this week.  We now officially live here.  Funny how something isn't quite right until your parents have seen it and approve.  Even when you're 30.  (Not that I'm admitting to being any outrageous age like that.)

  

This means that there are currently no airline tickets booked for people to come visit us.  Although we have several people who intend to come at certain times, so far we don't have any flight numbers to watch for.  This is unsettling to us (okay, me).  Thus, we (okay, I) have formed this list with the intention of enticing you to look up some flights.

Without further ado.  The Top 10 Reasons YOU Should Come Visit the Stanleys:

10.  The High temp is in the 70's, and the Low temp is in the 60's.  Every day.  Details here:  http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day/96786

9.  Hawaii is the most beautiful place on the earth.  I'm sure of it.  No other place I can think of has God come so close to wearing Himself out on His creation.  (Not that I think He could be worn out . . . come on . . . . you know what I mean.)  Seriously, though.  Huge, beautiful green mountains.  They come on so suddenly that you can see the grooves on the sides of them filled with trees that look like evergreens but couldn't be.  Miniature valleys winding up the sides of cliffs.  And so green.  Sometimes the mountains layer over each other so that it looks like you're in a cavern of every shade of green you can imagine.  Then there will be a break in the mountains and you'll catch a glimpse of a thousands shades of blue with white waves crashing down at a slightly lower elevation in front of you.  The sun shifts and a thousand more shades of blue appear.  And to think.  God made all this beauty fit into one tiny little blip on the map, and He put it out in the biggest expanse of nothing on the globe.  Kinda makes you think He did it that way on purpose so that you'd have leave everything else far enough behind that you couldn't possibly worry about it while you're here.  Just sayin'.

8.  FREE LODGING!  Queen-sized Simmons Beautyrest mattress.  It's a good one, I promise.  Your own bathroom.  Also, you have a mountain view from your bedroom!  Whatever cereal or breakfast bars you find laying around for breakfast, plus lots and lots of really strong coffee.  Although we do have hot dogs and Cheetos for lunch quite a bit, I cook a pretty mean dinner most nights.    However, if you'd like to just sleep here and stay out all day we're good with that, too.  We do recommend that you wake up at least one morning in a hotel in Waikiki . . . just because it's fun.  But that's up to you. (Unless you drink the rest of the coffee . . . then we might move you out.)  Just kidding. . . . kinda.

7.  We can get you the Military or Kamaaina (local) discount at just about every major attraction or excursion here.  Even some hotels.  That will save you between 15% - 50%.  We have lots of recommendations.  But the best thing on the island is the beach (all of them).  And they're always free.  In fact, there are NO private beaches on the entire island.  It's the law that there MUST be public access to any beach, even if it has to be provided over private property.  In fact, the only beach on the whole island that isn't public access is the beach on Bellows Air Force Station.  It happens to be the prettiest beach we've ever seen anywhere in the world, hands down.  And we can get you in .  :)  We can even get you a cabin to rent right on the water so you can watch the sunrise.  Softest sand on the island, best view, best water, best swimming . . . . not open to the public.  P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

6.  Pearl Harbor.  Polynesian Cultural Center.  Waikiki.  Ala Moana Mall.  Sea Life Park.  Diamond Head.  Ko Olina.  Paradise Cove.  Hanauma Bay.  More than likely we will have already been to whatever attraction you're planning to visit, so we probably won't be interested in going with you.  Don't worry about us tagging along on your vacation.  Also, we have plenty of beach towels, umbrellas, mats, toys & gear.  You don't need to bring any of that.

5.  Maui Caramacs . . . . . nom nom nom.  Oh!  And Maui Mike's Chicken  . . . mmmmmmm.

4.  We'll take you shopping at the EPX.  Department store cosmetics, designer purses, electronics . . . . about 30% off . . . . and no tax.

3.  We're at pretty much the most central point of the island, so everything is a 30 minute drive, at most (as long as it isn't rush hour).  We can take you to most places in our vehicles, including to and from the airport.  However, if you really want your own car the best way is it to Priceline it so low that you get that disclaimer about it being "extremely unlikely" that you'll get it for that price.  You almost always do.

2.  Southwest and Allegiant have reported that they will both begin offering flights to Hawaii in the "near future."  Until then, here's the best way to score cheap flights.  Wait for a cheap flight to a major city on the west coast.  If you happen to live on the west coast, then "yay" for you!  Go to www.airfarewatchdog.com or www.hawaiianair.com about 2-3 months out and score some super cheap flights from the west coast city to Honolulu, Int'l.  ($300 - $400 Round Trip)

1.  The thing we miss the most about "home" is our family & friends.  If we could have you all here then life would be awfully close to perfect.  So do us a favor and look up some flights already.

http://www.hawaiianair.com/
http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/