Sounds lovely all around. The first time we went to Hawaii, we got up at 4AM and drove to Halakeala (dormant, I think, volcano) and watch the sun rise below us. It was pretty magical.
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We did that too the second time we went to Hawaii - flew in from Chicago the day before so it didn’t seem either early or cold.
I decided to book our plane tickets today for a trip in later May to NYC - I was getting panicked that flight prices would 
since gas prices are going up. Good idea or was my panic unwarranted??
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I think you were smart to do this. I can’t imagine flight prices going anywhere but up.
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I will be in NYC then too. Already booked my tickets.
What I am worried about is the potential of another Covid flare up in Europe as only 36% of all Ukrainians are vaccinated and 0% had boosters. These poor people don’t need to get sick on top of what’s already happening to them.
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We booked to go on our camping trip near a lake, camping for us means a rustic motel with a fridge. We will pack our cooler with stuff, but we will not do any cooking. This is something my husband and I don’t like to do when we travel, except for making a pot of coffee or tea.
Looking forward to swimming, kayaking, fishing, maybe some low to moderate level of hiking.
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I have a business trip to London on the east side of town. So except for the 1st night I am staying near the Tower of London. The issue is the first night.
We arrive around 11am Friday morning. Probably exhausted, since who can sleep on an 8 hour flight. AT first my thought was to get a hotel room near the airport, but that makes no sense, taht as soon as we nap, we will want to explore. So , are there areas outside of london proper, that are on the Tube system , which would be a good place to see, or should we just find a place in the City? Also are there parts of London to avoid? Good place with restaurants on the West side of town. Kensington?
I’ve made that trip to London several times with my parents. We always went straight to a hotel to nap for a little while.
If you get the tube then the area around South Kensington is nice, with good restaurants and museums (Science, Natural History and V&A) close by. Be aware that there are intermittent tube strikes going on which might make the Heathrow Express a better bet (and it’s certainly much quicker). There are plenty of hotels between Paddington and Hyde Park but not that much to see there. Some pubs and cheap restaurants, particularly on Edgware Road, but somewhat fewer food choices further west. However it’s an easy walk across the park to the museums.
Where does the express take you
Paddington
Pre-Covid, I’ve done this trip many times. I’ve stayed near the Tower and other locations. You say business trip - will your company spring for a car or taxi? If not, there are options for public transport - tube and Heathrow Express. Take a look at relevant maps to see changes you will need if you take the Express and transfer to Tube to your hotel. Heavy bags are a detriment - not all tube stations have easy access elevators or escalators.
I would get on transport and go directly to my hotel near the Tower - why not book where you are staying the rest of the trip??? If you stay elsewhere, the next day will lose hours checking out and checking into a new location. By the time you get into London after an 11 AM flight, the hotel room is likely to be ready. (I say that as one who booked hotels where I have status - my rooms have always been available after 12 noon. Double check with your location if you are concerned that they might hold you to a later check-in time.)
Agree that staying by Heathrow (assuming this is your airport) makes little sense. I have done it when flying into LHR in the evening and out on a non-connecting ticket the next day. If you go this route, there are a number of hotels on free local bus service from LHR - but not much to see in the area.
Ask your question on Tripadvisor - there are good posters there who can relate the current conditions. Several on CC are also savvy with London arrivals and stays, but I would not bet my knowledge and routines haven’t been impacted by Covid. Maybe those who weigh in can indicate if they are certain of current conditions.
London is much safer than US cities. I don’t think you will encounter any problems in typical tourist/business areas. Personally, I have never been able to nap upon arrival. When I’ve had an arrival after a night flight, I’ve found that outdoor walking works better for me than museums - even though I am a museum freak. (love the Kennsington Museums - but I almost fell asleep in the V and A after a long flight. If one of the museums appeals - I’d take the risk of tiredness and stop in!) There are good online tourist walking maps of London. Pick any area - have you been before? Whatever you choose will be terrific!
Kauai “experts” please weigh in. My son is spending his honeymoon in Hawaii. He’s spending a week in Maui, and has that lodging figured out. They plan to spring for nice lodging in Kauai, but where should they stay? We had dinner at Tidepools, at the Hyatt in Kauai last night. It was nice, but it’s a huge property. The pools are great, and it has a nice beach, but is it worth close to $1,000 a night? Any suggestions for ocean front, with beach access very close if not right in front? They will likely stay in the Poipu area, but north shore (Princeville/Hanalei Bay) is not off the table.
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Koloa Landing Autograph Collection or Sheraton on Coconut Beach
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Thanks for the suggestions, and for the restaurant suggestions for Maui and Kauai. We’ve been to a couple, and plan to go to a couple more.
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If you need any pics let me know/
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Looks like the mask mandate on planes and transit is going to be extended for another month (until April 18), but then most likely be allowed to expire, if not cancelled sooner:
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/10/politics/travel-mask-mandate/index.html
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I’ll probably continue to wear a mask indoors/on transportation for quite some time - I was a hand sanitizer user long before it became a household name.
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I’ve really enjoyed not getting ill since 2019. Since we have found masks we can breathe pretty well with, I probably will mask up from now on when I will be in crowds. Inevitably there are folks who may be contagious, whether or not they are symptomatic.
I think more people may be masking up going forward to avoid illness, regardless of whether there is an official masking requirement or not.
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I may sound like a broken record, but the shoe that needs to fall at some point is the requirement of a PCR test to re-enter the US whether you are vaccinated or not. Especially if we are moving toward treating COVID as an endemic.
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