Hawaii, episode 6. In which we are upgraded.

As you know, the first time Mari and I stayed in Honolulu, we were fortunate to have had Mari's committee sponsor our lodging for the week and we thoroughly enjoyed the Hilton Hawaiian Village so much that we have made it our island home for our two (so far) subsequent visits.

In June of 2010, we decided to dip our toes into uncharted vacation waters with our first ever cruise.

Of course, Mari and I had enjoyed short sailings over the years whenever we vacationed seaside and oceanside, but those excursions were short and on much smaller vessels than the 900-plus foot long 80,000 ton Pride of America which we would be sharing with 3,000 passengers and Norwegian Cruise Line crew for a week.

It was a big decision for us, but after 20 years of marriage and numerous vacations and countless fleamarkets, we decided to become cruisers.

Our first cruise would not be our last and the more often I cruise, the more often I want to return to the sea.

Don't call me Ishmael though, because while I, too, am a sailing novice, I have less a desire to get away from civilization than to be embraced by new civilizations (and to be pampered in the process).

Although we often seek out local inns and B&Bs, our previous experience at the Hilton provided a level of comfort and familiarity that made for a perfect post-cruise hideaway.

Now, I know what you're thinking because I'm thinking it, too.

For someone who doesn't like crowds or big resorts, why the heck would you intentionally go to sea with 3,000 strangers (6,000 on last summer's Baltic adventure) or stay at a massive beach resort with over 3,000 rooms?

Convenience.

I do a lot of amateur trip planning and I enjoy putting together the practically perfect escape whether it is a three-week Olympics adventure or a K. D. Lang mini-break (with unexpectedly awesome but unplanned Royal Doulton find), but our outings often take a lot out of me. There is a lot of work that goes into putting all those itinerary puzzle pieces together (not to mention connecting all the dots and dotting all the you-know-whats) and sometimes I would rather just hand things off to the professionals.

Mostly, it works out.

You also learn to carve out personal moments away from the multitudes when you can.

Whether it's with Mona Lisa and a hundred of her closest photo-snapping friends or with Mari on the 22nd floor balcony of the Rainbow Tower overlooking the beach below, I have learned to focus on what really matters.

The photo up top is our best selfie attempt to include all of the beachfront Rainbow Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian.

When we arrived at the open-air registration desk immediately following our cruise in 2010, I gave the young woman at reception my biggest smile (as I always do when greeting hard-working members of the service industry) and shared our story: we had previously stayed at the Hilton on our last visit and we were returning to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

The clerk returned my smile and said, "I think I have a special room for you." I didn't lie. I didn't ask for special treatment (not really). Nor did I ask for the (amazing) room upgrade we were about to receive.

Mari and I are forever indebted to the thoughtful desk clerk for introducing us to the glorious 22nd floor corner room with a southeast balcony overlooking Diamond Head and a southwest balcony overlooking Honolulu (views from the top up top beneath our selfie).

Of course, that hotel room spoiled us forever (and maybe that was the desk clerk's master plan).

For our return this past June to celebrate our 28th anniversary (and my retirement!), I knew which room I wanted and while I did not depend on the benefit of an upgrade this time, my AARP discount sure came in handy.

Be sure to check the resort's website to learn more about the benefits of staying at the Hilton while you are in Honolulu and to sign up for e-mail specials. Mari and I do have a few traveler tips to help you make the most (for the lea$t) of your stay which I will be sharing with you, too.

http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com

Before we get to cruising and island hopping, I thought I would share with you a few final Swap Meet images.

The directory pictured above appears at several locations throughout your stadium circumnavigation (as do restrooms and ATMs, thankfully).

alohastadiumswapmeet.net

The Swap site maps out specific vendor locations although itinerant vendors change frequently, so best not to go with a plan.

I can't believe I said that!

Just grab your friendliest flea partner and your best flea (tote) bag and be sure to arrive early if you are looking for vintage items, collectibles, or used household goods from locals selling in marked spaces closest to the stadium.

Although vintage and collectibles were scarce on our last visit, I did manage to spot a classic Pyrex container although the (half) pint-sized cutie was missing its tempered glass lid.

The Butterfly Gold pattern from the mid 1970s is new to my kitchen, so I was happy to welcome (and bubble-wrap) the topless trophy nonetheless.

Sadly, I likely will never use these 18 gleaming miniature molds for their intended candy-making pineappled purpose.

My final fleamarketed souvenirs bear a centuries' old symbol of hospitality, a symbol itself easily representative of the tropical paradise Mari and I have come to treasure.

I do look forward to welcoming the two-inch long golden beauties onto our kitchen countertop Christmas tree in the near future where they shall regally glisten their welcome to the spiritual season and serve as festive reminders of our island paradise. 

Our recent Aloha Stadium Swap Meet visit also yielded yet another aloha shirt for my colorful collection. It would make its debut later in the summer on the Atlantic shores of Maine, so you must patiently await its blog debut (blogbut?) later in the fall.

We set sail on our first cruise adventure next time.