Vacation In Hawaii

Guest Links:  https://www.lovebigisland.com/big-island-beaches/kua-bay/, https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/hapuna-beach-state-recreation-area/, https://bigislandguide.com/white-sands-beach-park-magic-sands, https://www.nps.gov/state/hi/index.htm, https://thetemple.bar/.

Music:  "Everything Is Working Out" by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, licensed under Epidemic Sound.  Original work available at https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/d82030d0-11ae-4ed6-b8c0-54046531b869/.

In this episode, my wife Mirlein and I have an honest conversation about our recent family vacation to Hawaii with out teenage and adult children.  We reflect on why we choose Hawaii, what made the trip memorable, and how family vacations have evolved as the kids have grown older.

Together, we share our favorite experiences- from the beautiful beaches and great meals, breathtaking sunsets and unexpected moments that made the trip special.  We also discuss the realities of traveling as a family, including the different personalities, interests, and travel styles that come with having teenager and adult children, and how those differences can make for some of the best memories.

The conversation also takes a trip down memory lane as we compare our Hawaii vacation to past family adventures.  We reminisce about some of our favorite destinations, laugh about travel mishaps and unexpected surprises, and reflect on how each vacation has created lasting memories and strengthened our family bond.  

Throughout the episode, we share funny moments, discuss what what we have learned over years or traveling together, and talk about how making time for family  has become even more meaningful as our children have grown.  We also touch on the importance of balancing planning with spontaneity, embracing the unexpected, and appreciating the moments that often become the stories families tell for years to come.  

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:06

This is Sergio Says It Straight. Straight talk. Real people. No filter. Say it straight or don't say it at all.

SPEAKER_03 0:21

What's up, everyone? Welcome to another episode. Thank you to all the listeners and supporters once again for tuning in. I don't care if it's one or two listeners, however many that are out there, thank you for tuning in. That's all I gotta say, right? Thanks for tuning in. It's it's beautiful when people listen to our podcast. Uh and it just means a lot. So today I have my wife here, Midlaine. As you all have uh known her in a few other episodes, we're gonna talk about vacationing, uh, specifically our last vacation to Hawaii, and then we might get into some other things in general about vacationing. So, Midlene, if you want to say hi.

SPEAKER_00 1:00

Hi, everyone.

SPEAKER_03 1:01

All right, so how are you feeling today? Are you are you exhausted?

SPEAKER_00 1:04

I am exhausted from our trip, but very excited to speak about it.

SPEAKER_03 1:08

All right, yeah. So we were supposed to uh record this episode in Hawaii while we were on vacation, but we had some technical difficulties. Uh, we did take some equipment out there, it it just didn't work out to our standards. So we're gonna we we put a pause on that. So we unfortunately had to wait till we get we got back from vacation, and here we are recording the episode. So without further ado, let's get let's get straight into it, yeah?

SPEAKER_01 1:34

Sounds good.

SPEAKER_03 1:34

All right. So um our episode today, once again, Hawaii vacation. Um you already know my wife. Um, so why is it that we go to Hawaii for vacation? I know that we seem to be frequently going to Hawaii almost on a yearly, sometimes multiple times a year. Why is it for us that we do return to that to the islands?

SPEAKER_00 2:00

I think there's many reasons why we go back. One of them has to do with us having multiple times, and it's easy for us to schedule something, you know, ahead of time and and just plan around that. I think the other one, we fell in love with the water out there and the culture. And I think that's one of the reasons why we go back.

SPEAKER_03 2:25

Yeah, I mean, I think for me personally, there could be other places. I don't know, I and I I don't want to get crucified here for saying this, but there could be better places in Hawaii, more beautiful, I would say, some people would say. Uh, but there's just something about Hawaii that just kind of captures me going back to the water, being in the water, doing the scuba diving, the snorkeling. Uh, it's just something about the islands in Hawaii that uh, and I don't want to use the word, oh, it's so magical, whatever, but you get you get a certain feeling when you're there, uh, for me. Like it's kind of like a calm for me, and it kind of it kind of takes you to another time in a way. I know that obviously the islands are you know very modern now and stuff like that, but it kind of takes you back if you're not really focusing on on the modern stuff and you're just looking at the landscape. Uh, there's a lot of history there, obviously. And and for me, that's that's one of the things that I that I loved about Hawaii. That I love about Hawaii, not love, but love about Hawaii.

SPEAKER_00 3:28

Yeah, and the people too, they're so friendly. You feel welcome, like family, the way they treat you. We've encountered a lot of nice people on that um island.

SPEAKER_03 3:38

Yeah, a lot of definitely, definitely a lot of uh what do you call Aloha?

SPEAKER_00 3:42

Aloha spirit, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 3:43

Yeah, the Aloha Spirit. It is alive out there. Um, and some people would say that it's kind of diminishing. And it depends on what island you go to, I think. Because obviously there's the big island, we've that's the one we frequent, uh Oahu. That's more of a has more of a city feel to it. If you're downtown, you can yeah, if you're downtown, and then you got Maui, very beautiful sand, beaches out there. Uh they're all very unique and distinct, and then of course you got Kauai. Um more, I would say, more countryish. Um one of the smaller islands from the main ones. So it just depends on where you're at, but um, I don't know, we just we keep going back. We keep going back and we love it. Um I think it's just uh a special place for us and our family. Um, so that's why we go there. Um what do you think about um what do you look most forward to when we go to Hawaii?

SPEAKER_00 4:37

Getting in the water. The some of the beaches are very clear, very calm, sandy beach. When when you think about white beaches, we we went to two this last time around. I don't know the names of it, but I I we went to two, and they were very beautiful, and you're just at peace when you're in there.

SPEAKER_03 4:59

Yeah, you even like the state, they're they're called state parks.

SPEAKER_00 5:02

Yeah, so I mean I could look them up real quick, but yeah, one was the state park um right after north of the airport, and then the other one was also a few minutes north of the Waikaloa.

SPEAKER_03 5:16

And we're talking about the Kona area for those of you listening. Yeah, if you're familiar with Hawaii and Kona, or if you're not familiar, we're talking about the Kona area.

SPEAKER_01 5:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 5:24

Uh so that's one of the places that uh I guess is the busiest on the big island. There is the Kona area, one of the biggest, yeah, busier ones. Of course, you got Hilo on the other end, uh, but one of the busier ones, in my opinion. Um, so you were looking forward to the water. Yes. I think I was looking forward to more of the relaxation for myself, just because you know, you work so hard, day in, day out, every week, every month. You know, you're you're working your 40 hours for those of you that work 40 hours. Some of you, I'm sure, work 40 hours plus, and it can get a little bit uh draining on your draining. So you you need some time to you know relax, recharge, however you want to call it, go out there and wherever it is, not just necessarily Hawaii, but anywhere you want to go, whatever your little spot is that you call your like safe haven or whatever, it's very important that you do take that time. I always tell people, man, you need to take a vacation, do it, who cares? Work's always gonna be there. Um, and it is. Yeah, work's gonna be there. Um, and I found myself coming back. We we basically landed today. Um here we are doing an episode, but I found myself going to my computer um a couple hours after coming in uh home and checking emails and stuff. It's like, why do I do that to myself? But I don't know. That's just something that I I'm always thinking about. Uh, I don't know about you. Actually, you did you actually had to do a little workout there, right?

SPEAKER_00 6:54

You were I did, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 6:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:56

It was only two days um that I ended up checking out my emails. Um, it wasn't too much, really just looking for things that needed to be addressed immediately.

SPEAKER_03 7:05

Yeah, and then you know, it is it for some people it's hard to unplug, you know, completely from you know socials and all that and and internet, whatever work. Uh, but I think if if you're able to do it, I think it's healthy just to not have to answer to anybody. You know, I know it's fun to get on your phone and check out the TikTok videos and and whatever, but every now and then it's just it's just nice, or I think it's necessary to just kind of like take it all in, you know, and and then just enjoy the moment. Um, and I think that's one of the things that I was trying to do most on this trip. Um, and I think I think I for me it was accomplished. Uh, I was able to do a little bit of relaxation, uh, much needed. Um, so in this last vacation we took, obviously, um Hawaii, did the trip live up to your expectations in your opinion?

SPEAKER_00 7:53

For me, it did. Um, every time we go, we are always tired when we get back. Tired because we're always on the go. Trying to do this, hike that, go see this. Um, and our itineraries are always filled with activities. Um, I felt that this time we definitely stuck to let's go explore and rest, and we balanced it very well. So when we got back, yeah, we're tired from the trip, yeah, but we weren't try tired from all the activity that we did.

SPEAKER_03 8:25

Yeah, I think uh, you know, when you have an itinerary, I think it's kind of like, oh, you don't really, in my opinion, I don't know, sometimes you don't really get to enjoy it as much when you're just kind of going with the flow. And I think that this this trip that we just took, I think we kind of went with the flow a little bit more. Um, because there has been times, there's been years where it's like, okay, today we're doing this and that from you know seven o'clock to twelve o'clock, and then from one o'clock to whatever, we're gonna be doing this. And I think when you start doing a lot of that, um it kind of takes the fun away, in my opinion. And you're not once again, you're not really enjoying living in the moment, you're just kind of going, like, okay, what's next? What's the next thing we gotta do? Uh so you gotta kind of pause. And if it's something that you're you were doing, let's say you're in a on a nice beach and you're enjoying the waves, wherever you are, then like I said, wherever your vacation spot is, enjoying nature in general or whatever, and you're really enjoying that moment, it's okay to like stay, you know what, let's stay here a little bit longer or let's enjoy this a little bit more. Uh, because why why rush it? Yeah, there's no reason to rush.

SPEAKER_00 9:40

Yeah, and we've been to the big island um a few times, so we have already been there, done that. So it was easier to be selective of what we wanted to do.

SPEAKER_03 9:49

Yeah, in my family, I think I think for us and our kids, I think I think we're creatures of habit. Yeah, we like to do things that we know uh what we're getting ourselves into. I don't know why, but I think it's just like we enjoy doing things over and over sometimes. Uh so for me to say, oh, I've already been to that beach and I've already scuba scuba dived there, who cares? I want to do it again because I enjoyed it. Like and it's okay to say, Yeah, I'm gonna go back to that place. It's it's okay too. You know, it doesn't have to be different every single time. I think you do have different experiences, even though you go to the same places. Yeah, you know, you see different things or whatever. Like, for example, um, there was this beach that we had gone to frequently, and I had never seen sea turtles there before. And that was the first time I saw three sea turtles. Uh, before that, had never seen them. So new experience, you know, got to got to see turtles there for the first time. Uh, seen many turtles in different other uh beach areas in Hawaii, but not in that specific place. So that was a little different. So once again, same place, different experiences. Yeah, yeah. Um, was there anything that surprised you on this last vacation that normally you're like, oh, you know, that that all that happened, you know, like um, not really.

SPEAKER_00 11:03

I think what we did do different this time around is we booked um a stay, a day stay or a day pass at one of the big resorts there. Yeah, we hadn't done that in the past, yeah. And it was it was quite enjoyable, it was relaxing. The food, the drinks, it was great. Uh, the kids had a blast, and we were there pretty much all day.

SPEAKER_01 11:29

Right.

SPEAKER_00 11:29

Um, and we hadn't done that before, so I think we we definitely enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_03 11:34

Yeah, and I think that uh our first experience uh on a big resort, uh, I think we got spoiled.

SPEAKER_01 11:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 11:42

And so now that's what we look for. The expectation is like a resort, you know, and and it's not always the case. Um, but sometimes you do want to get back to that comfort, uh and then sometimes we're just kind of doing more of the little mom and pop uh things, going to places that normally people don't go to. And that's fun too. Yeah, and I I really enjoy that kind of part. And I know you and I, we we enjoy a lot of the history. We like to go and learn about wherever we're at what things happen there. Uh, for all you history nerds out there, I I'm one of them, my wife is one of them. We really enjoy our uh our history. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 12:24

Yeah, visiting the museums, um, all their historical sites, just learning about the area. Yeah, we definitely like to do that.

SPEAKER_03 12:32

Yeah. Um, and of course, you know, when you go out to your vacation spot, you know, I'm sure most people they do a little bit of research, you know, what's what's there, what what are the top things to do? Um, a lot of the times, you know, museums are up there, you know, depending on where you're at. So we always look for those museums uh on those lists. So yeah. Okay, um, favorite memories on this last trip. Uh, what was your favorite day just a couple days back, you know, this last vacation. What were your what was your favorite day?

SPEAKER_00 13:02

Going to Kuwa Beach, which what is one of the beaches that I wanted to mention earlier.

SPEAKER_03 13:07

Kuwa Beach.

SPEAKER_00 13:07

Kuwa Beach.

SPEAKER_03 13:08

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 13:09

It is a state park. Um, you do have to pay to get in there. You pay per vehicle and per person. But the sand is great. This beach doesn't have that many rocks. And if you are familiar with the Kona area, a lot of the beaches have a lot of rocks, lava rocks in the ocean. And this one is pretty much cleared out. It's clean. Um, it was peaceful. Uh, it was just great. And then I think it it was cloudy. We got some water in between, some uh clouds uh covered up the sun here and there. We brought our lunch. I mean, it was just very calm, peaceful. The kids were in the water most of the time. We were playing games. Um, it kind of just made me feel like our kids were little again and we were enjoying a time with them, you know, back 10 years ago.

SPEAKER_03 14:01

Oh, yeah. Yeah, because the first time we took up to Hawaii, or the first time they had been to Hawaii, I mean, they didn't get out of the water.

SPEAKER_01 14:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 14:07

They were in the water 24-7, it seemed, uh, whether it be in the pool or on the beach or wherever, they were in the water. And it seemed like this time around, it was kind of the same thing. They wanted to be in the water all the time.

SPEAKER_00 14:17

We left until we got tired and got hungry. It was time for dinner.

SPEAKER_03 14:21

Basically, and up until the last day before we even before we even went to the airport, we were still at the beach, you know, taking pictures. Trying to get the last feel, you know, the last sunset. The last sunset, whatever we can get in. Um so yeah, for me, um, I think my favorite day was honestly, it was that rainy day. Because it does rain in Hawaii.

SPEAKER_00 14:43

It rained every day. We were in the room.

SPEAKER_03 14:45

It rained every day just about, but there was one day where it was coming down pretty hard. And uh just kind of like the calmness of watching the water come down. I don't know. There's something about the Hawaii rain. It's it's different. I don't know how to explain it, it's just different, but it seems to bring like some kind of calm uh on the island. And uh so I enjoyed that, and then like driving to our destination after the water, the sun coming up. I don't know, it's just something about it. Like it's it just feels real cool, it's just awesome to see. So I I kind of I enjoyed the rain. So I would say like that was I think it was the day before we we left the rain, the heavy rain that was coming down. I really enjoyed that.

SPEAKER_00 15:24

That was the day of the luau.

SPEAKER_03 15:26

Oh, yeah, we went to a luau, by the way. Yeah, so and then we'll we'll drop some links here on the beach. You you had mentioned that beach right now, the state park.

SPEAKER_00 15:33

Yeah, well, Kuwa was yeah, it is a state beach. Um, but the other one that's in the national park is the Hapuna Beach.

SPEAKER_03 15:42

Hapuna beach. So we'll we'll drop some links for those of you that may be interested. If you're considering going to the big island in Hawaii, we'll drop some links so you can check it out. Uh, one thing to consider though, um, is parking.

SPEAKER_00 15:53

Oh, yes.

SPEAKER_03 15:54

One of the those one of the biggest changes that we noticed from the last couple times that we've been to Hawaii is um the parking is uh kind of I would say uh expensive. It's limited and it is expensive and expensive.

SPEAKER_00 16:09

And it's just a change that occurred the beginning of this year.

SPEAKER_03 16:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 16:13

And you have to say, I mentioned it before, you have to pay per vehicle and then per people in the vehicle.

SPEAKER_03 16:19

Yeah. So I think you if you're gonna be there for let's say a week, you you have to plan if you go out every day and you go to multiple places a day, because you know, you're gonna go to one state beach, you might go to another one or a different area, you're gonna be paying the hourly rate everywhere you go, just about.

SPEAKER_00 16:36

Yeah, and also when you visit the waterfalls, most of them have the same system, right?

SPEAKER_03 16:44

So barcode, yeah, put your phone to the barcode, website comes up, put your credit card number in, whatever. And that's one thing that in the past we did not deal with. We didn't deal with that at all. So that was one of the things, and I'm gonna admit I was complaining about it because at the end of the day, at the end of the week, that's hundreds of dollars that you're now spending on parking that you may not have been planning for. Um, you know, because we weren't expecting that, no, not and not to say like, oh well, then if you don't have money, then don't go on vacation, right?

SPEAKER_00 17:20

It was just different, it was just different.

SPEAKER_03 17:21

I was it was just unexpected, like, oh damn, now they're parking, then they're charging you know nine, twelve dollars an hour for parking, and you're gonna be in most places for a few hours, you know. And the other thing too, if you have multiple cars, we had it we had to rent two cars, yeah, uh, because there were seven of us. Um, that adds up real quick. So, not to take away from the moment or anything, but it just something to keep in mind if you are planning to travel to Hawaii, you have to plan for parking. That's a big factor out there. Um, favorite meal on this last trip?

SPEAKER_00 17:55

The last meal we had. Uh, I don't remember the name. I'm gonna have to look for it.

SPEAKER_03 18:00

Temple. It was the temple.

SPEAKER_00 18:02

No, the last meal we had.

SPEAKER_03 18:04

Oh, yes. We had we had noodles, fried rice, and um giosas.

SPEAKER_00 18:10

Yes, it was so good. But yes, the temple was also a really good spot. Yeah, they had a wide variety of food. Uh, their pizza, we had a pizza with hot honey, which is one of my favorite things. Um, and it was delicious. I think um I was splitting it between uh my one of my oldest daughters and I. Um, and we devoured it. It was so good.

SPEAKER_03 18:33

Yeah, you guys ordered two of them. And I was I was I was surprised. Uh, there's this place, like I said, called the Temple uh in Kona on the main strip. Um, I had tacos, and I'm like, okay, you know what? Tacos in Hawaii, like I don't know. It's kind of like I kind of hesitated, like, I don't know, should I get tacos? I mean, I want tacos, but they were good. Carnita tacos. If you know what carnitas are, delicious. The salsa they had is some kind of green salsa, and they had a good Michelada too, which I once again surprised. I was like, damn, I'm having a Michelada and tacos in Hawaii. Okay, and they were decent. Let's check it out. Really good. Um, so very surprised surprised in a good way, yeah. Um, and then we kind of already talked about the beaches. Um did was there anything funny that you can think of that happened on this trip? Because there's always a moment where one of us does something, and it's usually me. Yeah, it's usually me.

SPEAKER_00 19:31

I wasn't there, but uh the kids did tell me that when you went to the Magic Sand Beach, Magic Sand Beach, yes, the waves get pretty wild out there, yeah. Um, so and there is a lifeguard posted, so they do tell you the locals, hey, be careful when you go to this beach. You definitely want to be aware of the waves and when they're coming in. Uh, Sergio did not know this. Um, so when there was a huge wave that came in, my daughters dove into the wave. You have to dive into them and came out the other side clear, but you got tumbled.

SPEAKER_03 20:08

I wasn't paying attention. I knew what was going on, what we had to do. I just was not paying attention, to be clear. I wasn't paying attention. I was looking at the turtles behind us. There was three seat uh turtles behind us. I was paying attention to them. By the time the wave got there, it was already over my head. It was, I mean, it was too late. It was too late.

SPEAKER_00 20:26

So they said that they turned around and all they could see is like eggs in the air. You're making cartwheels.

SPEAKER_03 20:31

And then to top it all off, the you know, the lifeguard makes a huge announcement to the crowd. You know, make sure you're paying attention, make sure that you know you're you're diving into the waves, you know, you could get a uh a fractured neck, you know, bro, whatever, fractured skull, you know, and you can hit the rock. Yeah, and everybody's looking at me like, oh, what a dumbass.

SPEAKER_00 20:54

He made an example out of you, yeah. And apparently it was hilarious because the girls, as soon as they got back to the room, that's the first thing they told me, and I just cracked up just listening to their story.

SPEAKER_03 21:04

Yeah, and and just kind of to touch on that, um, for those of you that like to, you know, go in the ocean, like to be in the water, you know, you you really gotta pay attention to and be safe out there. Uh, you know, even though even though the water may look calm, uh the conditions can change really fast. You know, strong currents, the rib tides, high surf, it can be dangerous. And if you're not an experienced swimmer, you know, uh maybe not maybe you don't want to be in certain beaches. So do a little research, ask ask the lifeguards, you know. Ask the locals. Ask the locals, they'll tell you, you know, hey, no, stay away from that area. Um, and then always look for the warnings. There's always local beach warnings that are posted, uh, and it clearly tells you, you know, like this some beaches are specifically great for snorkeling, you know, some are very good for surfing and you know, body bodyboarding, whatever. So you just gotta pay attention because you definitely can get hurt. Um not to put a downer on this, but um there's certain places that are even posted how many deaths they've had, you know, in the last in the last couple years because people just don't pay attention.

SPEAKER_00 22:13

Yeah, and not all beaches have a lifeguard on on deck.

SPEAKER_03 22:16

So exactly. And if they happen to be there, I mean please listen uh and and just take care of yourself. Um, one other thing that I want to mention real quick if you do go to the beaches out there, uh you are snorkeling, you are in the water, you gotta make sure that you're paying close attention to the the coral reefs. Okay, that's one thing that we learned right away. Is and not only that, but from being you know scuba divers and all that, you gotta really pay close attention to the reefs. Um, many areas they're very fragile.

SPEAKER_00 22:46

They're laying them uh grow.

SPEAKER_03 22:48

Yeah, you can't stand on the coral. Obviously, you're gonna damage it. Uh, don't be taking any rocks, don't be taking any sand. Um, and there's certain sunscreen that you you basically have to wear out there. I don't think they sell anything but the required sunscreen in Hawaii, I'm sure. It's very different. I did notice that. Um, so pay attention to that because chemicals can damage um, you know, the ecosystem, the reef, so it can cause you know harm to the marine life. So just just be conscious of that. Um, if you if you do go out there. I mean, and obviously have a good time, but you know, just be conscious.

SPEAKER_00 23:24

Yeah, that's very good.

SPEAKER_03 23:26

Yeah. Um, let's you want to get into some parenting on vacation? Sure. You know, because as as as a parent, you know, you're always parenting, obviously. Um, you gotta go out there and you gotta you give especially with you with the whole family. We got we had our four kids out there.

SPEAKER_00 23:38

Yeah, it doesn't matter how old your kids are.

SPEAKER_03 23:40

It doesn't and they're gonna parent. Yeah, they're gonna be butt heads no matter what. Um, but how do you think vacations has changed our kids as the years have gone on?

SPEAKER_00 23:49

They're spoiled.

SPEAKER_03 23:50

Okay, yeah, I I will definitely agree 100% on that.

SPEAKER_00 23:52

They want more and more. Um, it's hard to impress them, but I mean, I I know I'm just talking right now, uh, but they are grateful. But I I feel like we have to step it up each year because we want to make it memorable.

SPEAKER_03 24:09

Yeah, you do want to make it memorable as much as possible, obviously. You know, it's not always gonna be like, oh my god, this is a great moment. It's not like that. Come on now, that's not realistic. Um, but I can speak for both of us, I think. As kids, we didn't get to do these kind of vacations.

SPEAKER_00 24:25

No, not when you leave the state um and travel for days more than a week. Um, mine were, and I've said this before, going to San Felipe, which is a beach and um Baja California.

SPEAKER_03 24:40

Rocky Point, for those of you that know it as Rocky Point, right? No, no, no?

SPEAKER_00 24:43

San Felipe is Oh wait, San Felipe.

SPEAKER_03 24:45

Oh, never mind.

SPEAKER_00 24:46

The Sierra Cortez.

SPEAKER_03 24:47

Disregard.

SPEAKER_00 24:48

Rocky Point is uh in a different part of on the other side of the Sierra Cortez, and it's by Arizona.

SPEAKER_03 24:54

Oh, okay, that's right. Okay, yeah. Both uh both in Mexico. So, you know, just uh good places to visit, obviously. Yeah, they're beautiful. Yeah, uh, if you like obviously Mexican food and all that music.

SPEAKER_00 25:07

I'm trying to go back there again this year.

SPEAKER_03 25:09

Yeah. Um, so you think it's easier, obviously, traveling with adult kids now? You would think, right? You would think.

SPEAKER_00 25:15

Um, and you know, kids, if you're listening, you know, we don't mean to talk bad about you. It's just it's harder when you have adult kids because they have their own mind and they want to do their own thing. So it's harder to get everybody together, get everybody on the same sheet, have the same plans.

SPEAKER_03 25:32

No matter where you go.

SPEAKER_00 25:33

No, and yeah, no matter where you go on vacation. Yeah, and I'm glad we had two vehicles because if they didn't want to do what we wanted to do, they went on their way because they're old enough. We knew that they were safe.

SPEAKER_02 25:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:46

Um, we know what kind of kids we are and and how safe they are, so we felt comfortable letting them do whatever they wanted to do.

SPEAKER_03 25:52

Yeah, and I think now we're at that stage where we don't have to worry about a car seat, we don't have to worry about the stroller, we don't have to worry about the million different things you got to bring on a trip when your kids are, you know, toddlers or they're younger.

SPEAKER_00 26:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 26:04

Um, which is nice.

SPEAKER_00 26:05

Yes, I don't help them pack anymore. No, I just ask them random questions. Did you bring a baby suit?

SPEAKER_03 26:10

We give suggestions too.

SPEAKER_00 26:11

Yeah, did you bring some flip-flops?

SPEAKER_03 26:14

And if they don't, well, that's on you. Sorry, we told you. We and it's like, come on, dude, how many times have you been to Hawaii? Like, you should know. You should know, you should know by now. Yeah, and you know, and but yeah, it it it does get easier when when you hit we do have adult kids. Um, but then sometimes it's like, okay, because they are adults, you know, you have to let them be adults. Yeah, you can't just be, you know, after them the whole time, you know, and if they're of age, if they're having a drink or whatever, you gotta let them. Yeah, you know, and that's the that's the difference.

SPEAKER_00 26:46

I think I get more impacted.

SPEAKER_03 26:47

You get more impacted by that, like, hey, you know, you're having a drink, make sure you don't go in the deep in the water or or you whatever. And it it's just a obviously as a parent I can't stop parenting. You can't stop parenting when it comes to that kind of stuff, and then so we have one teenager, and then the rest of the other three of our kids are adults already. But uh, as a our teenager, talking about our teenager now, what's the difference you think between our teenager and our three adult kids? Is there much of a difference?

SPEAKER_00 27:14

I don't think so. This girl, she's 17, going on 30. Yep, and she's been going on 30 since she was little.

SPEAKER_03 27:22

She thinks she's Miss Thang.

SPEAKER_00 27:24

Um, she is very secure and confident and sassy. Um, she reminds me of somebody I know. Um but but yeah, no, she she doesn't make it any easier, but uh at the same time, she's very mature, so it's a give or take, I think.

SPEAKER_03 27:43

Yeah, but um, you know, teenage, adult, whatever, kids, doesn't matter, right? Um the biggest issue that I see no matter where you're at, vacation, not vacation, family dinners, gatherings, doesn't matter, right? Technology. Yes, they're out there with their cell phones, 24-7. If they're not plugged in, they go crazy.

SPEAKER_00 28:07

Well, actually, I think our kids did very good this trip. Um, and they do when we are going when we go out and have dinners, we have good conversations.

SPEAKER_02 28:16

Well, because we make them.

SPEAKER_00 28:17

Well, yeah, we make them, but we don't have to try too hard. We just tell them once, like, hey guys, we're in the moment. Put them away, put them away, put them away. But did you notice that couple that was next to us at the temple?

SPEAKER_03 28:29

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 28:30

A young Go ahead. We don't know their names. I know young people.

SPEAKER_03 28:32

You can speak on them.

SPEAKER_00 28:34

They were on the cell phones the entire time. I don't even think they spoke to each other. Besides, were you gonna order I mean, they could have been mad at each other, they could have been mad at each other at each other, but they didn't put their phones down, and we were just noticing the entire time. Even our kids were like, Did you see the mom? They didn't even say one word.

SPEAKER_03 28:54

Oh, I love it making up stories. I'm sure you guys, some of you out there make up stories like, hey, what's up with that couple? Yeah, let's talk about their situation. Okay, yeah, he's a doctor, you know, she's a teacher. She got yeah, whatever, right? We start getting into those scenarios, but yeah, I think that technology though, sometimes obviously gets in the way. Yeah, you know, and if you let it get in the way, like you're supposed to be out there enjoying yourself, you know.

SPEAKER_00 29:19

For me, it gets in the way when I want to capture, you know, every picture.

SPEAKER_03 29:23

Oh, here we go with the pictures, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 29:25

And I might not like the way I look, and once we take it again, you don't like the I hate pictures. You we take it again. Our daughters don't look the way they look like uh on the picture, so we take it again. Um, so yeah, I think that happens a lot.

SPEAKER_03 29:39

I think a lot of husbands out there can probably relate to my sentiments as far as like again, here we go. We just took 40 pictures in the same area, now you want 10 more. Like, what's the deal with that?

SPEAKER_00 29:53

Well, I want to make sure people know I'm there because most of our pictures, that's true, though. I'm behind the camera.

SPEAKER_03 29:58

That is true.

SPEAKER_00 29:59

So you will see hundreds of pictures of you guys enjoying the beach and the sunset and the food. And if I don't take a selfie, yeah, or a groupie, I don't come out.

SPEAKER_03 30:10

That's true. I'll give you that. Okay, what about packing? Like, I know some people are like, okay, what do you pack to go to Hawaii or to a tropical destination? You know, like you don't need much, right? The reality is you don't.

SPEAKER_00 30:22

You don't. Um, I think I did very well packing this time around. I have to say I used about 90% of everything that I took.

SPEAKER_01 30:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 30:31

So I took um outfits to work out, which I could have used, you know, on a regular day too, with a tank top. Yeah. So it was very versatile. I think I bought two jean, uh, two jean shorts. Everything else was gym gym shorts, right? Tank tops galore, and maybe two dresses that we um used on special occasions.

SPEAKER_03 30:53

Yeah. And then uh and bathing suits. I think it's easier for I think it's easier for guys though.

SPEAKER_00 30:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 30:58

Let's be honest. Like I can I could take two, you know, swim shorts, two shorts to go out, two tank tops, three t-shirts, and I'm set.

SPEAKER_01 31:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 31:07

You know, and I used to, not anymore, but I used to if I used to take if I took underwear, I would take whatever many pieces of underwear I would wear for that week and I would throw them away. I I don't do that anymore. Because we actually do washing now. We actually wash.

SPEAKER_00 31:23

We were um in one of the timeshares and they had full washer dryer, full kitchen, so we were able to wash our clothes and if you if you have that capability, you don't have to pack as much.

SPEAKER_03 31:39

Yeah, we even took our own damn soap.

SPEAKER_00 31:41

So, yes, uh we knew that we were gonna have a washer and dryer, so I took Tide Pods with me. Um, and you could take them on carry-on just as long as they fit uh in a quart size bag.

SPEAKER_02 31:52

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:53

Um, I bought towels. You did buy towels, like the dupe of the sand uh brand. Yeah, like the sand cloud, I think it is called.

SPEAKER_03 32:02

Yeah, the cheaper version, I guess you could say, whatever. We got them. The knockoff, the knockoff.

SPEAKER_00 32:05

But they were very good. We washed they were very sturdy. The sand didn't stick to them. Yeah, they dried quickly. Um, and we washed them every night. Uh, the reason I did this is because I know that when we go to Hawaii, the resorts give you towels for the pool.

SPEAKER_03 32:22

Yeah, but those are just generic ass towels, they're like paper thin.

SPEAKER_00 32:25

But you don't have towels to go out and explore.

SPEAKER_03 32:27

No, you don't, so it's important to take some.

SPEAKER_00 32:29

Yeah, and each one of us packed one towel in our suitcases, yeah. And they were very thin. Uh, so we were able to take them without adding much bulk.

SPEAKER_03 32:39

But I mean, what I'm saying is like, even though it's a thin, a thin towel, like the ones they provided out there, they're thin also, but they're just like they look like they fall apart. The ones you got are like good material. Yeah, I don't know what it was. Yeah, very absorbent or whatever. So, we'll real quick though. Um, and and it's not that, oh, don't you know you're cheapskate, you want to take soap or whatever. I mean, everything's so damn expensive wherever you go now. Oh, it is. So if you can save a little money here and there, you can apply that to like oh, a better dinner, yeah, or whatever. You know what I'm saying? Like, yes, of course I have money to go vacation, whatever, and I'm blessed and whatever, all that stuff, but it's okay to try to save here and there if you can. Yeah, I like it. Nothing wrong with that.

SPEAKER_00 33:22

I like to get prepared.

SPEAKER_03 33:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 33:24

So I make a list of things that I want to buy. I bought a beach, a beach blanket, yeah, a huge one that we enjoyed. Once again, that type of material with sand doesn't stick. If it gets wet, it gets dried real quickly, and we used it and on every beach.

SPEAKER_03 33:38

I mean, you can find anything online now. Yeah, just type in whatever you're looking for and it pops up. So, yeah. Beach accessories. We have it easy now.

SPEAKER_01 33:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 33:46

Um sleeping in. Let's talk about that real quick. Is it okay to sleep in on vacation? I I say yes, but a lot of people feel like, well, I'm wasting time. You know, like I should be out there enjoying this or that. Why not sleep in a little bit? It's okay, right?

SPEAKER_00 34:02

Well, yeah. I think the first couple of days you're there, your body's still getting used to the hours because they're three hours behind California.

SPEAKER_01 34:10

Right.

SPEAKER_00 34:10

So if it's seven o'clock over there, your body thinks that's ten o'clock over here. So the first few days we got up early, we went for walks, we went to explore, we got a workout in. But as your body starts getting used to it, though, and then you've been out in the sun all day and drain, right? You need that extra hours to recover.

SPEAKER_03 34:30

You do, you do, and your kids do too. Yeah, and then it depends on what island you're in, too. Uh, the big island, you do have to do a lot a lot more driving, you do than let's say you're in Oahu or you know Kauai uh or Maui.

SPEAKER_00 34:43

Yeah, you have to plan for the long drives.

SPEAKER_03 34:45

The long drives. So if you're not familiar with Hawaii, uh if you're traveling 10 miles, let's say, it's like 30 minutes more sometimes, 45 minutes, sometimes an hour to get 10 miles. Yeah, and it's it's very common. So you have to be you have to plan your time in that sense if you're gonna be traveling.

SPEAKER_00 35:08

Yeah, especially if you're going across to the other side, across the island. Yeah, that takes two, two and a half, three hours, depending on traffic.

SPEAKER_03 35:15

Yes, depending on the day, yeah, and I mean accidents on the roads, and the highways are not like very wide either in most places, so single lanes, single lanes in some in some, so you do definitely have to take that in consideration when you are um on in you know, especially like in the once again in the big island, yeah. You gotta consider that.

SPEAKER_00 35:34

And there's only three major roads that take you from Kona to Hilo. Uh, so you definitely have to see what's going on in each.

SPEAKER_03 35:42

Yeah, and then also weather. So the weather can change quickly in Hawaii. Um, one moment the sun's out, it's beautiful, and then next thing you know, you got rain. But it's nice rain though. It doesn't, to me, it doesn't feel like, oh damn, this is like cold. It never feels cold when it rains in Hawaii, or is it just me?

SPEAKER_00 36:02

No, I haven't been cold at all, unless you're inside the resort with the AC blasting. Um, but each side has its you know, yeah, unique weather. Like on Kona, they're dry, they're sunny. That's why you have a lot of resorts. I think in that area. In Hilo, you have a lot of rain, tropical, it's lush, green everywhere. Um and then there is they call this area the saddle road, uh, where it's very cooler, windy, sometimes even foggy. And I think we we explored every single area.

SPEAKER_03 36:34

We did, and then um, and for the most part, I think Hawaii is warm year-round.

SPEAKER_00 36:38

Yeah, right? Yeah, but you know what? When we got to the volcano side, uh-huh, it it did get kind of fresh.

SPEAKER_03 36:45

It was fresh, but it wasn't like, oh my gosh, I gotta go get a jacket. Like, I didn't feel like that.

SPEAKER_00 36:49

Well, they do recommend that you bring a light rain jacket for those areas because it does rain and it does get a windy, and yeah, it does get a little bit cooler than it is than than it is it is in Kona.

SPEAKER_03 37:01

Yeah, yeah. So, and you know, like once again, each each each island has its own vibe. So just uh consider that, all right. Okay, um, you want to compare some vacations real quick that we've had. So, first of all, um, the first time we took the kids to Hawaii, they were young. They were real small. I think they were like in middle school, elementary.

SPEAKER_00 37:22

Yeah, so the oldest was 15 when we went, and so Anthony was 13, yeah, Leilani was nine, and Alyssa was seven.

SPEAKER_03 37:31

Right. So very different. That was the first time we went, they were young. Uh, so obviously the experiences as as they get older are different. Yeah. Um, what has been the most stressful, you think, for us? I and I'm kind of then the reason I'm asking, I'm going back to when we first took the kids to Hawaii. Yeah, I think that was the most stressful.

SPEAKER_00 37:53

Yeah, no, I think the most stressful is make well, first of all, if it's your first trip, making sure that you have everything right as a parent. You want to make sure that the kids pack appropriately, that you have everything that you need. Um, the other stressor is doing activities that everybody enjoys. Right. We want to make sure that everybody has a good time. Um, so that's part of the stressors, but I do something that kind of takes the stress off of me and puts it on them. So, what we did this time is I gave each kid a I assigned a day to each kid.

SPEAKER_01 38:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 38:29

And I said, okay, this day, uh on your day, you're gonna pick what we're gonna do. And so that is a way that we all get to do different things because we all have different likes.

SPEAKER_02 38:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 38:40

Um, and we got to do what they wanted to do, a little bit of everything, yeah. So everybody got their moment.

SPEAKER_03 38:47

Yeah, that's true. And you and it's fun, it's that's a good way of doing it if you want to make sure that everybody gets to enjoy their part.

SPEAKER_00 38:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 38:56

You know, because I may want to just relax on the beach. My daughter wants to go shopping all the time, no matter where she's at.

SPEAKER_00 39:03

Yep, she wants to go shopping, she wants to go shopping, so that's her thing.

SPEAKER_03 39:07

But yeah, and then we we we get to do it all.

SPEAKER_00 39:10

Um but um well, what is your stress?

SPEAKER_03 39:14

I think my stress is the kids. The kids themselves, the kids themselves, and it's just because that it's the kind of person that I am, though. I think.

SPEAKER_00 39:24

And just you're a little high strung, yes.

SPEAKER_03 39:26

I am sometimes. Um or it was it all I know you're giving me the look.

SPEAKER_00 39:31

I said a little, okay, wink wink.

SPEAKER_03 39:33

Yeah, but uh I worry a lot about the kids, but it doesn't matter where I'm at. I could be here at the house, I could be wherever, and that's just the way I am. I worry about the kids. And then and so going back to stressful, like we had a situation with our daughter, yeah. Uh, she had a medical emergency. Um, we won't get into it, but we had a medical emergency, and that kind of throws things off a little bit, and then you kind of start thinking, okay, we're not we're not at our home. So what if this happens? What if that happens? Like, what do we do? Right? Yeah, and so those are the things I think about where you're more like relax, it's gonna be fine, you know, you already have numbers that we can call or whatever. Um but I I don't know, I I think I think of the worst situation all the time.

SPEAKER_00 40:22

Yeah, I I'm a I think naturally I'm a problem solver, right? And my think my mind just you know comes up with solutions quickly, um, and I just take action before, you know, instead of stressing out about it, I'm just taking action.

SPEAKER_03 40:38

Yeah, and and you know, and it's okay if things don't always pan out the way they do. No, it's fine. That's one thing I've learned is it's not the end of the damn world. You know, we can go to the damn beach tomorrow, the other beach that you wanted to check out, we can go to that restaurant another time, it's okay. Yeah, you know. Uh, and in the past, I would let it get to me a little bit because I want to do that, I want to do that. Now it's like, okay, whatever. Um, we'll get to it if we get to it.

SPEAKER_00 41:03

Yeah, and it's not the first time that we've she's had particular, you know, emergencies when we vacation.

SPEAKER_01 41:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 41:09

Um, so we've learned to adapt as well. Um, if it's something that requires urgent care, hospital, uh visit, then we do that. If it's something that where she just requires rest or to stay behind, then we take turns staying behind.

SPEAKER_03 41:25

Yeah. And then with that in mind, if if you're on medication or something, make sure that make sure you pack your medic, your meds, obviously. Yes. Um, always look for like my wife, she does a great job of this. Uh, in case something does come up, you know who to contact. And another example here, my our our youngest had she went to the orthodontist the day before we went on vacation, right? So she's she's got braces.

SPEAKER_00 41:50

And they did a lot of work on her. Yeah. Put new brackets and bands, and so she was in so much pain. Yes. So by the time that we landed the next day in Hawaii, her wires were poking her cheeks. So I had to find a local uh orthodontist who took us in to cut the wires for free. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 42:11

Yes, and that's the second time that's happening.

SPEAKER_00 42:13

That's the second time. So we we kind of already been through a lot and we kind of know what actions we need to take uh to just resolve the issue.

SPEAKER_03 42:23

Yeah, and lessons learned.

SPEAKER_00 42:25

Lessons learned, exactly. Experience.

SPEAKER_03 42:27

The most important thing, I think, is just making sure that you spend time with your family. Yeah, that's the main thing, right? That's what we go on vacation, right? Spend time with the family. Why else are we on vacation? I mean, there's other reasons, obviously, but I mean, I think that's the main one to unwind to relax, but yeah, being with family, I think it's for us is the most important thing.

SPEAKER_00 42:46

Well, not always. We we take turns, we have vacations where we go with family with the kids, and then we have vacations where it's just you and me.

SPEAKER_03 42:55

Yeah, and it's okay to not take your kids on vacation sometimes.

SPEAKER_00 42:58

That's very true.

SPEAKER_03 42:59

Don't feel guilty.

SPEAKER_00 43:00

I enjoy those. I'm already planning our couple vacation. Yeah, we landed, I'm already making that.

SPEAKER_03 43:06

She was already booking trips when we were at the airport on the way back here the day before. So uh yeah, and and it's okay to do that. Um, but yeah, just spend as much time as you can with the family. Um, everybody enjoys their vacations a little bit differently. So, you know, it's okay. You know, it's okay if um I don't want to do that today and my daughter or other kids want to do this, my wife wants to do that. It's okay. It's okay. You'll have your time. Yes, you know, if if you have if you I don't know if you have the time, obviously. Share the moment. Share the moment.

SPEAKER_01 43:39

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 43:40

Um, let's talk a little bit about marriage and travel. Okay. Since we're already talking about taking vacations, you know, on our own, which is we're gonna we're gonna dig a little dirt. No, I mean, I don't know about dirt, but you may well, I mean we could. But like and I think you kind of you kind of gotta I don't know, did you dig a little bit into why is it important to travel as a couple, you know. Without the kids sometimes. For those of you that have kids, you know.

SPEAKER_00 44:02

Well, it's important that you connect as a couple. Um, you and I share this common um interest that we want to explore, we want to go see the world. Um, and because of that, you're always down with my ideas.

SPEAKER_03 44:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 44:20

Um, you're always down to spend the money.

SPEAKER_03 44:22

Well, I don't have a choice, do I? You do have a choice, but it wouldn't go very well for me.

SPEAKER_00 44:28

But let's be honest, I do a very good job of finding the deals.

SPEAKER_03 44:32

Yeah, you do. You take the time, you do the research.

SPEAKER_00 44:34

Do the research ahead of time. Yeah. And sometimes I give you multiple options. Like you can do A, B, or C.

SPEAKER_03 44:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 44:41

Uh, and depending on the cost, then you know, this is how we decide where you learn to compromise, obviously.

SPEAKER_03 44:46

Yes. You know, when you go on a vacation with your with your spouse, and if you can other.

SPEAKER_00 44:50

Yeah, and it's always cheaper when it's just you and me.

SPEAKER_03 44:53

Damn, that's the point that I wanted to bring up. So much damn cheaper when you're with your spouse versus with your four kids.

SPEAKER_00 45:00

Yeah, and you'll be surprised what great, great um packages you find out there. For example, a few years ago, you and I went to Dubai and stayed there for a week. Hotel Atlantis, which is a great resort, and flight, all under $3,000 for a whole week.

SPEAKER_03 45:19

Very surprisingly uh affordable. And the reason we went there is because you were watching an episode of I think it was The Real House. The Real Housewives, like, I want to go there.

SPEAKER_00 45:28

And they were in Dubai at the end.

SPEAKER_03 45:30

Oh, I was like, okay, here we go. She wants to go there. So you booked it. We went. Long flight, though. Very long flight, very long flight. Um, and that's one place. I know I'm I don't want to sidetrack too much, but that's one place where you really got to do your research. You do, yeah, you do, because there's a there's certain customs and um things that that you have to follow out there, tradition, you know.

SPEAKER_00 45:52

Um that impacts more the women than the men.

SPEAKER_03 45:55

Yes, yes, the way you dress, um, the way you even show affection in public areas, you have to or visits, uh religious or government uh you gotta be very careful. So um great time out there in Dubai.

SPEAKER_00 46:10

Yeah, I would take my kids.

SPEAKER_03 46:11

Yeah, definitely. I I I didn't there was a couple of moments though when we were on our way there to Dubai where it kind of felt like we were back in uniform in our you know military days.

SPEAKER_00 46:23

We did a layover in Saudi. Not that I I don't I never went to Saudi when I was in Saudi.

SPEAKER_03 46:28

Yeah, I did.

SPEAKER_00 46:30

Um, but it was yeah, it definitely brought me back to being in Iraq, um visiting Qatar. Yeah, just there was a lot of similarities for sure.

SPEAKER_03 46:41

Yeah, it for sure. But anyways, not to get divert. Well, it's it's still vacation, we're still talking about vacation, but um very memorable one there. Um I mean, I think you when you do take vacation with your spouse, significant other, uh it it gives you a chance to kind of like I don't know, catch up in a way, I guess you would say, because the day uh day in, day out. I mean, think about how much time that we actually spend together on a daily basis when it's all said and done. How much time do you think we spend? If you had to guess.

SPEAKER_00 47:14

Like on a regular day.

SPEAKER_03 47:16

On a regular day, like on a Monday, a Tuesday, whatever. How much time do you think we actually spend together?

SPEAKER_00 47:20

Just a couple of hours. I mean, I see you in the morning, we're getting ready. We both go to our jobs, we come back in the evening, focus on dinner, focus on the kids. Thankfully, uh Alyssa's not doing sports, or else you guys would be in a hurry, go out to some sports.

SPEAKER_03 47:35

Yeah, be coaching, I'd be coaching at the time.

SPEAKER_00 47:37

Yeah, you would assist with coaching and then wind down and go to bed. So I would say maybe four or five hours, if that.

SPEAKER_03 47:45

I would say less than that on most days, honestly.

SPEAKER_00 47:48

Giving each other attention.

SPEAKER_03 47:49

Yeah, I would say that four and five, that's a lot of hours. Maybe an hour, maybe an hour. Yeah. So think about that. Like, put that in perspective. Um, I mean, and if you're one of those that's like, you know what, that's great for me. I don't get to see my spouse that long. Well, then you got other issues, right?

SPEAKER_01 48:04

You sure do.

SPEAKER_03 48:05

But um, yeah, no, it it's important, you know, to kind of like catch up, you know, what's going on, even if it's just, I mean, I know it's kind of like, why do you want to talk about work? Don't bring work on vacation, whatever. But sometimes it's kind of like, hey, let me bounce this idea off. It's okay to talk a little bit of work every now and then. Yeah, every now and then. I'm just saying. Um, but then at the end of the day, you want to just kind of talk about what's going on in your household. Yeah, you know, what what's going on, what do we got to work on? What is it that we have to solve? What issues are going on right now that need our attention? Or plans, or plans, whatever, whether it be children, whether it be house maintenance, whatever the case is, that stuff comes up on a day-to-day basis. Yes, and uh, and sometimes you I think you mentioned it before, you know, we we used to go out a lot on date nights, whatever, not so much anymore. We're trying to get back to that, but those are the times I know it's kind of like do we have to talk about this right now at dinner? But sometimes that's all the time you have.

SPEAKER_00 49:04

Yeah, you do. You have to take advantage of the time that you do have to take advantage, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 49:08

And I'm not saying it doesn't have you know, don't make it romantic. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying, like, there's some opportune times that you're gonna have to speak about certain things, you know. That's the the moment, there's your chance, and then once that's all done, okay, then enjoy yourselves. Yeah, that's kind of what I'm saying. Okay, because there's not enough hours in the day sometimes. Um, so just something to keep in mind, and just things from my perspective, my point of view. Yeah, and I usually things differently than I do.

SPEAKER_00 49:36

Oh, yeah, I cut you off sometimes. I'll be like, can we not talk about that right now? Vacation.

SPEAKER_03 49:41

Yeah. Um, so after all the years that we've been traveling, you know, vacationing, um, what would you say is is your favorite part of the travel aspect, not necessarily when you're there and you're already vacationing and the travel part itself.

SPEAKER_00 49:58

You're gonna call me crazy, but I love getting to the airport. Yeah, I love you know going through that process because I know that I'm gonna about to get on a plane, go to hopefully somewhere I've never been before, um, and just the anticipation. And I mean, we travel very well to the point where we really don't struggle with you know TSA and our butt our luggage or anything.

SPEAKER_03 50:27

Did you say butt?

SPEAKER_00 50:28

I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 50:29

Did I we don't struggle with our butts? Is that what you said? I don't know what I said.

SPEAKER_00 50:32

I think I said luggage. Okay. Um, so we don't struggle with that. I think we do very well when it comes to that. We prepare very well, so it's not as stressful. When we when we travel with the kids, it's so stressful.

SPEAKER_03 50:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 50:45

Uh, because I'm holding everybody's passes and you got the passports. Passports, you got the the tickets. Yeah, but when it's just you and me, it that's two simple two quick swipes, you know, and two passports to show, and we're off.

SPEAKER_03 50:59

Yeah, off and running.

SPEAKER_00 51:00

Yeah, so that's me. I don't know how many people like being at an airport, but that's just me.

SPEAKER_03 51:05

I think for me the travel part that I enjoy the most is just kind of, I don't know, I'm a I'm a person that likes to observe things. And I I'll just find myself just like, and I don't know if I'm enjoying it, but I'm just kind of like watching, like, oh shoot, that's interesting.

SPEAKER_00 51:21

And then you're just interesting, people's interactions.

SPEAKER_03 51:23

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like if you're at the airport and sitting down, you're waiting for your flight. I'm just kind of looking, like, oh, what's going on over there?

SPEAKER_00 51:29

Well, once again, we always create stories.

SPEAKER_03 51:31

We get creative, like, oh, what's what's up with that dude over there? He doesn't look happy.

SPEAKER_00 51:34

Oh, he looks like he's running from the law.

SPEAKER_01 51:35

I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 51:36

Yeah, or something's up with that. Something something's up with that guy. Does he look like one of those guys on America's the most wanted or something? And so I don't know. I I just I'm just an analyzer, I think. Um, and so I find myself like not to say that I'm creeping on people and like that, but if I'm observing something in front of me, like, oh shoot, okay, what's going on there? Right there in front of me. Like, I'm gonna kind of observe and find out what's going on there.

SPEAKER_00 51:57

Yeah, you observe people in the world. Analyzing.

SPEAKER_03 51:59

Yeah, I don't know why. I don't know why that's like why that's entertaining to me, I guess. Yeah, I hate the traveling, the driving to airports.

SPEAKER_00 52:09

Oh, I that's the part I do not like, especially when you land and you're tired and you still have to drive back home.

SPEAKER_03 52:14

Yeah, like this morning we landed at in Los Angeles, L E X, and then we still had to drive another three hours to get home. So you drove.

SPEAKER_00 52:22

I drove, I slept passenger princess over here. Yes, thank you. I offered, I know.

SPEAKER_03 52:27

You do offer, you do offer. But uh honestly, if I'm if I'm not driving, I'm gonna be asleep. Well, I was I know, I know, but I I feel like if I'm asleep, then if something happens, what the hell? You know what I mean? Like I have to be vigil, I have to be vigilant, whatever you want to call it.

SPEAKER_00 52:42

Yeah, you were the only one awake in the car.

SPEAKER_03 52:44

I was, but um, yeah, that's the part I do hate. And then going through damn security is a freaking nightmare sometimes. You know, it's always like, oh, you've been randomly selected for whatever. Sure, buddy.

SPEAKER_00 53:00

They checked both of my luggages coming from Kona over here yesterday.

SPEAKER_03 53:06

Randomly, right?

SPEAKER_00 53:06

Like, yeah, that's because I had like a buddy scrub uh body scrub scrub, yeah, or soap that I purchased. Um, yeah, and it looks sus.

SPEAKER_03 53:14

Yeah, and then I know sometimes you have to tell me to like calm down, like don't say anything. Like on the way there, uh, I think they had to look through my bag.

SPEAKER_01 53:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 53:24

Or and oh, because I they said I had been randomly selected, and then I said something under my breath or something, you're like, calm down, like, don't say anything.

SPEAKER_00 53:32

And it doesn't happen all the time. We we have uh a family member. Oh, yes, we do, brother-in-law who is always selected to get you know, for whatever reason, every single time we travel with him, he always gets selected. You know who you are, you're listening.

SPEAKER_03 53:49

If you know, you know, but but in in reality, though, I mean, there's been times like, oh, I forgot this, I forgot I had this uh Rambo knife in my uh luggage or whatever. Yeah, this big old machete or something that you bought as a souvenir. Like, yeah, dude, you're gonna get checked on that stuff. It's just gonna happen. Um but um you want to do a quick rapid fire before we go? Sure. Is there anything that you want to discuss before we before we get into rapid fire though? Did I miss anything?

SPEAKER_00 54:21

I mean, I mean, we discuss Hawaii, we discuss traveling, traveling with our kids. Yeah. Um, I would just say if you haven't gone, go go to Hawaii or go to different industries.

SPEAKER_03 54:33

Yeah, it doesn't have to be Hawaii. It doesn't have to be Hawaii.

SPEAKER_00 54:36

No, it doesn't have to be. I mean, next year, hopefully, we're gonna go to Bahamas. We're gonna go to Bahamas Bora Bora someday. Um, but go on and explore. Go on, don't be afraid of travel.

SPEAKER_03 54:46

Yeah, no. That's the thing, is you'll you'll regret it later on.

SPEAKER_00 54:49

Um especially if you have family and travel with your family, and the kids grow quick. Yes, they grow up quick.

SPEAKER_03 54:55

So, and of course, everybody has different means. Yeah, you know, and if you're not able to, it's okay. You know, a trip to the local park, make the most of it, you know, whatever. The uh the to the to the local beach.

SPEAKER_00 55:06

I mean, there's if we if we live in a place where nature is beautiful, California. California, you can go to the beach, you could go to the mountains in the same day. Yeah, uh, you could do a lot of day trips, road trips. Yeah, we've definitely have big great memories on a road trip after I retired. Yeah. Um, so there's always opportunities for travel. Um, and at different levels, you know.

SPEAKER_03 55:33

Yeah, and you can you can definitely travel on a budget too. Um just it just takes a lot of a lot of uh research.

SPEAKER_01 55:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 55:41

Uh, but it's very possible. I mean, you always I mean, I've seen those videos on TikTok where people are like, oh, I'm gonna go to Dubai with uh $20 or whatever. Like I mean, that's kind of ridiculous, obviously. But um, yeah, if if you plan ahead, if you go to the spots in in and and you know where you're going that has the deals or or free entrance or whatever, I mean, why not take advantage? Yeah, why not?

SPEAKER_00 56:06

Why not?

SPEAKER_03 56:07

Yeah, and then one other thing I wanted to mention too is state parks, real quick. I know Hawaii has a lot of state parks, they call them state parks, they're basically state beaches, but there are state parks, you know, Colorado, wherever you go, right? State parks, California has state parks, national, national parks. Um if you're a veteran, take advantage of their legacy. I think it's a legacy lifetime card that you can get at the at the booth. Um free entrance to any state parks. Um, because it it it it can add up. Yeah, $30 for entrance for a vehicle, for example, in Hawaii. That's $30 you don't have to spend.

SPEAKER_00 56:47

Yeah. And there is a link we'll say here we'll drop the link where you could go online, they do ID me, they verify your uh status, either active or veteran, and you get it online and you could get a digital card. Yeah. Or if you don't have time to do that, just show up to the gate and they'll do it for you right then and there.

SPEAKER_03 57:07

Yeah, and I think they do stuff for first responders too, you know, police officers, uh firefighters, you know, they they do certain things for them as well.

SPEAKER_00 57:15

Yeah, there's so many paths, the website will have everything.

SPEAKER_03 57:17

Yeah, like don't be afraid to go into the websites, look at the national park, wherever, you know, wherever you're going. You never know. There might be something for you to take advantage of. Always do some research ahead of time, it doesn't hurt, you know. So a quick rapid fire, you want you ready to do a little rapid fire? Sure. Okay, so what do you prefer? And I'm not just talking about Hawaii, I'm talking in general, okay? Okay, sunset or sunrise? Sunsets, sunsets, okay, beach or mountains, beach, hotel or resort? Resort. I know, right? That's a that was a dumb one. Uh pool or ocean.

SPEAKER_00 57:52

Uh a little bit of both.

SPEAKER_03 57:54

Depends on the day, right? Yeah. Okay. Road trip or flying?

SPEAKER_00 57:58

Flying.

SPEAKER_03 57:59

Flying. Why why flying though? Just because you get there faster?

SPEAKER_00 58:02

Well, if it's a local road trip, like if we're gonna enjoy the central coast or going maybe an hour from here and do uh a fun activity, then of course road trip. Yeah. But if we're gonna travel far, I'd rather fly.

SPEAKER_03 58:16

Yeah, I agree. Carry-on or check bag?

SPEAKER_00 58:20

I'm gonna say carry-on just because I'm not gonna lose it.

SPEAKER_03 58:23

Yeah, I know, right? Because have we we no, never mind. Let's not even get into that. Favorite vacation snack, regardless of where you're going. Something you're gonna eat on the airplane or on the car, chocolates. Okay. Dream destination for you.

SPEAKER_00 58:36

Dream destination. Oh, well, I have a few.

SPEAKER_03 58:40

Well, go ahead, name them off. Rattle them off.

SPEAKER_00 58:42

So I want to go to Borabora.

SPEAKER_03 58:43

Yeah, that's on the list.

SPEAKER_00 58:44

Yep. I want to uh explore Europe a little bit more in detail. Um, and Mexico too, because since we were in the military, we didn't really get to we didn't get a chance to go, yeah. Yeah, uh, we had to ask permission, you had to have immediate family everybody or a good reason, and sometimes you got denied. So we didn't get to explore Mexico. I would love to explore Mexico.

SPEAKER_03 59:05

Yeah, that's that's one of the things too. And we got to go to Mexico this past January.

SPEAKER_00 59:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 59:08

And that was I hadn't been to like Mexico, Mexico in 34 damn years.

SPEAKER_00 59:12

We need to talk about that a different way.

SPEAKER_03 59:14

Yeah, we'll talk about that in another episode, whatever. Yeah, but for those of you that go to Mexico yearly, my sister does, other people that I know go to Mexico daily, go visit family that's fiestas. That's another whole different episode on that. We'll talk with the cousins about that. Um, but yeah, like Mexico has so many places, less expensive. And I know some places right now you would say it depends, right? Some places are like, oh damn, it's just like going to Hawaii or going to somewhere out here in the States.

SPEAKER_00 59:40

Sometimes even more. I remember a few years back we were um comparing prices and going to like Puerto Vallarta or Cancun compared to Hawaii, it was twice as much, so we ended up going to Hawaii that year.

SPEAKER_03 59:54

Correct.

SPEAKER_00 59:55

So maybe it's the time of the year that you purchased. Probably or how ahead of time you plan. I mean, I'm pretty sure there was a lot of factors, yeah. Uh, but I know that that specific year we went to Hawaii instead of Mexico because of the price.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:09

I know crazy, huh? Hawaii was cheaper than Mexico. That's that's insane.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:12

That was crazy.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:13

Yeah, I I remember that. Okay, uh, one place that you would go back to tomorrow.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:19

One place I will go back tomorrow. Right now I can't think tomorrow because I'm tired of traveling.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:29

Yeah, but one place you want to go. Like if you could snap your finger right now or tomorrow, where would you want to be?

SPEAKER_00 1:00:36

I'm gonna keep it simple and I'm gonna say Scotland.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:39

Scotland. Scotland. You've never been.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:42

I've never been. And I want to there's a show that I've got um called Outlander.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:49

Oh, yeah. By the way, if you're watching Outlander, if you know what we're talking about, what's it on? Is it on HBO?

SPEAKER_00 1:00:54

No, it's on Star. Well, I mean it's it's on HBO Star people who lose, but Starz is the main platform.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:59

Yeah, um, I love that show. I know, but my wife likes likes it for many different reasons. And uh every time I just happen to walk in the room when she's watching, like, whoa, what's going on there? Some uh you know, extracurricular activities happening or whatever. It could get graphic. No, great show, by the way, though. That's a good storyline. Uh, but yeah. Um, for me, I think it'd be Mexico. I want to go back to El Salitre. Shout out to my family out there in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Uh El Salitre is a little town out there. If you know, you know. Uh great time. Like I said, I hadn't been there in 34 damn years. Can't believe I freaking waited 34 damn years to go back to Mexico.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:37

And you do have an excuse to go there when we were in the military.

SPEAKER_03 1:01:40

I know, but uh for whatever circumstances that were happening at the moment, it didn't it didn't pan out. But yeah, I want to go back to Mexico. Um again, and I know we're planning to go in January, hopefully, but that's another place I want to go and I want to frequent it a little bit more.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 1:01:55

Okay. Now, um, any last any last comments? No.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:02

No, I I would say tips.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:03

Any any last minute tips?

SPEAKER_00 1:02:05

I would say always make a plan. Yeah. Like I'm always thinking of five to ten vacations at the same time. Simultaneously. Um, and you know, just prepare, have your goals, and you know, check things off your bucket list because life is short and you need to go out there and enjoy it.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:26

Yeah, and then you know, trips come and go, obviously. Yeah, you know, you want to make the best of the moments, the memories. I know you like to take the pictures and everything. Yes, yeah, the pictures are important. Um, but just watching your family grow as the years go by. And I know, like, real quick, we uh we frequent Florida you know, quite a bit as well.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:46

Florida, Colorado.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:47

We have pictures of the kids in the same beach in Florida, year after year. And that's I think that's actually kind of fun.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:53

Yeah, we do we do the pictures, like we do a in Tampa, right?

SPEAKER_03 1:02:58

Is it Tampa or it was Clearwater?

SPEAKER_00 1:03:00

Clearwater.

SPEAKER_03 1:03:00

Yeah, I'm always wrong, huh? When I mention names, no, it's but I was close though. You were close. Clearwater is by Tampa. Uh, and yes, uh, it's fun seeing those pictures though. So, yes, I that's why I do preach the pictures because you do take those, you can compare them. Uh, but yeah, you know, spend some time together, you know, make some good memories, whatever the case is. Um, and that's really what it's all about, right? I mean, why else are you gonna once again go on vacation if you're not gonna have fun, if you're just gonna be there, why even go? Enjoy it. Um, but before we go, okay, I know this is kind of petty because I like to be if you know, save money, even though it's you know, it's fine. Take a suitcase with all the essentials. If you got to pay the $45 uh fee for underneath the plane, it's fine because when you get to wherever destination you're gonna spend more than $45, anyways, getting your shampoos, your lotions, whatever it is, because you know they're very picky at the airports. Um, so I just wanted to throw that out there that it's okay to take a carry-on with essentials that that way you don't have to purchase anyway.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:03

Well, especially if you're traveling with the entire family, that's a smart choice. Uh but if it's just you and your partner, yeah. I mean, I would say different just buy it over there.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:15

Yeah, just buy it over there. But if it's your whole family, then you're gonna save yourself a couple hundred dollars. Yes, you know what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_00 1:04:22

And every kid uses a different shampoo, a different body lotion, a conditioner, and it's that's where it adds up.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:28

Yes, so all right. Well, thank you so much, everyone, for tuning in once again. I hope you enjoyed our our episode. Um, keep tuning in.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:37

And go out and travel.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:38

Yeah, go out and travel, have a good time. I mean, take the time. If you haven't gone on vacation for a while, go do this. Yeah, go on your calendar, put a date, go ahead and plan it, submit your time off and take it. All right, because if you don't do it, no one's gonna force you, no one's gonna push you. You gotta force yourself to go on vacation sometimes. Yes. And just do it. Just do it. All right, okay. Well, that does it. Thank you again. We'll see you next time. If you're enjoying the podcast and want to help support future episodes, you can check out the link in the show notes. Your support helps keep the podcast going, and it's greatly appreciated. Also, please leave a review and share with friends. That's Sergio Says It Straight, where the truth comes out. Whether we planned it or not, catch you next time.