All Our Bags Are Packed!: Hawaii - October/November 2015

Hawaii

Jerry was invited to attend the International Technology Partners Conference. The 150 attendees were primarily semiconductor industry (or related) global company Board Chairmen, CEO's and Presidents. Corporate names that would be familiar are: Intel, Samsung, Hitachi, Honda, Toshiba, Cisco, Nikon.

Conference Area: Fairmont Hotel, Maui

The conference hosted fabulous dinners providing opportunities to network, socialize and hopefully to generate more business

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Getting to Hawaii and dealing with a room issue was a little rough. Our 6:00 AM pick-up was fine. However, we were uncomfortable about the departure gate. American Airlines twice insisted that B157 was the departure gate. "B"stands for Bradley. Normally, we would leave from Terminal 4 with gate numbers in the 40's.

Although a few A/A flights were scheduled to leave from Bradley later in the day to various Asian cities, there was no indication of our Maui flight. We soon concluded that our plane had to be departing from Terminal 4. Fortunately, our luggage had wheels and with Terminal 4 not too far from Bradley, we were able to get over to the right Terminal and onto our plane in time.

It was exciting to be back in Hawaii. We found ourselves enveloped in the "Aloha spirit."

Disembarking passengers were greeted with floral leis. Our rental car was tuned into Hawaii music. At check-in, the hotel greeted us with leis, welcome drinks and a real "Aloooooooha!

Soft, romantic Hawaii music was playing throughout the hotel property. Soft tropical breezes circulated through the reception area and corridors. The view from the reception area was spectacular: Blue water, swaying palm trees and a few puffy white clouds.

We thought this was a "WOW" until the porter opened the door to our (almost) 1000 sq. foot suite: Huge bedroom , a living room area, the very large bathroom, wet bar, microwave, small refrigerator, wrap around balcony and yes, of course, the two radios were playing soft and romantic Hawaiian music

Time For A Selfie

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We could not be happier until we heard: Drilling, hammering, clumping, clattering, machinery noises and other unfamiliar sounds. It turns out that the hotel was going through a seasonal renovation as were the other hotels. (Our hotel was getting solar installed).

Phone calls, meeting with the reception staff and meetings with the assistant manager did not help. The hotel was fully booked. Other than possibly moving to a room with twin beds or a room that would be in full sun during most of the day making it impossible to sit on the balcony, we were stuck! Yes, we did get a nice gift basket - wine, fruit, munchies, etc., it still did not help the situation.

With promises that the work hours would only bet between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM and that the noise would soon subside due to the project was almost finished on or section of the hotel, we poured a stiff rum and coke, grabbed some "goodies" that we got at Cosco (which is next to the Maui airport) and headed to the beach.

Okay. The situation would be tolerable if we stayed out of the room during the "9 to Five" (Thank you Dolly Parton) work hours. And, why should we stay cooped up in our 1000 sq. foot suite when we can enjoy the 85 degree weather?

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Walking To The Beach

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The Sea "Take-eth, The Sea "Returnith..."

The most amazing situation occurred while we worked our way through the surf.

The Hawaiian islands were feeling the effects of the Hurricane that hit Mexico. Waves, while normally small and calm, were rough and turbulent. While in the warm water and looking back at the beach area, a large wave sneaked up from behind and pounded us into the sand. Arlene lost her prescription dark glasses.

Jerry spent an hour snorkeling trying to find the glasses. No luck! Off to the drug store for clip on dark glasses.

The following day, Jerry checked with one of the beach attendants to see if (by chance) the glasses turned up.

24 hours later - Arlene's glasses appeared. Apparently her glasses washed back onto shore and were turned in to the attendant. Amazing!

We find that the most fun is eating alone, enjoying each other's company and taking in the spectacular views. Between the Cosco run and supplemented with food from Safeway and local markets, we had many of our meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner on our balcony.

Floral Lei and Aloe Vera

Hawaiian sunsets are always gorgeous!

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For the last six months or so, we have been feeding a crippled Oxnard seagull. The bird seems to be territorial - it keeps coming back - with our regularly feeding the bird, it is certainly more healthy. Well, it seems that history repeats itself. A local finch, with a missing foot, came onto our balcony area. We started feeding it. The finch returned everyday for some "goodies."

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While Jerry was starting his conference at 7:30 AM (Breakfast meetings) and finishing up with networking dinners, my schedule was just as strenuous:

7:00 AM - Walking on the beach

Another Day In Paradise

8:00 AM Yoga

9:00 AM Water Aerobics

10:00 AM - Exhausted but still with an opportunity to relax!

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There was a real feeling of "Aloha spirit" at the networking dinners

Following dinner, there was a time for an evening stroll.

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Jerry's conference was fascinating. The presentations looked at our society as it migrates to 2020!

In between sessions, Jerry still had to work: He responded to PMI emails, phone calls and faxes.

However, when the conference was all over, it was time to relax for the remaining two days in "Paradise."

Jerry brings from the room "Rum & Coke," Appetizers and the "Aloha" spirit

Much like the Shangri-la hotel (Kowloon) that changes the elevator carpet every day designating he different day, the Fairmont regularly changes the hotel carpets three times each day depicting morning, afternoon and evening.

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There was a lot of wild life at the hotel property: