Full disclosure: I initially considered titling this post !!!!!!!!! but WordPress started laughing at me, and threatened to throw spam.
At this point to say I cannot contain my already typically excessive exclaiming is to understate. HOW am I going to refrain from blurting out, “Hawaii! I’m going there!” from now until I leave at the beginning of September? Better yet, Maui! + getting to see my sister in TWO WEEKS = how am I going to sleep tonight? And the next night? And the night after that? HOW?
But I suppose this post is coming completely out of nowhere if you don’t follow me on Twitter, or don’t even use Twitter, and/or didn’t get a text or an email or a DM from me (IN ALL CAPS) saying something like “MAUI!” or “I’M GOING TO HAWAII!” or “THIS IS PERFECT BECAUSE I JUST WATCHED INTO THE BLUE LAST WEEKEND AND…what? No, no I did not watch Into the Blue. I mean, I did, but you can’t prove it and anyway, BACK TO SEA TURTLES!”
The oh so random “Kerri is going to Hawaii over Labor Day weekend” story goes a little something like this:
1. Kerri checks her email nonchalantly Tuesday morning, half-asleep.
2. Kerri notices Alaska Airlines trying to trick her into going to Hawaii by offering her a Crazy Ridiculous Low One-Way Fare. Kerri was in Hawaii ten (!) years ago and paid more like $600 for her ticket. So Kerri automatically think it’s a) a scam b) bound by a bunch of lame guidelines that will ultimately render her (at this point very imaginary) trip to Hawaii typical amounts of expensive, and therefore typical amounts of not happening.
3. After a bit of research Kerri realizes it’s a) not a scam and b) she can fly over Labor Day weekend for less than $300 round-trip. She also realizes Hawaiian Airlines beats Alaska with an Even Crazier Low One-Way Fare.
4. Kerri tweets about wanting to go to Hawaii, and says someone should come with her, because, hi, Hawaii, you look pretty today.
5. Kerri’s pretty sure everyone will think she’s nuts, and/or no one will be able to come, because who plans a last-minute trip to Hawaii after an already crazy August?
6. Kerri briefly considers going to Hawaii by herself, because why not? That is, until Terrell says she’s IN.
7. Kerri thinks about how much fun! it would be to go to Hawaii with Terrell, who is awesome and hilarious and likes sea turtles.
8. Kerri asks Terrell if she’s joking, because Kerri isn’t really joking, and Terrell, says nope, she’s totally IN.
9. Kerri finds a hotel on the beach for $72/night, which split between two people is Not Very Much At All/night.
10. Terrell and Kerri buy tickets (the air kind!) before they each leave work on Tuesday.
11. Kerri knows why she can’t stop smiling, but not why she is telling this story in a third-person numbered list.
I think I am seriously just in shock right now. I mean, I love! to travel, but this has to be the most spontaneous trip I have ever booked and (not) planned, and it’s just…exhilarating! Those prices were just way too good to ignore, and it will be nice to have a super relaxing (long) weekend getaway. I honestly can’t remember the last time a vacation was even remotely relaxing. Or tropical! It might have been the last time I was in Hawaii, ten years ago.
Ten years and I can still remember how perfectly floral the entire island of Oahu smelled when we walked off the plane.
I have a feeling Maui is going to smell even better.
*Post title from Forgetting Sarah Marshall which is a movie (that makes me laugh quite a lot and) set in…wait for it…HAWAII.
Ahh jealous! Scott and I went there on the trip when we “decided to be an item.” Heh. And that’s the only time I went and we were on the Big Island, which was rad, but I want to go to Maui! Oahu! Kauai! Actually, once Scott’s vacation days renew in 2011, I think we’re going to try to schedule a long dive weekend there, since you can find pretty cheap flights from SF.
Cannot WAIT to see your pictures and read about your trip!
Dude, I am SO IMPRESSED.
We’re still planning to get to Oahu later this year, if we can afford it. I’m so jealous you get to go too!
Have a great time, you deserve it :)
This is SO AMAZING! I love that twitter can do this, you’re going to have the most amazing time!! :)
I am SO (jealous I can’t join you, and) HAPPY FOR YOU. When you sent the CAPS LOCK email and the subsequent explanation, I could sense The Happy oozing from you.
I can’t wait to see what photos you take and to hear about The Awesome that is Hawaii.
Hawaii. HAWAII. HAWAII!!!!!
So excited for you. :)
what the heck? those prices are blowing my mind grapes! jealouscakes x infinity over here.
OMG! I am so jealous! I would have loved to have gone with you! If it weren’t for the fact I have no vacation time left!
GO YOU!! You’ll have a BLAST!!
Excellent decision. I back it 100%. What a great SURPRISE! last-minute treat to yourself!
If you happen to go to Costco while you’re there, would you mind picking up a giant jug of Trader Vic’s Mai Tai mix? Try to fly said jug back on a plane? And then bring it to Seattle in September? Andrea and I will be greatly appreciative.
I am ridiculously excited for you. Also, jealous.
This is epic in its awesomeness. HAWAII can only be said in all caps because, hello!, it is HAWAII.
Kiss a turtle for me. But not on the lips.
This is the best thing ever, I almost ALMOST followed suit and booked my own tickets, but alas, Seattle later that month. (Tickets which, uhh, haven’t been paid off yet.)
So very, very, VERY excited for you! Hawaii is the best place I’ve ever been. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time. Can’t wait to see your pictures!
HAWAII!
happy dance :)
WOW! Love how this all fell into place for you! Have such a blast!
Oh FUN! I love traveling as well – and last-minute trips are THE BEST! Have fun, my dear!!
YAY! I wish I was going, but I’m so excited you are!
There are not enough exclamation points for how awesome that is! I went to Hawaii on my honeymoon and am utterly convinced that Maui is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth there is. I would do the insanely long flight and 4 hours of motion sickness all over again for a week on Maui. Ahhhhhh.
Enjoy!
You are too funny! Love your enthusiasm. I think island getaways HAVE to be spontaneous and unplanned, otherwise, what’s the point?
YAY!!!! I LOVE MAUI!!!! that sounds like a trip of a lifetime….spontanious is the best way to go. Next time just fly a little further to New Zealand:)
Oh my I am jealous of you!!
These kind of trips are the very best. If you had a moment of, “Holy crap, what did I just do?” when you clicked that confirm purchase button, then you are in for an awesome time!
You got a GREAT deal! Can’t wait for your trip recap.
You’re blossoming my love!
Love
Your gillyweed
I’m so happy for you! You guys are going to have an amazing time – it’s a certainty. :)
I LOVE HAWAII! Although I haven’t been to Maui…..YET! What I did was get traveling books from the library to find the cheapest and best places to eat! That will help your already great priced trip, and leave more money for SHOPPING!!
Bitch. Just kidding-so JEALOUS. We finally made it to Kauai over a year ago and it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Also, stop by and see my blog tomorrow b/c I want another one (of what will be in my post) and you can only get the thing in Hawaii.
WOWOWOWOW! Props to you for being so spontaneous! I’m so jealous.
Also, you’re hilarious. :)