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Post by librarylady on May 29, 2021 22:36:00 GMT
I admit up front that I should just be glad I can afford a trip and am not standing in one of the food lines. I should not say a word............but I want to vent and whine......
Back in late December, my youngest sister said she wanted to retire at the end of 2021 and to celebrate a bit early she wanted to use her travel points and go to Maui. Did her sisters want to go with her? Her bday is June 9th, so around the 9th we would go.
I say yes--We sisters thought by June, surely the Covid numbers would be in control etc. etc. As soon as the vaccine was approved, we all signed up and everyone was vaccinated by the end of March. Our plane and resort reservations have been made. Leaving Texas on June 2nd and returning on June 9th.
Three of the possible 5 sisters were/are going to make the trip.
Problems:
#1. Sister's travel points are only valid in the lower 48 states. No free travel for her. #2. Sister's Lodging points are not valid in Hawaii, so no free lodging for us.
#3. Maui requires a specific covid test, done within 72 hours of departure on plane, and test can only be administered by specific vendors.
#4. We are leaving on Wednesday--Monday is a holiday so no testing at approved site. We need to test on June 1st.
#5. For our location, a specific Walgreens is only site for the test. We COULD use a test site at the airport, but I don't want to depend on that and then have some  make that inappropriate/canceled/not offered or ?? I want the testing issue solved before I drive out to the airport. #6. I have spent some time on the Walgreen's site every day. A person has to go through 4-5 pages of entering data only to learn that the appointments for June 1st are not available yet. I finally figured out the test appointments are opened 3 days prior to test.
#7. Saturday morning I got in and registered all 3 of us. (about 5 pages of data on each person). The "ticket" to get the test is emailed, only way to get it. I got mine, but the 2 sisters did not! (gah? what went wrong?) #8. Around 1 PM today we realized the other 2 never got the test "ticket." Back online and register them again. Finally, success!
About 30 minutes ago, sister #2 sends a message: "Honolulu is not going to require the test beginning June 1. Maybe Maui will drop the test requirement also." My thought: After all we have gone through to get this damn test, they better still need the test!
I'll skip the details but the other 2 sisters are having a minor squabble about something. Right now, I want to say, "Forget it, I'll stay at home!" It will all iron itself out, but the joy of the trip is gone right now.
I have friends saying, "WTH are you doing going on a trip now?" We are vaccinated so covid is not scaring me. I am worried about insane travelers.
Next pandemic, I'm staying home. (that is a joke)
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Post by monklady123 on May 29, 2021 22:39:29 GMT
Honestly, I'd be tempted to stay home!  |
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Post by myboysnme on May 29, 2021 22:42:12 GMT
I feel your pain and thank God they have you coordinating. I am trying to meet up with some friends on our upcoming trips to San Antonio and California. Seems like nothing is easy. But I'm going anyway. As long as I can get there I'll just have to take something for anxiety and count to 100.
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Post by smalltowngirlie on May 29, 2021 22:50:00 GMT
The joys of traveling with a variety of people. DH is on a trip with 5 other couples, I am so glad I stayed home. Plans get set and one in the group will say, oh we are going to do this instead of what is planned. The only reason this matters is because 3 people are pulling trailers with jeeps on and one is driving their well used jeep. It was decided to stay together in case anyone has problems during the 1,100 mile drive.
As you said, it will all work itself out and you will have fun.
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Post by mom on May 29, 2021 23:02:12 GMT
Ha! You've been through it with this trip and you you haven't even left!
Im sure you will have a blast once you are there though!
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,887
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on May 29, 2021 23:33:35 GMT
Honestly, it's always stressful when traveling with multiple people, even before the pandemic. DH and I have traveled with his family on a cruise and to Disney World. It was so stressful. People were late, or people took forever to book something, or they decided they needed to go to the restroom just as we were all ready to get on a ride. Someone would get lost and we would have to track them down. But when all was said and done, we all look back on those trips fondly. My husbands parents are both gone, so we really appreciate those memories now. Go on the trip and enjoy yourself. Just know that there will be craziness.
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Post by gryroagain on May 30, 2021 0:04:32 GMT
Yup. Korea has a 14 day mandatory quarantine when returning, so Iāve spent a total of 2 entire months since this started locked in my house. And the covid tests, soooo many covid tests.
Iām moving to Mexico soon and as Iāve only been there a couple times at least Iāll have a lot of new experiences in one place so NO TRAVEL. Iām so over the pandemic.
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Post by heckofagal on May 30, 2021 0:28:39 GMT
I hope your plans are to mostly stay at the resort. I know someone in Hawaii right now and travel there is pretty non existent. They knew they could not get a rental car but many people with rental car reservations also did not get one. And apparently gas is really expensive their and many of the uber drivers just arenāt going out. She said people are taking an Uber to go across town to go on an excursion and then getting stranded because they canāt get a ride back. My friend went to a luau fully expecting to have to walk back 2 miles, but luckily the family putting on the luau brought them home in their personal vehicle.
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Post by chaosisapony on May 30, 2021 0:29:44 GMT
I know a few people that have gone to Hawaii mid pandemic. Honestly it seems like a big hassle even without the extra drama you have encountered. Don't give up now. Once you're there I'm sure it will all seem worth it.
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Post by lisae on May 30, 2021 0:34:28 GMT
I hope it all works out. When you are greeted by the lovely perfumed air of Hawaii, it will be worth it. I have a friend who just returned from her much delayed Hawaiian honeymoon and was very happy they went.
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Post by librarylady on May 30, 2021 0:47:10 GMT
Either the excursions have scaled back a great deal or everyone is in Maui. The sister who was supposed to book us for things has only been successful with 2 things so far......Whatever happens, happens is my attitude. I get away to see a beautiful place and talk myself silly with the sisters.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,504
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Post by seaexplore on May 30, 2021 1:42:27 GMT
Either the excursions have scaled back a great deal or everyone is in Maui. The sister who was supposed to book us for things has only been successful with 2 things so far......Whatever happens, happens is my attitude. I get away to see a beautiful place and talk myself silly with the sisters. Perfect attitude to take along. š. You will have an amazing time. |
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by ellen on May 30, 2021 2:29:25 GMT
I'm going to guess that when you get on the beach all of the stresses of this weekend will be worth it. Enjoy!
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Post by christine58 on May 30, 2021 3:26:13 GMT
beaglemom might be able to give you info. Sheās there now.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on May 30, 2021 4:30:17 GMT
Enjoy your trip!
Now I need to research about the 72 hour test. Hoping it goes away just because of the hassle.
Have you heard any updates on mask mandates?
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,018
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Post by Gennifer on May 30, 2021 9:20:55 GMT
Enjoy your trip! Now I need to research about the 72 hour test. Hoping it goes away just because of the hassle. Have you heard any updates on mask mandates? I believe, but donāt quote me, that the pre-travel COVID test requirement is slated to go away mid-July, provided you are vaccinated. Iām not sure about the mask mandate. |
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Post by Basket1lady on May 30, 2021 11:18:02 GMT
I hear you about these tests required for travel!
We got back from the States a week ago. Prior to that, we had to have a PCR test to get on the plane. But it was so dang hard to navigate all the sites in French! Then DH had a meeting on base, so the hospital there agreed to test us, even though we were supposed to be tested on the economy. Great! That was easy, I only had to drive 30 minutes, and we were guaranteed results by the end of the day. And we saved 300ā¬.
Then we had to test before boarding the plane coming back. We chose to get tested at the airport because we thought it would be the most efficient for travel. Only a 15 minute drive this time and the guy there waived the fee since we were active duty military, so we saved the $150. Yay! That one was a spit test and as much as I hate having the scrubby brush shoved into my sinus cavity, at least itās over in 10 seconds. It must have taken me 5 minutes to get enough spit into the tube! Got our tests back by the end of the day, so it was all good.
Then we had to test again after landing in Brussels. Except that we didnāt get the code needed to test texted to us. After a lot of debate, they decided to just test us. We were charged the resident rate, so only out 46ā¬ x 3 people. And they all spoke great English!
Now for the final test... we have to make an appointment to test 9 days out. Was supposed to be 7 days. I have no idea why 9, but... Belgium. We made a couple calls and just gave up. So weāve been in quarantine for 8 days now. Except that Belgium doesnāt require DH or DD to quarantine. DH because he has diplomatic status, DD because sheās a student. Funny thing is that both DD and I are fully vaccinated, but DH is not. BUT, DH couldnāt get a letter emailed saying that he doesnāt have to quarantine. So Air Force is still making him quarantine. We have our final test tomorrow. I hear itās a drive up facility and quick. Fingers crossed that we only get charged the 46ā¬ and not the 148ā¬ (X 3!) that I hear some are being charged.
If youāve made it this far: it was all worth it. So worth it. I got to hug my son for the first time in 16 months and saw DD graduate. We saw our parents and our brothers and sisters. We didnāt see any other family, but it was still so worth it. And the added bonus is that we brought DD back with us and I spend 3 weeks with my husband whom Iāve not seen a lot of during this past year.
So have a wonderful trip and chalk all of the Covid issues up to a great story to tell in years to come!
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Post by manda on May 30, 2021 13:02:17 GMT
We went in November the week of Thanksgiving to Hawaii and weāre losing a day due to a holiday as well. So we drove to the airport testing center that could give results in 24 hours...
[q]About 30 minutes ago, sister #2 sends a message: "Honolulu is not going to require the test beginning June 1.
Maybe Maui will drop the test requirement also." My thought: After all we have gone through to get this damn test, they better still need the test![/q]
Your sister is incorrect. Hawaii you is dropping the required post arrival test. Everybody must still have a pre-travel test with results in hand before departure that was tested within 72 hours of travel.
Mask mandate is lifted for outdoors only.
They have targeted July 4th weekend for when pre travel test will not be required for those who are vaccinated.
Good luck. Hope you got the test situation sorted out. š¬
I hope you enjoy your trip! We are heading to the big island of Hawaii later in the month.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on May 30, 2021 14:48:23 GMT
We went in November the week of Thanksgiving to Hawaii and weāre losing a day due to a holiday as well. So we drove to the airport testing center that could give results in 24 hours... [q]About 30 minutes ago, sister #2 sends a message: "Honolulu is not going to require the test beginning June 1. Maybe Maui will drop the test requirement also." My thought: After all we have gone through to get this damn test, they better still need the test![/q] Your sister is incorrect. Hawaii you is dropping the required post arrival test. Everybody must still have a pre-travel test with results in hand before departure that was tested within 72 hours of travel. Mask mandate is lifted for outdoors only. They have targeted July 4th weekend for when pre travel test will not be required for those who are vaccinated. Good luck. Hope you got the test situation sorted out. š¬ I hope you enjoy your trip! We are heading to the big island of Hawaii later in the month. Thatās what I read last night. Iāll take the dropping of the post test arrival. |
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on May 30, 2021 14:48:34 GMT
We went in November the week of Thanksgiving to Hawaii and weāre losing a day due to a holiday as well. So we drove to the airport testing center that could give results in 24 hours... [q]About 30 minutes ago, sister #2 sends a message: "Honolulu is not going to require the test beginning June 1. Maybe Maui will drop the test requirement also." My thought: After all we have gone through to get this damn test, they better still need the test![/q] Your sister is incorrect. Hawaii you is dropping the required post arrival test. Everybody must still have a pre-travel test with results in hand before departure that was tested within 72 hours of travel. Mask mandate is lifted for outdoors only. They have targeted July 4th weekend for when pre travel test will not be required for those who are vaccinated. Good luck. Hope you got the test situation sorted out. š¬ I hope you enjoy your trip! We are heading to the big island of Hawaii later in the month. Thatās what I read last night. Iāll take the dropping of the post test arrival. |
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by julie5 on May 30, 2021 15:34:55 GMT
This is why we just drove to Florida. So many unknowns right now. Weāre vaccinated and could afford to fly wherever but we donāt want to be at the mercy of companies (airlines, etc) and others. Iām sorry your vacay was crazy to plan.
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Post by 950nancy on May 30, 2021 16:17:31 GMT
We went to the Florida Keys this month. There was more hassle this trip than others to plan. In the end, it was a great vacation and everyone in the airport and on the plane were really well behaved. The pilots both talked about expectations for the flight on the runway and in the air and everyone seemed generally excited to just be getting to where they wanted to go. We stayed in a condo so we didn't see a lot of people like we usually do at an all inclusive. The day trips were about half occupancy and social distancing was still used in almost every situation. We were all fully vaccinated and that made me feel better. Right before we left, my neighbor told me there probably wouldn't be gas or a car to rent. Thankfully he was wrong,
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Post by littlemama on May 30, 2021 17:07:32 GMT
We were set to go to Jamaica in May 2020 for a wedding. It was postponed til May of this year, but at the time we would have had to re-book, i had just lost my job amd none of us were vaccinated. So, the wedding went on without us.
We are currently planning a big trip for October 2022 to St Lucia. Hopefully things will be easier by then
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Post by beaglemom on May 30, 2021 18:33:10 GMT
We're on Oahu right now. We tested before we came, we did it with the company affiliated with the airline. I haven't heard anything about testing being dropped. We are vaccinated but still tested.
If you haven't already, book things asap. Restaurants are booked out months from now, same with luaus, tours, cars, etc.
We are lucky we are staying with friends at a house, so all we had to worry about were flights and car. But the car situation was a headache and it took forever to get it at the airport.
People are pretty good with masks. But there are a lot of people here. We are staying in a nontourist area and our friends have taken us to do things that they normally see no one when doing and it is packed.
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make that inappropriate/canceled/not offered or ?? I want the testing issue solved before I drive out to the airport.
