Notes from Marvin Singer, a volunteer with Travelers Aid, and member of GT’s Globility Board.
Aloha! My wife and I just returned from a wonderful trip to Maui. After two years of being homebound and communicating on Zoom, it was really wonderful to get out into the world.
We both have been vaccinated twice and boosted, and at the end of January we ventured out into the world for the first time. This was a trip to New York City, where we treated our granddaughter to seeing five shows in four days. The New York theaters had just opened again, and the actors and theater attendants were excited to be back to work. At the end of one performance, one of the lead actresses urged everyone to take out their cell phones and photograph the cast while they took their final bows. For the most part, theaters were full.
Most impressive was seeing almost everyone in New York wearing masks; this included people on the street as well as in the theaters and restaurants (except while eating!). New York City has a handy app, NYC COVID SAFE. You can download it to your iPhone and then upload pictures of your COVID cards and your photo ID. In New York City, all the restaurants and theaters asked to see our COVID cards and picture ID, and this was a handy way to show them.
We traveled to New York from Washington by Amtrak. Both going to New York and returning to Washington, our car was mostly empty, so there was no problem maintaining a six-foot distance from other travelers.
Our trip to Maui was a contrast in many respects. Most notable, of course, was the weather. Temperatures in New York were mostly below freezing. It was 10 degrees F when we went to breakfast the first morning we were there. By comparison, the temperature in Maui during the day was almost 80 degrees.
If you’re planning a trip to Hawai’i, United Airlines has helpful instructions for registering your COVID vaccinations and photo ID with the state of Hawai’i before you leave. Upon check-in for your Hawai’i flight, you can get a wristband from United indicating you have registered. When you land in Hawai’i, you bypass the Hawai’i Department of Health inspectors. That saves a lot of time. When we were going to the gate to leave Maui, the line of arriving people waiting to be cleared by the health department stretched a long way down the corridor. When we arrived, we just bypassed that line and went directly to baggage claim.
Here is some helpful information if you are planning a trip to Hawai’i:
There is an app for your cell phone called GyPSY. It is available for Maui and also for other islands. It’s extremely clever and helps you find your way around the island as well as suggesting places for sightseeing. It works with GPS and will sense where you are and suggest places to stop and look, or visit. It also gives information about the culture and history of Hawai’i.
We used the app on previous trips there and found it informative. We used it this time to guide us to Haleakala National Park. It gave road directions as we drove. The last time we were in Maui ,we tried to see the sunrise from the top of the mountain. Well, that was a complete bust. It was raining with high winds and fog, and after driving to the summit we saw nothing but the inside of the small hut.
This time we drove to see the sunset. We stopped at the ranger station at about 9,000 feet — just below the 10,000-foot summit. The ranger had suggested not going to the very top because there are observatory buildings that block the view to the west. The weather was a bit cloudy and foggy — but at Mt. Haleakala the weather can change fast. And it did. Just before sunset the clouds and fog cleared. The sky was deep blue and the sunset was spectacular. And speaking of the weather, if you visit the summit or the ranger station just below, be prepared for a sharp temperature drop. The temperature at the base when we were there was about 70 degrees. At the top of the mountain it was in the low 40s. My down jacket was very handy.
I would suggest going to see the sunset rather than getting up at an ungodly hour to chance the sunrise. Note that you need to make reservations to enter the park to see the sunrise.
One additional piece of advice:
The restaurants and hotels in Hawai’i will ask to see your COVID card and photo ID. The New York City app referenced above was handy for that purpose. I recommend putting it on your phone!
Aloha for now.
— Marvin Singer, Globility Board member
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Nov 4, 2024Have an Autumn Wine Soiree The SLO Way in San Luis Obispo
Yes, it’s harvest time — and that means great fall wine festivals, including the third annual Autumn Soirée The SLO Way Nov. 9 on California’s Central Coast. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Garden Courtyard at luxury boutique Hotel San Luis Obispo, recognized as a MICHELIN Guide One Key property.
Sponsored Content
Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever
Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.
Daily
Nov 4, 20247 Hotel Restaurants Worth the Travel
Book a reservation at one of these hotel restaurants around the country, providing excellent dining experiences you won’t soon forget.
Slideshow
Nov 4, 20247 Reasons to Put Strasbourg, France, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Strasbourg, France, with us.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Pristine Beauty of the Sporades Islands
Nestled in the northwest Aegean Sea, the Sporades Islands are a hidden gem of Greece, offering breathtaking natural beauty and unique experiences for every traveler. Comprised of four main islands — Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros — this island cluster is renowned for its lush pine forests, crystal-clear waters and idyllic beaches.
Daily
Nov 4, 20248 Must-Have (and Must-Pack) Perfumes for 2025
Still on the search for your next favorite perfume? Whether traveling, heading out to a fancy dinner or simply spending the day at home, finding the scent that works for you and lasts for hours is essential. These are our eight perfume recommendations for 2025:
Embark on Chile’s Lakes & Volcanoes Route
Daily
Nov 1, 2024Discover the Pristine Beauty of the Sporades Islands
Sponsored Content
Make The Londoner Hotel Your West End Base
Daily
Oct 31, 2024Daily
Oct 31, 2024Ananda in the Himalayas Unveils New Deluxe Suites, Renovations
The Ananda in the Himalayas, a wellness retreat, recently debuted new additions to its luxury accommodations and a series of stylish renovations to its premier suites.
Sponsored Content
Remarkable Medellín
Visiting Medellín in Colombia: The Country of Beauty is like stepping into a fantastic story — literally, as the city in the Western Colombian Andes region inspired Disney’s Encanto. Here, valleys, the world’s tallest palms, vibrant communities, colorful houses, garden-like balconies and more prove reality is more picturesque than anything on film. And it’s especially more tempting following Medellín’s remarkable transformation, shedding its troubled past and reawakening as a city of innovation, art, cultural richness, modern infrastructure, thriving tourism and resiliency.
Daily
Oct 31, 2024Denver International Airport Completes Concourse Expansion
The expansion and renovation of Concourse A-East Ground Load at Denver International Airport was recently completed as the final phase of a $2.5 billion program to accommodate passenger growth as DEN is currently the third-busiest U.S. airport. The renovation was led by WSP.
ShareThis