Honolulu, Hawaii

Tips On Making New Friends

We have been on a single parent travel in Honolulu for a week. We received an invitation to stay with a family over there. This is the first time I have stayed with strangers and I am a bit nervous. We consulted with several luxury travel experts who advised that travel is enriched when you introduce new experiences apart from hotels and resorts and a good way to start making new friends.

There are several online sites where you can choose to stay with hosts. Couch-surfing, AirBnB, Woofing and other ones depending on the country. Some are more exclusive whilst others are more earthy so do select one that is right for your family.

Meeting our host

Our host collected us from where we were staying in Manoa and we head out on a family travel adventure with them as we go for lunch and then to Waikiki.

Do activities together

First stop is the free military museum and the boys get along well as they have a son a little younger than me.  Their son is 4 and mine is 7 and it is nice to see they are both making new friends.

Kids having fun

We head to the pool, and then later her husband joins us. We go for a walk along the beach and streets of Waikiki and get a local’s advice on the good places we should visit.

I love the shopping trip we make at night. The night is so lovely.

It’s nice to see the kids running around and enjoying each other’s company.

Our boys are so relaxed, they start to dance to the music!  As adults, we also feel we are making new friends which is lovely too.

New ‘brother’

It is cute to see my son acting like a bit of a big brother!

Checking out the fireworks

We head to the beach to see the fireworks.  It is a great day so far!  I believe they are on each Thursday night but do check this.

The kids play on the beach whilst they wait.

We have a great night at their place and settle in well.

Time away from your host – give them space

Next day we are able to use the pool at the place they live. My son plays with a cute Hawaiian boy in the pool and again is making new friends. It was the most relaxing day I have had on the trip so far.

 

The water was warm, and I spent a heap of time with my son doing tricks in the pool.

 

Give the kids relaxation time

That night I am pleased to hear him read well to his friend.

Try new things

The next day they take me to a place I can learn to Paddle-board. It is trickier than it looks – but I don’t fall off!

Doing silly things is a great way to laugh when making new friends.

Our weekend ends with the boys having time together. They enjoy a movie and eat some pizza that night.

Parents and kids time separately

The ladies head out for a wine-tasting and “pupu” (which is platters of finger food) – It is very yummy. My host mimics my accent well and we have a great time!  I’m definitely making new friends and I love it!

We will meet again in a week when we are back from Kauai. I think we have made a great new friendship. So far I can recommend this to anyone who has never tried it. I will definitely be doing it in the next 2 weeks elsewhere.

Questions and Comments

• Do you often make friends on trips?
• Do you eep intouch after trips/
• Share your friend making tips.