Year: 2012

Exploring Peepee Falls and Boiling Pots Along Wailuku River (Big Island, Hawaii)

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After leaving my vulnerabilities behind at Rainbow Falls, our adventure to scope out the best waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii continued. Our next stop was Wailuku River Boiling Pots State Park.

120621 Big Island, Hawaii Wailuku River Boiling Pots State Park Sign

Upstream of Rainbow Falls along the Wailuku River lies Peepee Falls and the Boiling Pots. Since the water flows down into various lava holes and tubes, the water tends to have the appearance of boiling. Since it was so rainy on the day of our visit, I presume the high water level maybe prevented viewing the typical “boiling” activity.

120621 Big Island, Hawaii Wailuku River Boiling Pots State Park 1

120621 Big Island, Hawaii Wailuku River Boiling Pots State Park 2

120621 Big Island, Hawaii Wailuku River Boiling Pots State Park 3

Contrasted to Rainbow Falls, there was no one at the Boiling Pots location. It was a wonderful moment to take in the scenery. Unfortunately, there also was not a lot to see at this location. Total time spent was maybe 15 minutes, most of which was allowing the boys to stretch their legs

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Up to 50% Savings on Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Redemption of Points

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Update: We had a problem with our caches not showing us the latest offers with the AMEX SPG cards. Everything is correct now, and the post has been revised accordingly.

The Starwood Preferred Guest program is currently offering up to 50% off reward nights at 20 select properties around the world.

The process is relatively simple. Redeem Starpoints to book your Free Night Award stays between October 21 and December 20, 2012. After your stay, 30%, 40% or 50% of the Starpoints from your redemption will be placed back into your account. Registration closes November 30, 2012.

The following properties are taking part in the promotion.

50% savings:
• The St. Regis Aspen Resort, Colorado, USA
• The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico, USA
• The St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
• The St. Regis Monarch Beach, Dana Point, California, USA
• The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
• W South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
• The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, USA

40% savings:
• W Retreat & Spa — Vieques, Puerto Rico, USA
• The Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain, Ontario, Canada
• The Westin St. John Resort & Villas, Virgin Islands, USA
• The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage, California, USA
• The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, Cayman Islands
• The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba
• Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort & Casino, Bahamas

30% savings:
• Sheraton Steamboat Resort, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA
• Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, Chandler, Arizona, USA
• The St. Regis Deer Valley, Park City, Utah, USA
• The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
• The Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Texas, USA
• The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, Georgia, USA
• The Westin Whistler Resort & Spa, British Columbia, Canada

The downside is you need to have enough points in your account to make the reservation. The good news is getting 25,000 Starpoints is easy with the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest personal and business credit cards.

Oct 2012 SPG 25000 Personal Offer

Both the personal and business versions of the AMEX SPG card offer 25,000 points (10,000 points after first purchase and 15,000 points after $5,000 spend in 6 months), as well as the annual fee waived the first year.

Think you will be able to take advantage of this offer?

Do not forget you can also take advantage of the Better by the Night promotion also if staying at other SPG properties.

Here is our review of the many benefits of the SPG American Express Personal and Business cards.

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The Cleveland Aquarium Starts Down the Road of Discounts

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Update: SOLD OUT!

Tired of the high price to visit the Greater Cleveland Aquarium (GCA) and you can leave the kids at home for a night? Then now may be the perfect chance to take advantage of the rarest species among aquatic animals, the GCA discount. This is assuming that you do not mind your house getting egged for not passing out Halloween candy.

The GCA has been fraught with bad publicity regarding its pricing versus what you get for the money. Most families have a difficult time justifying spending over $75 for a family of four to visit the aquarium that takes only around an hour to visit.

Cleveland Aquarium Oct 2012 Groupon

I hear this is about how clear the water is in the exhibits too.

Since the aquarium’s opening in early 2012, I had high hopes of the marketing people putting together some great promotions to offer families discounts to visit. I even put together the start of a Greater Cleveland Aquarium discount list to keep track of everything, yet the aquarium failed me. The GCA initial discount affiliated with Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt shortly after opening was great, but the “bucks” literally stopped there.

Since the GCA has done a terrific job of baiting their customers with high prices and low expectations, they decided to step it up once more by creating an interesting Halloween themed party called the Hauntaquarium Bash. The event allows adults to share in a pool of blood among the sharks with live music, Halloween themed decor, and an allowance of ONE (1) drink with paid admission. All that for double the price it normally costs to visit the aquarium. Just throw me in with the chum.

So I had to laugh in my evilest, scary voice that the Greater Cleveland Aquarium has now had to succumb to the Groupon. I like to think they finally are starting to realize their mistakes. For $22, two adults can visit the aquarium for the Hauntaquarium Bash on, of all nights, Halloween. While I understand the concept of having a Halloween party on Halloween, surely someone should have questioned having the event on a Wednesday, but then again I am no marketing major. Obviously, the event has not been selling so well, thus the need to offer a 50% discount at the last minute.

Hopefully this discount is the start of things to come, as the newness effect must be wearing off. Once the Greater Cleveland Aquarium starts to throw their customers more of a bone, maybe then they will embrace the experience.

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