{"id":1496,"date":"2018-01-15T19:53:13","date_gmt":"2018-01-15T19:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.musictravel.com\/blog\/?p=1496"},"modified":"2018-06-27T12:33:27","modified_gmt":"2018-06-27T12:33:27","slug":"featured-destination-hawaii-band-trip-with-valley-christian-conservatory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.musictravel.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/15\/featured-destination-hawaii-band-trip-with-valley-christian-conservatory\/","title":{"rendered":"Featured Destination: Hawaii Band Trip with Valley Christian Conservatory"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever dreamed about a trip to the Pacific islands?\u00a0 Join Valley Christian Conservatory band on its journey to Hawaii!\u00a0 The Islands of Aloha are home to nature’s riches:\u00a0 snow-white sand beaches, breath-taking mountain views, volcanos, picture-perfect tropical rain-forests, sparkling waters filled with vibrant sea life and playful dolphins. These travelers enjoyed it all, including performances in the Pan Pacific Parade and at Pearl Harbor!<\/h4>\n

With a Music Travel\u00a0Tour Director at its side, the band flew from San Jose International Airport directly to Honolulu. Arriving in just five hours, the group checked-in to their rooms, enjoyed a pizza dinner and briefing by local guides, covering rules, shopping and safety, and fell into bed for a good night’s rest.<\/p>\n

Breakfast in paradise at Shorebird Restaurant greeted the group first thing on day two, followed by a snorkeling adventure departing from Waikiki Beach with Barefoot Beach Catamarans. After setting anchor just off Diamond Head, students and adults received fins and snorkel masks with which to explore the warm, crystal-clear waters. Up close views of sea turtles and brightly colored Hawaiian fish enchanted everyone! Returning to Waikiki Beach, shopping, snoozing and surfing made the afternoon fly by. Just prior to sunset, the group had a chance to get\u00a0Wiki Wacky in Waikiki<\/em>. Teams of chaperones and students got a treasure map, a clue sheet, and dinner money.\u00a0 Then they were off to scavenge Waikiki, learning about its history and culture in the bargain.<\/p>\n

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“Take the picture so we can get wet!” – Valley Christian ready for time on the water. at Waikiki Beach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Valley Christian Conservatory travelers search for Dory near Diamond Head.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Day Three offered a chance to get away from the city and take an Eastern Shores Island Tour. Valley Christian was off to see the beauty of the Oahu. Beginning near Diamond Head, Hawaii’s most famous landmark, the group continued to the Beverly Hills of Hawaii, then to the Blowhole (where water can spout hundreds of feet in the air), and on to the spectacular view at Pali Lookout.\u00a0 Next up, Kualoa Ranch, for a Hawaiian Beach Bash at Secret Island. This three-hour experience included a private beach, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, a glass-bottomed boat ride and lounging in a hammock under a swaying palm tree. Returning to the hotel at the end of the afternoon, the band freshened-up for its Star of Honolulu Dinner Cruise, with great food, a live show, and beautiful ocean views. What a way to end the day!<\/p>\n

In the morning, Valley Christian had breakfast at Giovanni Pastrami Restaurant before driving to Pearl Harbor. At the USS Arizona Memorial, the group learned the history of \u201cThe Day of Infamy,\u201d December 7, 1941. After visiting the USS Arizona Memorial, Valley Christian drove to the “Mighty Mo” – the famous battleship, USS Missouri, to explore this historic vessel on a self-guided walking tour.\u00a0After lunch under large Chinese Banyan trees, with a spectacular view of one of the country\u2019s finest harbors, it was back to the USS Missouri for a safety briefing and group photo before the Valley Christian Conservatory Band’s concert, dockside!<\/p>\n

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Valley Christian Conservatory in action with their Mighty Mo Performance!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Valley Christian Conservatory prepping for its official group photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Departing Pearl Harbor after loading instruments aboard its buses, Valley Christian drove on for a city tour of Honolulu, going\u00a0first to the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl Crater), The Hawaii State Capitol,\u00a0 Iolani Palace and the famous King Kamehameha Statue, always decorated with floral leis.<\/p>\n

Back at the hotel, the band freshened-up for dinner at a Ho\u2019olaule\u2019a.\u00a0 In Hawaiian, the word Ho\u2018olaule\u2018a means “gathering together for a celebration.” That night, Valley Christian enjoyed an evening at the Pan Pacific Matsuri Festival\u2019s Ho\u2019olaule\u2019a, featuring multiple stages offering cultural performances such as Japanese Taiko drums, Korean dance, Hawaiian music, hula, and, of course, delicious food booths offering ethnic cuisine and local fare.<\/p>\n

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Valley Christian Conservatory’s entertaining evening at the Pan Pacific Festival’s Ho\u2019olaule\u2019a!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was now the fifth full day, and time to relax, Hawaiian style! Everyone had the chance to enjoy their own adventures:\u00a0 sailing, surfing, parasailing, rainforest hiking or hula lessons!\u00a0 That evening, the band went to an Authentic Hawaiian Luau where students showed-off their (slightly slow) dancing skills, enjoyed traditional Hawaiian music, entertainment, and gracious island hospitality.<\/p>\n

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Valley Christian Conservatory students enjoyed kayaking and paddle boarding together.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After another delicious breakfast at Giovanni Pastrami, the group took an exhilarating hike up the 99 stairs to the top of Diamond Head for perfect 360-degree views over Waikiki, its beaches, and the ocean.\u00a0 Afterwards, the band enjoyed some downtime before preparing for its performance in the Annual Pan Pacific Parade!<\/p>\n

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Valley Christian Conservatory hiked Diamond Head!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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After gaining an appreciation of the Japanese Culture that is so much a part of Hawaii, Valley Christian joined groups and bands from Japan and other Pacific Basin Countries to march down Kalakaua Avenue in the Annual Pan Pacific Parade! Beginning at Fort DeRussy and finishing at Kapi’olani Park, thousands of on-lookers enjoy the bands and the vibrant performers and shimmering dancers from around the Pacific world.\u00a0 \u00a0Valley Christian put on a spectacular performance, a perfect ending to a truly wonderful trip!<\/p>\n

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Valley Christian Conservatory marches down the street in the Annual Pan Pacific Parade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Through the heart of Waikiki, Valley Christian entertained the late afternoon parade crowds!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the seventh day, the band boarded its flight to California, cherishing its experiences and its extraordinary opportunities for personal growth.\u00a0 Troy Gunter, the band’s director, summed it up beautifully:<\/p>\n

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“Valley Christian\u2019s experience teaming with Music Travel Consultants has been nothing short of spectacular. MTC has proven to be an invaluable partner in the planning and execution of our educational travel experiences. Their staff is incredibly knowledgeable and are dedicated to providing the absolute best customer service each step of the way. Quite simply\u2026they get it!”<\/p>\n