Travel Update 7/11

Mahalo to Coach Carl for the tip on the Outrigger Royal Sea Cliff condo in Kona. He found out they're doing a low rate of $115 per night. I made calls immediately (we were still at the basketball court) and later got us two rooms there online. The reservation at the Castle Kona Bali Kai has been cancelled.

Coach Carl said he's been to the Sea Cliff and it's nice, especially the outdoor gas grill. As far as price, the Sea Cliff tacks on a cleaning fee of $115 per unit, and even though that sounds crazy, we still save more than $400 by switching places.

Bali Kai, two 2-bdrm units plus tax and cleaning fee: $1,726
Sea Cliff, two 2-bdrm units plus tax and cleaning fee: 1,274

We save precisely $452. That's 45 less cars to wash at the Car Wash. Or 452 more burgers we can eat off the dollar menu at McDonald's. Or enough steak, chicken and sausage to grill for at least a couple of  days.

Current total cost of the trip is $4,709 including air fare, mini-vans, tournament fee (WYBT). Players will bring their own food money.

Two Bedroom Ocean View 

• Dimension: 1100-1300 square feet/102-121 square meters
• Rooms: 1 king bed and 1 queen bed and 1 sofa bed or 1 queen bed and 2 twin beds and 1 sofa bed
• Maximum 6 persons

See more photos here.