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THIS is the life. We're a Pacific Northwest family, and we spend time in Hawaii and Mexico several times a year. People keep asking how we pull that off, so this blog is the answer.

How we travel

We've owned at The Bay Club in Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii for years, and we still have our two-bedroom unit there. The Bay Club is now managed by Hilton Grand Vacations, and we hold Hilton Grand Vacations Club points too, which tie into Hilton Honors and our Hilton credit card. In Mexico, we stay with The Villa Group's resorts. Put together, that's how a regular family from the rain gets to the beach this often.

And we dive. The Kona and Kohala coasts are some of our favorite water anywhere, and our youngest daughter caught the bug on the Big Island too.

What you'll find here

  • Hawaii and Mexico: the resorts we know, the areas around them, and what's worth your time.
  • Points and timeshares: how ownership, club points, and hotel points work together in practice, from people who use them.
  • Diving and snorkeling: where to go, and how to plan dives around the rest of a trip.
  • Trip planning: the timing, the rules, and the things most visitors don't know until they're there.

How we write

Everything here comes from our own trips, and facts are checked against official sources (NOAA, Divers Alert Network, the National Park Service, resort, airline, and tourism sites). Prices, programs, and rules change, so we date them. Health and safety posts are general travel information, not medical advice, and posts about points, timeshares, or credit cards share our experience, not financial advice. We're owners and members, not employees or representatives of Hilton, Hilton Grand Vacations, or The Villa Group.

Who we are

Kickenback Travel is written by our family and published by PNWTechnology (Pacific Northwest Technology LLC).

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Returning from a GREAT SCUBA Dive Week. Started off a bit rough with a Tropic Storm blowing through the first three days.  Once the storm cleared and we could get out on the water, it was some of the BEST diving.  Getting in was easy!  One giant stride.  Getting OUT was crazy.  The boat was pitching with each passing wave.  It was a matter of timing, jumping onto the boat ladder with full gear and hanging on! A few short steps up to the swim step and WHEW! another great dive... Underwater photos courtesy of Melinda Riger, Grand Bahama, 2012.
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