Winter is Coming to the East Coast
The nights are comfortable for sleeping with the windows open, yet dawn shows the temperature to be in the low forties. I wish for an automated system that shuts the windows when the thermometer hits 45. Loving Hawaii, I dream of sunsets, fresh fruits, and soft sandy beaches.
Husband, in his wisdom, scheduled a trip to Oahu and Kauai, Hawaii. In looking forward to that, I’m looking back to two previous trips.
Loving Hawaii and Her Island Treasures
Waikiki Beach
If you love hustle and bustle, shopping, and get your energy from being around people, stay in the Waikiki Beach area. The sidewalks and streets are crowded, but step off toward the beach, pay tribute to the Duke Kahanamoku Statue and look over at Diamond Head in the distance.
There’s no better sunset view than to plop down in the sand and quietly watch the orb drop into the wide Pacific.
Car Rental
When renting a car at Honolulu airport and landing at rush hour, keep in mind that traffic there is like traffic in Pittsburgh–congested and slow– although they have more lanes! Native-dwelling drivers are infinitely more polite than visitors. Try to adopt their calm attitude and enjoy cruising the wide lanes.
Hotel
We like things a little quieter. Staying on the west side of Oahu provides that. The Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club is one of my favorite resort stays. I hesitate to tell people about this perfect room in case we try to rent it at the same time.
Waikiki is a busy beach area in a busy city with the hustle and bustle of any metropolitan town. Look within the place and see the obvious and not so obvious. Celebrate the gorgeous orange sunsets and clap with the other viewers when it makes its final plunge into the ocean.
Sit on your 23rd-floor balcony at 6:30 in the morning and hear chanting, only to look down and realize the USMC has a group running drills back and forth in sand and water, in circles, in unison–get a little teary eyed with patriotism.
Watch an elderly man do wide-armed push-ups in the sand, single-footed, and then gently make his way into the water.
See an outfit walking down the street and realize you’d just seen it in a shop window. Stroll through the iconic Royal Hawaiian and know you want to stay there some day to delight in the history of it.
Mostly, allow yourself to be swept away by the joy that seems to emanate from so many as they breathe in the ocean air and slow down from their otherwise busy lives.
History
Oahu is American history and Hawaiian history and human history. Loving history, we toured the museum at Pearl Harbor, The Arizona Memorial, The Bowfin Submarine and The Mighty Missouri Battleship. We’ll be repeating these on the next trip, so check back for an in-depth blog about them.
For a lighter tour, we went to the Dole Plantation and took their Pineapple Express train tour. It’s delightful–did you know it takes years to get a pineapple plant to bear fruit? So much for Alex trying to grow one at home!
Another great tour: The Iolani Palace. Don’t miss it.
Loving Hawaii IS Hiking
If volcanoes and lava-field hiking are to your liking, then the Big Island it is. Be prepared for a soothing rollercoaster ride as you go from the tropics of Hilo to the aridness of Kilauea Volcano and the western side of the island.
Snap photos of iconic sunsets, clear blue water breaking against smooth sand or craggy rocks.
Look for the hidden—a flower tucked in rock crevice, red in a field of black lava, and signs you never see at home.
Try as much local food as you can—who knew papaya tasted that good?
Notice the Hawaiian trees. Not just the palms shooting up, but the ones spreading out or the ones with a hundred skinny trunks all melded together.
Don’t forget to visit with people. Talk to the locals outside the tourist areas. People are friendly and want to make your visit great. Ask them for their favorite local restaurant and enjoy unusual fare.
Ah … I feel warmer already.
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Read: Places that soothe us
It looks like your pictures were taken from the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort. I haven’t been there in years and it bought back fond memories.
It was actually the Marriott at Waikiki Beach. The Hilton was nearby. I think all the hotels there are lovely! Glad the blog brought back good memories.
Rose, these photos are amazing. That sunset will be something that you carry with you for the rest of your life. I loved the photo of the Christmas tree – made me realize that Christmas without snow can be beautiful.
Interesting that you’ve been there at three different months – are you planning for the other nine?
I like the way you think, Lenie. Conquer the rest of the islands in the remaining nine months of the year. Okay, I’m in! Ha.
It is blustering like a banshee and snowing here in Pittsburgh at this moment, so I’m going to take a look at this pictures again and pretend we’re there right now–wanna’ come, Lenie? 🙂
Yes–you’re spot on about the Christmas tree!
Beautiful pictures. Hawaii is on my bucket list. I can’t wait until I can see that sunset in person.
With your determination, Jason, I am sure that will happen in your near future!
Some beautiful photos. My favorites are the orange sunsets with the sailboats in silhouette. A
I always know those pictures are typical, Ken, but sigh…they’re so beautiful. I give credit to my husband for catching the boats at just the right moment.
What a beautiful sunset! I need some sun!
Thank you for sharing these breathtaking photographs.
Phoenicia, I keep thinking of how soggy you must be! And my beloved Wales…I hope it all stops and dries up very soon.
Beautiful pictures! Made me very nostalgic. Everyone that I knew there (friends of my mother’s) are now gone. But maybe I’ll make it back there one day. It is so so beautiful….
You will, you will, Jacquie! I know you will!
Beautiful pictures! And I even got them to load!
Bravo, Seester!
Wow! What beautiful pictures! I have never been to Hawaii but would love to go. What is the best time of year to go?
Thanks, Sabrina. I don’t know if there is a best time to go. Maybe Marquita could answer that. We have been there in May, November and December and each time has been–sigh–utterly perfect!
I’ve been to Hawaii several times – 4 different islands. It’s been a long time and I’m thinking it’s time to visit again, thanks to you!
Goody, Beth! I look forward to hearing about your next adventures in Hawaii!
Yes, Andy, The Big Island would be the one.
Those pictures look great. I have to make it to Hawaii.
I’ll bet you add Hawaii to your travel budget, right Jason?
Oh you’re going to have so much fun! My brother has lived in Kailua over 30 years. If you get a chance, take a trip to the other side Waikiki to Kailua beach and have dinner at, “Buzzy’s” you’ll love it. The food and the setting are lovely. Last time my brother he there he ran into Barack Obama in the men’s room! Can you believe it? There’s a Buzzys in Waikiki, but it’s not the same.
Pamela, thanks for Buzzy’s! I love restaurant recommendations, so I’ll write this one down in my trip book!
I love Hawaii but the weather is too hot for me eventhough I came from a tropical country.
Waikiki may be a popular district where I felt I didn’t leave the city. I wish we went to the different islands. I heard Maui was the best. If we go again, I will try to visit the different islands.
Mahal, I love the warmth! Humidity is another thing altogether. Pennsylvania is very humid, Montana is not. I like the dry warmth a lot better. You’re right about Waikiki–it’s a busy, bustling city. As Marquita said, each island is unique. I loved The Big Island for it’s two completely different ecosystems. Fascinating!
What a great post, and I hate you.
The reasons for this hatred is we just got 6 inches of snow. Yes, snow in Upstate NY sometimes comes in October.
I wish I could jump on a plane right now and visit there. It looks so beautiful, and WARM.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Oh boy, William! Get to the airport and escape that early snow! Hawaii beckons!
Rose Mary I really like your presentation of the Hawaii vacation. It does make me want to go there soon. However, I live in South Florida where I wish for days with temps to cool at least to the 70’s. Traffic is insane here and will get worst as more folks come down for winter months. I guess it is in some respect similar to Hawaii.
Thank you, Edward. I still have to get to southern Florida. I hope to make that trek some frigid Pittsburgh February. I can only imagine the crazy traffic and how it grows each winter!
Since I was a child I have dreamed of visiting Hawaii. Perhaps it was the image of glamorous ladies with flowers on their heads and grass skirts!
The photographs definitely do Hawai justice. Such an exotic country.
The weather here on the UK could not be any further away from Hawaii if it tried. Dark clouds and rain!
Thank you for perking up my morning 🙂
It’s well worth the journey, Phoenicia. My Dad was stationed there during the Korean War (He always said it was tough duty–ha ha) and had pictures of the ladies in the grass skirts and also of the thatched huts. We were intrigued as kids–so I hear what you’re saying.
Pennsylvania and the UK have a lot of similar weather, although I think your ocean air probably helps. We’re landlocked!
I love the pictures of Hawaii. I would love to plan a trip there some day soon. Thanks for sharing your tips.
I hope the post helps you decide where to start, Sabrina. So much to see!
Enjoy your trip to Hawaii Rose and I’ll look forward to reading all about it. The photos here are gorgeous and I like the one ‘look for the unexpected’ with the red flower growing in the rock. Lovely and what a pleasant surprise it would have been to find it.
Lenie, you’re right–finding those hidden, unexpected things can add such a great dimension to any trip. Can’t wait to find more!
What a lovely tribute Rose! Each Island has it’s own unique atmosphere and I know you and hubby are going to love Kauai!
Hearing that from Hawaiian Marquita means a lot to me! Can’t wait to experience a new Island and add to the list of beautiful!
Hi Rose, week I sure hope you at the Sole pineapple sorbet or ice cream (not sure how they refer to it) that they serve on the plantation. Yummy! If you didn’t try it last time. Make sure you get it this time around. 🙂
I didn’t have it! What was I thinking, Susan? I love pineapple anything under the (Hawaiian) sun!
Thanks for sharing. The photos are beautiful.
My mother lived in Hawaii for 20 years, so I have spent quite a bit of time there and have been fortunate to visit all of the islands. It is a truly beautiful spot so much beautiful foliage, really friendly people. But, at least on Oahu, the traffic can be as bad as any metro area! Ha!
Truly–Hawaii is amazing beauty. Glad that you got to visit there a lot, Jacquie. Oahu was a shock, but now we know what to expect. Smarter.
I get pretty much the same weather you do, so Hawaii sounds good. I’ve only been to Maui, which is beautiful, not at all congested and includes the volcano at Haleakala National Park which is more fun to look at than it is to spell.
Spelling Hawaiian names is almost as bad as spelling Welsh ones, Ken! It was great to be on the Big Island and that Volcano. Maybe we’ll hit Maui on a future trip. I’m always planning ahead.