The beaches, the food, the people. What more can you ask for?
Since we left the good ‘ole U.S. of A. eight months ago, we’ve had the joy of visiting many countries and fell in love with some great cities – Queenstown, Shanghai and Kyoto to name a few.
We’re currently spending some quality time with friends in Honolulu, Hawaii. We’ve only been here for a week, but it has quickly become one of our favorite cities, especially after dancing at a luau. Here is the short list of a few good reasons why we love Honolulu:
Waikiki Beach
As touristy as Waikiki beach is, it is undeniably beautiful with boat sailing, kids snorkeling and people learning how to surf – there is something here for everybody.
I enjoy sunbathing with my Kindle in hand on the soft sandy shores of Waikiki beach and Gerard prefers a day practicing standup paddle boarding.
Food
Spam musubi from Iyasame, azuki bean shaved ice from Waiola and fresh ahi poke from Foodland supermarket … the list goes on and on and on.
How could you NOT fall in love with the food in Hawaii? You just can’t get food this fresh, this good, this unique anywhere else.
The Aloha Spirit
Above all, beyond the beautiful beaches and one-of-a-kind eats, what makes Honolulu a city we love, is the Aloha spirit – a simple gesture of friendship and understanding between cultures.
I appreciate the pace, the “shaka” or “hang loose” way of life. It’s never rushed, nor frantic. I adore the people and their welcoming “Aloha” and genuine smiles. It’s neither fake, nor jaded.
Honolulu lets you easily escape to the other beautiful parts of Oahu that are no more than an hour away. You’ll feel like you’re in another world, another country. But the beauty of it all is that it’s still is a part of the good ‘ole U.S. of A. Thank goodness it’s just a short plane ride away from California.
What do you love about Hawaii?
This is our submission for the “3 Things in the City” I Love contest by Velvet Escape, Traveldudes, and Wimdu.co.uk.
have never been and always had the impression that it was overdevelopped. is it not?
Waikiki area, yes, but for some reason, it’s fitting. The island itself, if you venture up North, is paradise. 🙂
have never been and always had the impression that it was overdevelopped. is it not?
Waikiki area, yes, but for some reason, it’s fitting. The island itself, if you venture up North, is paradise. 🙂
Goodness, Q, you’ve gotten really tan! Food and the Aloha spirit – I can agree with that. Waikiki not so much but that’s because us locals prefer to stay out of that tourist trap. I hope you have a chance to immerse yourself in some real Hawaiian culture, not the touristy stuff they put on at the big luaus. Get out of Waikiki and go visit a lo’i (taro patch), hike to a heiau or swim in a ocean fishpond.
Haha, that was from one day on the beach. So dark.. :T It’s a good thing we’re staying with locals, plenty of time for non-touristy and looking forward to it. 😀
Goodness, Q, you’ve gotten really tan! Food and the Aloha spirit – I can agree with that. Waikiki not so much but that’s because us locals prefer to stay out of that tourist trap. I hope you have a chance to immerse yourself in some real Hawaiian culture, not the touristy stuff they put on at the big luaus. Get out of Waikiki and go visit a lo’i (taro patch), hike to a heiau or swim in a ocean fishpond.
Haha, that was from one day on the beach. So dark.. :T It’s a good thing we’re staying with locals, plenty of time for non-touristy and looking forward to it. 😀
I have only been to Maui but I LOVED it. I can’t wait to see the other islands.
I really want to visit the other islands of Hawaii too.. next time for sure.
I have only been to Maui but I LOVED it. I can’t wait to see the other islands.
I really want to visit the other islands of Hawaii too.. next time for sure.
That last guy makes me chuckle! What a guy.
Handsome, yea?! Hehehe
That last guy makes me chuckle! What a guy.
Handsome, yea?! Hehehe
All excellent reasons. A container of fresh poke, a plate lunch, a few SPAM musubis and a Waiola shave ice and I’m a very happy!
That’s been my daily diet. So good! 😉
All excellent reasons. A container of fresh poke, a plate lunch, a few SPAM musubis and a Waiola shave ice and I’m a very happy!
That’s been my daily diet. So good! 😉
I am so jealous! Hawai is definitely on my bucket list as when I was a child, there was a famous song about Waikiki beach in Slovakia 😀
Really?! What song? Hope you get out here soon. It really is paradise.
I am so jealous! Hawai is definitely on my bucket list as when I was a child, there was a famous song about Waikiki beach in Slovakia 😀
Really?! What song? Hope you get out here soon. It really is paradise.
Love your photos! Great blog! I just came back from Maui last week.
Had great trip over there.
Just wondering what are you doing for living while traveling a year after?
We were both marketing professionals saving up for this big trip. Once this is all over, we’re likely to go back to finding full-time jobs. But we’ll have to see!
Love your photos! Great blog! I just came back from Maui last week.
Had great trip over there.
Just wondering what are you doing for living while traveling a year after?
We were both marketing professionals saving up for this big trip. Once this is all over, we’re likely to go back to finding full-time jobs. But we’ll have to see!