Mahalo and Aloha
Two weeks in Hawaii is simply not long enough to see all our 50th state has to offer, but we gave it a whirl. In June and July, Alexander and I, along with my sister and brother-in-law, made it to Maui, Hawaii (aka: Big Island), Kauai, and Oahu.
The first week was spent aboard the Pride of America, enabling us to tour Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai. The second week was spent in a timeshare-exchange condo on Waikiki Beach. The near-perfect weather enhanced our experience but the pictures do not do justice to the beauty of Hawaii. Here are some of my favorites... with captions above each picture.
The breathtaking view from the Mt. Haleakala, Maui, visitors center (elevation 9,740 ft.):
The amazing Banyan tree in downtown Lahaina, Maui:
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens , Hilo, are exquisite...
...and provide a tropical tapestry of colors and textures that delight the senses:
These gekos are well-camouflaged in this lush rainforest:
The botanical specimens are diverse and well-labeled:
This "white bat plant" reminds me of an alien:
Plan at least two hours at the gardens that are located on Onomea Bay:
Next day... a visit to Umauma Falls...
... and in the afternoon, a visit Akaka Falls State Park:
An orchid farm on the Big Island:
At our last port of call, in Kauai, we rented a car and made it to the Fern Grotto. It was disappointing that visitors are no longer allowed into the grotto, but it is still a serene and popular setting for weddings:
Having the car gave us lots of flexibility. We even made it to Walmart where they have the best prices for souvenirs, coffee, and macadamia nuts.
From our stateroom we had an excellent view of the Naapali coastline as our ship sailed away from Kauai enroute to Oahu:
Although I'd previously been to Maui and Kauai, I was not expecting to like Oahu as much as I did. We will definitely go back and spend more time in this lovely city.
Wailkiki Beach is delightful... by day...
... and at sunset:
I loved our sunset walks, watching locals and tourists alike frolicking in the sea:
Fourth of July on Waikiki provided a spectacular free show:
For our week in Oahu, we got a great deal through Hotwire for a comfortable rental car. We had the luxury of planning our days according to our whims and our condo, located about two blocks from Waikiki Beach provided free parking. We sure packed a lot into our week on Oahu!
Pearl Harbor:
The USS Arizona Memorial:
Polynesian Cultural Center:
The view from the top of Diamond Head was superb...
...so the rather strenuous climb was worth it:
Our friend Richard insisted we try malasadas from Leonard's Bakery and they are incredibly delicious!
There was so much more... our evening coffee at the Halekulani Hotel , the Dole Plantation, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Hanauma Bay Marine Preserve to name a few. I can't wait to go back!
Aloha!
~ Lisa
The first week was spent aboard the Pride of America, enabling us to tour Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai. The second week was spent in a timeshare-exchange condo on Waikiki Beach. The near-perfect weather enhanced our experience but the pictures do not do justice to the beauty of Hawaii. Here are some of my favorites... with captions above each picture.
The breathtaking view from the Mt. Haleakala, Maui, visitors center (elevation 9,740 ft.):
The amazing Banyan tree in downtown Lahaina, Maui:
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens , Hilo, are exquisite...
...and provide a tropical tapestry of colors and textures that delight the senses:
These gekos are well-camouflaged in this lush rainforest:
The botanical specimens are diverse and well-labeled:
This "white bat plant" reminds me of an alien:
Plan at least two hours at the gardens that are located on Onomea Bay:
Next day... a visit to Umauma Falls...
... and in the afternoon, a visit Akaka Falls State Park:
An orchid farm on the Big Island:
At our last port of call, in Kauai, we rented a car and made it to the Fern Grotto. It was disappointing that visitors are no longer allowed into the grotto, but it is still a serene and popular setting for weddings:
Having the car gave us lots of flexibility. We even made it to Walmart where they have the best prices for souvenirs, coffee, and macadamia nuts.
From our stateroom we had an excellent view of the Naapali coastline as our ship sailed away from Kauai enroute to Oahu:
Although I'd previously been to Maui and Kauai, I was not expecting to like Oahu as much as I did. We will definitely go back and spend more time in this lovely city.
Wailkiki Beach is delightful... by day...
... and at sunset:
I loved our sunset walks, watching locals and tourists alike frolicking in the sea:
Fourth of July on Waikiki provided a spectacular free show:
For our week in Oahu, we got a great deal through Hotwire for a comfortable rental car. We had the luxury of planning our days according to our whims and our condo, located about two blocks from Waikiki Beach provided free parking. We sure packed a lot into our week on Oahu!
Pearl Harbor:
The USS Arizona Memorial:
Polynesian Cultural Center:
The view from the top of Diamond Head was superb...
...so the rather strenuous climb was worth it:
Our friend Richard insisted we try malasadas from Leonard's Bakery and they are incredibly delicious!
There was so much more... our evening coffee at the Halekulani Hotel , the Dole Plantation, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Hanauma Bay Marine Preserve to name a few. I can't wait to go back!
~ Lisa
Beautiful pictures, but where are the chickens from Kaui? I wish I had one of the cream filled malasadas to have with my coffee as I enjoy your post.
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Aloha tia and tio, I've been keeping up with your site but had yet to subscribe. Love, the pictures, but you didn't give credit to the photographer!!
Hawaii has always been low on my list of places to visit, but after seeing the pics, it's moving up a bit!
Pictures of food are also enticing...the malasadas look like those beignets(sp?) you pick up in New Orleans, yum.
Thanks for sharing...Anna
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