Travel Destination: Hawaii

Where else but the most well known tropical holiday destination!

Main island: Oahu

(Only) Biggest city: Honolulu

I feel like one should always know some history about a country before traveling there. Not only will you be able to connect modern attributes to the countries past, it will deepen your experience and understanding of the place .

Seasons: Summer & Winter.

Summer (May to October) = Calm waters, hot temperatures, humidity etc.

Winter (November to April = Big swells (amazing surf across the islands) and similar temperatures to summer.

Hawaiian culture is not only intriging but significal to local hawaiians (You'll see what I mean - locals are proud of their country and culture, and say/do the wrong thing and you might end up in an uncomfortable situation).

SO,

The archipelago of Hawaii lies off the west coast of the U.S almost in the middle of the ocean. Although Hawaiians are classified as polynesians, the islands are completely exculded from the other pacific islands, making it unique in it's own sense. The closest surrounding pacific islands are Kiribati, and the islands of French Polynesia whom of which were supposably the first decendants of Hawaii some 1,500 years ago.

Anyway, Hawaiin history is extensive, rich and goes back centuries but to cut a long story short;

- Captain Cook arrived in the late 1700's, named the islands "Sandwich Islands", then was eventually killed by a Hawaiin monarch Kalaniʻōpuʻu.

- King Kamehamea then went on to unify the hawaiin islands into a royal union but after shortly his death his son terminated the system.

- In the 1800's American missionaries and colonists arrived taking control (in a peaceful yet controversial way), also making hawaii a port for whalers, fishermen etc.

- 1898 - Became U.S territory.

- The 1900's brought income; Pineapple and Sugarcane feilds which consequently attracted Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino imigrants (which definitely shows in the hawaiin culture now days).

- Yes, Hawaii was once the worlds largest exporter of pineapple - There is an extremely popular tourist attraction called the Dole Plantation!

- The islands became the 50th state "The Aloha State" in 1959

(In all honesty, I did not know the exact dates or details of these events when I visted hawaii..)

Enough history! Let me show you some of the modern beauties of the main island, Oahu.

A personal favourite;

1. Waimea Bay.

A relaxing calm beach for sunbathers, swimmers and rock jumpers by summer, and an extreme sports ground by winter. Situated on the North Shore of Oahu, literally next to the main road you'll find Waimea Bay tucked away. The golden sandy beaches straight from your dreams, surrounded by a few palm trees. During summer the rock at the left end of the bay is a hit; with hundreds of people a day jumping off into the incoming rolling swells. Although there's no snorkeling here, the beach and pristine waters are just as satisfying.

2. Lanikai

Lanikai is one of those beaches that you'll have seem all over the internet, and is sought after by many tourists. It's situated on the west side of Oahu and west of Honolulu. Again pristine beaches, waters.

Beautifull scenery and exlusive. There is snorkeling around here!

3. Waikiki (for the less adventurous)

Waikiki is the most accessable part of Hawaii/Oahu for tourists. It's close to the airport, in the city, and there are only hotels and american shops as far as the eye can see.

Basically, Waikiki is made by americans for americans, and other blind tourists.

Of course, you do have everything you need right there;

- Beautiful golden sandy beaches lined with palm trees and sun chairs

- Reef: Snorkeling and Surfing

- Crystal blue waters

- Hotel after hotel

- ABC convinience stores on every corner

- American fast food

- Restaurants and Cafes

- Amazing shopping

- Surf Instructors

- Public Transport

etc.

The beach in Waikiki is beyond compare to the pacific. Absolutely packed! Hotels push their boundaries to the limits, extending their restaurants, pools and gardens over the beaches.

Waikiki wasn't my idea getaway.

But I definitely enjoyed the city/beach mix - the proximity of my hotel, the beach, and the city that almost doesn't sleep!

(AND THE SHOPPING WAS AMAZING)

So, I'm not trying to put you OFF Waikiki, but if you only stay in Waikiki, you're doing it WRONG. Explore the tropical wonderland!