The long-awaited day had just arrived; we would travel to Hawaii, the paradise of the pacific... My kids were so excited; it has been on the family bucket list for a while.
If you enjoy the nature and beauty of planet Earth, there is nowhere like Hawaii, each island has it's own magical beauty. This time I chose Honolulu, which is one of the eight main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, and is the capital of Hawaii . . . It was our first time in Hawaii, the trip was scheduled to depart from the city of S. Francisco, we were going to spend a week, so we were ready for the upcomming adventure; the arrival time was at 10:30 am and we had a car to pick up at the airport that we had rented from the city of Miami with the car rental company Interprise; Hawaii is much better if you have a car to move around the island.
We were so excited to finally be there and grateful to God for all the beautiful things that awaited us on the island, so we decided to tour the city center to get to know the surroundings, since that would be the area where we would live the next seven days ; It had been a long trip and it would be better to rest and recover from the beautiful days that awaited us, so we went directly to the rented apartment; A beautiful apartment located on the seventh floor from where you can admire much of the city center, the rental would have been made through the company www.Airbnb.com
Waikiki Beach
Hawaii is known for its beaches, so a famous area as Waikiki could not miss in the itinerary. It is a famous area of beaches where you can walk, relax, go shopping or sunbathe, the area that stretches for two miles (3 km) along the coast of Oahu. Around the area there is always a wide variety of community events that take place in the sand, such as a variety of restaurants, hotels and bars that line the beach and its beautiful lush palm trees. We would spend the day at the beach, if you go by car you can find parking although the area is very busy but with a little patience you will find, we find some public parking lots at the edge of the street, I recommend you arrive early to the area to be easier.
The sunrise is worth it; it is a beautiful beach that transmits a positive energy that will make you feel like in paradise, I recommend that you walk as much as you can on the beach, stay barefoot through all that wet sand and let yourself go. Let yourself be carried away by the sound of the waves without thinking about distance, just walk and enjoy; on your trip you will find unique places, such as where you can observe the turtles or, if you prefer to swim with them, I ask you not to touch them to avoid hurting them, it is a unique sensation to be close to those marine beauties.
Or if you prefer you can take a trip in one of the catamarans that leave from the area, either to snorkel, dive, swim with the dolphins or just to cruise around the island of Oahu. Just walking around the streets of Hawaii between that combination of nature, cultures and that peace that the island transmits, whatever you decide, I assure you will spend a unique time that will leave you unforgettable memories.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
My boys were dying to snorkel and what better place and safer than the famous and well-known Hanauma Bay, a preserved area. The park offers services where they pick you up from the Waikiki area, have different times during the day for only the amount of $25.00, or if you wish you can go in your own car and only pay for the entrance to the park of the amount of $7.50 per person and $1.00 parking at your entrance to the park, I recommend arriving early as it is a place very visited for its natural beauty and parking could be depleted.
After that, you will be invited to walk through the educational center where you can learn more about the history of the Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve, there is a brief educational video that you need to watch before going down to the park and snorkeling.
Once the video is finished, you can go to the beach. The day was wonderful, my children were happy, for me it was the most important thing to be in that place where you feel a peace and a more than positive energy, I gave thanks to life for being in that unique place surrounded by so much nature and observing all that sea life. You will have a wonderful day. Note: I recommend taking enough sunscreen for coral reefs, something to protect yourself from the sun, plenty of water and something to eat, as the heat can be exhausting.
Manoa Falls
If you like science fiction, you will be in the right place, there were moments that felt like being in parts of the Avatar movie! At the entries you will pay $5.00 parking fee, then you gonna entries to a beautiful lush green forest from a fairytale, you will come across a bridge looking at a scenic green forest absolutely breath taking, I highly recomend wearing hiking boots or your mud shoes for the trail, grab a stick to make the way and back easier. You'll enjoy a beautiful day.
Pearl Harbor
Is an American lagoon it works as a military base for the US Pacific fleet, and it's open to the public; you can buy the passport to Pearl Harbor: this includes access to all four sights as well, the price $72 adults and $35 childrens(4-12) My kids was so excited, you can go inside the USS Battle ship Missouri, today works as a museum. You'll find the USS Arizona Memorial where 1177 crewmen were killed when the USS Arizona ( BB-39 ) was hit by Japanese bombs and exploded in December 7, 1941, and you can see much more. Being there is an unforgettable experience.
The Hālona Blowhole
Is one of Hawai‘i’s natural wonders, created thousands of years ago when molten lava tubes were formed from volcanic eruptions. There aren’t any active volcanoes on O‘ahu anymore, but the blowhole remains a must-see scenic stop, is only a 20 minute drive outside of Waikīkī, please have your camera ready because you will be traveling on the picturesque Kalaniana'ole road that takes you past Hanauma Bay and Koko Head crater and along the shoreline . You will not be disappointed, the view will take your breathtaken.
Hālona Beach Cove.
Just below the scenic outlook is one of O‘ahu’s most iconic beaches, the Hālona Beach Cove. The “Peering Place” is mostly visited in the summer months when ocean is calm, and if you plan on walking down to the beach wear protective footwear for the steep, rocky descent. This is the beach that became famous for the iconic love scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, who shared their epic kiss and rolled on the waves and sand in the 1953 classic "From Here to Eternity". Recent viewers may be more familiar with the site as "Whitecap Bay" from the fourth installment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series, called "On Stranger Tides ". when you arrive to the parking lot you will be amazed to see that unique view, once in the the parking lot you will have to go down a few steps if you want to enjoy the beach, you can also jump from one of the rocks, I recommend a lot of caution due to the entrance of the sea, the waves can be a little rough and throw you towards the rocks, a spectacular place and a typical view of from the pacific. . No doubt God took great care on this side of the earth.
Around North Coast of O'ahu
Go around and discovering the most positive of the island, a place as magical as that island, so we went to explore; all around the beautiful north coast of O'ahu you will find stunning landscapes where you can get off and enjoy. You can visit local markets around the road; swim in the sea and enjoy that peace while enjoying one of the hammocks at the seashore, or if you prefer, visit the famous Polynesian Themed-theme park and living museum, where it brings to life the spirit of Polynesia though its six Polynesian villages. Also take the opportunity to visit TOA LUAU, for an authentic cultural experience, anything you decide I assure you will be unforgettable.
Laniakea Beach
Bring a camera! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you don't want to miss, you won't be disappointed. Laniakea beach is where the turtles really like to go, whether you're swimming in the ocean or sitting on the sand, this is the place they like to come sunbathe and rest or you can watch them swimming near where the waves break on the beach, you will enjoy it.
