August 10th, 2007 at 06:46am Under Hawaii
Still worried about autumn hurricanes in the Caribbean? Then fly to Hawaii. Though the weather there is perfectly fine in October and November, the Hawaiian autumn season is nevertheless the slowest time of the year for tourist arrivals, and most of its hotels and airlines offer all sorts of autumn sales.
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July 10th, 2007 at 07:22am Under Hawaii
Oahu Located in the midst of the North Pacific Ocean is Hawaii, the island of Oahu is full of freedom, fun and frolic. No wonder that people not only from the United States of America, come here for vacation, but also people from all over the world barge in this party island. Tourists have always contemplated on the line that if heaven had sun, sand, babes, and pretty entertaining atmosphere, then heaven’s right here on the island of “Oahu” in Hawaii.
Little bit of History
The very early history of the place is still under the midst of confusion, since not much is know about the early locals. Ships would always pass by the island, so there have been people who were coming to the island, but when it comes to the term of accounted history, the Tahitians were the known dwellers of the island before 200 A.D. the culture of the locals then evolved and eloped into something that made different tribes on the basis of different deities. The rituals that followed very were inhumane, and sadistic, as human sacrifice became a normal procession. Colonization was very distant from the civilization that bred on the island, and probably, a European sailor-captain named “James Cook”, was the first to actually have close contact with the inhabitants. The sailor was so mesmerized by the beauty of the island that he started living there, and used to move out of the island on rare occasions. It is said that after a year, he was killed by some of the tribesmen over some petty issue, but this theory is not yet proven, and there’s another theory that he was killed by his own crewmates, and the blame was given to the locals. The beauty of the island was passed from ship to ship, and soon there were frequent visitors to the island. Though officially not colonized, the island started catering for the booze and pleasure needs of the sailors during the early 19th century, and bars and brothels started cropping up for the high demand of shipmates. After some time a handful of rich and powerful Americans seized power in the island, and declared it as their own, removing powers from the rulers. The American government was eyeing on the island for a long time, and disapproved the ambitions of the tycoons, and annexed the island to it. Before the 2nd world war, the island became the pacific commandant of the American base, and once the war started, the Pearl harbour in Oahu was bombed killing thousand of people including a whole lot of American soldiers.
Arriving to the Island
The best way to reach the place is by airways to Honolulu, which is the capital of Oahu. It is a major international airport and is coveted by all major cities within the United States of America, and also by all major cities of the rest of the world. There are luxurious cruises that go of to the island from selected destinations, if you happen to be from one from of the places, where these cruise ships depart, and then its best choice to travel in them, if you have time and an extra dime.
Aloha Airlines is the states own airline and offers excellent deals for travelling to Hawaii or for Island hopping.
Travelling on the island
There are simple ways of travelling on Oahu. First get booked onto some tour, and pack yourself with a camera, and board the tour bus or if you are travelling the on your own, use the local economical bus. But a more practical way is to rent cars, as you will be independent and with the help of a guide would be able to explore the island better. Also the cars that are available are of various ranges, so you can hire them suiting according to your pocket and family size. For short distances you also get cycles on hire, so you pedal your way through the small tourist sites.
Fun places on the island
Oahu is a very special and integral part of Hawaii, and there are lots of activities and places to see in the island. But there is a statutory warning when you visit the island that only those tourists should visit the place who like to see beautiful things, because any place you see, you will only find beauty and serenity.
Surfing on OahuWhen you come to this paradise, the capital “Honolulu” is the first place you would like to explore. It is the biggest city, and a dreamland of its own. The best way to start of is kick stat your trip is to visit the “Iolani palace”. This edifice is very built in architectural splendour and is one of the famous landmarks of the city. Another structure that’s worth sight seeing is the “Aliiola hale”.
If you have fascination in fine arts, the “Honolulu academy of arts” is just the place for you. Here you will not only find exquisite exhibits but you will also see the creations of greats like Picasso and Van Gough.
Once you have put the culture behind you, there is only one thing to do, just hit the beaches. The city has really beautiful beaches, which have everything just perfect.
Beaches like Ala Moana beach are brimming with serenity, and for the adrenalin pumped surfers, the Queen’s surf is a perfect destination for them, as it is known for its high waves for surfing.
Manoa Falls - Oahu - HawaiiVery near the city is the “Manoa falls”. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls you have ever seen, and the hike towards the waterfall is a bit rough, but when you see the sight it makes your every effort worthwhile.
When you visit “Haleiwa”, the surfing town of Oahu, you will be in for a treat in for surfing, as the beach known as the Haleiwa Alii beach”, has a history of having 20 footers on a very high average. Moreover, the beach is so spectacular that the famous spin off series of Baywatch, “Baywatch Hawaii”, was filmed here.
You can actually divide the island on the basis of what you want to do. If you have absorption for snorkelling and reeling the corals, then “Hanauma Bay” is the place to do that. The beach here is absolutely undisturbed, and right from the waves, to the sand, everything is just flawless here.
On the eastern side of the coast is a pool that is naturally made known as “toilet bowl”. This is a great spot, but a wee bit dangerous as the rocks are of slippery nature, but overall is a fun place to be in.
Now if we move to the next water sporting activity, like windsurfing, then “Kailua” is just the place. This place has a nag of having high winds, which is also carried towards its beaches. Most importantly, these winds become a major game setter for all the wind surfers on the beach. Also you will find people racing their guts on amphibians, when the winds are at blowing at high speeds.
When you are in the town, and you have had your fill with the white sand, and surfing, then do visit the very old and ancient temple called “Ulupo Heiau”. This temple, linked with the island’s heritage, was a big facet for human sacrifice during the old times.
If you are in the mood to have a quiet day and want to move around sight seeing natural beauty, then visit the town of “Kaneohe”. Though not ideal for swimming because of its high salinity but has not one of the best, but the best natural beauty of the island. The botanical garden is the centre of the town, and the walking trips are just fabulous. Do make sure to have a guide around, or it will be difficult to find you for a real long time.
The religious place, the “Valley of temples” is also a formidable tourist magnet of the town.
Pearl harbour, which is located on the island, is a tourist place, where people love to hate the reason of the place’s infamous popularity. The USS Arizona, still line in the water, and the whole place is a very large war memorial.
People should visit the Leeward coast of the island. It is a habitat for the most wondrous sea creatures like dolphins, whales and turtles. There are shows that go on; tourists can board boats to spot some happy, fin-splashing whales. The tour would also give in depth knowledge of these creatures, would help in saving them from extinction. A definite must watch for the entire tourists of not only Oahu, but of the entire Hawaii.
The place also has its share of entertainment centres like a “Q-zar” or laser tags of its own, where adults as well as children can have good bouts of fun. This laser tag zone is located in the hotel “Ilikai”. Also it has its own set of bowling alleys, where people can have good rounds of bowling games after watching the stupendous exterior beauty.
The golf courses on the island are magnificent, and bottom line for people who love golf. It’s like playing golf in paradise. Though there are many golf clubs, but golf centres like “Luana hills Country club” offer challenging courses or “Ko’olau golf course” offers the best eye candy nature wise to its golfers.
You can also take a romantic helicopter ride over the entire island for a nominal price, just to woo someone special.
Shopping in Oahu
Well Honolulu, is very developed to highest standards, and you will find all the major shopping outlets and malls in the capital. But when you are in Hawaii, you have to shop for something that is the place’s forte. It’s best to buy the seashell jewellery or the wooden souvenirs. The island is loaded with markets right from allies to streets, to the usual beach souvenirs.
Foodie Oahu
Since the whole state thrives on tourism, you will find all kinds of multi cuisine restaurants and snack bars, so it’s unlikely you will be going hungry. But since it’s an island, the quality of seafood is very high, especially if you won’t mind gobbling down few lobsters or sushi.
Aloha night time
This is a place where you can go “wild”. The whole island is based on the concept of tourism, so you will be having loads of nightclubs, restaurants with live orchestras, or the typical Hawaiian girl shows. You can booze and booze and booze and go wild on the beach. So you wouldn’t be laughed at, when you stand on the edge of the beach, and scream “I am the king of the world’ (or would you?)
Hotels
Although you can find many hostels in Honolulu, you really should treat yourself to a nice hotel. Many people come here to have the time of their life so lets life it up a little.
The Turtle Bay Resort of Oahu is my first choice. It is located outside the hectic town of Honolulu. After returning from a fun day in the city you can relax and enjoy the view from your room (get an oceanfront room). The hotel is not only set apart by its beautiful location but also by their friendly staff and their true understanding of the needs of their guests.
Let’s Go
Oahu is perfect place to spend quality time, and is the perfect getaway from the congested lives we have started living in the name of economic boom. Oahu is perfect place to relax, get married or just chill, whatever the reason, just pack your bags leave the world and enter the paradise that is known as “Oahu”.
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July 9th, 2007 at 09:22pm Under Hawaii
I don’t know how you choose a hotel, but I like mine to be in the epicenter of the shopping district.
An ocean view is a nice bonus, but I am even happier if am facing a shopping center.
Maybe that is why I love the Ala Moana Hotel so much.
I wake up every morning and can look out my window and see Macy’s, an anchor tenant of the largest shopping mall in Hawaii.
And if I want to shop anywhere else, there is terrific bus service and trolleys to the other shopping areas.
ONE PERFECT DAY.
I woke up early this morning and left for the Aloha Flea Market, held every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday in the old stadium. From the Ala Moana Shopping Center you can take a 40, 50, 51 or 52 directly to the flea market for only two dollars. (you can use the free transfer to get to Pearl Harbor)
The flea market strategy is arrive early before it gets hot. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat. Of course you can get a good deal on these things if you forget them. I love the new red straw hat I bought this weekend.
This is cheapy heaven. You can get lots of things for under five dollars.
Cold drinks, however, are not a bargain. Bring your own bottled water so you do not have to wait in line to be ripped off. I also brought the large new totebag I got as a gift from the concierge when I booked into the hotel. (this hotel knows its demographics)
Once you see the T-shirts at 8 for $20 you may never do laundry again—consider them disposable at this price.
When it got hot, I decided to splurge on the VIP shuttle. But at $5 it was not really a great deal since I saw three city buses leave from across the street during the 45 minutes I waited for the shuttle to leave. What was more galling was once we had paid, loaded on, and waited, the driver announced he would only stop in the center of town to “save time.”
(Whose time was he saving I wondered? We had already waited longer than it would have taken the city bus to deliver us door to door)
When I got back to Ala Moana, I dumped my recent acquisitions in my room and then walked right through the second floor of the hotel into the jewelry department of Macy’s.
My favorite store in the mall is the Japanese store Shirokiya. Best meal deal is in their buffet on the second floor. Actually browsing in their food department is one of the most fascinating cultural experiences in Oahu. (second runner-up is shopping in Chinatown)
There are a range of upscale stores plus many mall chains. I spent lots of time at one cart in the middle of the mall that was selling garments made from vintage kimonos. Strategically placed seams make it more than merely reversible. You can see the styles at www.karizadesigns.com but you probably need to have someone demonstrate on you. They claim to have 1000 prints to wear 100 ways. The attractive girl demonstrating would look fabulous in a paper bag. She did the garment justice. I however, only found two applications that I would wear in public after she tried about a dozen on me. She then tutored me through the applications. We drew a big crowd. But she did not sell me one because I could not remember how to wrap it around myself. But I do plan to go back tomorrow—especially since it is right next to my hotel.
It was time to put my feet up and get some food down. I had such a terrific time shopping I did not realize how hungry I was until the mall closed.
I perused the room service menu and decided on the oxtail soup and a salmon salad on a bed of spinach leaves with fig dressing. There were lots of more usual items like steak and hamburger and chicken. But most hostess the night before is an oxtail soup regular. When the local paper, the Honolulu Advertiser had a recipe for oxtail soup on the front of the food page I felt the food gods were urging me to try it. And I was glad I did.
The meal was delicious and interesting and decidedly local.
I ordered Plantation Oxtail Soup, an island favorite served in a rich broth with shitake mushrooms, ginger, Chinese parsley, Bok Choy cabbage, peanuts and steamed rice.
(It a dieting mode, I left out the rice and still found it a very filling meal)
Never dreaming the soup would be a complete meal, I also ordered a salad. I ordered spinach salad with sautéed salmon served on a bed of baby spinach. It was topped with toasted walnuts and pancetta bacon with novella Muscat and fig dressing. Even the iced tea had a special Hawaiian touch—a generous slice of fresh pineapple.
The green tea ice cream was a refreshing ending.
It all added up to a lovely day.
About $30 spent at flea market on junk jewelry, snacks, spiced nuts, hair ornaments and a hat
A little shoe leather walking around Ala Moana mall and a great sense of will power for resisting the darling vintage item.
Room service was about $40 including tax and tip and was a great ending to a perfect day
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July 5th, 2007 at 09:09am Under Hawaii+ Beaches
Gotcha with that headline, didn’t I? I admit, it’s kind of a trick, because every beach in Hawaii is free. By law, not even the exclusive five-star resorts of South Maui or scattered along Kona’s Gold Coast on the Big Island can prevent public access to their beaches. Of course, some resorts do what they can to restrict access, for example, by limiting the number of public parking spaces near the beach. But don’t be fooled: you’re free to stroll, swim or surf just about anywhere along Hawaii’s 750 miles of coastline.
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July 4th, 2007 at 05:54am Under Hawaii
Rarely do my columns and opinions elicit nothing but agreement, but my recent post on the PGA of America moving the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from Poipu Bay on Hawaii’s Kauai to Bermuda’s Mid-Ocean Club fell on sympathetic ears….
Original post by Larry Olmsted For All Your Travel Needs Best Travel Rates Online
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