Surf’s UP!
The North Shore holds such a special place in my heart…not to mention my camera’s memory card!! The beautiful beaches of deep golden sand were unlike anything I’ve ever seen before! We learned that North Shore is home to pipeline, the most famous surfing in the world and THE place to catch the perfect wave. (We even tried it out for ourselves!) Afterwards, we cooled off with a Hawaiian Shave Ice in Haleiwa, a local casual surf town, before returning to our luxurious beach resort, Turtle Bay. Waking up every morning in our room overlooking the lush lawns and sparkling waters beyond, sipping a daiquiri along the laidback beaches, and enjoying a relaxing couples’ massage accompanied by the natural sounds of the ocean have been some of our favorite experiences! And to top it all off, the sunsets here are almost as legendary as the surf!! SO glad we got to “hang ten!” in Oahu’s North Shore, where no shirt and no shoes is, a way of life!
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Kissed by the Sea:
The beaches and quaint towns of Kailua and Lanikai provided the perfect background to our perfect getaway. I have never felt so rejuvenated and relaxed. I could not have asked for a better location to just take things slow for awhile and enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer! While we were here, there seemed to be no need for knowing the time…SO! with watches left at the rental house, we set off for the beach each morning to appreciate the soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and gentle breezes. While walking along the water, we even got to interact with some diverse marine life (INCLUDING a sea turtle who decided to swim by in the shallow waters and say ‘hello’)!! We also got to enjoy some laid-back adventure, as some attempted kite-surfing, others paddle-surfing, and for us, kayaking! Once we gained enough confidence, we paddled out one morning into the ocean to the Mokuluas, two mini islands just off the coast, where the sunrise is like nowhere else on the island, and was, by far, the most memorable sight of our visit!
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Hula the Night Away:
There is so much to do in Waikiki! This small city has SO much energy and excitement, we never knew what to do next! It was wonderful to wake up in the morning with no agenda and see where our day would take us. Spending our days in the pool and along the beach, I almost felt like we were taking on the lifestyle of fish!! We just couldn’t be dragged away from those warm, clear waters…I was told that this area was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty, and I can see why! Today, this city is a melting pot of old and new Hawaii culture, which we discovered by night through the thrilling nightlife! The shopping, dining, and live entertainment offered here is first-class! And the people-watching? Phenomenal! Favorite highlights from our nights would have to be dancing on stage at the authentic luau, enjoying dinner at the highest point in Waikiki, and laughing the night away hopping along the beach among the various bars and clubs. With so much to do, rest could wait until the plane ride home!!
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Dreams Come True in Blue Hawaii
I think we may have found our own piece of tropical paradise. Visiting Ko’Olina was the BEST decision we could have made. Not only was this strip of pristine beaches and first-class resorts modern and fun, it was extremely family-friendly with plenty to see and do for ALL ages of our family and friends! We stayed at Disney’s latest property, Aulani, where they have no doubt brought their magic to the islands of Hawaii, weaving the local culture into every little detail of the resort and spa. By participating in the area’s many excursions, we lived the story of Hawaii, exploring captivating lagoons and coastal gardens, hiking and biking along trails of wonder, and learning to cook traditional Hawaiian fare. This was THE perfect location to be far from the crowds while at the same time remaining in the heart of Hawaii’s culture!
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