Tag: islands

Taking a North Shore Day-Trip-Oahu-Hawaii

Waikiki is walkable. This is our dilemma. A car is not needed for our stay on Oahu. Parking in Waikiki is scarce, difficult, and expensive. We want, however, to experience some activities beyond Waikiki. Though taking a guided tour is a great option, we’d rather visit sites on our own timeline. Solution, rent a car…
Visiting Waimea Valley-Without Swimming in the Waterfall-Oahu-Hawaii

The sun sparkles between openings in the dense trees. The sky is a vibrant blue. Small cloud puffs float lazily across the sky. The vibrant green, Waimea Valley, rises up on all sides. We set out on the main path. Our first goal, visit Waimea Valley’s most touristic feature, the waterfall. Reading reviews pre-trip, I…
Matsumoto Shave Ice-Hawaii’s Best Shave Ice-Oahu

Though known for my ice cream enthusiasm, I am also a fan of shave ice. While traveling around Hawaii, our plan, try as many icy treats as possible. As I research, I learn no shave ice tour is complete without visiting Hawaii’s most famous shave ice shop, Matsumoto Shave Ice. Matsumoto Shave Ice is located…
Eating At Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck-North Shore-Oahu, Hawaii

We pause. It’s no secret that Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is popular, but this is the longest line for a food truck we’ve seen. Bodies start at the window, wrap around the tables, and then spread along the parking lot’s perimeter. This is one of the top things-to-do on Oahu’s North Shore, and we are in…
Hiking Diamond Head in Hawaii

It’s the reward for hiking Diamond Head State Monument. An awe-inspiring view. The blue water stretches to infinity. A woman lines a group of tween boys against the railing. She works to catch her breath as she exclaims, “Wow, what a hike! Are you guys tired?” One of the boy’s eyes sparkling with wonder, replies,…
San Juan Food Tour-Puerto Rico

***This tour was provided courtesy by Spoon-Puerto Rico. All opinions are my own Colors. Vibrant, magnificent, energizing. To help us create more space in our stomachs, our Spoon Puerto Rico, San Juan Food Tour, guide, Pablo, stops at San Juan’s Calle McArthur. Our tour group oohs and ahhs, snapping photos as fast as fingers can…
Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park-Florida

Sleepy bodies shuffle into the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry terminal. The Yankee Freedom Boat Tour agency repeats the comment over the loudspeaker. “The waters can be rough. We highly recommend taking medicine for seasickness prior to departure. We sell Dramamine pills for $1.00 if you need them.” I brought my own Dramamine. Getting horribly…
Visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial-Hawaii

Pearl Harbor National Memorial, is the most visited tourist attraction, in Hawaii. There are numerous National Park designations, including Historic Sites, Historic Parks, and National Monuments. Visiting a National Memorial, has a distinct feel. Two and half weeks in Hawaii, on three different islands, takes a lot of logistical planning. We need to figure out…
Visiting The Dole Pineapple Plantation-Hawaii

We collapse in the car with a sigh of relief. We knew Hawaii’s Dole Pineapple Plantation, would be crowded, but it was a special level of crowded. Still, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a true, original, Dole Whip. A visit to this popular, Hawaii, tourist attraction, is obligatory, and we are Obligatory…