OAHU, HAWAII
TRAVEL
HAWAII
DAY ONE
OAHU, HAWAII
WAIKIKI BEACH
We arrived at our hotel, the outrigger on waikiki beach in the late afternoon. So we quickly checked in, unpacked and ran across the street to an ABC store to pick up some local beer and sunscreen. My favourite Kona beer by far is big wave. It's so good!
We shared a beer on the balcony before heading down to Duke's Restaurant for our first dinner in Hawaii. We had an amazing meal and watched out first sunset together. It's hard not to appreciate how beautiful the sunsets are there.
DAY TWO
WAIKIKI BEACH
On our first full day in Hawaii, Nick and woke up to what seemed like a dream. We rose early to catch a glimpse of the sunrise and headed out for a stroll along the beach in search of some breakfast. Somehow we managed to stumble upon Island Vintage Coffee on the main strip. We ate there everyday that we were in Waikiki. The Acai bowls were to die for. Every morning Nick and I would order one Acai bowl each, one honey latte to share and one everything bagel with butter. I still dream about our breakfasts there.
In the afternoon we laid out in the sun and Nick swam in the ocean for the first time in Hawaii. I had been telling him for months how amazing and blue the water is there and it was so special for me to witness him experiencing it for the first time. I laid on the beach and watched nick body surf the waves with all of the little kids.
We wanted to spend most of our day in the sun so we went for a casual dinner down the street at burger in paradise. Nick got a veggie burger and I got a beef burger. They were both delicious and they were made all the better by the mojitos we washed them down with.
DAY THREE
WAIKIKI BEACH
Our third day was very similar to our second. We walked along the beach on our way to our new favourite breakfast spot Island Vintage Coffee where we ordered "the usual". We lazed in the sun all afternoon and then got cleaned up and headed to another one of our favourite restaurants which just happened to be in our hotel. The Hula Grill has always been one of my favourite dining spots in waikiki. It's relaxed but has stunning views of the sunset, not to mention it has amazing drinks! I had to run back up to our room to grab my phone and while I was gone Nick ordered us these amazing pineapple drinks which were so much fun to drink! Of course, I had to take a picture.
DAY FOUR
THE NORTH SHORE
Nick and I woke up bright and early once again on our fourth day in Hawaii. We rented a car which we only had to walk a few blocks to pick up which was super handy and then we headed out to explore the North Shore. Our first stop was Halewai Bowls, a little acai bowl spot that I had heard about on instagram. We each made a custom bowl and enjoyed on a patio next door before heading to a local fruit hut to pick up some fresh fruit for our long drive.
We locked ourselves in our jeep when we arrived at sunset beach as there was a torrential downpour. The sun finally peaked out and we walked along the beach and watched the body boarders do their thing. Sunset beach has always been one of my favourite spots to visit. There are few places like it in the world, it's truly a special place.
We continued on and stopped at a fruit stand to pick up some fresh coconuts and then headed to the park where Jurrasic Park was filmed. By the time we got home in the evening we were both exhausted so we just ordered a pizza and ate it on our balcony while watching the sunset over waikiki beach.
DAY FIVE
WAIKIKI BEACH
On our fifth day we recuperated from our busy day on the North Shore the day before. We went for a long walk, took some pictures and bumped into a nice man who let us take pictures with his birds! They were so beautiful!
DAY SIX
THE LUAU
On our sixth and final evening we headed up to the top of the mountain for an authentic hawaiian luau. I had been to one before for my sixteenth birthday at the Royal Hawaiian but this one blew it out of the water. We were picked up by a shuttle in the late afternoon and were driven up to the top of the mountain. We got to stop and take pictures at the lookout and then continued up to the luau. We were created by beautiful hula dancers and were given lays as we walked off the bus. We enjoyed appetizers and cocktails as the the sun was beginning to set. They had a number of activities to entertain you while we waited for the dinner and show to be ready. You could learn to make lays or headbands out of ponfrons. You could learn how to hula dance... the options were endless. I loved it.
When it was time for dinner we sat at long picnic tables that were beautifully decorated. The food and show were so entertaining and it was so amazing to watch in such a beautiful setting. I would go back in a heart beat.
DAY SEVEN
THE LAST DAY
We went for one last swim in the ocean before having to check out of our hotel. We had a late flight so we spent most of the day bar hoping around Waikiki. We lounged around at the Royal Hawaiian before heading to the airport and watched our final sunset from the sky. Needless to say we can't wait to go back!
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