USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor is the #1 most popular tourist attraction on the island of Oahu, but that is not why I visited.  I’m not a history buff, or interested in war trivia, or necessarily drawn to hallowed ground, so that’s not why I went either.  I went because I know and love many men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.  I have dated them, sprung from their loins, even considered becoming one myself.  (That’s for a different website.)  And so when I had some time in my schedule on Oahu, I looked into visiting this national monument.

When I asked locals what I should know about going to visit Pearl Harbor, I was told without variation that I should “go early, to avoid the lines.”  The monument’s website is very clear about the process for your visit – pick up a timed ticket, wait in line, no bags or backpacks or even diaper bags allowed.  I succeeded in packing light, but not at arriving early.  I made it out to the visitor’s center at about 11:00 AM on a Friday in September.  There was no line.  I got a ticket for the tour starting in five minutes, so there was little wait.  And the center wasn’t very crowded, so the whole experience was…pleasant.

It is odd to say that this visit was pleasant because essentially you are visiting an underwater tomb. Read More »

Diamond Head - the peak is the edge of a huge crater

I didn’t do much research before I went to Oahu.  There, I said it.  I was fine just going with the flow, no guidebook to refer to, consulting the internet for information.  So when the airplane was touching down in Honolulu and my seatmate, a local resident, pointed out Diamond Head to me and said that you can hike to the top, I mentally put that on my to-do list.  Other island dwellers suggested I hike early, before it gets too hot, and at sunrise if possible.

No, not possible.  I was on the run from the moment I woke up until the moment I went to sleep every one of the few days I was there, so the best I could do was set my alarm for 6:15 on a Sunday morning, the day I was scheduled to catch a 12:30 PM flight.  My hotel was just a short ride from the Diamond Head Visitor’s Center, and my internet research told me the hike would be short, so I figured I could fit it in before breakfast.

And so I did.  And because I was not up there literally at the crack of dawn, I had a better time of it.  You see, this is one of those bus tour type of attractions, and that morning there were several on site with loads of tourists who had ascended to watch the sun come up.  I had the pleasure of greeting them all on their way down, which left a few stragglers at the top once I arrived, and even pockets of pure, quiet solitude. Read More »

Are you looking for ideas for your next vacation?  Want to go somewhere, but can’t decide exactly where?

Perhaps you should check out one of the Top 10 US Cities to Visit.  Of course, whether or not a city is the best is a subjective opinion – but Conde Nast Traveler has taken a poll of its readers collective subjective opinions and come up with 10 American Cities that you’re most likely to enjoy visiting.  With cities from across the country highlighted, there should be a great vacation destination for everyone.

Top 10 Best Places To Visit In The Us

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge - Best US City to Visit

1.  San Francisco, California

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of San Francisco, California is The Golden Gate Bridge.  Residents rave about the culture and the year round mild weather that’s never too hot or too cold.  Visitors to San Francisco can stay in some of the country’s most eco-friendly hotels and enjoy organic dining.  UpTake’s own Cat Lincoln shares insider information on San Francisco via podcast.

Read More »

Hey, kids, it’s time for everyone’s favorite chunk of used space! And travel links!

Low-cost airlines are following you (and friending).

Nomadic Matt is giving away an iPod Touch and more!

And the WAEA goes to…

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What's your Twitter handle, pal?

Here’s how I learned to never underestimate a tourist attraction.

One advantage of being a social person is that I get to meet lots of different people and I’m not afraid to find out what their stories are.  I’m truly interested in them.  And because of that, interesting things come my way.  And so it happened that during my very short stay in Hawaii, I found myself in a submarine 107 feet below the surface of Waikiki bay.  And it was awesome.
Read More »

I love books.  I love guidebooks, too.  Nothing is more comforting when traveling than whipping out a guidebook and flipping through it to find what you’re looking for.  But on the way to my first visit to Oahu, I realized I hadn’t made time to get one.  I looked over the shoulder of the guy sitting next to me on the plane, considering asking him if I could look at his.  Turns out it didn’t matter.  I had my computer, my iPhone, and Twitter.

I spent my first day on the island without internet access on my computer, because I didn’t see the ethernet cable that my hotel provided for access in my room, and I never felt like schlepping my laptop down to the business center just to look up directions.   Luckily I was able to use my iPhone to Read More »

Aloha, hula!

Hawaii puts its rich cultural history on display for visitors in many ways, but once a year, they really pull out all the stops with the Aloha Festival.

On my recent visit to Oahu to explore the island and experience the festival, I was hosted by the very friendly and laid-back representatives of the Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau, so I had a bit of an inside look into how Hawaii is faring these days.  It was hard to tell that tourism is down.  Everywhere I looked there were tourists, and most of those were happy and smiling.  With perfect weather, lush surroundings, and gracious staff at almost every place I visited, how could one not be happy?

(Don’t forget, you  can enter to win a trip to Hawaii until October 23rd.  Details here.)

For a busy mother of two, this trip held lots of promise of down time and relaxation.  But.  Once I got to Hawaii and there was an undiscovered delight lurking around every turn, I found I couldn’t stop my mind from spinning even when my body was exhausted.  I only had just over three days there.  “I’ll sleep on the plane,” I told myself. Read More »

This weekend marks the spectacular close of the 63rd annual Aloha Festival in Hawaii, a month of festivities that celebrates Hawaiian culture.  With this year marking Hawaii’s 50th year of statehood, the celebration is even more special.  The grand finale is Saturday’s Aloha Festival parade which will feature 13 floats, 4 schools of hula dancers (hula halua), 14 marching bands, 4 trolleys, and representatives from all 8 Hawaiian islands.

I am visiting Oahu to get a first-timer’s taste of the island, as well as peeks behind the scenes of the parade’s attractions.  Tune in for photos and stories from this adventure.  For now, I venture out for a few hours of exploration.  I’m off to explore the USS Arizona Memorial at Peal Harbor, and later take a ride on a submersible vessel called Atlantis.  This is one tough job.

My home base in Waikiki at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk is beautiful, but who wants to stay inside on a day like this?

View of Diamond Head from Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk