On first impression, I wasn’t thrilled with Waikiki. It is very touristy and the shops and restaurants are overpriced. But the good side of that is that they make it so easy to be a tourist. Want a surfing lesson? Just wander the beach and every 100 yards is a surf school. Want to do something outside Waikiki? Just sign up for a tour group with one of the many many agents hanging out on the sidewalk. Didn’t bring a beach towel? There are plenty of shops to pick one up.

I loved lying in the sand reading and watching my boyfriend’s surf lesson.