energy

We didn’t hire a guide because we thought we’d find enough information on our own. Sadly, the plaques are not very informative, and we ended up reading about the ruins the next day in books we picked up in the bookshop. Would have been better to have a guide.

But still. AMAZING!

• Be prepared for a sad story.

I am absolutely fascinated and want to learn more about Portland’s history.

There were Man-o-war warning and we’d expected to be able to buy our beach towels once we got there but couldn’t find a place to do so, so we didn’t swim. Walked for at least a few miles on the beautiful beach.

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.

• Rent a car
• Don’t try to cram too much stuff into each day

After reading about the award winning (seriously?) bus system we opted to see the island by bus. The first day was nearly a disaster. Once we picked up TheBus Map and Guide Book things went a bit smoother, but as it was I believe we spent an average of an hour or more a day waiting for buses and deciphering routes and another 2-3 hours a day riding on buses.

Pick a few things you want to do and dedicate whole days to them. Trying to see and do a whole island’s activities in a few days just isn’t going to work. Most attractions close up around 4 and no matter how well you plan everything just feels rushed and you can’t really DO the things, just look at them.

I did enjoy must of the museum, but by the time we left I was resenting all the time we spent there. With only 4 days in Hawai, 1/2 a day of museum was just too much of being indoors. It turned out to be the only thing we got to do all day.

Skip it.
What a huge waste of two precious hours in Hawaii.

I love hedge mazes so I wanted to go here. But the maze was the kind where it’s easy to get in and out, more of a scavenger hunt. We found 3 of the 8 goals then decided to quit and go get some of that hyped up ice cold pineapple juice. The line for juice (which is not free as the guidebooks make it sound) was way too long so we left. Would have liked to take the guided out to at least learn something while we were there, but by that time we were ready to get on to better things.

We only got to visit the North Unit. I’d like to see the South Unit as well. I’ve heard the south has more wildlife.
As it was, we were in the North Unit on a 95 degree day and so all the animals must have been hiding out in the shade. All we saw was one deer and a handfull of vultures.

We drove the scenic road and stopped to see some amazing views.

Bring bug spray.

Check in the early afternoon and in the evening to see active lions. They bring in 2 sets of lions per day and each day is different. Most of the lions we saw were sleeping, but one time there was a pair of 1 year olds who were playing and nuzzling with the handlers and were so cute!