Susan J., budget traveler extraordinaire, inherited her Yankee frugality from her mother and it has served her well on trips across the US and the UK. Whether scoping out the nightlife scene or searching for that perfect pair of shoes, Susan loves writing and travel. She has lived outside of Seattle, Washington, and in Boston, Massachusetts and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where she made full use of her Go Oahu Card!
This is part 2 in a series of blog posts recounting my recent trip to Oahu. Catch up on part 1 here.
Relaxed and rejuvenated after a romantic Valentine’s dinner the previous night, the boyfriend and I headed to Iolani Palace and took the grand tour in the morning. Our volunteer tour guide Leilani was the perfect example of Hawaiian hospitality. She took tremendous pride in taking us around the palace and shared stories from Hawaii’s history (she even had some ancestors who worked in the palace).
Next we walked over to Makani Catamaran for their afternoon sail (note that this was a rather long walk, but we enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air). The crew served us lunch and drinks as we coasted along the coast of Oahu. We saw several dolphins and whales, but they moved too quickly for us to get a good photo! The best part was lying on the deck and feeling the sun and ocean breezes against my skin. They even had one part of the deck that is open netting so you can see (and feel) the water beneath.
Next we took TheBus back to our hotel to get ready for Germaine’s Luau. Our guide played the ukulele on the bus ride over, and the sunset was one of the best we saw on the entire trip. I also have to say that I enjoyed the vast selection of tropical drinks! All in all, a fun way to experience a Hawaiian luau.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
View from the top of Diamond Head Crater Photo uploaded by Go Card USA
I’ve just returned from 10 glorious, relaxing days in Hawaii, and I’m thrilled to share some travel photos and a few tips from my trip to Oahu. You’ll be reading more about my trip once I get settled in, but here’s a little sneak peak at my first day on Oahu.
After fourteen hours of flying, the boyfriend and I collapsed into bed as soon as we arrived at the Royal Gardens Waikiki (tip: we got a good deal through Priceline, but they often post specials on their website, so I’d check that first). The hotel lacks some of the fancy amenities found at pricier places, but it’s quite elegant for its low price and offers clean, basic accommodations.
The next morning, since our bodies were still on Eastern time, we awoke at some ungodly hour (I’m guessing 5 am, which is 10 am EST) and set out in search of breakfast. Since many travelers to Hawaii are also dealing with drastic time changes, the restaurants in Oahu are prepared for early risers. We chose the Seaside Bar & Grill, since they offer a $2.99 breakfast special, including 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, and 2 strips of bacon. The breakfast burrito ($3.99) is also tasty and generously portioned.
Next, we set off for snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. I had Lasik back in January, so I was thrilled when my doctor cleared me for swimming in time for Hawaii! I’ve always wanted to try snorkeling, but obviously it’s no fun if you’re worrying about contact lenses or if you can’t see because you’ve gone without them. I’m amazed by how blue and clear the water was, and we saw some tropical fish that looked like they were straight out of Finding Nemo. (more…)
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Honolulu Festival 2007 Photo uploaded by miszbabykiss
Planning a trip to Oahu this spring? If you’ll be in the Honolulu area during the weekend of March 14-16, then I’d definitely plan to check out the 14th Annual Honolulu Festival. This annual event celebrates the cultures of Asia, Pacific, and Hawaii and features dance performances and art demonstrations from Japan, Australia, Tahiti, Philippines, Republic of China, Korea, Hawaii and the mainland United States.
The festival culminates on Sunday, March 16 with the Grand Parade, which starts at Lewers Street and continues along Kalakuau Avenue. Highlights of the parade include appearances by hula dancers, dance troupes from across the Pacific, Miss Hawaii, and others. There is also a craft fair showcasing crafts from around the Pacific Rim and educational programs for kids.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
I visited the Makani Catamaran on my trip to Oahu last February and absolutely loved it! The whale sightings, the wind blowing against our skin (not to mention that drinks are included)… This video does a nice job of capturing the experience.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Give Hawaii’s proximity to Asia, it’s no surprise that Honolulu has a thriving Chinatown. But it didn’t used to be that way. According to this article in the Los Angeles Times, Honolulu’s Chinatown is a newly revitalized wonderland of art museums and galleries, restaurants serving live eel and pigs’ heads, night clubs pulsating with a hip, international crowd. Thanks to the local arts community and preservationists, this 20-block area now boasts more 50 restaurants and a market with vendors hawking jewelry, exotic fruits, and more.
Remember those Reese’s candy TV ads from the 1990s? “There’s more than one way [crunch] to eat a Reese’s,” said the cheerful voiceover man. Well, the same thing applies to traveling, too. There’s the business traveler, the luxury traveler, the budget traveler, the traveling family, and more. To determine your travel type, take this quiz. I’m a cross between a budget travel babe and a globe-trotting girl. What’s your travel type? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
View from the top of Diamond Head Crater Photo uploaded by 
Honolulu Festival 2007 Photo uploaded by 
