Hawai'i

Unexpected love. There have been places that I thought might not live up to the hype, but that actually ended up blowing me away. Hawai'i was one of them. 

In the month I had between jobs, I spent every minute traveling. Atif and I stopped in Phoenix on our way back to NYC from a weekend in Vegas. I had no work and we were on the West coast, so we figured we'd seize the opportunity! Hawai'i seemed like a pretty fabulous idea. Booked flights on Tuesday morning and flew out directly from Phoenix to Hawaii the next day. With only the clothes I had for Vegas. Talk about spontaneity. 

A short but worthy trip. The landscapes are breathtaking and the culture is so warm. The Aloha spirit is beautiful. We did 2 islands over barely 5 days, but we made the most of it.

Kaua'i, the Garden Island, is aptly named. I felt like I was on the scene of a Jurassic Park movie and it was awesome. You can drive the circumference of this island in a matter of hours, and you do definitely need a car. Come here if you want calm and relaxing. The weather was a bit gloomy when we were there- it was amazing how one side of the island was sunny but on the other it would be pouring. But the rain allowed me to witness the MOST beautiful full double rainbow I have ever seen. It was magical. The island still seems relatively untouched. Not somewhere you want to be if you're looking for urban nightlife/shopping etc. I'd love to go back and unwind before the spirit of this island is destroyed. Something we always do is talk to the locals. They tell stories and we learn things we never would have otherwise.

After 2 days in Kaua'i, I felt like I might have made a mistake booking the last 2 days in O'ahu. I felt like I wasn't ready to leave. But O'ahu is its own beauty! Urban, touristy, bustling. There's tons of development, but there's also lots of nature which makes it so amazing. I'm enthralled with Japanese culture so I was in heaven. It's interesting because it's America but it still feels foreign.

Some highlights if you're planning a visit:

Kaua'i

• Mark's Place is a really great local food spot. Two picnic tables outside, you'll have to fight off the roosters.
• Halalie Beach is beautiful. Water sports! 
• Anini Beach is super low key, but beautiful. Rainbow sighting.
• The Alakai swamp trail is the best hike I've been on. It's a true hike- wear your hiking shoes and bring lots of water. It can lead you to the other side of the island so it's an all day thing. It takes you through the mountains, over a board walk in the swamp, through a creek, to a river and beyond.
• Weimea Canyon is especially beautiful on a partly cloudy day when the sunshine beams through and creates shadows.
• Kountry Kitchen brunch.
• Eat some delicious poi and seafood burritos and bowls at the hole-in-the-wall Koloa Fish Market. 
• Get shrimp whatever way you want at The Shrimp Station.
• Kalapaki Beach
• Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge is a good place to check out lots of birds and ocean views.
• Always engage with the locals!

O'ahu

• Hanauma Bay is a must. Amazing snorkeling. I literally swam in schools of fish. 
• Marukame Udon is amazing. Worth the wait.
• Ono Hawaiian Foods is real home-style food. Sweet little hole-in-the-wall.
• Goma Tei Ramen is great. Unassuming spot in the strip mall. Sit at the bar and order. 
• Sushi ii
• Dole Plantation is touristy but I'd still recommend because pineapple whip. Good for kids.
• Masaladas at Leonards. The best kind of sugar.
• There is Japanese food court at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. Lots of options and I'd go back multiple times if I had enough time. The sweet mocha balls and octopus balls are dope. Yama Chan Get dessert at kulu kulu downstairs on your way out.
• Lanikai Beach is pristine. 
• Grab dinner at Lucky Belly. Amazing night out.
• Alternative hot dogs at Hula Dog in Haleiwa. Many flavors.
• Nu'uana Pali Lookout
• Makapu'u Lookout
• Iolani Palace is a great piece of history.