Tag Archive | "visit"
Aloha Friday Photo: Kuhio Beach Sunrise
Today’s photo was supplied by Go Visit Hawaii facebook community member, Hank Miller. He took this photo at sunrise at Kuhio Beach which is a section of Waikiki Beach. I think there’s a lot to appreciate in this photo. With the sky coming to light, thoughts of
Continue reading...Aloha Photo Friday: Cowboy Boots on Oahu Edition
Friday, July 30, 2010
Today’s Aloha Friday Photo comes to us from Nikki Brown by way of North Dakota. Nikki took this photo of sunset from Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu. If you look closely on the hammock, you might be able to see there’s someone on the hammock wearing cowboy boots. That’s Nikki’s husband enjoying that laid back view of sunset. It’s moments and photos like these that make me sigh. Thank you, Nikki for sharing your photo and for being an active member of our Go Visit Hawaii facebook community ! © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Na Pali Snorkel Sail with Captain Andy’s
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Capt Andy’s tagline is “Nobody has more fun!” Well, count me in as a believer. We had a blast on their Na Pali Snorkel Adventure . What made the trip so much fun? Our captain, Captain Trent, kept us entertained and laughing most of the way. Have you ever been to a comedy show and laughed so many times you lost count, but when the show was over, you couldn’t remember a single joke? That’s what it was like being on a Capt. Andy’s adventure with Captain Trent at the helm. Capt. Trent at the helm. On previous visits to Kauai , we took an afternoon Na Pali Coast sail , so we wanted to compare that experience to the morning sail plus get an idea of the quality of snorkeling off the coast. Well, we got to experience one of those objectives. I’ll explain more in a minute. Our excursion started bright and early with a 7:15am check in at the Port Allen Marina Center in Ele’ele. (See Google Map of this area .) Luckily, the check in office/shop offered free coffee to help wake us up. From the shop, we were lead to the catamaran by our captain. Once we were on board, we given a safety briefing and then we were off on our adventure. After we moved beyond Port Allen Harbor, a continental breakfast was served. As we headed towards the Na Pali Coast, we enjoyed seeing dolphins. Though it was the official end of humpback whale watching season, we still saw some whales. Just one of the many intriguing cliff views of the Na Pali Coast. As we approached the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, the ooo’s and aah’s began. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve seen that coast, the scenery still catches us off guard each time. Captain Trent knew the coast very well and was able to angle the catamaran in close for the cliffs for excellent views of waterfalls, sea caves, and lava arches. We had never been that close to the cliffs from the water and it was fantastic! With our sailing adventure being at the beginning of May, we still experienced what locals would call “Winter” surf. That meant that the surf was rocky at times, and well, the crew wasn’t able to find a safe snorkeling spot. So, darn it, we’ll just have to go back on another tour to experience some Na Pali Coast snorkeling – with twisted arms, of course. As we searched for smooth water, we were able to sail away from the coast which allowed us a broader, “bigger picture” view of the coast. Once we found a smooth patch of water, a make-your-own-deli-sandwich lunch was served. The sails were raised and we enjoyed the peaceful ride and view of the coast. Na Pali Coast In total, the sailing adventure lasted 5.5 hours. Despite the the fact that we couldn’t snorkel, we still enjoyed our time. Here’s what to know when you go: The cost of the tour is $139 for adults and $99 for children. Book online 7 days (or more) before you go and receive a $10 web discount and a a free t-shirt. This discount is currently shown on this page . Wear a swimsuit and cover up. Bring sunscreen, towel, hat or visor, and sunglasses. Take proper precautions if you are prone to motion sickness. Only one kid on our trip got motion sickness at the end of our rocky ride and I think it was because he napped the entire time. Be flexible in your expectations. As we experienced, sometimes the surf doesn’t allow you to snorkel. We also experienced a mixture of clouds, rain, and sun. If possible ask to be on one of Captain Trent’s excursions. I’m not sure how the other captains compare, but we know Captain Trent was great. Have you been on one of Capt. Andy’s sailing or rafting adventures? How was your experience? © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Catching Your Fish and Eating It, Too (at Oahu)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
From our Go Visit Hawaii facebook community , I was recently asked if I knew of a deep sea fishing charter from Oahu that cooks the fish that you catch. Since I don’t fish, I had to do a little research. I learned quite a bit along the way. I found it to be a bit odd that all fish caught from a charter boat belongs to the captain. So, you may catch a whopper of a fish and never even taste it. But, that’s the way it is for the vast majority of deep sea fishing charters in Hawaii. I consulted my twitter pals to see if they knew of any Oahu fishing charter company that allows you to have/cook your own fish. @l3379lad180r suggested I check into Shack Attack. I checked out their website , and yes, they will cook your catch plus you’ll also get to take up to 20lbs of your catch with you. Per their website, that is “something almost unheard of in the sport fishing charter industry!” Does anyone else have a recommendation for charter fishing boats around Oahu that allow you to sample what you catch? We’re on facebook! Please click here to join us. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Review: Sheraton Kauai Resort
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Sheraton Kauai Resort is located in a prime position of Poipu Beach on the South Shore of Kauai . As Kauai tends to get a bit more rain than the other Hawaiian Islands, Poipu Beach is your best bet for avoiding rain. In fact, it’s not often I hear Poipu without the mention that it’s sunny. Sheraton Kauai Resort was one of the first hotels to be built at Poipu Beach, and oh boy, did they get a prime location, so close to the ocean, you could toss a stone into it from your balcony/lanai. The Ocean and Beach wings offer tremendous ocean views that we so enjoyed every spare moment we had. Rooms Sheraton Kauai Resort is divided into three wings and a common area that includes the lobby, shops and restaurants. I would recommend that you request either the Ocean Wing or Beach Wing when you make your reservation as they are on the ocean side of the road. We stayed in deluxe ocean front room in the Ocean Wing. See this link for a property overview . The rooms and lanais (balconies) were adequately sized. We never felt cramped or crowded. The bath had double sinks and plenty of room to store our toiletries. One unique room feature we particularly liked is that we could access the closet from both the bathroom and the bedroom. The bed was comfortable and the air conditioner was quiet. So, we definitely slept well while staying at the Sheraton Kauai Resort. I believe the rooms were remodeled a few years ago, so the decor was attractive and welcoming. I would describe it as contemporary plantation. It had enough of a “island-feel” too it without going overboard. To see rooms and for virtual room tours, see this link . The room included these conveniences: Coffee maker and coffee In-room safe Flat screen TV Wireless internet (included in resort fee) Iron and ironing board Bliss Spa brand shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, lotion Refrigerator Private balconies (lanais) w/padded chairs Hair dryer Amenities The Sheraton Kauai Resort offers just anything you would think you’d need and want in a Hawaiian resort. Here’s a quick rundown of what we enjoyed and/or noticed: Ocean front Mai Tai reception with Hawaiian entertainment and hula dancing every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. The entertainment and one Mai Tai are free-ish (included in the daily resort fee) for resort guests. An impressive array of cultural and ocean activities are offered at the resort. We had a chance to take ukulele lessons which was really fun. (Watch for an upcoming post on that.) I really wish we could have taking their guided tour of the tide pools. See this link for their event calendar to get an idea of all the resort has to offer. Many activities are included as part of the resort fee, though some do require an additional nominal fee. Onsite ocean view restaurants . We enjoyed breakfasts at Shells. For lunch, we liked sitting under and umbrella by The Oasis Bar & Grill. There, I was quite fond of their non-alcoholic drink, the Lilikoi Treat which was a tasty mix of passion fruit, mango, and pink lemonade. I don’t know if we stopped in at The Oasis Bar & Grill at a bad time, but the service was very slow and a bit unfriendly. While we enjoyed the food, drinks and setting, the service was not as pleasant. Though valet parking is available if you need or desire it, we found the free-ish (included in the daily resort fee) self-parking to be plenty close enough to the resort rooms. This is one of those places where, I’d feel super lazy if I didn’t self park. The parking lot was that close to the rooms. Ocean front exercise room. Um, we saw this, but were too busy either eating or playing to actually use it. Hey! Cut us some slack, we were on vacation. On site spa . We didn’t have a chance to even take a peek at the spa, but it was good to know that we could get a relaxing massage to de-stress us from all the epic eating and playing we were doing. Two on-site pools. We only saw one of the pools and it had a fun looking slide. Wedding services are offered on site. We got to see a set up before a wedding. (See the below photo.) Then from our lanai (balcony) we could see some of the ceremony. What a gorgeous place to get married! Final Thoughts Guests are required to pay a $20.83 (tax inclusive) daily resort fee. The resort fee includes these amenities . I am not a fan of resort fees, but that’s the unfortunate norm for 3 and 4-star Hawaii hotels these days. Overall, we had a pleasant stay and would be happy to return there again someday. I found this deal from Starwoods that offers 50% off room rates and 35% off dining. It’s valid through December 31, 2010. In an effort to be transparent, I’d like to make you aware that my stay at the Sheraton Kauai Resort was arranged by the Poipu Resort Beach Association. As always, you can trust that my opinions will be honest. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Check out my guest post on Isabelle’s Travel Guide
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
So, guess what? Isabelle at Isabelle’s Travel Guide named Go Visit Hawaii as one of her favorite travel blogs . Yay! So, to celebrate this honor, I wrote a guest post. I think you’ll like the title, Hawaii’s More Than Just a Pretty Beach . Check it out. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...How to Choose & Slice a Pineapple
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Do you ever look at a pineapple and think how the heck do you pick and cut one of those things? Here’s a great little video on choosing, slicing and presenting a pineapple came to us via a Go Visit Hawaii facebook community member. The video includes scenes from Dole Pineapple Plantation in Oahu. Enjoy! (Email subscribers: click here to access the video.) © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Get Go Visit Hawaii’s Vacation Advice on Your iPhone or Blackberry!
Monday, April 26, 2010
When I’m not taking photographs for Sheila’s awesome Hawaii vacation articles, I’m busy behind the scenes working on improving your experience while reading Go Visit Hawaii. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the recent improvements we’ve made to the homepage and, joined the Go Visit Hawaii Facebook community . That’s all great, but what about when you’re actually on your Hawaiian vacation? What if you don’t remember that great restaurant Sheila recommended in Waikiki? What if the name of the fantastic sunset sail escapes you? What if you’re not actually in Hawaii, but want to check in on the latest airfare rates from your local coffee shop? Well, now you can! We’re delighted to announce the full support of Go Visit Hawaii from inside your mobile phone’s web browser! Yep, whether you own an iPhone, Blackberry, or some other flavor of smartphone, we’re now offering a mobile-friendly design. No software to download. No apps to install. Simply point your mobile phone’s browser to http://www.govisithawaii.com and we’ll do the rest–by magic! It should be pretty easy to navigate on your phone, but I wanted to point out two key functions you may wish to use. First, click on the little arrow on the top right of your phone’s screen and you’ll be able to browse articles by category. Next, click the little link that says “search” and you can quickly search any of the 1,200+ articles Sheila has written over the past 3 years. So there you have it. Whether you are at home, at work, or sitting on a beach in Hawaii, you can always reach Go Visit Hawaii! Mahalo! Andy © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Go Visit Hawaii Turns Three!
Monday, March 29, 2010
When I started Go Visit Hawaii in March 2007, I really didn’t have any specific goals other than to share my passion for Hawaii. I’m not sure I could have envisioned that three years later I’d still be going strong. I have to thank you the readers, my blog pals and, of course, my husband and Go Visit Hawaii photographer Andy for encouraging and inspiring me. As we begin our fourth year, I think it’s useful to reflect on where we’ve been. I remember the days when I was excited to see that we had a 100 visitors a day and 27 subscribers. So, I thought you might be interested in hearing some current statistics about Go Visit Hawaii: 1,170 posts Approaching 4,500 comments Approaching 1,000 subscribers Receive approximately 60,000+ unique visitors per month And finally, here’s a bit of trivia for you — guess where I was when I decided to write Go Visit Hawaii. Would you believe I was dining at an Italian restaurant in Sydney, Australia? I still smile every time I remember that moment and how it was one of the most unlikeliest of locations to inspire this North Carolinian to write a blog about Hawaii. God does work in mysterious ways! © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Planning a Visit to the Maui Volcano of Haleakala
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
When you visit Maui, I hope you plan to see the island from 10,000 feet above sea level at Haleakala. Many times I’ve heard visitors say that their visit to Haleakala was the highlight of their Maui vacation. So, you can see why I list a visit to Haleakala on the top of my list for what to see and do on your Maui vacation. I’d like to highlight three useful articles that offer good advice for planning your visit to Haleakala. - Since Haleakala is called the house of the sun, I think it’s appropriate to plan your visit around either sunrise or sunset. Which is better? I tend to lean towards sunrise, but you may prefer sunset. To help you decide, see my article, Haleakala Sunrise versus Sunset . - You’ll also need advice for getting to and enjoying Haleakala, especially if you are planning a sunrise visit. So, read my tips for visiting Haleakala at sunrise so you’ll be fully prepared for what to expect. - Since there aren’t any restaurants inside Haleakala National Park, you might be interested in a good restaurant recommendation. We never miss an opportunity to go to Kula Lodge Restaurant for breakfast after visiting Haleakala. It’s conveniently located just a few miles outside the park. See my article on Kula Lodge Restaurant . If you’d like a preview of what you’ll see on Haleakala, take a gander at this slideshow that includes our photos from multiple trips to Haleakala for sunrise. You might notice that each sunrise is different. So, if you’ve been before, I think it’s still worth visiting Haleakala again and again. Have you been to Haleakala? What was your experience? Would you recommend it to your friends and family? Please comment. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...
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- MelbaMustangsDB: i love this song, and i love the cd!...
- kamaBallah: i lone this SONGGG{=...
- Guampinky671: DAMN THIS SONG IS FLY AS HELL =]...
- rhiraoka: Mahaloz for the support! ~RYAN...
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Friday, August 13, 2010
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