Aloha 🌺

10 days in Oahu island, Hawaii | August 2019

We stayed at 4 different places during our whole trip in Oahu Island. First we spent 2 nights in an AirBnb house in Kailua (a town on the east coast of the island). Beautiful place and personally the best area in the island. Lanikai beach was really nice – not crowded at all and very clean. The Lanikai Pillbox Hike was also walking distance from the house. Highly recommended. It’s an easy hike, a good workout and a great view waiting at the top.

After we checked out, we went to Kualoa Ranch where they shot Jurassic Park, Jumanji, 50 First Dates and Kong: Skull Island to name a few.  If you want to do ATV’s and other activities, make sure you book months in advance as it gets fully booked real fast.

In the afternoon, we moved to Four Seasons in Ko Olina, which is on the west side of the island. We stayed here for 2 nights for our friend’s wedding.

After the wedding, we rented a car and stayed for 2 nights in an Airbnb in North Shore (a popular surfing area in Hawaii). I really liked this part of the island as well because of the laid back vibe of the community – very nice and relaxing.

We went surfing at Chun’s reef beach and checked out Waimea Falls Park & Botanical Gardens. Make sure to visit Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, a must in North Shore.

Since we had a car, we drove all the way to the Polynesian Cultural Center for some Luau and their Hā Breath of Life evening show.

We also hiked up Manoa Falls and drove up to the Ihiloa Loop to check out the view of the Diamond Head.

Our last leg was, of course, the popular Waikiki, a neighborhood of Honolulu on the south shore of the island. Crowded, very touristy, but for me a must see when you visit Oahu. Glad that this was our last stop because honestly all we did here was just shop and lounge.

We did check out Pearl Harbour though and rode the bus to Downtown Honolulu for some dinner and drinks.

The  historic buildings in Downtown Honolulu are nicely preserved. The nineteenth century and Neo-Renaissance architecture are so beautiful against the Hawaiian sunset.

Last but not the least, do visit Leonard’s Bakery for some fresh malasadas. So yum!

Mahalo Oahu. Can’t wait to visit the other islands of Hawaii next time. A hui hou! (Until we meet again!)