Off To Hawaii

We finally managed to make our trip to Hawaii, which was cancelled at the last minute in 2016. Here’s how we got on… Day 1 We have a faultless flight by Virgin to San Francisco. Despite dire prognostications we leave … Continue reading →

Saturday, October 19, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Travel

We’re On The Road To Hana…

Day 4 – Retail Therapy We’re awake early, and spend an hour catching up with political developments in the UK. Then at 7am we discover behind a nondescript door next to the “boutique doss house” a wonderful coffee shop which … Continue reading →

Tuesday, October 22, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Travel

Hunting Coffee in Hana

Day 6 I make a fairly early start and go down to the small beach to watch the sunrise. Just as the sun is getting established it starts raining, but the result is an amazing rainbow behind the hotel, and … Continue reading →

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Photography, Travel

We’re On The Road FROM Hana!

Back on “The Road to Hana”, but now “from”. The northern stretch is well-surfaced but we’re soon back to regular single-lane bridges. Our early start means we are well advanced on the way back before we meet consistent traffic, but … Continue reading →

Thursday, October 24, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Travel

To The Summit

Day 8 – Haleakala For a mountain lodge the night is surprisingly noisy: large vehicles on the road, guests moving cars around all night, and a rooster who gets confused and starts crowing at 1 am. In addition we have … Continue reading →

Friday, October 25, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Travel

Waimea Canyon

Day 11 Sleep is again interrupted by bedding problems and over-keen roosters. Chickens are in fact a major factor on Kauai. Almost everywhere you look you can see one or two padding around, and it’s rare that you can’t hear … Continue reading →

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Travel

Helicopter over Hawaii

Day 12 The morning is centred on an activity I have been looking forward to all summer, my helicopter flight. After a short drive I arrive on time, check in, pay, and watch the safety briefing, which seems to be … Continue reading →

Tours and Shows

Day 13 We have booked a guided tour of the Allerton Gardens. We are both expecting a short walk through a botanical garden with someone spouting a lot of Latin names, but it turns out to be nothing like that. … Continue reading →

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Travel

Waimea to Waikiki

Day 14 Waimea is an odd place. After a lazy morning we go out in search of a coffee. The tiny cinema opposite has updated its programme. Apparently this week it’s "Angry Bird 2", showing on 5 days, "Sat cloed". … Continue reading →

Thursday, November 7, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Travel

Pearl Harbor

Day 16 Today we have another long-awaited organised tour: Pearl Harbor. Preparations are complicated by an additional security directive since we tried to arrange the same trip in 2016 – you are allowed no bags of any form, quite a … Continue reading →

Thursday, November 14, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Thoughts on the World, Travel

Amusing Pineapples, Hilarious Beach Blanket!

Day 17 The original plan for today was to visit the famous snorkelling beach of Hanauma Bay but Sod’s Law kicks in, it’s now closed on Tuesdays. Instead we opt for a drive up to the north coast of Oahu. … Continue reading →

Thursday, November 21, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Travel

A European Visitor’s Guide to Hawaii

Sunbathing, service, costs and chickens! Hawaii is a great place to visit, but based on our recent experience some things may come as a surprise to European visitors, used to comparable destinations in Europe, the Caribbean or mainland USA. For … Continue reading →

Monday, November 25, 2019 in Hawaii Travel Blog, Thoughts on the World, Travel