"Shore" Enjoyed Oahu

Bryan and I had a great time in Hawaii, soaking up the sun and embarking on the ultimate tourist adventure. While some activities were done out of obligation as first-time visitors (luau, Waikiki, Hanauma Bay), there were others that made the trip unbelievable.

If you're going, be sure to rent a car to escape the bustle of Honolulu. We drove to the edge of the island in three directions from our base camp on Waikiki, witnessing a vivid potpourri of landscapes and beaches. The highlight was a drive through the green Waianae Mountains to the Kamehama Highway on our way to the Polynesian Cultural Center. The waves to the north and east were fun but terrifying (my 220-pound husband was thrown into two full underwater cartwheels by one), and the full moon above Diamond Head reflecting off the waters of Waikiki was breathtaking.

Best Site - Halona Blowhole and the beaches along the eastern coast

Worst Site - the scratch the "parking garage pillar made" down the side of our rental car