I may have mentioned once or twice (or a hundred times) that we are going to Hawai'i this summer. We are SO FREAKING EXCITED because first of all, IT'S HAWAI'I (duh!!!!), but second of all, we do not travel much at all, so this is.... big. We went to San Francisco two summers ago. That was our one big vacation. Our other vacations were places we could drive to. The reasons for out lack of travel? Well, I'm scared to fly. Also, traveling is EXPENSIVE!! But we have decided it is important to us to see the world, so we shall cut back in other spending areas so we can do it.
I started doing a ton of planning a few months ago but had to step away from it. It was just so overwhelming. But these past couple weekends, I started planning again! We will be visiting The Big Island of Hawai'i in July for seven nights. Five nights will be on the western "sunny" side and two nights will be on the eastern "rainy" side. It is important to visit the rainy side as well because that's where we will get to tour some tropical rain forests, visit a black sand beach, and hit up Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
How did we choose The Big Island? Simple! I took this quiz: Selecting the Best Hawaiian Island for You. (Scroll down to the bottom to take the quiz.) So if you're planning to visit Hawai'i, this could be an easy way to at least narrow down what island you want!
So here is Part 1 of the exciting things I have planned for us in Hawai'i! Come July, I will hopefully have my own awesome pictures to share with you and I won't have to borrow them from the internet!
1. Helicopter Tour
Did you know that some of the most beautiful parts of The Big Island are only accessible via helicopter? I know what you're thinking... "You're scared to fly, but you're going to take a helicopter tour!?" Augh. Yes. You see, there have been a few fatal helicopter crashes in Hawai'i, but when you break it down statistically... it's another one of those "You're more likely to get killed in a car crash on the way to helipad" type things. So I think I shall pop an Ativan (or three) and just suck it up and do it. Because I'm sure when I'm on my deathbed, I won't say, "Gee, I wish I hadn't toured Hawai'i by helicopter." That is, unless my deathbed is a helicopter crash in Hawai'i....
2. Snorkeling at Mauna Kea Beach
Source
I have never been snorkeling before, and I actually get a little bit of the heebie jeebies thinking about being so close to the marine life. I know the tropical fish and stuff will be beautiful, but I am scared that they will touch me or something. I know it's silly! But everyone says snorkeling is so cool. Paul did it when he was in the Virgin Islands with his family and loved it. So snorkeling we shall go! Since I consider us beginners, we plan to go to a nearby beach called Mauna Kea, which is apparently great for beginners!
I have never been snorkeling before, and I actually get a little bit of the heebie jeebies thinking about being so close to the marine life. I know the tropical fish and stuff will be beautiful, but I am scared that they will touch me or something. I know it's silly! But everyone says snorkeling is so cool. Paul did it when he was in the Virgin Islands with his family and loved it. So snorkeling we shall go! Since I consider us beginners, we plan to go to a nearby beach called Mauna Kea, which is apparently great for beginners!
3. Hike through Waipi'o Valley
If there is one thing I am most excited for in Hawai'i, Waipi'o Valley is it. I mean, just look at it. Gorgeous green valley, black sand beach, and do you see up in the left hand corner? That's the largest waterfall on the island- Hi'ilawe Falls, which is over 1400 feet. I really hope it rains before we go so Hi'ilawe is flowin'! We are going to hike into the valley, check out the falls and the black sand beach, and just enjoy the beautiful landscape.
4. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
We can't visit The Big Island without nosing around among the active volcanoes! This will surely be the most interesting national park Paul and I have ever been to! Printing maps and driving routes is still on my to do list, but we plan to spend and entire day here.
5. Akaka Falls State Park
A short hike through tropical rain forest will take is to Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls! Ya can't do Hawai'i without checking out some beautiful waterfalls! This beauty is another reason it will be important to visit the rainy side of the island.
In a few days, I will have Part 2 of my list!
Have you ever been to Hawai'i? Which island? (And giveme all the other details, too!!)
What was your favorite vacation ever?
