On October 30,2007, 18 agents from western Canada met in Vancouver Airport for a familiarization trip of Oahu and Maui. How appropriate that the Hawaiian word “Ohana” means family because for the next seven days we were to become very close.
After a short five hour flight we found ourselves in Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. A bustling city with high rise hotels, palm trees, and a white sandy beach known as Waikiki.
The first couple of nights we spent at the Embassy Suites Hotel. This luxurious 5 star hotel is just steps from the beach and all rooms have a balcony. Here we enjoyed a large pool area and a breakfast buffet with a wide variety of choices. This hotel is one block from Kalakaua Avenue where you’ll find tons of shops and restaurants.
Only a few blocks away is the world famous “International Marketplace”. An array of shops and vendors, to find that perfect gift to bring back home, that stretches for a whole block.
The next two nights we transferred to The Wyland Waikiki which is located two blocks from the beach. The Wyland Waikiki reflects the design inspiration, marine life art, and contemporary eco-lifestyle of renowned artist Wyland. Here we were given the manager’s welcome reception upon arrival. A smaller but very quaint hotel with gorgeous modern rooms and a very lush pool area complete with spa tub.
Stacy Alford from the Oahu Visitors Bureau did a presentation on available tours and excursions on Oahu. The following morning we all set off on our own expeditions of this magnificent island.
I chose the “North Shore” excursion. This tour started early morning with a visit to Pearl Harbor. Then we traveled north up the center of the island between the two mountain ranges which provide ideal growing conditions to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. We stopped for a few tasty samples of fresh pineapple and coconut.
Then on to the north shore we drove. We saw hidden waterfalls, rock cliffs complete with cliff divers and I was steps away from a very large sea turtle on shore sunning herself. An amazing full day tour that is well worth the time and money spent.
Early the following morning we headed back to the airport for our inter-island flight to the neighboring island of Maui. Here it is much quieter and more laid back compared to the “busy-ness” of Honolulu. With tons of beautiful resorts, and quaint roadside stops for shopping, beach walking or just relaxing, I found Maui to be an ideal location to spend a couple of days.
We stayed at The Westin Maui Resort and Spa in Ka’anapali. Absolutely gorgeous five star resort with huge beautiful rooms. It comes complete with its own waterfall in the lobby which is the home for lots of natural wildlife.
Right next door in Whaler’s Village, you’ll find a lot of shopping and a host of affordable restaurants. For more variety this resort offers a free shuttle to Lahaina.
Here in Maui a few of us on this trip learned some basic steps to their native dance called “The Hula”. We enjoyed the local food and beverages. A must see and experience is the Royal Lahaina Luau. Other optional tours include The Road to Hana, Molokini Snorkel Cruise or take a bike ride down Haleakala crater.
Maui offers an island experience like no other. Truly an affordable and culturally diverse vacation destination. |
