If you like spending a vacation at a sunny, tropical paradise with the wide blue sea, pristine white beaches and swaying palm trees as the picturesque backdrop, Hawaii is the perfect holiday destination you have to go at least once in your lifetime.
I visited this tropical paradise with my beloved husband and we had the privilege to stay at his aunt’s house overlooking the beautiful lake. It was very mesmerizing sitting in the living room in the evening, looking out at the peaceful lake and watching the beautiful sunset with your loved one.
Hawaii is the perfect dream vacation for those who do not want too adrenaline-pumping adventure or hectic sightseeing from places to places. Here, you can just cast your cares away and relax by the beach, do a bit of sightseeing or a spot of retail therapy at some of its shopping malls. Time is at your leisure and there is no tour guide to rush you from one place of interest to another.
A must-try, though, is Hawaii’s signature dish – a yummy plate lunch comprising the Japanese-style sticky rice, BBQ chicken or teriyaki pork and my favourite macaroni salad. You can get this popular meal at the Loco Moco Drive Inn for just US$3 for a mini plate, or US$5 for a regular plate fit for two. To my utmost delight, my father-in-law can whip up a mean good macaroni salad that is as good as the ones I tried in Hawaii. His macaroni salad is so good (seriously!) that I have been encouraging him to make it for sale when he retires. Perhaps then, he could set up a small eatery and I shall name it 'Papa’s Kitchen'.
Of course, when you are in Hawaii, you must make a trip to its beautiful Waimanalo Beach. The sand is so pristine white and the sea so deep blue that they form a breathtaking picture against the clear blue sky and white fluffy clouds. A visit to the Pali Lookout, located at the Nuuanu Pali State Park, is also a must. Here, you can get a scenic bird’s eye view of Kailua and the north shore of Oahu.For those who must have their retail therapy on their vacations, Hawaii will not disappoint. Visit the Aloha Tower Marketplace which comprises mostly boutique shops selling Hawaiian handmade crafts and souvenirs, restaurants and a food court named Food Lanai, where you can dine overlooking the sea. The chocolate-lovers must drop by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory here, which sells an assortment of chocolates including the sugar-free ones. Good for those who are diabetic or who are watching their calories.
Ala Moana Shopping Centre is another major mall that includes an outdoor shopping area with numerous well-known brands like The Body Shop, and Crabtree & Evelyn. It also has a huge food court where you can find international food from Vietnamese, Thai, to Western and even Singaporean delicacies.
For a different retail experience, try the Ward Centers and Waikele Premium Outlets – both of which are like a shopping village on its own with clusters of small but unique shops. And don’t leave Hawaii without visiting the popular weekend Aloha Flea Markets. Here, you can find some really good bargains and quirky buys if you dip deep enough through all the hundreds of stalls. Be sure to go early in the morning when the market opens at 6am, before the hot noon sun comes out. As the market is located at the open stadium, it can get scorching hot shopping in the open-air under the afternoon sun.
For all the memories Hawaii has brought me, the most indelible one must be the people and pace of living there. The Hawaiians really know how to stop and smell the roses in life. Their unhurried lifestyle and sunny disposition are something that cannot be replicated back home in Singapore. And much as I love my birth country, I also miss the relaxed pace and sunny smiles in Hawaii.
