Hawaii 2012: Oahu Island Roadtrip

At last, I was in Honolulu!

As soon as I got off the plane, I wanted see the famous Waikiki strip! I don’t want to burst your bubble but before I focus on the specifics, I’d like to dedicate this post to the whole island of Oahu. This island (one among four major islands in Hawaii as I’ve mentioned here) is not just Waikiki. It is a paradise all around.

One sunny (of course) weekend, we went on a road trip around the whole island of Oahu. Everywhere I looked, it was a beautiful sight.

There are beaches, mountains, greens, rivers…

… and a pineapple plantation.

If Waikiki beach gets too crowded, there are many other options around the island to choose from. Hawaii is never short of beaches.

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Hawaii 2012: The Big Island

When you think of Hawaii, certain things come to mind… like sun, sand, and sea. It’s like the land of eternal sunshine; a topical paradise at best. I can probably summarize it in an image like the one below.

That’s what I though too! But then, we went to Hilo on the Big Island and it was one rainy place!

To give you a quick background, Hawaii is composed of four major islands and a lot of little ones here and there. The four bigger ones are: the Big Island, Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. I’m sure you’re all familiar with Waikiki, Hawaii’s most famous beach strip. Waikiki is located in Honolulu, Oahu, and we’ll be getting there soon. For this post, I’ll be sharing my Big Island experience.

Welcome to Hawaii, USA!!!

Incidentally, this is also my first US trip. I got a 10-year multiple-entry visa and I’m super thrilled!

We flew 18 hours into the past from Manila and landed in Honolulu and then we had to take a domestic flight to Hilo. I didn’t know what to expect. This picture is pretty much a glimpse of what the rest of Hilo looks like… wide open spaces, zero traffic, sky anticipating rain.

We checked in at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. I loved the sunsets at that place.

Check out the view from my room. Hilo is so green!

We arrived on a Saturday and had the whole Sunday to ourselves. I fancied a walk around the hotel that Sunday morning.

After a 5-minute walk, I found this Japanese-themed garden.

Up ahead, there’s a rainbow. I came to know that there is always a rainbow over Hawaii. That is probably why it is nicknamed the Rainbow State.

On the other side of the hotel is a more tropical view. There’s a paddling area nearby. I’m just content to watch and enjoy being at that place at that time.

When everyone else was up, we proceeded to have breakfast at IHOP in Hilo’s biggest mall.

Dinner at Hilo Bay Cafe. For me, it’s the best restaurant there. A few more dinner suggestions: Cafe Pesto and Ponds.

I managed to get a few shots of what went into my hungry tummy.

A quick tip: never leave Hilo without visiting Mauna Loa - the best macadamia nut brand. They also have coffee, chocolate covered mac nuts, and various souvenir items.

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, I had to fly back to Honolulu and continue the trip there. I was super excited to visit the famous Waikiki but at the same time, a bit bummed that I wouldn’t be able to go with the others to visit the volcanoes and the other beaches in Hilo.

Anyway, I can’t have both. I’ll see you on my next post!

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Guangzhou 2012: Guangdong Museum

On the same day that we roamed around the landmarks of Guangzhou, we also visited the interestingly-designed Guangdong museum.  Honestly, I am not a museum-going type of person but figuring that China has a very rich culture and history, I might as well immerse myself while I was there.

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Guangzhou 2012: Opera House and Canton Tower

Continuing my Guangzhou experience, I will focus this time on the sights and skyscrapers, which, for me, are the best part. In my previous post, I shared with you that we stayed at Hilton Hotel Tianhe. Though I didn’t get to take a lot of photos of my room, here is my shot of my view of Guangzhou from my floor-to-ceiling windows. I especially love that gold-colored glass building.

It was a bit of a gloomy day that time. At first, I thought it was just the typical smoggy skies of anywhere in China until it drizzled a bit. I didn’t mind. We just took a cab to where Guangzhou’s Opera House was. Thanks to our translator who wrote in advance the address in Chinese characters, we didn’t get lost.

Before we beheld the architectural beauty that was the Opera house, I managed to take a few photos of the surrounding business-gray buildings. They all almost looked the same.

The taxi dropped us off within a few steps from the Opera House. With it’s unique shape amidst the uniform buildings, you couldn’t miss it.

It looks like a space ship, if you ask me.

We weren’t able to go inside as it was closed. We just roamed around its perimeter and I found this artistically-wrought iron sculpture of a mother carrying her child. Also, we can see the Canton Tower in the background. We will be going there next.

Oh, but before the Canton Tower, we also went to the Guangdong Museum, which is very near the Opera House. I’ll be writing separate post for the museum.

Now, we’re on our way to the Canton Tower. It seemed so near but being very tall (2000 ft), it’s actually a cab-ride away.

We just enjoyed strolling around and looking a the directions.

The red brick road, which will hopefully lead us to our destination.

This one, I found unusual. What would be a statue of a peanut be doing around Guangzhou? Up to now, it’s an unsolved mystery.

We arrived at the base of Canton Tower and bought our tickets. There are different prices depending on the height you want to reach and if you want meals included.

The elevator ride was exhilarating (read: scary)! Here’s a view from the top.

… and then some more.

In this glass encasement, you get to have your photo taken by the camera propped overhead, and this photo can be claimed at the lobby.

One more shot of me beneath the Canton Tower!

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