Hawaii has been a dream destination for me for so long! This is the first blog post that I’m writing during the actual trip.
My first thoughts will be on the flight.
Since I flew from Las Vegas, the only direct flight was with Hawaiian Airlines.
First thing that I noticed – they didn’t offer (free) headphones. I had a pair with me, but my boyfriend didn’t. So I thought at the moment “Oh bummer, we’re going to have to watch the same movie on the same tv and share headphones, but that’s alright".
Now let’s check out the inflight entertainment. Guess what. No free movies. Yes, you read that correctly. No. Free. Movies.
So that’s that. I’m not gonna linger on the flight experience anymore, but just so you know in case you fly Hawaiian Airline – bring headphones and fill your ipad, iphone or whatever device you own with movies or just bring books.
I’ve heard so much about Hawaii and I was dying to visit! So many of my friends were telling me how they went to Hawaii once and then returned 7 more times! So I had to see it with my own eyes.
You might be wondering how and why I picked Oahu even though people are really divided between Maui and Oahu. Some actually like Kauai more! Well, first of all let me tell you that I do plan on exploring all the other islands sometime in the (near) future. I picked Oahu because I wanted my first encounter with Hawaii to be a touristy one. I do love populated areas, touristy, filled with restaurants, bars, music, shopping areas and with lots of things to do. Oahu, in my opinion, is the most popular island in that sense!
And after all that I have just said you can imagine I couldn’t pick any other place to stay but Waikiki beach.
From the moment I stepped foot inside Trump International Hotel Waikiki, I was completely mesmerized. They greet you with kukui leis (nuts for gentlemen, shells for ladies). The kukui is the official tree of Hawaii. The history of the kukui leis date back to the arrival of the early Polynesians to the Hawaiian Islands. They brought the kukui trees and nuts with them from south east Asia and cultivated them of the Hawaiian islands. Ancient Hawaiians used this tree to produce light by making candles out of it and as a result it is now the symbol of light.
Next step is the beautiful lobby situated at the 6th floor. It is an open space that hosts the lobby, the restaurant, a lounge area, the pool and the breakfast terrace.
Needless to say, the luxury condo situated on the 26th floor surpassed my expectations. It combined luxury details with that feeling of “home". During my whole stay I felt like I was home in the most beautiful one bedroom apartment, with a fully equipped kitchen, 2 bathrooms with 2 showers and one incredible bath tub with a little wooden window that opens directly into the bedroom and 2 balconies with an out of this world view of Waikiki beach.
Next step? Going to the beach! But not without being even more spoiled by Trump International Hotel Waikiki! Every day when going to the beach they provide a beach bag with towels, water and fresh fruits.
Staying at Trump International Hotel Waikiki has been one of the most luxurious experiences ever! From their world class dining to the rooftop infinity pool, there is not one bone in my body that isn’t craving to go back!
O’ahu is my favorite island so far! There are some must see place that I’d love to recommend to all of you that are lucky enough to visit this magnificent island.
When vacationing on O’ahu, make sure you start your weekend off with a bang. Each Friday evening the there’s a free fireworks show in Waikiki beach. Make sure to position yourself at the beach or at a rooftop facing the beach around 6 pm!
One of the best places to visit here is Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. And the best thing about it is the amazing road that leads to it that you see on almost every instagrammer’s account. It looks so lush, so tropical! It is the perfect representation of Hawaii’s beauty – green mountain as a background, palm trees left and right and the most calming straight road. It is usually foggy, but that doesn’t make it less pretty! You cannot miss this! I cannot stress enough how beautiful this location is!
I know most of you will probably stay in Waikiki, but Waikiki beach is so crowded and not at all exotic. I really wanted to experience Hawaii through a white sand, secluded beach. The best one out there is Lanikai Beach. You will need a car to go there. Uber might work, but I’m not really sure if you’re find a ride back. Lanikai is this tiny, dreamy beach where you feel completely isolated from the real world. It’s like your own little piece of heaven!
There’s so many amazing things to explore in O’ahu, they could fit into one blog post. Make sure to check out at one waterfall, preferably Maona falls or Waipuhia falls, ride a local trolley in Waikiki Beach and try a loco moco, a traditional dish in Hawaii.
Bonus: Heads up! Actually heads down and check out the inscriptions on the sidewalk! Here and there you’re find a Hawaiian word and its translation.
Ending this blog post with some images from Waikiki beach and the rooftop pool at Trump International Waikiki that will give you pure wanderlust.
Marylyn Griepentrog
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