Today’s guest posts is from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and travel blogger at Flyaway Cafe.
Sometimes the best part of a vacation is just slowing down, taking a few minutes to sit and contemplate the meaning of life. . . enjoying the sun on your back and looking at the ocean.
This photo was taken on the island of Kauai, where I spent a fair amount of time doing just that.
Photo credit: personal collection
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This is a guest post by Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel editor, and blogger at Flyaway Cafe.
Greetings from Kauai, the Garden Isle of Hawaii.
The fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands, it is often called the Garden Isle because it is lush and green. It’s lush and green because it rains a lot here, and there are spots on the island that claim to have the most rainfall of anywhere on Earth. Whether that’s a fact, or an urban legend, seems up for debate, but there’s no debating that this island is not what most people expect of Hawaii.
This …read more
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The last time we were at Mauna Kea beach on the Big Island, the red flags were up, indicating rough conditions. We had our boogie boards with us, and as a lifeguard came out of the water, he warned us, “Be careful out there. People get their necks snapped on days like today.” It sounds harsh, but he knew what a lot of people don’t: That sharks may make the headlines, but drownings claim far more lives.
Although the state of Hawai’i is serious about their lifeguards, most drownings occur at beaches where there aren’t any.
The City and …read more
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Best beach for keeping up with the Joneses (whoever they are) and maintaining your hip, in-the-know image: (That’s a no-brainer) Waikiki Beach on Oahu.
Best hike across what looks like a moonscape before finding yourself on a deserted black and white beach with a terrific array of tidepools: Kiholo Bay on the Northwest side of the Big Island.
Best beach for swimming with turtles and the occasional school of spinner dolphins: Tunnels Beach on Kauai.
Best giant-sized bathtub: Queen’s Bath on Kauai. (Pictured)
Best beach that requires four-wheeling first: Mo’omomi Beach on Molokai. (Visit during the summer months for best results.)
Best beach that’s totally …read more
If you’d rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than make your pilgrimage to the mall to buy a swimsuit, take heart. You’re not alone. This age-old source of agony, low self-esteem, and frustration was the inspiration behind the iVillage Trauma-Free Swimsuit Buying guide. I’ve added a few of my own pointers below, in the spirit of commiseration and empathy. After all, we’ve all been there.
First off, it’s cut, not color that makes the difference in a flattering suit. (Are you a summer or a winter? The answer is: Who cares?) Although it’s true that black is slimming, what’s most …read more
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You’ve no doubt seen bumper stickers and other materials with some version of the line art figure above. Called “honu” by Hawaiians and the Hawaii-friendly, it’s a representation of the green sea turtle, an endangered species you’re bound to see while snorkeling in Kaua’i.
Hawaii is the Endangered Species Capital of the World. With 100s of plants and animals listed as Endangered or Threatened, there are more endangered species per square mile on these islands than any other place on the planet. Arguably one of the best places to glimpse one of these endangered creatures is at Tunnels …read more
Glass Beach in Kaua’i has strong currents, dangerous shorebreak, high surf, a sudden drop-off, sharp coral, and slippery rocks. It’s near a trash dump, and is hard to find. The view is industrial, and pretty bleak. Why would you want to go there? Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn’t, depending on how much you’re interested in sea glass. Think back to the name, Glass Beach. Catch my drift?Glass Beach is home to one of the rare natural sources of sea glass; the Hawaiian variety being more desirable …read more
I was recently discussing accommodations in Hawai’i, and we both decided that if you’re from the school that says there are no bad accommodations, only bad bank accounts, you’ll agree: Whether you’re in a beach front mansion or camping out, you’re still in Hawai’i. As the kids say, it’s all good. This is especially true if you’re lucky enough to bag a night or six on Ka’anapali Beach, the queen mother of Maui beaches.
Ka’anapali has been crowned America’s Best Beach, and I’m in full agreement. It’s not so crowded that a couple can’t share a romantic moment …read more
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