TURTLES AT LANIAKEA BEACH

Swimming with turtles was high on my things-to-do-in-Hawaii list.

I had looked into a few specifically turtle spotting boat trips but then one day while walking along Laniakea Beach in Haleiwa, we found 'em in the wild. 

We were so enthralled by our first spotting that we stayed for hours walking along the beach, spotting turtles napping on the sand.

Not dead. I swear. Only looks dead. Very much alive.

Walking along the beach, we spotted more and more washed upon the shore. And then we came back day after day, to swim with them in the ocean. 

We named this one Tezza.

Haleiwa Beach Park

So, if you ever find yourself on the island of the Oahu... skip the $80 "swim with the turtles" boat tour and just hang with them at Laniakea Beach. 

HALEIWA, HAWAII

Haleiwa (a little town on Hawaii's North Shore) is the surfing capital of the world. Known for the giant, insane pipeline waves (yes, like Blue Crush) it's a surfing mecca. We were there in the off-season so unfortunately, it was relatively flat but still beautiful. 

The small community dates back to the 1900's and the architecture in the main town looks slightly old-westy with brightly colored, saloon-style buildings.

Food trucks galore.

In Haleiwa, the one long road that hugs the coast is the only way in and out so no matter where you drive, you have the bright blue ocean on one side and tropical flowers lining the sandy road on the other.  

OAHU COAST

Rabbit Island and sea life sanctuary. 

Makapuu Lookout

The south east coast of Oahu. 

MANOA + LULUMAHU FALLS

Morphing into a (temporary) morning person in Hawaii (due to jet lag) led to many early morning hikes to bamboo forests and waterfalls. Manoa Falls and Lulumahu were 2 favorites. 

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN KAILUA

Kailua is a mostly residential area with only one commercial district on the main road. The neighborhood seemed to be quite a tight community, every person I passed on morning hikes said a genuine hello which as a cold Bostonian, I found startling -- but also nice. 

Strolling back and forth to the beach each day, palm trees lined every road and I trailed behind snapping photos of the bright flowers, neon sunsets and tropical houses. I eased right into the calm, tropical vibe of Kailua and now want to go back ASAP. 

KAILUA, HAWAII

Kailua was a sleepy beach town until Obama blew up it's spot with his annual vacations while he was in office. He was born in Honolulu, but Kailua became his (like San Clemente became Nixon's) during his Presidency.

After visiting, I can certainly understand why he chose it, as the beaches in Kailua are -- hands down -- the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen in my entire life. And I've seen some beaches. 

Usually after arriving on a beach, I take a minute to enjoy the scenery before:

a) jumping in the water

b) diving into a book or

c) falling asleep for a nap

....but after setting up on Kailua Beach I just sat there and looked around, in awe, for a solid 60-90 minutes. It's just astonishingly beautiful. These photos don't even do it justice, they're legit garbage compared to what it really looks like in real life. 

We took runs and hikes up the Lanikai Pillboxes for full views of the coast.

Pitaya smoothie from Kalipawai Market. 

Kailua Beach sits right next to Lanikai Beach. Both have the softest white sand and water so blue it brings the Leader of The Free World back every year.

SANDY BEACH

On the South Shore of Oahu, Sandy Beach is a lovely sunrise spot with a powerful shore break that made for good body surfing. Getting clobbered by waves is always an effective way to wake up. 

Cold brew coffee, pineapple and wifi... what more could you want.

Hawaiian chicks.

Post-swim, I'd drink a cold brew provided by the rustic road-side coffee cart and watch photographers with massive lenses (in the water!) trying to get the perfect shot of a barrel.

Sandy Beach is a great way to start the day.  

OAHU, HAWAII

In September, I traveled to Hawaii for a wedding and spent 2 weeks exploring the island of Oahu. I found Hawaii to be so excellent that it made me prouder to be an American (which can be tough at times, these days), knowing this beautiful tropical gem is part of my country. 

Immediately after landing, we picked up our rental car and drove to a beach in Honolulu for an inaugural dip.  

Diamond Head Crater.

Waikiki by night. 

I found a lost dog wandering around in the dark in Waikiki, promptly fell in love, gave her a bath, got her a new outfit and began planning how I could take her home to Boston (You can pack a small dog on Delta, FYI). Long story short, I eventually (and begrudgingly) reunited her with her owner but I was THISCLOSE to finally owning a dog and already had a shortlist of Hawaiian names picked out for her. Her real name is "Penny" but I think she looks more like a "Aliikai" (Hawaiian for "Queen of the Sea"). 

For the first 2 nights, we stayed in an Honolulu AirBnB surrounded by misty mountains in the Aina Haina Valley. Jetlagged, we would wake up at sunrise and get an early hike in before hitting the beach.

I liked Hawaii so much it actually made me a morning person.