Amy Says Aloha from Hawaii!

Amy Says Aloha from Hawaii

I have been extremely lucky to have travelled to Hawaii twice. The first time I went I stayed on the island of Maui, the main purpose to this visit was to get married on the beach at sunset. I couldn't recommend a better place to do this - everything was perfect - but I also wanted to explore as much of this island as possible. Known as the Valley Isle, Maui is dotted with quaint towns, over 30 miles of beaches and some of the most scenic drives in the world. One of our regular stops was at Front Street in Lahania, with its dozens of art galleries, unique shops and restaurants. This is the main town in Maui so if you wanted to people watch, pick up some souvenirs and have a spot of lunch this is the place to go.

There really is so much to do on this island. My personal 'Top 3 not to be missed‘ would be: - The Road to Hana; the Hana Highway leads you through rainforests, countless waterfalls, plunging pools and dramatic seascapes. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the beautiful views. My advice would be is to get a early start and take time on your drive. - Kannapali Beach is five kilometres of white sand and crystal clear waters. The beach fronts a variety of top class hotels such as Hyatt, Sheraton and Westin. Tucked between these hotels is Whalers Village, home to shops and restaurants; my favourite being the Hula Grill - a barefoot bar and restaurant which serves the most amazing fish ever and where I decided to spend the evening after my wedding. - Last but not least, a visit to Hawaii is not complete until you have visiting a ‘Luau’, a traditional Hawaiian feast usually performed at sunset. Dine on kalua Pork, which is cooked in a underground pit. Settle down under the stars while you listen to live music and watch performances of the hula.

If you travel to Maui in the winter months there is a very good chance you can spot the migrating whales. The waters between Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokai are shallow because these islands are linked underwater. Alternatively a great way to see Hawaii is to cruise. I have fist-hand experience of this with NCL. You fly direct to Honolulu, so you have more days to experience the islands.

Personally, to experience the real Hawaii, I prefer to stay on a island and explore. However, the sights and experiences I had by cruising were amazing and I was lucky enough to spot whales from my stateroom balcony and sail past Mount Kilauea at night to watch the live volcano spilling lava out into the sea.

Hawaii is a place that offers something for every holiday maker, from a lazy sun holiday to a holiday bursting with culture and history. Hawaii is a place that holds such a special place in my heart that I would recommend it to anyone.