Hawaii help

[thefuzz]

Add Curacao and Bonaire. Curacao has the famous Campo de Allegre

http://www.campoalegresex.com/general-information.php

A state sanctioned and managed red light district, complete with bar and bands and entertainment. Also referred to as "The Compound."

 

Any thoughts on Grenada? Thinking about going there for a week or so. Last time I was there was on business with the Navy in 1983 evacuating a bunch of American medical students....

 

 

I have been wanting to hit both Curacao and Bonaire, just have not had the time yet.  I love all the islands down there for the most part.

 

 

As to Grenada, I have never really looking into going, other than briefly, as I will consider moving down there in retirement full time.

[Hawk]

I'd add the Mayan Riviera zone of Mexico and Belize as well.

[Jangler]

Hawaii chicks are fat... Few cute but they are all fuging hippies.

 

I'm a hippie...

[PantherMan89]

Thanks for all the great info. I've got to say I'm quite surprised at how many say go to the Caribbean instead. I've been to a few places in the Caribbean (Aruba, st Thomas, Barbados, st Lucia, st marteen, etc) and had a blast. I guess since I've gone to some of those islands I was looking for something more exotic. I've considered going to Hawaii before but had a hard time justifying the cost. I figured this is the perfect opportunity to do that. However, I don't want to go there if it doesn't stack up. Sounds like I need to do a little more research.

[h0llywood]

Concur with the Kauai and Maui posts. Stay away from Oahu it's a freaking tourist trap except everyone is wearing flip flops.

[Squirrel]

Just did a mini vacation on Kauai and you could spend a whole week here and not get bored. Spend a day biking along the beach. Kayak a river and just lounge around. Very laidback and peaceful.

[Ja Rhule]

I've been to St. Marteen, St. Thomas, St. John, Turks and Caicos, St. Lucia and other islands and NOTHING compares to Maui. Honeymoon in Maui was on another level.

[PntherPryd]

Would just add that if go to Maui and desire to "bike down the volcano" you should skip the big tour operators and rent a bike from a local shop. Just like the big outfits they drive you and the bikes up to the summit to catch the sunrise. (Which is freaking cold btw!)

The other operators leave right from the summit with their bikes because they have federal permits. The local bike shop (LBS) has to drive you back down 1000' to the park entrance.

The benefit (beside a better bike) is that you are free from there to go any freaking where you want. The big tours require you to wear matching jumpsuits, full face motorcycle helmets, ride single file all together and can only stop at designated spots for photo ops.

Ride down to about 5500' and head west past vineyards until you get to the lava fields. Then work your way back east and down. Great full day of riding with just a little climbing. And you don't feel like a tourist.

[Kevin Greene]

Maui and Kauai.

 

You will not be disappointed.

 

[KSpan]

Would just add that if go to Maui and desire to "bike down the volcano" you should skip the big tour operators and rent a bike from a local shop. Just like the big outfits they drive you and the bikes up to the summit to catch the sunrise. (Which is freaking cold btw!)

The other operators leave right from the summit with their bikes because they have federal permits. The local bike shop (LBS) has to drive you back down 1000' to the park entrance.

The benefit (beside a better bike) is that you are free from there to go any freaking where you want. The big tours require you to wear matching jumpsuits, full face motorcycle helmets, ride single file all together and can only stop at designated spots for photo ops.

Ride down to about 5500' and head west past vineyards until you get to the lava fields. Then work your way back east and down. Great full day of riding with just a little climbing. And you don't feel like a tourist.

This. Haleakala Bike Company was fantastic - the guide was hilarious on the way up, they cut us loose to ride at our own pace, and drove their truck around from time to time to make sure no one needed any help with a flat tire, derailed chain, etc. Bikes were well-maintained too.

[PandaPancake]

Just because it's about Hawaii. Here's what I look like 5 minutes ago.

[thefuzz]

Thanks for all the great info. I've got to say I'm quite surprised at how many say go to the Caribbean instead. I've been to a few places in the Caribbean (Aruba, st Thomas, Barbados, st Lucia, st marteen, etc) and had a blast. I guess since I've gone to some of those islands I was looking for something more exotic. I've considered going to Hawaii before but had a hard time justifying the cost. I figured this is the perfect opportunity to do that. However, I don't want to go there if it doesn't stack up. Sounds like I need to do a little more research.

 

Hawaii isn't exotic, at least the way I look at it.

 

It's almost a full on tourist trap.

 

Either way though, do your thing.

[PantherMan89]

Appreciate all the feedback. I have decided on Maui and Kauai. 4 nights at each. Now on to planning things to do at both. Heard they do caged shark dives. Anyone done one before? Worth it or not really?

[PantherMan89]

Hawaii isn't exotic, at least the way I look at it.

It's almost a full on tourist trap.

Either way though, do your thing.

I don't exact consider it exotic either. But I do consider it more exotic than the Caribbean. That's probably because I live on the east coast and its a lot easier/more affordable to go to the Caribbean.