We are travelers, my husband and I, people who place a priority on seeing as much of the world as we can. It’s something I learned about him the first night we met as he described a competition he and his sister have had for years: Let’s see who can visit each of the 50 states first. (It’s such a serious contest an airport touchdown does not count, I’m just saying.) Colette is left with Alaska, North Dakota and Oklahoma; Tim with Alaska and Hawaii.

Lucky for me, they’ve agreed we’ll all go to Alaska together. And this is how it happened that Hawaii moved to the top of our Places to Visit list.

I’d never have put it there on my own, may I tell you, I’d never have chosen Hawaii over the thousand other investment locales that hold sway. And I couldn’t have explained my bias, either, since I never gave much thought to the reasoning. It just hung out there in the “yeah, well, maybe someday” stratosphere, never coming close or into focus.

I wonder now why this was, now that I feel so differently. And I’m surprised at my own conclusion. In my mind,

Hawaii = Paradise

And when you get right down to it, paradise and perfection are just not that interesting.

But the islands of Hawaii are far, far from perfect, filled with so much geographic tension every moment is thrilling. There is so much contrast, so much diversity. So many surprises that Can you believe this? and Look at that. Wow. are the comments we made most often. (This was followed closely by Rum Runner, please, but that’s another story.) By the time our 10 days was over we left with a deep shared pride that Hawaii is a part of our United States and a promise to each other we really will go back soon. We had a brilliant experience in Hawaii, and we have compiled a list of over 150 things to do in Oahu.

In the meantime I thought it might be fun to do a weekly series featuring my favorite photographs and the most fun snippets from our trip. A little spot of tropical vacation, if you will, to brighten these last gray winter weeks.

Let’s start here!

Kaiaka Bay Beach Park–Oahu

Oahu’s North Shore, famous for giant waves and great surfing. We were mesmerized by Kaiaka Bay’s volcanic beach and restless, relentless ocean. #suprisinghawaii

Aloha! ~ Cathy

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