Oahu, the flower's island. Hawaii, United States

Are the hibiscus, the Ilima and orchids that are fragrant and unmistakable air invade the island. They are everywhere: behind the white beaches lapping sea in the breathtaking colors, the green valley beneath the trees of the koa, the flanks of steep mountains prehistoric-looking. Even in the green spaces in the shadow of the skyscrapers of Honolulu.
Here we are where Spielberg has reproduced the Jurassic and let her run dino in the wide spaces untouched, but where Magnum sped with the red on the highways to four lanes. But then where is the reality of Honolulu? It 'just that the most intriguing aspect of the island, everyone can carve out its own space and switch between these two preferred different worlds in just half an hour.
The image of paradise in Hawaii often dreamed and fantasized suddenly materializes at Hanauma Bay, where an old crater flooded over the millennia has formed a multi-colored coral reefs, natural habitat for all kinds of fish.
The finest of all is Waimea Beach, which in summer becomes an immense natural swimming pool where you can safely swim in the giant sea turtles that go down to a few meters from the shore. And if we have luck, you will be surrounded by some fifty dolphins that occasionally reached the beach doing acrobatics and play at your side for one of the most unforgettable days of beach life.

 

Friday, Las Vegas - Hawaii - Oahu

We go to the airport for the long flight that will take us to Hawaii, just to Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Flight of the Ata (€ 370 return) is delayed by two hours, and already it makes me angry (I will arrive in Honolulu at midnight and I must also pick a car, the fear is that the office closes), in the more I say that our two cases of excessive weight and I have to pay the extra $ 50. No matter if I try to make people understand that we are 3 passengers with only two suitcases, I am told that if I want I can buy another suitcase and not pay the extra fee (but how? With two suitcases takes up less space and for a few more pounds I pay). All that remains is to resign themselves to this insane rule that now exists in all Member States, pay and wait for the flight. After exactly 6 hours we landed in paradise, the incazzatura has subsided Avis office is still open. Withdrew the car set the GPS to take us to Kailua, where we reached our little house we rented for 7 days (€ 650, Auntie Barbara's) and as agreed with door open, the light on and a sign saying " Aloha Alberto "(that we could be?). E 'has been opened at night, and given the time zone in California were already 4 am! The cottage is beyond our expectations, which already were high: living room with a 5 mega sofas, bedroom huge Hawaiian-style, small room for the baby, superaccessoriata fitted kitchen with washing machine and dryer, DVD, stereo, two TVs, two air conditioners, very private patio with table for outdoor dining and turned the corner, well-tended garden with heated swimming pool, covered patio with sitting area, sun beds, umbrellas, gas barbecue. This area would be shared only with confidential owners never see: virtually all of this gift of God is to us alone !!!!! In hand chairs and umbrellas for the beach, surfing, gaming, etc.., Just 5 minutes walk from Kailua Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach 3 km long considered among the finest in the world. Dream or reality?

Saturday, Hawaii - Lanikai

Reality! Why is the sun of Hawaii and the time we already wake up at 6 am, and the house, with huge windows and almost transparent curtains, leaves filter the sunlight. As indicated, we find the fridge full of stuff, from huge containers of milk and juices, eggs, toast, etc.. to prepare breakfast. We meet the owners who explains a few things, close the door (just out of habit because all the houses in Kailua are made with huge windows that can be opened easily from outside, obviously here delinquency do not know what ... ) We soon discover the beautiful beaches of the island and go to the nearby Lanikai, practically divided by a small headland from "our" Kailua. The beach is fantastic, although very few people Saturday, water from the Caribbean colors, and very fine white sand, palm trees that create a dreamlike landscape. After a day under a sun super, we go home after doing a little 'spending and we relax in our very private pool with water ... so pleasantly warm with giant barbecue ribs here are very cheap. ... And as soon as sleeping Here you wake up at 6!

Domenica 1 luglio, Hawaii - Waimanalo

We're going to discover another beach, Waimanalo, long, deserted, water colors surreal. Basically we are 3 and Baywatch behind us ... The sea is more rough than Lanikai, the signs indicate the danger of the infamous Portuguese Man-or-war, thankfully you will not find anyone in the entire vacation. The only mishap that we can see are very small almost invisible jellyfish that are usually carried when the wind is blowing strong. If you come in contact with the filament feels a slight pain for a couple of minutes, punturina type of insect, nothing dramatic. Experience it Letizia, sitting comfortably on the surf on the shore, and I and David, always in the water, we remain "untouched". Beautiful sun-baked, after a pleasant picnic in the beach park go for a drive in the south of the island, passing from the viewpoint of Makapuu Point, Sandy Beach, where we see the surfers who brave the dangerous waves, we move from the Kahala Hotel to see the dolphins populate the lagoon (nothing compared to what we see in a couple of days) and fall from the Pali Lookout with incredible Highway that passes beneath the Koolau Mountains, peculiar mountain range with peaks impressive vertical walls and lush.

Monday, Hawaii - Hanauma Bay

Today is a day to the island's most famous beach: Hanauma Bay. We start very soon realize that being famous is a destination for all those staying in the island. Arrive before nine. ... Bitter surprise, the parking is already full and the cars coming from Waikiki are diverted elsewhere. Fortunately, coming from the opposite side, we are able to enter the parking lot, where we see the line to pay the entrance. Yes, because this is a protected marine park and access is paid $ 5. The stream of people are already doing that I spend the like, used among others for deserted beaches of these days, but the view from the beach makes me racing again in a row: unbelievable, one of the most beautiful bays and strange ever views: an ancient submarine crater is covered by a sea of beautiful colors, from which emerges a coral reef teeming with fish. The row does not last long, about 10 minutes, the problem is that then we must wait for the time indicated to see a film that explains the behavior and the dangers of the barrier. Finally we reach the beach, fantastic but already full. The coral is not great, but the fish fauna is truly amazing, you see many species of colorful fish. Speaking with the Baywatch, they tell me to watch the best coral necessary to go beyond the barrier, the problem is that offshore, between waves and narrow passages, it is a bit 'dangerous, you should be familiar with the steps to return. However, apart from too many people, a beach absolutely fantastic and inimitable.

Tuesday , Hawaii - North Shore

An island so beautiful deserves a full tour, which today runs along the coast east to the North-Shore. First stop at Valley of the Temples, where stands the temple Byodo Japanese style and situated on the slopes of the mountains. Continue to Kuaola Ranch, located in a valley that was the natural set of the film Jurassick Par, then we arrive in North-Shore with its enormous beaches. In winter, the waves reach 15 meters, while in summer the sea is completely flat. After watching the Sunset Beach, a paradise for surfers, we arrive at Waimea Beach Park, that incredible beaches, endless sandy crescent lapped by clear waters, a huge natural swimming pool. After a few minutes we see jumping dolphins near the beach, before a couple then more and more. Don flippers and mask I join them after a few minutes and I find myself swimming in the midst of a fifty dolphins. They are everywhere, beside, below, doing stunts and jumps play an unforgettable experience.

Hawaii - Kailua

Today is a national holiday, and for Americans living in Hawaii is a great day. In Kailua, on the street right behind our house, there is the traditional Kailua Parade, a parade in true American style with bands, dancers, soldiers, governors and senators who parade through the streets. After finally spend a day on the beach in Kailua that although we have not seen very close. It 'really great, even if the sea is slightly choppy losing some' transparency. In late afternoon we decided to tackle the climb to the Diamond Head, the extinct crater of the island. Walking rather laborious, but the view of Honolulu and Waikiki from the top is unique. In the evening, on the beach in Kailua, witnessing a fireworks display while sitting comfortably on our chairs.

Thursday, Hawaii - Waimea

Waimea has so impressed that we decided to go back, although it takes nearly an hour by car. Do not regret it: today there are dolphins, giant sea turtles on the other hand we see a few meters from the shore, and put your fins and mask, we are swimming alongside these enormous creatures. Incredible!

Hawaii - Waikiki

Last day in Hawaii, is finishing a wonderful week in one of the most beautiful places ever seen. We leave our home, and reluctantly, as the flight is late in the evening, we take advantage of the last places to visit. Before a walk in the lush Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, in an idyllic location at the foot of the imposing mountains. So we reach the bustling Waikiki, the destination of most tourists who visit the island, and I thank again the day I opted for a house in Kailua-tower block instead of an anonymous hotel in Waikiki. The beach is very characteristic, elegant boulevards filled with shopping malls and a long beach where the background is the unmistakable silhouette of Diamond Head. The confusion, however, is remarkable, much better than the west side surrounded by beautiful parks and palm trees and a beach is not crowded. Finally, a brief visit to the city of Honolulu, a modern metropolis with skyscrapers. It 'time to say goodbye to beautiful Oahu, return the car at the airport again and face a 6 hour flight back to the continent, specifically in the hot Phoenix where we will stop one day to break the journey, before returning to Italy . This time we were equipped with bags: fins, masks and shoes to embark on a bag, then weigh the bags by moving the weights up to exactly the allowed pounds .... That genes are, in fact, even this time we weigh our luggage ... ... ... ... ...