O'ahu - The Gathering Place

Confessions of... A Terrible Tourist

I really do love to travel. But I have a confession: I am not an adventurer. I am not a action woman (seriously, read my bio - I cannot ride a bike). What this means for my travel style is that I like to relax while on holidays. Sure, I will walk around a city for days, but I won't venture too far out of it. That beaten track? I like it. I stick with it. I beat it down some more for the next similarly wussy, Havianas-shod traveller.

I know, I know. I am a terrible tourist.

Around the time of my first trip to Hawaii around two years ago, I was working with a gal very into Hawaiian culture. She was a hula dancer, in fact, and recommended a trip to the Hawaiian Cultural Centre and kindly compiled a list of must do's in Honolulu. I got to know the Ala Moana shopping centre really well.

It was not on her to-do list.

SHAME.

Having said all that, I am making baby-step improvements, full of a conviction rooted in the belief that travelling is not to be taken for granted, and I really should try to make the most of my days away. Fresh off Hawaiian Airlines flight 451, I was determined to step away from the Waikikian sands, beautiful as the place is, and see just a little more of the beautiful island of Oahu.

One of my travel pals Action John (the greatest hero of them all!), suggested a hike to Makapuʻu Point, the easternmost point on the island of Oʻahu, and home to the Makapu'u Lighthouse. In my baby adventurer spirit, I agreed, on the basis that it was ranked a 'moderate' hike. We took the scenic, half hour drive east of Honolulu and spent an hour or so taking in the beautiful sights.

 So tell me, dear reader...do you have any terrible tourist confessions?