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Oahu
(the Gathering Place)
Capital
of all the islands, Oahu is for beachcombers, honeymooners and adventurers
of all ages. It has clear blue waters and pristine valleys, rainbows and
waterfalls, quiet sandy beaches, fiery sunsets and lovely flowers which
perfume the air. It is truly a jewel.
Honolulu,
the capital, is set over five hills and surrounded by beautiful white
sandy beaches, attracting some seven million visitors each year.
It
offers plazas, parks with cascading waterfalls, five star restaurants,
nightclubs, world-class shopping, great art and architecture, exquisite
hotels and friendly people with old fashioned aloha spirit.
A
walking tour of the city must include the Aloha Tower and the fascinating
Hawai'i Maritime Centre, the Kawaiahao Church, the Mission Houses Museum,
the stately Iolani Palace and across the street, the striking statue of
King Kamehameha the Great.
A
gourmet's paradise, the cuisine in Honolulu is a blend of the spices of
Asia and the Pacific with European styles and sauces.
Make
a special visit to Chinatown where several buildings erected at the turn
of the century still remain intact. The architecture is reminiscent of a
bygone era. The Chinatown Historical Society offers walking tours which
include a stroll through the colourful arcades, past the exotic herb
shops, the famous open market and historical buildings.
Stepping
off bustling Kuhio Avenue and into the cool, tranquil lobby of the Lucoral
Museum, you are immediately surrounded by a quartz studded waterfall, huge
amethysts and dramatic stone carvings. Six rooms are filled with wondrous
stone works, many intricate carvings depicting classic oriental myths and
legends. Perhaps the most notable feature is the showroom where dazzling
pearl and precious coral jewellery, as well as other treasures can be
bought at competitive prices.
There's
so much to see and do on Oahu, from a family hike to Diamond Head, a 760
foot peak, to a swim with 150 varieties of tropical fish in Hanauma Bay.
Where
else can you snorkel a crystal lagoon, climb a dormant volcano, surf huge
waves, kayak along a pristine tropical coastline, picnic on a sandbar,
soar in a glider over tidepools, scuba dive over sunken aeroplanes, play
golf at a championship course and sail into a magnificent sunset?
A
change of pace is to visit Dole Plantation three miles past Wahiawa. Walk
around the Pineapple Garden tasting the varieties of pineapple grown there,
or surf the waves on Ka'a'awa Beach on the windward side of the island.
You
can also enjoy a stroll through the Polynesian Cultural Centre and enjoy
Sea Life Park with its killer whales, dolphins and penguins.
A
safe and interesting way to experience the natural wonders of the reef is
to take a trip in a high tech Atlantis Sub to a depth of 150 feet. Through
the portholes you will see a visual feast of colourful reef fish and
mysterious ocean predators. The
night dive is a special treat for it offers an eerie floodlight experience.
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