Honolulu is a Paradise.

The weather is always perfect and there are no mosquitos in Hawaii. We stayed in Waikiki wich is extemely commercial and does not try to pretend otherwise. There are a lot of tourist but they are a very quite crowd. Mostly orientals and americans.

The ammenites of the whole waikiki beach are just perfect. Public washrooms, Public showers to rinse off the sand. A sidewalk all along the beach and sand that does not stick to you. If you are looking for safety and do not mind the tourists this is just paradise.

If you are looking for adventure and do not rent a car like me, take all the tours! (I got them from Mr.Moon at 'Fun tours'at the lobby of the Kuhio village hotel). They are really good and not expensive at all when you think of what it would cost on a taxi back and forth! (for example the Arizona memorial.)

The 'Island tour' is a must if you do not have a car. If you want to spend a day away from the beach go to the 'Polylesian Cultural centre'. It is a little "too Dysneyland-like" but they do give you a lot more than they charge you. Too much actually! I was really dead by the end of the day and I skipped a few of the programs (take a guide!). They do not spare any effort to give you good service. The Show at the end of the day is just great and the food is very good. Whatever package you take, you'll be getting a lot more value for your money!

Fron Waikiki you can walk and do a lot of things. But if you want to go to town I recommend to take the bus. It is very easy to take very affordable and they are all clean and air-conditioned. I did not ventured too far by myself since I took a lot of tours.

Honolulu is huge. There is trafic if you get out of Waikiki.If you want to go to Chinatown, forget it!(if you do not rent a car.) The locals Do not encourage you to go, they say it is not safe at night and too far. And it is really far. I wanted to go but never made it. I am sure that it is very nice though.

If you want to hike to Dimond head. Well, take the bus or a taxi up to the mountain and then do the 'hike'. It is very far, I found out the hard way!

By the way. If you are around the 'Sheraton surfrider'. Try their Breakfast buffet. Very good and you can really skip the noon meal! Their Dinner buffet is very good too ( When I say good here I mean: A lot of food for the money!)

For cheap good meals try the japanese, chinese and korean shops in the mall areas. They are clean and the food is really good. The big restaurants are just like those of any big city: Expensive! I enjoyed more the variety and the new tastes of the numerous food vendors in the open markets than the big restaurants.

The submarine ride is ok ... But I would have skipped it. The boat trips (catamaran) and the sea cruises are very nice and I would not have skipped those! The view and the swimm with the turtles (this just happened, the turtles are not garanteed) were wonderful.

The Dole farm is not a big deal. Not even a small one. But their Pineapple icecream is really delicious! (you can have pineapples ready to eat in all the ABC stores. If you want to do the Pineapple diet* like me, that is the perfect time!

I enjoyed my 10 day vacation in Hawaii. It is not a cheap destination but you can make it really reasonable. You do a lot and you are tired at the end but it is worth it.

This was a first time for me in Hawaii. I will definately return but I will go to Maui. Oahu and Waikiki were a very nice choice for a first trip.

PS: *The pineapple diet is not a scientific diet just a way for me to describe my full Noni juce, KavaKava root beverage, Hollywood diet drink and lots of Dole's Pineapple regiment that I followed when in Hawaii! In addition with all the rest of the food! I did not loose a pound but loved it anyways!