Monthly Archives: March 2024

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I am a born and bred Aussie (Australian). I had visited New Zealand twice – in 1995 (the North Island) and in 2006 (the South Island). However, it was not until a recent cruise to New Zealand that I was struck by how many things in New Zealand are different from Australia.

Despite both countries being settled by Europeans about the same time and despite our geographic proximity, the countries have some stark differences.

Australia vs New Zealand Fun Facts

Convicts vs Free People

White settlement in Australia was by convicts, whereas white settlement in New Zealand was by free settlers.

The British colony of New South Wales, Australia, was established in 1788 as a penal colony. After the American War of Independence, Britain was faced with overcrowded prisons and prison ships and no suitable destination to transport their convicts (prisoners). Between 1788 and 1868, about 162,000 convicts were transported from Great Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia.

Early European settlers in New Zealand were not convicts. To begin with, they were mainly whalers, sealers and missionaries. White people migrated to New Zealand in their quest for profits and also to own land. The Māori term for the white inhabitants of New Zealand was “Pakeha.”

Dangerous Animals vs Harmless Animals

There are many dangerous animals in Australia. There are no dangerous animals in New Zealand.

Australia has loads of deadly snakes, spiders and other creatures that might kill you. In New Zealand you can run through long grass without a care in the world. Somehow, when the two countries physically separated some 80 million years ago, New Zealand’s animals didn’t evolve the same way as the Australian ones did. As an example, 21 of the 25 most toxic snakes in the world are all from Australia yet New Zealand has no snakes.

Australia also has native marsupials like koalas, kangaroos and wombats. New Zealand doesn’t have any native marsupials.

What New Zealand does have is its national icon and unofficial national emblem – the native Kiwi, a brown flightless bird with a long beak.

Book an Australian Wildlife Tour at Melbourne Zoo

Protected Possums vs Possum Pests

Possums are protected in Australia but treated as a conservation and agricultural pest in New Zealand.

In Australia, the possum is protected as a native species.

The possum was first introduced to New Zealand by Australia between 1837 and 1898 to establish a fur trade. Initially a protected animal, this status was lifted in 1947 when it was realised that the environmental damage caused by possums outweighed any profit from the sale of its skins.

The possum has become New Zealand’s most damaging animal pest, wreaking havoc on native forests and animals and also on farmland.

Read More: Hidden Historical Treasures in the Heart of New Zealand’s Central Otago District

Flightless Birds vs Flying Birds

The giant, flightless bird of New Zealand is extinct however there are two living species of giant, flightless birds in Australia.

The Moa are an extinct group of flightless birds formerly endemic to New Zealand. They were extinct by 1445.

In Australia, you can still find two varieties of feathered, flightless birds – cassowaries and emus. Emus are taller than cassowaries but the cassowary is the heaviest bird in Australia and the second heaviest in the world after its cousin, the ostrich.

Indigenous Differences

Australia’s indigenous people are two distinct cultural groups comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (“Aboriginal Australians”). New Zealand’s indigenous people are the Māori. There are several differences between the indigenous peoples of the two nations.

There were people on these lands before white, English-speaking people came to Australia and New Zealand.

Aboriginal Australians have lived in Australia for over 60,000 years. They are the oldest, continuous culture on Earth. By comparison, the Māori arrived in New Zealand from Polynesia in the 1300s.

Another major difference is that there is one Māori language but more than 250 Aboriginal languages and over 800 dialects. Each Aboriginal language is specific to a particular place and people.

There is an official Māori language in New Zealand—te reo Māori. You will see some signs in both English and Māori. There is a TV channel broadcasting programs exclusively in the Māori language, and New Zealand sporting teams often perform the Haka, a ceremonial Māori war dance, before a big sporting match.

Australia’s Aboriginal culture is much less prominent, especially in the big cities.

The Māori have a proud tradition as fearsome warriors. They were trained to be warriors from an early age.

Aboriginal culture is defined by its connection to family, community and country. The land (or country) is what defines Aboriginal people. They do not have a warrior tradition.

Treaty vs No Treaty

There is a treaty between the indigenous people of New Zealand and the British Crown. There is no treaty between the indigenous people of Australia and the British Crown nor between the indigenous people of Australia and the Australian government.

The New Zealand treaty is called the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi). It was signed in 1840 by the British Crown and about 540 Māori Chiefs to establish a nation state.

The main purpose of the Treaty was to ensure that all parties would live together peacefully and develop New Zealand together in partnership. The Treaty of Waitangi is controversial, however, as Māori and English texts of the Treaty differ in their translations.

On 14 October 2023, Australians voted in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. It was the first referendum of the 21st century and it was unsuccessful.

I can’t speak to the situation in New Zealand. Still, we have a long way to go in Australia in relation to healing the deep wounds of Australia’s colonial legacy and also to addressing the sharp inequality in outcomes for Aboriginal Australians in areas such as: health, housing, unemployment and education.

Read More: Lessons Learned While RV Roadtripping in Australia With Dogs

Volcanoes vs Deserts

New Zealand has all the volcanoes and earthquakes and Australia has all the deserts.

Australia and New Zealand have very different landscapes and climates. Being a bigger country, Australia has more variety of landscapes to explore.

New Zealand sits on a major fault line that causes earthquakes and volcanic activity. This has shaped the small nation with glaciers, lush forests, geothermal springs, alpine lakes, snowy mountains, islands, sandy beaches and limestone caves. New Zealand is essentially one giant “Lord of the Rings” film set. The movie trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand across more than 150 locations on both the North and South islands. 

In contrast, Australia is much drier than New Zealand as there is there is little rain and plenty of desert in the former. However, in the north, you can step from a humid, tropical rainforest straight onto white sandy beaches where the Great Barrier Reef kisses the coastline. In the south, you can climb to a snowy peak and even ski in the winter months.

Size Difference

Australia is significantly larger in land area than New Zealand.

Australia is a continent, an island and a country whereas New Zealand consists of two islands – the North Island and the South Island.

The size of the countries affects their time zones too. Australia is vast so there are five different time zones.

New Zealand has two main time zones but both main islands use New Zealand Standard Time (NZST). The outlying Chatham Islands use Chatham Standard Time but, as of June 2023, only 730 people lived on the Chatham Islands so not too many people use Chatham Standard Time.

Language: Same but Different

Both Australia and New Zealand speak English, but they have some different words. (I’ve added the US equivalents too for interest).

Australian	New Zealand	United States
Thongs	Jandals	Flip flops
Bushwalking	Tramping	Hiking
Little/small	Wee	Little/small
Esky	Chilly bin	Cooler
Mate	Bro	Friend
G’day	Kia Ora	Hello/Hi
Milk bar	Diary	Convenience store
Cool!	Sweet as!	Groovy!/Awesome!
Holiday house/beach shack	Bach (pronounced batch)	Vacation home
Sweet potato	Kumara	Yams

The Australian and New Zealand accents are also different.

Australians and New Zealanders know that our accents are worlds apart. However, “outsiders” can find the accents hard to differentiate.

We Aussies love to draw out our vowels and shorten our words. George is more like “Geoorge”, afternoon is arvo (pronounced aaarrvo), breakfast is brekkie. Something as simple as “no” can be “naaah” or “noooh”.

New Zealanders pronounce their vowels differently. The short “i” sound has a “u” or “uh” sound so fish and chips becomes “fush” and “chups,” “decks” become “dicks” and “six” becomes “sux.”

Read More: How to Speak Australian

Similar But Different Flags

The Australian and New Zealand flags are a little different.

Both flags feature the British Union Jack in the top left corner. Both flags feature the Southern Cross star on the right-hand side.

BUT the Australian flag has two extra stars – a small one near the cross and a big one under the Union Jack.

New Zealand’s flag has just four stars but they are red with a white outline.

Barbeques vs Earth Ovens

Australia and New Zealand have some distinct cuisine and both countries argue about the origins of some dishes too.

Please forgive the oversimplification of both countries’ cuisine here.

Australia is known for barbies (barbecues and not the dolls), meat pies with tomato sauce (ketchup), Tim Tams (amazing chocolate biscuits) and Vegemite.

New Zealand is known for dishes like the hāngī (a traditional Māori method of cooking in an earth oven).

Both Australia and New Zealand lay claim to inventing the pavlova – an iconic dessert. Originating in either Australia or New Zealand in the early 20th century, it was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.

Taking the form of a circular block of baked meringue, a pavlova has a crisp crust but is soft, light and marshmallow-like inside filling. Topped with whipped cream and decorated with anything from berries to mango to passionfruit to chopped up chocolate bars, it is delicious but very sweet.

Although, as a proud Aussie, I believe that the pavlova is an Australian dessert, the Oxford English Dictionary said in 2010 that the first recorded recipe of pavlova was from New Zealand in 1927. Hmmmm….

There is also some debate as to the origins of lamingtons – an Australian cake often cut into squares or fingers. Made from butter cake or sponge cake, a lamington is coated in an outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut.

A traditional lamington does not have jam in it but a layer of jam (and, sometimes, cream is very popular). I personally prefer a lamington with jam – I think that it can be a bit dry without the jam.

The lamington can be more clearly concluded as an Australian dish as the first recorded recipe was published in Queensland in 1900.

Read More: Where to Get the Best Views of Sydney Harbour: Top 10 Scenic Lookouts

Could New Zealand Become an Australian State?

New Zealand decided not to join Australia in 1901 however the Australian Constitution still gives New Zealand the option to join Australia.

I can’t imagine that New Zealand would ever now choose to surrender its independence and become part of Australia but who am I to say? The two nations certainly have close ties but, as you can see, they are very different. Come and take a look yourself.

Author Bio: Leonie Jarrett lives in Melbourne, Australia with her Husband of more than 3 decades, her 4 adult children and her 2 Golden Retrievers. Leonie has variously been a lawyer and a business owner. Now that she is semi-retired, Leonie is loving writing about her life and her travels.

Timesharing began after World War II and took off in the 1970’s. This form of vacation ownership offered travelers a more convenient, luxurious, and cost-effective way to vacation. Moreover, the original fixed-week model of timeshare ownership offered the peace of mind of a pre-booked vacation at the same time and place every year, letting owners avoid the hassle of last-minute bookings and make annual vacation traditions. The concept of timeshare resales, however, is relatively new in the timeshare industry. This is because timeshares were originally designed to be a lifetime product. Moreover, many timeshare owners would pass them down to their children. But lifetimes end, and lifestyles change, and as timeshare owners aged out, newer, more flexible forms of vacation ownership became available, the timeshare resale market was born out of necessity. But just why are timeshare resales so cheap? Let’s break it down.

What is Timeshare Resale?

Before we get into why timeshare resales are so inexpensive compared to retail timeshares, let’s go over some basics. First, just what is a timeshare resale? A timeshare resale is a timeshare for sale by the owner, as opposed to one for sale by a resort. Owners may want to sell their ownership for various reasons. These can include no longer being able to use the timeshare, no longer being able to afford the annual maintenance fees, wanting to broaden their travel horizons, etc.

What is the Timeshare Resale Market?

Sometimes, resorts offer attractive buyback programs. When they don’t, vacation owners who no longer want their timeshares often put them on the resale market. A vacation owner who wants to sell their timeshare has a few options. They can list it with a real estate broker based in the resort location or let a company specialized in resales market the timeshare. Timeshares sold through either of these methods are part of the timeshare resale market.

Right of First Refusal

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a timeshare resale, keep in mind: every resale is subject to what’s called the right of first refusal. In short, the right of first refusal is the right of the resort to step in and buy back the timeshare, as stipulated in the original purchase agreement. Immediately after a timeshare resale receives an offer, it will go through the right of refusal process. One of two outcomes will follow. Either the resort will allow the sale to go through, or they will buy back the timeshare.

If the resort chooses to exercise the right of first refusal, it can be a disappointing blow to the buyer. The company facilitating their purchase can usually find a comparable resale at the same resort. However, when a resort exercises the right of first refusal on one resale, it usually means they are currently buying back all resales.

For the seller, however, nothing really changes. As per the right of first refusal clause, the resort must honor all the terms of the sale. Say, for example, the original buyer agreed to pay all liens, closing costs, or the rest of the mortgage. Then the resort would have to instead. The only things that will change for the seller are the names of the buyer and title company as listed on the contract.

Why Timeshare Resales Cost So Much Less Than Retail Timeshares

If you’re still here, congratulations! You now know more than most about timeshare resale. But that’s not why you came here, and the question still remains: why are timeshare resales so cheap? We’ve got the answers!

Resorts Have to Spend a Lot to Make a Lot

Shopping on the resale market is a great way to save money on your timeshare purchase. But why is a secondhand timeshare so cheap compared to a direct-purchase timeshare? After all, secondhand timeshares aren’t second-rate products. Resorts go to great lengths to maintain their units, and by extension, the reputations of their brands. Not to mention, used timeshares usually come with many of the same benefits as retail timeshares.

The main reason timeshare resale prices are so cheap compared to retail timeshares comes down to the cost of selling a new timeshare. Similar to a car dealership, timeshare resorts spend a lot of time and money on marketing. In addition to online marketing, this can involve offering free weekend stays during which prospective buyers tour the property and attend a timeshare presentation. When a sales representative lands a sale, the resort also pays them a commission.

These marketing and commission costs are recouped in the price of the timeshares sold by the resort. On the resale market, sellers can choose what price they wish to receive for their timeshare when using advertising companies like Timeshares Only. When you account for factors like season, unit size, resort location, and market demand, you can start to get an accurate picture of the price points of individual resale-market timeshares.

You Can Negotiate the Price of a Timeshare Resale

Another reason why buying a timeshare on the resale market is so cheap compared to buying from a resort is that you usually can’t negotiate the price of a direct-purchase timeshare. Resorts need to recoup their costs, and even if they do bring the price down, it won’t be by much. Negotiating the price of a timeshare purchased on the resale market, on the other hand, is much easier.

At Timeshares Only, our innovative buyer-seller interface lets you interact directly with the existing owner. This opens the door for potential negotiations. Most often, when timeshare owners post their timeshares for sale, it’s because they are looking for an exit. Reasons vary, but usually, it’s because they can no longer afford their timeshare, no longer use it, are looking for a change of vacation scenery, or some combination of these factors. When a timeshare owner is motivated to exit their timeshare, buyers often find they have room to negotiate the price. On Timeshares Only, some owners even state that their price is negotiable.

A Timeshare is Not a Financial Investment

Unlike a piece of traditional real estate, a timeshare typically will not appreciate in value over time. This is especially true for direct-purchase timeshares, due in large part to the markups we discussed earlier. Sometimes, timeshares from highly popular brands or resorts, or timeshares in highly popular locations, can appreciate over time. But these are rare exceptions to the rule. In general, you should think of a timeshare as an investment in your quality of life, not a financial investment.

Timeshare resale prices usually reflect their depreciated value; they can’t be competitive otherwise. Thus, the timeshare resale market offers buyers real value for their dollar.

Some Timeshare Brands Place Internal Exchange Restrictions on Timeshare Resales

Some timeshare brands offer their owners internal exchange opportunities. Disney Vacation Club, Grand Pacific Resorts, and Club Wyndham are all examples of brands with internal exchange programs. With internal exchange, timeshare owners can stay at multiple resorts within their brand. For example, a Grand Pacific Resorts owner could use Grand Pacific Exchange to have a mountain retreat at Vista Mirage Resort one year, and a beach getaway at Grand Pacific Palisades the next.

To dissuade buyers from purchasing their timeshares on the resale market, many timeshare companies place restrictions on resales. These can include internal exchange restrictions. These undesirable restrictions are reflected in the pricing of timeshare resales, making them even cheaper.

Exchange Restriction Hacks for Timeshare Resales

Luckily, there are some clever hacks you can use to get the discounted price without the restrictions. Just as there are internal exchange programs that let you stay at multiple resorts within your brand, external exchange platforms like RCI and Interval International let you trade your ownership for stays at platform-affiliated resorts and hotels. RCI and Interval International are the two biggest vacation exchange companies. Both boast affiliations with top timeshare brands, and thousands of resorts and hotels, around the world. And best of all, for a annual fee, any timeshare owner (resale owners included) can use them to trade for any comparable timeshare on their platform. Thus, a resale owner could technically use their external exchange membership to trade for an otherwise restricted resort in their internal exchange network.

Exchange restrictions, and the price of hacks like external exchange membership fees, are definite things to consider before you buy a timeshare resale. However, many find the net savings of buying on the resale market worth it.

Buy a Timeshare Resale Cheap With Timeshares Only

So, you want to buy a timeshare? Start by browsing the timeshare resale market! When you buy a timeshare resale, you can save thousands of dollars compared to buying directly from the developer. We have thousands of cheap timeshares for sale in our inventory. You’ll find timeshares from top brands like Disney Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, Club Wyndham, and more. Browse our resale marketplace today and start living your timeshare dreams for less!

Advertise Your Timeshare for Sale With Timeshares Only

Have lifestyle changes caused you not to be able to use or afford your timeshare? Looking for a change of vacation scenery? Whatever your reasons, if you want to sell your timeshare, Timeshares Only can help. Timeshares Only specializes in advertising timeshares on the resale market. We’ll connect with you to get the details of your ownership, turn them into a full-page ad highlighting your timeshare’s best assets, and advertise your timeshare to an audience of thousands of interested buyers.

Using state-of-the-art SEO and a huge, dedicated client base, we can help you get the targeted exposure you deserve. And as ARDA’s Recommended Reseller, we adhere to strict regulatory policies designed to protect your interests and give you peace of mind. Read more to learn about how to sell a timeshare, or call us at 1-800-610-2734 and speak to one of our resale experts today!

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Leading vacation membership and travel company Travel + Leisure Co. has just announced its latest acquisition of of of Australia and New Zealand’s largest vacation clubs, Accor Vacation Club.

Accor Vacation Club is based in Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia with nearly 30,000 club members and 24 club resorts across all three countries. Travel + Leisure Co. will begin integrating this brand into its business structure and is now responsible for the club’s development and marketing.

As a part of the agreement, Travel + Leisure Co. can expand its offerings, such as clubs and products, using the Accor Vacation Club brand in places like Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.

As it stands, Travel + Leisure Co. now has more than 100,000 members and 77 resorts across its portfolio of brands.

President and Managing Director of International Operations for Travel + Leisure Co. Barry Robinson was excited to discuss the news:

“These markets are all large consumer markets with incredible growth potential, and Accor’s portfolio of hotel and resort brands are already well-known and highly regarded by travellers in these regions, making them logical places for the future expansion of the Accor Vacation Club business.”

Robinson added:

“Our intention is to grow the brand in the various markets where we are licensed and expand in the markets Accor Vacation Club is already operating in. We are excited to have the opportunity to build on the 24-year legacy of Accor Vacation Club and, as the world’s leader in vacation ownership, we have the knowledge to grow Accor Vacation Club while conveying its unique propositions and delivering the elevated guest experiences the business is renowned for”

This acquisition will allow Travel + Leisure Co. to continue expanding its vacation ownership offerings by utilizing its family of beloved brands like Wyndham, Sports Illustrated, and Margaritaville.

Accor Vacation Club’s current CEO, Craig Wood, will continue managing the day-to-day operations of the club and will report to Robinson.

Wood was also happy to discuss this development:

“At Accor Vacation Club, we have a team that is passionate about the brand and product and are excited about this change. We look forward to seeing the Accor Vacation Club brand grow and continue to deliver great outcomes for club members with guidance from Travel + Leisure Co.”

For more information on Travel + Leisure Co. or Accor Vacation Club, please visit Travel + Leisure’s official website or Accor Vacation Club’s official website.

Annual Lightning Report explores 2022’s extremes

According to Vaisla, a global leader in weather, environmental, and industrial measurements, Four Corners, Florida was the 2022 Lightning Capital of the United States

The 2022 Annual Lightning Report highlights in a flash:

• Lack of thunderstorms dried up North America’s largest river: The Mississippi River basin receives up to 60% of its yearly rainfall from thunderstorms. Exceptional drought, exacerbated by an 11% decrease in lightning over the basin, resulted in the river’s lowest water levels in decades. Some new low-water marks surpassed records from the 1960s, with water levels in Memphis, Tennessee, dropping so low in mid-October that barges became stranded. The Mississippi River basin produces the majority of U.S. agricultural exports, most of which rely on this iconic waterway for shipping.
   
• Record-breaking volcanic lightning: The eruption of the Hunga Volcano in the Pacific Ocean between December 19, 2021, and January 16, 2022, triggered over 600,000 lightning events. Most of these occurred on January 15, when Vaisala’s Global Lightning Dataset GLD360 detected nearly 400,000 lightning events in just six hours. At the peak of the eruption, half of all global lightning was concentrated around the volcano – the greatest concentration of lightning ever detected. The eruption was the largest in over 100 years, throwing enough water into the atmosphere to temporarily affect average temperatures around the world. The eruption produced global tsunamis that caused damage to the Kingdom of Tonga and other Pacific states.
   
• Four Corners, Florida is the 2022 Lightning Capital of the United States: Just two miles west of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Four Corners saw 1,229 lightning events per square mile in 2022, the highest density of lightning of any community in the country. Four Corners takes the number one spot from the 2021 Lightning Capital, Flatonia, Texas. The state of Florida also secured the top spot in the United States for total lightning density, with 285 lightning events per square mile, an increase of 27% compared with 2021.
   
• Wind turbines triggered lightning during a record-breaking lake-effect snowstorm near Buffalo, New York: A snowstorm over the Eastern Great Lakes in November brought up to 80 inches of snow and unusual amounts of lightning. A wind farm south of Buffalo, New York, saw more lightning in 28 hours than in the first 10 months of 2022, and wind turbines downwind from the Great Lakes saw more than 1,100 lightning events in just three and a half days. Wind turbines can trigger lightning when winter storms move overhead. Lightning strikes can cause serious damage to wind turbines.
   
• Texas remains the United States lightning count leader: The Lone Star State continued its run as the number one state for lightning with 27,696,688 total lightning events in 2022. While it secured the top spot, its total count dropped significantly from the 41 million events recorded in 2021. Texas has faced its most severe drought since 2011, with more than a quarter of the state experiencing exceptional drought conditions in mid-August.

Thunderstorms develop when warm, moist air rises in the atmosphere and forms towering clouds in which collisions of ice crystals, water droplets, and graupel create an electric charge. Persistent high pressure across the central United States between late spring and early fall suppressed thunderstorm development and increased drought conditions.

For more than 30 years, Vaisala’s suite of robust lightning products and services has played an instrumental role in helping people make critical operational and safety decisions based on real-time storm and lightning data. As an ambassador for NOAA’s Weather-Ready Nation, an initiative to ready communities for extreme weather, water, and climate events, Vaisala provides its industry-leading monitoring and measurement intelligence to equip decision-makers to better understand, forecast, and explain changing weather phenomena to help keep people safe.

To view or download the Vaisala Xweather 2022 Annual Lightning Report, visit https://www.xweather.com/annual-lightning-report

More information for the media:
Chris Vagasky, meteorologist and lightning expert, Vaisala Xweather
[email protected]

Tarja Österberg, Communications Manager, Weather and Environment, Vaisala
Tel. +358 50 487 1974
[email protected]  

About Vaisala
Vaisala is a global leader in weather, environmental, and industrial measurements. Building on over 85 years of experience, Vaisala provides observations for a better world, with space-proof technology even exploring Mars and beyond. We are a reliable partner for customers around the world, offering a comprehensive range of innovative observation and measurement products and services. Headquartered in Finland, Vaisala employs over 2,000 professionals worldwide and is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.

Vaisala Xweather is a leading suite of weather and environmental forecast and observation services using a combination of intelligent sensor hardware and software.

xweather.vaisala.com
twitter.com/VaisalaGroup
linkedin.com/Vaisala
 

By TST February 13, 2023 24 Comments

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If a beach vacation (read: turquoise water, umbrella drinks, palm trees and walking around in flip-flops) is your kind of therapy, as it is for me, look to Honolulu. I discovered Hawaii’s capital is a vibrant, and cosmopolitan city, trimmed by sandy beaches with crashing waves and fantastic restaurants. Read on to learn about 10 of my favorite things to do in Honolulu.

1. Walk Waikiki Beach

No holiday in Honolulu is complete without a walk along Waikiki Beach, located on the south shore of the island. Approximately 2 miles long, the famous Waikiki Beach is ideal for an easy stroll and is very accessible.

Along the way, you can shop, eat in waterfront restaurants, sunbathe on the white sand, and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Start at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the promenade (a paved sidewalk) and stroll all the way down to Outrigger Reef.

2. Picnic or Park Your Beach Towel in Kapi’olani Park

Local families and groups of friends go to play their guitars, jog, play tennis and gather in one of the shaded picnic areas. Kapi’olani Park, located below Diamond Head, near Waikiki, is the end point of the Honolulu Marathon.

King Kalakaua chose this 300-acre plot of land at the base of Diamond Head for a public park in 1867. It was a military base during World War II. Today it is where locals gather for music and festivals.

One of my favorite places to stop and drink from a fresh pineapple and savor the ahi tuna burger is the Barefoot Beach Café, located on Queen’s Surf Beach at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. It is a casual oceanfront restaurant and café with outdoor seating, weekend beach BBQ, and live music.

3. Hike Diamond Head

It’s not every day that you can walk across an extinct volcanic crater and be “wowed” by the sweeping views of Waikiki Beach and the city. The crater, located at the end of Kalakaua Avenue and Kapi’olani Park, is 2/3 of a mile across.

Why the English name Diamond Head? It refers to the glinting calcite minerals which were mistaken for diamonds. Take the .8-mile paved trail to the top for stunning vistas. Entry and parking reservations are required.

4. Visit the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941, was a quiet Sunday morning when Japanese planes attacked the US fleet at Pearl Harbor. This attack marked the official entry of the United States into World War II. Tour Pearl Harbor to see where it all started.

Pearl Harbor is set in a bay where Hawaiians once harvested clams and oysters (hence the “pearl” connection).

This infamous World War II site is still an active military base and is well worth visiting. The Arizona Memorial is a stark white, rectangular structure floating above the ship that became a tomb, where the Battleship USS Arizona sank.

It was one of 4 battleships that sank during the attack. A memorial wall is inscribed with the names of those who lost their lives. The death toll aboard the Arizona was 1,177. Only 334 crew members survived.

5. Discover USS Missouri Museum

A self-guided tour of the USS Missouri gives close-up views of the inner workings of the massive battleship. The USS Missouri was built for the US Navy in the 1940s and assigned to the Pacific Theater during WWII, where she participated in the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and shelled Japanese islands.

Walk on the quarterdeck to see the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan to the United States that ended the war in the Pacific and brought World War II to a close. Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and American General Douglas MacArthur stood on this deck on September 2, 1945, for the surrender. It was a very moving history lesson for me and my family.

6. Explore Chinatown

There’s also Chinatown. The best time to visit is right after breakfast when the stands overflow with locally grown fruit and vegetables, lots of imported Asian goods, fresh Pacific fish, freshly made noodles, and dishes, made with every part of the chicken and the pig.

It’s great for small gifts, such as candlewood soap, painted fans, dried persimmons, Chinese pottery, and of course the red and gold good luck banners of Chinatown. You could watch the butchers chop pork with incredible speed and skill and buy fresh fruit at one of the market stalls. You can also visit places of worship, such as Kyan Yin Temple.

7. The Bishop Museum

Considered the world’s finest museum of Polynesian culture, the Bishop Museum is a gem of art and history. The fascinating Pacific Hall focuses on the lifestyle of people across the Pacific.

Artifacts such as carved figures give an insight into Polynesian rituals, religion, warfare, clothing, music, and dance. The museum is also a family-friendly center for scientific and cultural experiences and storytelling. There are lectures, workshops, and art openings.

One of my favorite pieces in the museum is the huge feather cloak and helmet Kalani’ōpu’u gifted to Captain Cook in 1779. It is made from the yellow feathers of the now-extinct mamo bird. These birds were black, with three or four yellow feathers under each arm. It took about 60,000 birds to make this cloak.

They were formerly on display in the New Zealand Museum collection. They were permanently returned to Hawaii in 2016.

8. Eat like the Locals

There is no better way to learn about Hawaiian culture than to sample the local cuisine.

Roast Pork

The centerpiece of any luau or festival is a whole pig. It is slow roasted in an underground oven and is so tender the meat literally falls off the bone.

Sushi, Sashimi and Poke

Japanese culinary influences in Hawaiian cuisine are sashimi (sliced raw fish) and sushi (raw fish) served on top of or rolled in rice.

Poke is the Hawaiian word for diced or chopped and is Hawaii’s version of ceviche. These dishes are delicious and available everywhere – from roadside food trucks to local supermarkets to fine dining restaurants.

Poi

This taro staple of the Hawaiian diet, poi is made by pounding taro leaves and root into a paste.

Kimchi

This fermented cabbage specialty was introduced into the Hawaiian cuisine by Korean immigrants. It is fermented, seasoned cabbage and has a sour and spicy flavor. Traditionally it was stored in tightly sealed jars and buried in the ground, to be dug up when needed.

Portuguese Bean Soup and Sweet Bread.

Introduced by Portuguese immigrants, the bread was originally baked in an outdoor brick oven but is now available in markets. Served with bean soup made with vegetables, meat, and beans. It makes a hearty, filling meal.

Noodles and Rice

Very few meals in Hawaii are served without rice or noodles. Noodles in a hot broth with pork and green onions is served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Spam

That’s right. Hawaiians love it.

It was a military staple during World War II because it could be stored for a long time. The canned meat can be found chopped up in fried rice, sliced in saimin soup, or served more simply with eggs and rice for breakfast.

Spam is so ubiquitous in the islands that Hawaii consumes the most Spam per capita in the US at about 7 million cans a year, showcasing how it’s a part of Hawaii’s unique history and heritage. Most Hawaiians consider Spam to be their comfort food.

9. Snorkel in Hanauma Bay State Park

Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular snorkeling locations in Hawaii, with good reason. Formed within a volcanic cone, Hanauma Bay offers a pristine marine ecosystem because it is protected and has some of the best snorkeling on the island. Snorkeling in the bay my daughter we saw our first Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles.

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, named Honu in Hawaiian, can be seen swimming in the shallow waters, resting on a sandy beach, or nibbling on algae in shallow waters. On average the shell length of an adult Honu is 4 to 5 feet, and they weigh between 200 and 250 pounds.

They became listed as a threatened species in 1978 and are protected today under the Endangered Species Act. Their lifespan usually falls between 60 and 80 years.

The huge Ala Moana Center is the world’s largest, open-air shopping mall, boasting more than 350 stores. Shoppers enjoy some of the finest shopping over 4 floors of department stores, first-class boutiques, and specialty shops offering casual wear to unique items such as Hawaiian shirts and surf gear. Need a new bathing suit? This is the place to go.

While you are there, you may see one of the amazing and free, Hula Shows or a music festival. Open daily 10 am – 8 pm. Admission is free.

Honolulu is a renowned international travel destination for luxury brands. Meander down Kalakaua Avenue, located in the heart of Honolulu’s Waikiki beach to find Valentino, Gucci, Fendi, Tory Burch, Dior, Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton to name a few.

If You Go:

Hawaii Tourism Authority urges tourists to be conscious of their impact when visiting Hawaii. Beyond the beautiful beaches and landscapes, Hawaii has a fragile ecosystem and a rich culture that requires respect and mindfulness from visitors.

By being conscious of their actions, tourists can minimize their ecological footprint and contribute positively to the preservation of Hawaii’s natural beauty. Simple acts such as reducing single-use plastics, conserving water, staying at eco-friendly hotels and supporting local businesses can make a world of difference.

Moreover, respecting Hawaiian culture and traditions is paramount. Recognizing the significance of sacred sites, observing cultural protocols, and engaging with the local community respectfully fosters mutual understanding and appreciation.

Ultimately, being conscious when visiting Hawaii is not only about preserving its environment and culture but also about enriching one’s own travel experience. By immersing oneself fully in the spirit of aloha – with humility, gratitude, and respect – tourists can leave behind memories of a trip well-taken and a destination well-preserved for generations to come.

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Author Bio: Marybeth left a career in the tech world for a two-year solo trip around the world. She has hiked, cycled, climbed, and kayaked in 100+ countries on seven continents —and she met her future husband in Kathmandu after a month of trekking.

She returned to San Francisco, where she has written articles and books for National Geographic and other publications, and she created a blog GutsyTraveler.com. She was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show with her book Gutsy Women and was the featured celebrity in the New York Times Travel Section.