Honolulu
Honolulu is a gorgeous city that, while quite popular, still remains untainted by all of the tourism. The small neighborhoods, nearby beaches, and sparkling waterfalls are picturesque, and the scenery is gorgeous. Modern skyscrapers provide a certain alluring contrast to the intrinsic beauty of the region. The city is the 11th largest in America, with 850,000 residents. Honolulu is about twenty-six miles long and twelve miles wide.
The pleasant island of Oahu greets over five million visitors every year, the majority of whom at least make a stop in Honolulu. Because the island is a combination of all South Pacific people and cultures, Oahu was given the nickname The Gathering Place. This name has stuck because it continues to be true. This is the case in Honolulu as well; you can see by the fine selection of restaurants and activities that diversity is alive and well. One of the best places to visit to get a sense of true Honolulu is the Polynesian Cultural Center. It is located on the North Shore and is very appealing to both locals and tourists. As a result, it is an extremely popular gathering spot. Combining education with entertainment, the Polynesian Cultural Center is a mixture of theme park, history, and heritage.
Traveling around Honolulu, it becomes quite evident what a truly remarkable city it is. From perfect waves to hiking, tide pooling to golf, Honolulu has it all, not to mention the wonderful shopping. Another fabulous aspect of Honolulu is the weather. The climate in and around the city is the loveliest in all of Hawaii. Less windy than Maui, not as muggy as the Big Island, and dryer than Kauai, every day is a gift from nature. The wondrous beauty of Honolulu is complemented by the friendly locals and comfortable, relaxed atmosphere of the city. Honolulu is a dazzling tropical paradise that may resemble a big city, but it's a big city complete with gorgeous beaches, natural wonders, and terrific weather.
Hilo
Hilo is located on the Big Island of Hawaii. This gorgeous archipelago is 1,500 miles long and perfectly exquisite. From glistening waterfalls to bubbling volcanoes, this island is as diverse as it is spectacular. The sands of Hilo range from green to black to a golden yellow depending on where you are. Gallivanting around the coast of Hilo is a much different experience than exploring any of the other portions of the Big Island.
A peculiar yet extraordinary location, the beaches and sights in Hilo are incredible. If the sun is shining brightly, you are in for one of the most beautiful days imaginable. But storms come raging in at a moment's notice, pouring rain down and drenching everything. When it rains in Hilo, it really rains. Yet, this adds to the charm and uniqueness of this lush area. The tropical weather on this side of the island is magnificent, and surfing the great waves while the rain pours and the tourists watch is a one-of-a-kind experience that is truly exhilarating. With a breathtaking green forest and a rainbow-filled sky, Hilo is one of the premier destinations in the entire world. It is also the wettest city in America, with over ten feet of rain annually. If you are visiting this excellent location, be sure and pack an umbrella, and if you neglect to heed this advice, don't say we didn't warn you!
Second to Honolulu, Hilo is the largest metropolis in all of Hawaii. The city is constantly misty, adding to the allure and mystery of the region. It is filled with sparkling dew-laced flowers, and the old Victorian houses are marvelous; sure to capture your heart. Of added interest in Hilo is that even though the precipitation is so high, the rain is always warm, and the temperature in and around the city almost never drops below a perfectly comfortable seventy degrees. This holds true at the coastal beaches, where you can wake up in the early morning and watch surfers without wetsuits carve up the ocean even in the pouring rain.
The facilities and restaurants in Hilo are excellent as well. Hilo is rich in culture and heritage, and the accommodations and activities are surprisingly reasonable. This is also true for eating meals in Hilo, where the prices are described as budget, even though the food is absolutely delicious.
Christmas Island
Christmas Island is truly one of the world's last undiscovered pleasures. Although the island only covers 135 square kilometers, there is enough natural beauty here to stun even the most seasoned traveler.
The island takes its name from Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship Company. He arrived at the island on Christmas Day, 1643, but was unable to land. Forty-five years later, in 1688, Captain William Dampier managed to land, and he and two crewmen were the first recorded human visitors to Christmas Island. The island was annexed by the British in the late 19th Century, and was used as a phosphate mine. The Japanese conquered and occupied the island during World War II. After the war, the island briefly belonged to Singapore, before Australia bought it in 1957 for 2.9 million pounds. October 1, 1958, when the purchase was officially completed, is still celebrated here as Territory Day.
Today, Christmas Island is a naturalist's paradise. Sixty-three percent of the land is protected as a national park. Inside the park, hundreds of species of flora and fauna indigenous to the island flourish. Only 500 people live here year round, and their presence is dwarfed by over one hundred million red crabs that call Christmas Island home. In fact, the crabs yearly migration to the sea to spawn may just be the most impressive natural wonder left on Earth. The event has attracted naturalists, scientists, and curiosity seekers from around the world.
Bora Bora
The most lavish destination in all of the South Pacific, Bora
Bora is located 161 miles northwest of Tahiti in the Leeward Islands. Renowned
traveler James Michener has repeatedly declared Bora Bora the world's most
beautiful island. Actors, royalty, and cinematographers all make this Polynesian
paradise their vacation spot of choice.
The first inhabitants of Bora Bora were Polynesian settlers,
who sailed their canoes into the island's gorgeous lagoon during the 9th century. The name given to the island was "Porapora," during the reign
of Chief Puni "The Terror." Then, during World War II, American armed
forces were stationed on Porapora and called the island "Bora Bora."
Despite the fact that there is no "B" in the Polynesian language,
common usage prevailed.
This luxurious island was formed three or four million years
ago by a series of volcanic eruptions. Today the island is almost entirely
devoted to tourism. At times, visitors and temporary residents can outnumber the
locals in certain areas.
In the center of the island, two dominating, black rock peaks
stand amongst dazzling blue waters. They can be seen at any angle, and are a
truly magnificent sight to behold. Bora Bora's Lagoon is another of the
crowning visual achievements that blesses the island. You can wind surf, scuba
dive, swim, jet-ski, or just soak up the warmth of the tropical sun. There are
so many activities in Bora Bora that it is best to plan your trip ahead of time.
Otherwise, you will end up either forgetting or missing out on some of the
island's best features. Deep sea fishing for the Bora Bora marlin, driving off
on a 4X4 safari excursion, or parasail through the sparkling blue skies. Chances are if you are feeling adventurous, Bora Bora has
the ability to offer you whatever it is you want to do.
The landscape of Bora Bora resembles a circle of coral reef
with a glorious emerald in the center. It is a surreal atmosphere that is so
picturesque hours can be spent gazing at the sights. The horizon is so
beautiful, and the ambiance so romantic that it is no wonder that Bora Bora has
become one of the premier honeymoon destinations for American couples.
Moorea
Moorea is a marvelously beautiful island just twelve miles
from Tahiti. Many visitors to French Polynesia take a trip to Moorea because it
has so much to offer the wide-eyed tourist. For years Hollywood has used
photographs from Moorea's gleaming lagoons and majestic mountains as
"stock shots" for their movies. Moorea is clean and tidy, with a calm
air and mood. This is the island you should go to if you really want to relax.
Geologists have deduced that Moorea's stunning landscape
came from an erupting volcano thousands of years ago. One thing is for certain;
you are sure to fall in love with this heart-shaped island. The majority of the
12,000 residents of Moorea live on the coast, and the fact that there are no
towns or cities in Moorea adds to the overall charm. The main crop of the island
early in the 20th century was vanilla, and the vanilla producing
houses that were set up then still stand today. Modern Moorea is a country that
survives economically primarily because of tourism. However, vegetables and
pineapples are harvested and shipped daily to Papeete for sale in the
marketplace.
Moorea is surrounded by an offshore coral reef, and the
island encloses a serene, sparkling blue lagoon. This makes Moorea ideal for
scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and boating. Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay
are two glorious bodies of water that are finger-shaped and cut through the
center of the island. They constantly remain two of the most photographed water
masses in the entire world. Mountains surround these enchanting bays, and great
hiking trails are everywhere. The citizens of Moorea are polite but fairly
withdrawn, quietly going about their peaceful island lives. But do not fall prey
to the assumption that Moorea is slow or boring, because this is definitely not
the case. Old Polynesia, with its traditional ways, has mixed with exciting
tourist attractions to coexist in harmony. There are several fabulous dining
facilities, art galleries, and hot shopping spots. Despite the worldwide
acknowledgement that Moorea has received for being an island paradise, the
beaches and inlands remain uncrowded and unhurried. After the breathtaking
scenery, this is perhaps the next best feature of Moorea. Everything is so
tranquil, and so far away from the bustling city life that encompasses the
majority of the world.
Papeete
Tahiti is the biggest and most famous island in French Polynesia. For over
200 years Tahiti has been a destination that allured travelers from all over the
world. Papeete is bordered by an aqua-blue sea and gorgeous beaches laced with
palm trees. The landscape is downright magnificent, and the people friendly and
helpful.
Although historians are not entirely certain exactly when and
how the Polynesian people arrived on Tahiti, some facts are known. Around 3,000
or 4,000 years ago they left Southeast Asia, and we know that they were fabulous
sailors and navigators. Arriving in present day Tahiti about 300 A.D., they
settled on this island and others in what is now French Polynesia. These islands
were originally ruled by all-powerful Chieftains, who commanded large fleets and
ordered human sacrifices. But rest assured that the island is much more friendly
now! Among the first European visitors to Tahiti included Samuel Wallis in 1767
and James Cook in 1769. They returned to Europe with tales of a tropical
paradise run by savages, and full of beautiful women. It was no coincidence that
soon after, every man in Europe was determined to visit this mysterious and
alluring island. The islands became French Polynesia in 1842 when the French out
maneuvered the British and took control.
As the 20th century began, French Polynesia became
unified into the French Pacific settlements. At this time, a program of
fast-paced commercial expansion was instituted, and Chinese workers were made to
work on cotton and vanilla plantations. As World War One began, almost 1000
Polynesians were sent by the French to fight the Germans. Currently, Tahiti is
leading the charge in an attempt to gain independence from France. But at the
same time, the citizens are welcoming, and everywhere you go in Papeete is a
place of beauty and tranquility. Scuba diving, exploring, and dining in the
fabulous Tahitian restaurants are among the most pleasurable activities. The
food in the city is delicious, and all of the beaches accessible from Papeete
are gorgeous and offer a plethora of water sports. Tahitians adore beauty
contests and celebrations, so festivals and grand parties seem like weekly
events.
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