Palm treesAshleigh Petrino

1. The weather.

The weather in Oahu was amazing, and stays pretty constant. It doesn't get too cold in the
Winter, probably lowest in the 50s. But it was sunny just about all the time. There were a few clouds with a few short showers here and there, but weather here is basically ideal.

peopleAshleigh Petrino

2. The people.

The people in Hawaii are very welcoming, especially creative ones like the man in this picture. There are so many like him- people who carve and create their own tikis to sell to the public. Although somewhat pricey, you know how much hard work and time got put into making them- with a chisel and their feet... can't get any more "Made in Hawaii" than that as a souvenir.

CultureAshleigh Petrino

3. The culture.

Attending a luau was the best decision I've ever made. Not only was it extremely entertaining, but also very educational. It appealed to all ages- children and adults- teaching us all about Hawaii's history, both land and people.

HistoryAshleigh Petrino

4. The history.

Different from the history learned from the luau, the history learned when in a helicopter tour of your island is more war- based, educationally speaking. You get to fly over the USS Missouri, the USS Arizona Memorial of the sunken ship, and learn more insight about Pearl Harbor than you probably would have in school.

foodAshleigh Petrino

5. The food.

Wether you go specifically for the local food, or you're playing it safe-riding with your stomach, Hawaii has both sides of the spectrum to satisfy your hunger. For example, a non-local hotspot is the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu. This chicken macaroni and cheese is a tourist favorite, that gives you an island vibe without branching out too far.

sightsAshleigh Petrino

6. The sights.

Hawaii definitely lives up to what Google shows it is made up to be. Everything there, view wise, is absolutely breathtaking, and the picture above says it all.

oceanAshleigh Petrino

7. The ocean.

The ocean was the closest to ideal as possible. It was cool when you stuck your feet in, but you immediately get used to it, and it was extremely clear. No wonder snorkeling is so popular in locations like this- you are able to see everything!

beaches Ashleigh Petrino

8. The beaches.

Famous Waikiki beach is a gorgeous hotspot, and surprisingly, it is extremely clean and well kept. It never got crowded like Panama City Beach or Destin does, which was a relief. Also, I would wake up every morning to look out from my hotel balcony, and find that parts of the sand had been combed by workers over night to make it look just THAT much nicer for everyone in the morning. Amazing right?

activitiesAshleigh Petrino

9. And lastly, the activities.

A helicopter tour is the best way to spend your money on this vacation. Involving BEAUTIFUL views if the mountains, the ocean, the cities, AND having the pilot educating you about the islands over the years, this thrill-seekers dream is 100% worth while.