Travel Guide for O'ahu

[travelbug]

Random question - I've seen shrimp trucks mentioned in trip reports, but I don't know much about them. I'm assuming they probably sell shrimp baskets with fries or whatever. Is there seating somewhere by them? Any particular shrimp truck that someone recommends? Are they mainly up by the North Shore?

[nd5056]

Originally Posted by psimon

Thanks for the insight.

Aside from touring, we do need a "down" day. A lazy day to just hang by the pool or the beach. Read a book, swim up to a bar (or walk up to one if there is no 'swim up to' ) and grab a tall cool one and just relax. We can't have the entire trip on the run. When we do WDW, we always take a day in the middle of the week and just sleep late and do nothing to recharge for the rest of the trip. I want the same for Hawaii.

I was planning to do that wherever we stay at Maui.

Thoughts?

---Paul in Southern NJ

Maui is the best when it comes to this. The smell of the flowers in the air, the birds, no one is rushing anywhere, etc. And I'd concentrate on a pool rather then the swimming beach since the waves are kind of rough over there, but that's just me. Make sure to check TripAdvisor reviews.

Enjoy.

[bear_mom]

Originally Posted by nd5056

:Aside from touring, we do need a "down" day. A lazy day to just hang by the pool or the beach. Read a book, swim up to a bar (or walk up to one if there is no 'swim up to' ) and grab a tall cool one and just relax. We can't have the entire trip on the run. When we do WDW, we always take a day in the middle of the week and just sleep late and do nothing to recharge for the rest of the trip. I want the same for Hawaii.

I was planning to do that wherever we stay at Maui.

We did this on Maui for several days, we didn't do the whole day, but for the morning/afternoon and then would relax and then do something in the evening.

Our plan was to head down early in the morning (9'ish) and grab two chairs by the pool (I liked the shade and dh wanted to be in the sun, so this took planning). We would then go between playing in the ocean, relaxing on the lounge chairs, and being in the pool. Lunch and drinks were delivered by awesome waitstaff who served those in the pool areas. We would do this until 3/4'ish and then would head up a shower and head out for an evening activity (luau, zip lining, etc).

Emily

[psimon]

Originally Posted by bear_mom

We did this on Maui for several days, we didn't do the whole day, but for the morning/afternoon and then would relax and then do something in the evening.

Our plan was to head down early in the morning (9'ish) and grab two chairs by the pool (I liked the shade and dh wanted to be in the sun, so this took planning). We would then go between playing in the ocean, relaxing on the lounge chairs, and being in the pool. Lunch and drinks were delivered by awesome waitstaff who served those in the pool areas. We would do this until 3/4'ish and then would head up a shower and head out for an evening activity (luau, zip lining, etc).

Emily

Sounds good.

Suggestions for accommodations?

---Paul in Southern NJ

[HarperAnnesNana]

We have been to Oahu 8 times. Oahu Revealed is absolutely the best source I have found. I ordered mine from Amazon. WalMart in Honolulu sells Oahu Revealed in the tourist section in case you lose yours like I did. Have a great vacation.

[bear_mom]

Originally Posted by psimon

Sounds good.

Suggestions for accommodations?

---Paul in Southern NJ

We stayed at the Shearton, it was right at Black Rock Point and was an easy walk down a boardwalk to the other resorts and to Whaler's Village which had several different restaurants and shopping. It was also an easy drive in Lahania.

Emily

[disykat]

Originally Posted by travelbug

Random question - I've seen shrimp trucks mentioned in trip reports, but I don't know much about them. I'm assuming they probably sell shrimp baskets with fries or whatever. Is there seating somewhere by them? Any particular shrimp truck that someone recommends? Are they mainly up by the North Shore?

Yes, on the way between Honolulu and the North Shore. Sort of teriyaki style shrimp and Rice. We had garlic shrimp at a place called "Romy's" I believe - and loved it. There were picnic tables under a large tent. We happened to go when it was pouring rain and were fine. It's messy and we rinsed our hands under one of the downspouts it was raining so hard.

[jackdis]

We ate at the Shrimp Shack on the North Shore. It was actually featured on a food network tv show. To this day, I still mention the shrimp and rice I had there. Garlic butter shrimp, I think. Next door was a small store where we picked up some (adult!) beverages, and we sat at a picnic table and ate right there. Fantastic!!

[Disney Hot Mama]

Originally Posted by nd5056

No one has mentioned the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Spend the whole day there, and don't miss the show at the end of the day - Hā: BREATH OF LIFE

Expensive, but I wouldn't miss it in the world. You can do a Luau there too.

Other then that, many great sightseeing spots and places that are one of a kind. Like Valley of the Temples or Waimea Valley

Just Google "101 things to do in Oahu" and find what's most appealing to you.

Have fun.
.

I agree 100% with the above post. I have been to the Polynesian Cultural Center several times and it is a must do on my trips to Oahu. We love it there and have also done the luau there and always stay for the evening show. The entire event takes a full day and it is about 1 1/2 hours away from downtown Honolulu but well worth it.

[travelbug]

Originally Posted by disykat

Yes, on the way between Honolulu and the North Shore. Sort of teriyaki style shrimp and Rice. We had garlic shrimp at a place called "Romy's" I believe - and loved it. There were picnic tables under a large tent. We happened to go when it was pouring rain and were fine. It's messy and we rinsed our hands under one of the downspouts it was raining so hard.

Glad to hear there's seating at some of the trucks. We'll have to watch for that, as I'm sure now that we'll want to try eating at a shrimp truck. You mentioned that the shrimp are messy. Were they boiled or fried?

Originally Posted by jackdis

We ate at the Shrimp Shack on the North Shore. It was actually featured on a food network tv show. To this day, I still mention the shrimp and rice I had there. Garlic butter shrimp, I think. Next door was a small store where we picked up some (adult!) beverages, and we sat at a picnic table and ate right there. Fantastic!!

Sounds great, including the adult beverages!

[disykat]

Originally Posted by travelbug

Glad to hear there's seating at some of the trucks. We'll have to watch for that, as I'm sure now that we'll want to try eating at a shrimp truck. You mentioned that the shrimp are messy. Were they boiled or fried?

I'm honestly not sure how they're cooked - but not boiled or fried. Sort of teriyaki style. I would say sort of a combo of grilled/stir-fried/steamed in the butter garlic sauce. At home I do something similar that is called bbq shrimp and is baked in the oven. They are pretty large shrimp you pick up by the tail and eat, so it involves using your hands and getting a little sticky.

[nd5056]

Originally Posted by Disney Hot Mama

... I have been to the Polynesian Cultural Center several times and it is a must do on my trips to Oahu. We love it there and have also done the luau there and always stay for the evening show. The entire event takes a full day and it is about 1 1/2 hours away from downtown Honolulu but well worth it.

You know, as obsessed as this forum gets with any shows at WDW or Sea World, not many recommend the Polynesian Cultural Center. Perhaps because of the $$$.

To me it's the Heart & Soul of Hawaii, something that makes the trip memorable for years. just like the smell of flowers in the air...

.

[psimon]

Has anyone used or seen the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Hawaii? I saw the 2011 edition on the shelf at Barnes and Noble. It was $23. Online at BN it was $18.

Then I noticed that the 2013 edition is coming out March 18!.... and they are selling it for $15!

The 2011 looks like a good book. Any thoughts?

---Paul in Southern NJ

[disneypofq05]

Originally Posted by Disney Hot Mama

I agree 100% with the above post. I have been to the Polynesian Cultural Center several times and it is a must do on my trips to Oahu. We love it there and have also done the luau there and always stay for the evening show. The entire event takes a full day and it is about 1 1/2 hours away from downtown Honolulu but well worth it.

We're going to Hawaii in July and are planning to due the Polynesian Cultural Center. Have you done the Circle Island Tour as part of the package? We can't decide if we should do it or not. Thanks for any info!

[psimon]

Originally Posted by disneypofq05

We're going to Hawaii in July and are planning to due the Polynesian Cultural Center. Have you done the Circle Island Tour as part of the package? We can't decide if we should do it or not. Thanks for any info!

Isn't the PCC, Pearl Harbor and downtown Waikiki/Honolulu on the must do list for OAHU?

---Paul in Southern NJ