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WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT KAANAPALI BEACH MAUI
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The
lead singer of the Hawaiian band entertaining us during our lunch at
Hula Grill cackled. He had an energy and presence similar to Jack Black
and sang just like him.
"Even traffic jams are stress free. Whales jump out of the ocean to
entertain you. The Maui life requirement is to relax and enjoy. Hang out
with the turtles that come play on the shore."
Maui has traffic?
I didn't believe it until two hours later we left to drive to the
airport in that relaxed Maui style. No worries, we have plenty of time.
We're in Maui now.
Until we hit the car park on Highway 30 near Lahaina and arrived late at
the airport as the plane was leaving!
It's a rarity for us to miss a flight, but we did on Maui.
There were no whales playing as we sat in the traffic and we were more
than a little stressed, which quickly evaporated when the Hawaiian
Airlines attendant told us not to worry she'd get us on the next
available flight to Oahu 20 minutes later.
It's just too cruisy in Maui.
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We
stayed for five nights at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel (KBH Maui) which
is known to be the most Hawaiian Hotel in Hawaii. The joy I experienced
in this beach area is mostly attributed to our stay at this resort.
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It's
not flashy, like most other resorts with infinity pools and waterslides
or stylized modern design. It's simple, giving more space for warmth,
love, relaxation, and connectedness.
And while we did stay as guests of the resort and Hawaii Ocean Tourism, I
was not required to write a review in this way. My post has morphed
into this as the focus because our stay at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel
touched our hearts and is something we'll remember forever.
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Because
of our exhaustion at the previous 10 days of whirlwind Hawaii travel,
we even chose to cancel an intended trip to the Cowboy country to
instead relax at the resort and soak up the spirit.
The good news is, it's not just a place where you stay trapped within
the amenities of your beach resort. You are situated right on the Maui
beach front.
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A DAY TRIP TO TALLINN FROM HELSINKI
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Travellers
who find themselves in Helsinki, Finland, should set aside a day to
take advantage of the seamless crossing via ferry to Tallinn, the
capital of Estonia. All in one day you can set sail and reach Tallinn
from Helsinki in just 2.5 hours, spend 3-4 hours exploring the quaint
capital and return to Helsinki by 20:30pm - an opportunity too good to
refuse! Here's how to take a day trip to Tallinn from Helsinki...
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A day trip to Tallinn from Helsinki
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Tallinn
looks to the naked eye to be ripped right out of a fairytale picture
book. The Old Town is indeed so charming and medieval that you will feel
as if you have stepped back in time - to an age of cobblestone
alleyways, colourful architecture and a labyrinth of small boutique
stores selling everything from antiques to kitsch souvenirs.
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Getting There
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There
are a range of operators making the crossing from Helsinki to Tallinn,
all for a similar price but varied service. I chose to book the Viking
Line Cruise on a daily crossing, departing Helsinki at 11.30 am and
arriving in Tallinn at 2.00pm. Later in the day the ferry returns to
Helsinki at 6.00pm departing Tallinn and arrives back in Helsinki
precisely 2.5 hours later. Prices start from 22 euros - though I can
highly recommend upgrading to an outside cabin with the incredible
buffet - a great way to pass the time enjoying the food, wine and soft
drinks!
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A day in Tallinn
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When
I stepped on dry land in Tallinn, the distinction between the two
capitals was immediate. From the newness of Helsinki to the quaint old
world charm of Tallinn, I couldn't wait to spend a few hours exploring
the city.
Armed with a map and no idea of my geographical location, I took the
easy route and simply walked in the direction of the church towers in
the distance.
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Winding
my way up the cobblestone alleyways, I soon enough found myself in the
centre of town. My first stop was the Old Town Square - which was
bustling and alive by the time I arrived around 2.00pm.
From there, I made my way uphill to the impressive Alexander Nevsky
Cathedral. A short walk in the hillside, you will then find yourself at
one of the few lookout points with impressive views of Tallinn.
Before I knew it, it was almost time to head back to the ferry. But not
without an hour of saved time for some shopping! If you're looking for
antiques or souvenirs, anywhere in the Old Town is a good place to
start. For international brands, head straight to Viru Keskus - it's not
only home to everything you'll want and need, but also en route back to
the ferry.
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How To Choose The Best Hawaiian Island For Your Vacation
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Which Hawaiian Island Is Right For You?
Time for some real talk. There's been something gnawing at me on social media lately, and no, I'm not talking about politics. According to your Facebook, Instagram, and Tweets, I must be the only person on earth who has not been to Hawaii. And quite possibly, I may be the only person who isn't there right now. It seems like every day, someone new is saying Aloha and showing their feet in the sand. |
PICKING THE RIGHT HAWAIIAN ISLAND
Each Hawaiian island has a different vibe, tourist highlights, and stunning geography. To give a few examples: Oahu is the most populous island and is home to North Shore and Diamond Head. The Big Island of Hawaii offers active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Maui has fantastic beaches, with picture perfect sunsets. And Kauai is breathtaking with excellent hiking trails. |
MAUI
Maui has a bit of everything with touristy sights balanced with good beaches and hikes. It is usually recommended for a first trip- and it's certainly less touristy than Honolulu over on Oahu. |
OAHU
To start, check out Oahu. If you are arriving by air, you are likely to fly into Honolulu Airport on Oahu as it's often the least expensive option. And that's one thing you will quickly learn: getting to Hawaii isn't cheap! All major airlines fly into here from the mainland, and many international airlines are serviced here as well. |
KAUAI
Kauai is a favorite because it is the least touched island. Friends report Kauai as having the most "Hawaiian feeling" of all the islands. It offers an authentic atmosphere with guava plantations, a lighthouse, and waterfalls to explore. The large waterfall scene in Jurassic Park (the original) was filmed on Kauai; you can visit the falls. |