What I really want you all to hear about are our three fun tours. The best by far was(1) "The Hole in the Wall Food tour",followed by(2) Hawaiian Nautical snorkeling tour and last(3) Doris Dukes Shangria la-Islamic Art.
If you go to Honolulu do the "Hole in the Wall Food Tour". Book it before you get there for the first days of your vacation. This interesting tour of no more than 10 people and will give you some of the best perspective(s) on dining locations and the city while trying lots of (albeit fattening) delicious and interesting foods most visitors would never try on there own. The tour starts with a pick up at your hotel then off to begin eating while they teach you some interesting history of the islands. Matt and Keira, the owners knowledge will assist you on selecting your other restaurant choices while you are visiting. The stop in Chinatown was so helpful although we have visited Chinatown 2-3 times prior this was the first time we actually felt an understanding of how "Chinatown" works. I don't want to give away the entire tour but be prepared to eat and enjoy lots of foods you may never have tried -Go with an open mind and empty stomach. Try everything, even Squid Balls! (they change foods, as available, so you may not get them). I suggests you read the reviews on Tripadvisor or Yahoo to get more opinions of this tour. Note: my family of five are from 21 years to 54 years old picked this the best event of the week.
Second, we boarded the Hawaiian Nautical Snorkel tour. It is a catamaran with no more than 49 people on board. We do a snorkel tour anytime we go to the Hawaiian Islands. Note:the larger boats are crowded and you do not get the customer service that is provided in the smaller boats. The tour has a guarantee that if you don't see dolphin or a whale you get a free return trip (good for 2 years from the date of issue). You will see lots of fish and probably some turtles. They don't go out on ugly weather as some of the big boats seem to do. They bring you to a calm area and keep a good watch on all of there passengers. Lunch and drinks are provided. A pleasant way to spend the day.
Last, The Doris Duke Shangria La tour I think you should try this tour it is only 25.00 and includes admission to the Hawaiian Academy of Arts museum. This should be booked prior to your arrival to get an early morning time. I wouldn't waste the mid day for this tour as your whole day will be split up. Doris Duke lived in this home and has an eclectic collection of Islamic Art, the tour is fast paced which is good any longer would become a bit boring. We decided we liked the fast talking tour guide and found Doris was not someone we would want to be around. She appeared to treat animals(her children) better than people. If you don't like art skip this tour and be aware when we arrived my husband and I were in the younger crowd and our 2o year old didn't have any real knowledge of Doris Duke other than PBS saying funded by "the Doris Duke Foundation".
To rap up in Oahu you could and should go to many other places of interest but here are a few things that are different from most "tourists" locations.
Every one will point out Obama's home , church, school etc but eating great manapua's now that a vacation!
Do you have any interesting fun tours or hikes that you think should everyone should try?
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