Waikiki, Hawaii

I went to Hawaii last summer. I am almost a year late in writing this blog but I decided to write and share my experiences any way.

Last summer Ashley and I packed our bags and headed to the 51st state of the United States of America, after a 6 hour flight from Los Angeles we reached the paradise - the warm tropical sunshine capital of Hawaii - Honolulu!! We only had four days so we stuck to Oahu which is one of the most commercialized islands.

We first hit Waikiki beach - beautiful white sand and clear waters, boarded with tall luxury hotels and ocean front bars!  Tip: if you choose to swim in the water there is dead coral reef in shallow waters and if you step on it you might scrape your feet however, there is sand on the beach in front of The Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki Hotel. For nice walk in the evening, we headed to the Kalakaua Street which was filled places to shop and eat. A perfect way to end our first day in Hawaii!

Next, we headed out to Hanauma bay for snorkeling. It's awesome because you snorkel on shallow waters right by the shore. Your hotel will have tours to take you there. Tip: Carry some sandwiches there is no real food there and you'll be hungry after snorkeling. Also for an extra 3 bucks they will give you a better snorkeling gear in which water won't go through.

Hanauma Bay

On our second day, we headed out to Sunset Beach. We rented a car and drove along the shores on the scenic coastal highway # 83 stopping at the gorgeous look outs on the way. But before hitting the sunset beach, we had to stop at the almost historical, Giovanni's shrimp  truck for some shrimp and shaved ice. Tip: Make sure you have some cash on you, they do not accept credit cards. There are other there are other shrimp trucks that will say original but Giovanni's is the best and the one that features on travel shows. Turtle bay is also a  good spot to stop by on your drive to sunset beach.

Next up was  Luau shows. Germaine's and Paradise Cove are most popular luau shows. If you are vegetarian ask them for your dinner options (luau quite frankly is over rated but worth going once just for the experience).

Germaine's Luau

Where to eat: If you like sushi Doraku Sushi has some of the best in Hawaii and it's not very expensive. Located at the Royal Hawaiian Center on  Kalakaua the restaurant is not hard to find.
Rainbow Drive-In  was really good for local food. Giovanni's Shrimp Truck.

 ------- One more thing: Sheraton Waikiki Beach Hotel has a nice infinity pool bar overlooking the ocean to hang out.

Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe, California

Reno is a small town on the border of California and Nevada. Since it is officially in Nevada, casinos are legal. Reno is like Las Vegas, just smaller and worse! Casino’s in Reno are bright, not with glitz and grandeur but with light bulbs! Reno is cheaper than Las Vegas and it’s alright for a few hours of gambling. 

Light bulbs at Reno

In a casino city like Reno where alcohol is on the house, I recommend to stay in resorts in downtown (on Virginia Street) where there are several casinos all within one or two blocks so you can walk around.  From Silver Legacy Resort casino (where we stayed) you can walk to two other major casinos: Circus Circus and Eldorado without having to even step out on the street so that makes it very convenient in winter!

Reno Sprinkled with Snow!

Obviously, There is nothing much to do in casino resort during the day. So, to spend the day time, there is Lake Tahoe, CA  only 40 miles from Reno

Lake Tahoe is the 8^th deepest lake in the world and it is beautiful! In winter time, the blue serene waters of the lake are contrasted by white snowy mountains – picture perfect as if the whole landscape has been pulled out of some fairy tale.  

Pristine Lake Tahoe

 Lake Tahoe is a perfect place for winter sports - skiing and snowboarding. There are several skiing slopes run by different resorts, take your pick. You can rent the equipment at the site and even find trainers there. Even if you are not a skiing pro i still recommend to go on top of the slopes for the magnificent view. 

Skiing Slopes at Lake Tahoe

Staying in Lake Tahoe in winters can get really cold. So if you are not skiing enthusiast, staying in Reno and driving to Lake Tahoe is a perfect bet. If you are planning a weekend trip to Reno and Lake Tahoe it may get a little hectic but a three days long weekend should work just fine. 

Santa Cruz, California

I went to Santa Cruz, CA while I was visiting my brother in California in December 2011. Having lived in the East coast for almost 2 years now, I never thought a tourist hotspot in California will be almost dead in winter, but to my surprise it was!

Santa Cruz is a nice touristy beach resort in the Monetary Bay, about 70 miles from San Francisco. The best time to visit Santa Cruz is April through September.

Santa Cruz

Be sure to go to the Boardwalk (entrance from Beach Street). There are a lot of activities! You can go on the roller-coasters, eat ice creams, cotton candy or simply shop along the promenade. If you are a beach volleyball enthusiast then there are a lot of spots with nets for you to play. You can rent boats, go kayaking, surfing or just relax on the beach. For your gaming and entertainment there is a Casino Arcade on Beach Street. In summer, there are live bands playing on the boardwalk and the atmosphere is very lively. You can bring your own picnic -there are plenty of tables along the boardwalk for group of friends and family.

The Beach & Roller Coaster on Board Walk 

There is a beautiful Wharf. It is long and wide and you can either drive your car on the wharf or take a walk. You can see sea-lions really close as they come and sit on the iron reinforcements of the wharf. There are tons of seafood restaurants and bars on the Wharf. A table with a view of the ocean, some beer and crab sandwich should make a perfect evening. My personal favorite is a restaurant called Riva Café and Bar. 

Sea-lions

There are a ton of motels and inns near the beach. Be careful of what you pick! One major drawback of this place is that there are not many parking spots. There are metered parking spots along the streets and some parking lots but they are just not enough.  So, be prepared to around the town several times before you find a spot to park. 

Newport, Rhode Island

In March 2011, I was just done with a major exam at Grad school in Boston. After long hours of studying and working, I felt a strong urge to take a break and get out of the city. So, my friends and I rented a car, packed a little picnic and headed out. Destination – Newport, Rhode Island.

Newport is about 75 miles south of Boston. Once you get there, the best way to explore is to walk.

The highlights of Newport are the Mansions. At the turn of the 20^th century rich industrialists of America build their summer homes in Newport. About ten of these magnificent abodes are now open to public. Almost all mansions are within walking distance of each other on and around Bellevue Avenue. A walk along this avenue is a must when you visit. It is a tree lined street and you can see the mansions and their beautiful landscapes in the backdrop as you walk. Most mansions offer guided tours and have different hours of operation every season so you may want to plan your trip accordingly. http://www.newportmansions.org/

The Elms Mansion

I recommend a walk along Bowen’s wharf and Commercial wharf. The waterfront restaurants on the wharf are great. My favorite is - “The Deck” on Waites Wharf. Delicious food with beautiful views of the harbor, the little boats and the sails sailing away. http://www.waiteswharf.com/atthedeck.html

Huge Anchor at Bowen’s Wharf

There are a ton of local boutiques, galleries and cafés along cobblestone roads. If you like to collect pieces of art or fine jewelry you will not be disappointed and even if you hate shopping you will certainly fall in love with the ambiance.

Market Square

Newport Rhode, Island has a very colonial feel to it. Its grandeur is enchanting and its location is mesmerizing. It has many Victorian style hotels, I recommend at least an overnight stay. 

Central Park and Lincoln Center – New York City

Having grown up in Mumbai, New York City is the closest I could feel to home. Like Mumbai, NYC is crowded, fast, busy and noisy yet like Mumbai, New York has place for everyone. I had lived in Boston for a year and half before I moved to New York City. The chaos in New York City was intimidating at first but soon I started to appreciate the city. Trust me; The Big Apple has something for everyone.

My favorite place in New York City is the Central Park. Right in the center of Manhattan Borough of New York City, lies an 800 acres of lush-green park. It starts from the 51^st street and runs all the way to 110^th. It is one of the largest man made parks in the world with an annual maintenance budget of $40 mn! 

Bethesda Fountain at Central Park

There are many entrances to Central Park. My favorite place to get into the park is from the mid-town west side at Columbus Circle. Best way to see Central Park is to rent a bike. Once you get there, you will see many businesses renting bikes by the hour, right outside the entrance. They will ask for $15 but will rent it out for $10/hour if you quibble a little. Every additional hour is $5.

Central Park

Walking out from Central Park after an hour of biking makes me feel relaxed and rejuvenated. It is almost like a therapy. So, with all the energy and enthusiasm, when the sun goes down, it’s time to head towards Lincoln Center which is five blocks from Columbus Circle on Broadway (between 65^th and 66^th streets)

Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center is quite a contrast from Central Park. It is a performance art center. With nice infrastructure and lighted steps which says “welcome” in almost every language, the place is truly welcoming. Chances are that you might bump into fashion models wearing Prada and corporate honchos in their Armani. But what attracts me the most are the beautiful fountains. In summer-time, you can lie down on the sides of the fountain, stare at the sky or if you choose, stare at the high flyers of NYC and feel the mist on your face.

Fountain At Lincoln Center

Going to Central Park and then sitting by the fountains of Lincoln Center is like going from one spa to another. Try it; it’s the best way to spend an evening in New York City!