Best of Both World - An Oahu Vacation
November 25th, 2008
My parents are enjoying an Oahu vacation next week and they have decided to enjoy two different aspects of this diverse island. Being that my mom is a great sports fan, she really wants to be able to watch the world’s best surfers in action. My folks will be on the island during the Vans Triple Crown surf competition, so she insisted that they rent an oahu beach house on the North shore and take in the action.
My father agreed to a dose of surf culture as long as he could get a bit of the urban culture and nightlife that Honolulu provides. Dad loves the buzz of the big city and appreciates multi-cultural art and food, something that Honolulu’s Chinatown district is known for. In order to get the best of both worlds, they agreed to split their time on Oahu between the North shore during the surf competition days and then move on to rent a Honolulu condo for their time in the city.
They’ll be heading to the North Shore first, arriving just in time to catch the Reef Hawaiian Beach Pro competition at Haleiwa’s Alii Beach park on the 23 of November. There are events for both men and women. I reminded my mom to get there early and prepare for traffic, as the big waves bring spectators from around the world. Equipped with a beach blanket and some good binoculars, mom and dad can watch skilled watermen and women dance down the face of incredible waves. They’ll also have a chance on the 24th to check out the Men’s O’Neil World Cup competition at Sunset Beach, as well as the women’s Roxy Pro.
After spending Thanksgiving in Haleiwa, they’ll be just in time for the weekend in Honolulu, where they can take in sights of a different kind. My dad is especially looking forward to perusing the streets of Chinatown, which spans several city blocks and borders Honolulu’s financial district. Well known for its eclectic blend of cultures, this area is a hub of exotic foods and smells. There are authentic Chinese restaurants as well as antique shops and temples.
Both of my parents appreciate the fun of some nightlife, too. After the sun goes down, Chinatown offers the flavor of a big city with its bars and night clubs. A great example of this is First Friday art night which takes place on the first Friday of every month. This peak time in Chinatown brings a buzz to the streets, keeps the art galleries open late and the restaurants and bars are filled. Unfortunately, my parents won’t be in Honolulu for this monthly event, but they will still get to experience Chinatown’s ambiance of cultural and artistic expression.
I’m thrilled my parents were able to make a happy compromise to enjoy two different parts of Oahu on their vacation; the world’s greatest surfers at the renowned breaks of the North shore and unique culture and nightlife in Honolulu’s Chinatown.
