The travel blog for couples - Written by Melanie Waldman
A mural of Manele Bay in downtown Lana'i City
When you think of taking a trip to Hawai’i, you’re probably picturing beach, palm trees and pineapples. And in the case of the small island of Lānaʻi, you’d be spot on.
Sort of, anyway.
At only 20-odd miles across and home to only 3,000 people, this unique slice of the world has a pretty darn complicated, fascinating history — especially when you consider that it’s part of the United States. [Read more...]
Ever wanted to know why I started this blog, the places that Adam and I love to travel most, and our funniest travel mishaps? Well, look no further.
I was recently interviewed by Elaine Masters, writer of the travel blog Trip Wellness (which aims to keep you healthy no matter where or how you go) for “The Gathering Road,” her show on the Women’s Radio Network. Elaine, who often hits the open road with her partner to see where adventure will take her, felt I might have some good advice and inspiration to offer her listeners.
I’m proud of this interview — and can only hope that she’s right!
Dear readers, I’m in Maryland, having just buried my beloved uncle and now helping to tend to my ailing father. Since I’ve been distracted away from ye olde blog this week, I gratefully accepted my friend Mara Gorman’s (The Mother of All Trips) offer of a guest post. I’ll soon resume a more regular schedule, but in the meantime, I truly hope you enjoy Mara’s writing and travel advice as much as I do.
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LOVE signs in Philadelphia
Here’s a myth: To really relax, you need at least ten days of vacation.
As a busy parent of two busy boys, though, weekends away are often the only option for me and my husband.
Luckily for me, I’m a big believer in the restorative qualities of a quick getaway, and since I live smack in between New York City and Washington, DC I have lots of options when it comes to an urban retreat. And so, a cold spring weekend found my husband Matt and I dropping our children at my sister’s house outside of Reading, Pennsylvania and heading for downtown Philadelphia for a sybaritic, if short, visit.
Mural in downtown Hilo, Hawai'i, depicting its fishing industry past
In Hawaiian, a hui hou means “until we meet again.”
Rather than say goodbye to Hilo, the biggest small town on the eastern side of Hawaii’s Big Island, I’d rather just bid it a brief adieu. And with new direct flights from Los Angeles to Hilo launching today, it’s a darn safe bet that we’ll be back soon.
Just recently, I spent several days with Adam on Lānaʻi as part of the New Media Artist-in-Residence Program, and am suitably amazed by the sheer number of things to do on this small Hawaiian island.
On Lānaʻi, you’ll find about 3,000 residents, some of the reddest soil in the world, strange rockscapes, thick forests and deep valleys, and misty-soft views of clouds on the mountains of Molokaʻi and Māui. The water looks dark teal from the surface but is perfectly clear from below — and full of tropical fish. There are rolling hills, soaring cliffs, white-sand beaches (including the state’s longest), white egrets on wing, a scent of plumeria on the breeze and even a stable full of friendly horses.
You could come to Lānaʻi on a day trip from Māui (it’s about 30 minutes by ferry), but on an island that wants nothing more than to see you slow the heck down, it seems almost painful to rush the experience.
I’d recommend dedicating at least a long weekend and making Lānaʻi a trip unto itself.
