Dear Mom –

I arrived in Honolulu a few days ago and have been exploring the beauty that Hawaii has to offer. My hotel is in this fantastic location tucked just outside of Waikiki in a sleepier neighborhood on the Gold Coast. I am still close to the action of it all but it’s much more peaceful over here. The hotel does have amazing views of the Waikiki skyline at night though! All the glittering lights are so pretty to see from the hotel.

The beaches in this area are so pretty, slower paced and have more local residents than Waikiki. Kaimana Beach is just outside of the hotel and is a cute, small slice of heaven that I have been enjoying daily. It is right next to some pretty sites like the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial which was built in the form of an ocean water public swimming pool and where Olympian Duke Kahanamoku once swam. The park at Kaimana Beach is quite serene also. There is a section with a bunch of rows of coconut trees – almost like a little forest! One day I sat on the beach until sunset and it was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Such vibrant colors of oranges and purples. It was the perfect way to end the day.

I have even enjoyed watching all of the water activities too! Surfing, paddling, boogie boarding, all kinds of fun things! I am going to take a surf lesson tomorrow so wish me luck!

Miss you and I will be home soon. Just wanted to write to let you know that we are having a great time.