Finally, a dream is coming true – Hawaii!

This November/December, I’ll be embarking on the longest and furthest journey of my life so far: three weeks in paradise. It will also be my longest travel time to date – nearly 22 hours to get there. And when I arrive, I’ll be 12 time zones away from Germany, literally on the other side of the world. I’ll find myself somewhere between America and Asia, about 5,000 kilometers from either mainland, right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

When the time comes, I’ll land in a world-famous city: Honolulu. A name that alone is enough to trigger the most exotic associations. So – welcome, or rather: Aloha from Hawaii!

As I sit here in Germany writing about my next destination, it all still feels distant and surreal. I remember feeling the same way about Bali – up until now, my furthest destination, roughly 11,774 kilometers away from Germany as the crow flies. Hawaii is set to beat that distance – only slightly, but still – with an impressive 11,996 kilometers in a straight line. 🙂

The planning has begun – What can I experience in 3 weeks

Ever since I started diving deeper into Hawaii, I found out that this U.S. state actually consists of more than 120 islands, of which only seven are inhabited. I quickly realized that without island hopping, I wouldn’t be able to truly grasp the full beauty of this destination. So, for my 3-week journey, I’ve decided to visit the following four islands:

  • Oahu, home to the capital Honolulu

  • Kauai

  • Hawaii Island / Big Island

  • Maui

In order to see as much of Hawaii’s natural beauty as possible within 21 days and to get a broad and diverse impression of the different islands, I’ve already made a rough plan:

Oahu – The home of Magnum

My journey begins, of course, on the island of Oahu, since I’ll be landing in Honolulu. About three-quarters of Hawaii’s population live on this island, so I’m expecting a bit of hustle and bustle similar to the American mainland. But one thing’s for sure: a cocktail at the famous Waikiki Beach is a must – as is a dip in Hanauma Bay, a former volcanic crater now filled with crystal-clear seawater.

The best part: Thanks to a lovely acquaintance on Facebook, I’ve been connected with a great guy from Hamburg who’s been living on Oahu for the past 30 years. I’ll most likely be staying with him for the first four nights. Thank you so much!

Next stop: Kauai – also known as the island of Jurassic Park

After that, we’re heading to Kauai, the oldest and most untouched of Hawaii’s six inhabited islands. Located west of Oahu, this island served as a key filming location for Jurassic Park. In the west, I’m planning to hike through the rugged Napali Coast State Wilderness Park – a place of nearly untouched nature, only accessible by foot. Just 20% of the island is reachable by car, making this trek a true adventure. The legendary Kalalau Trail stretches 18 kilometers from Kee Beach past the iconic Hanakapiai Beach and majestic waterfalls – and is considered one of the most beautiful hiking routes in all of Hawaii.

Planned activities on Kauai:

Together with Safari Helicopters, we’ll explore the island from above, taking in breathtaking views of the lush landscape and the dramatic cliffs of the west coast. It’s bound to be an unforgettable experience – and one I’ll definitely share with you!
👉 www.safarihelicopters.com

The Nā Pali Coast on the western side of Kauai is one of the most famous and breathtaking natural wonders you can experience anywhere in the world. With its towering, lush green cliffs, it’s a sight that stays with you forever. On a 6-hour sailing tour, we’ll cruise along the entire coastline and soak in the stunning views. If you’ve seen Jurassic Park, you’ll definitely recognize this iconic landscape.
https://www.holoholokauaiboattours.com

The Ultimate Ranch 4×4 Off-road Tour is bound to be a thrilling adventure, taking you across a vast private estate where not only the breathtaking landscape will leave you in awe – but also several iconic stops where famous movies like Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones were filmed.
www.kiputours.com


Big Island – Island of Active Volcanoes

After five days, I fly east to the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, the so-called Big Island. There, I’ll drive along the Saddle Road, which cuts straight across the island. Along the way, I’ll pass jet-black lava fields, trumpet trees, and meadows that look like the foothills of the Bavarian Alps – as well as sun-bleached grasslands, tea plantations, and tropical plumeria trees.

During my six days on the island, I’ll go swimming, see waterfalls, active volcanoes, and even glowing lava – because this island is still growing every single day. The island’s most famous volcano, Kilauea, alone produces more than 650,000 cubic meters of lava.

As the sun sets, I’ll make my way to Mauna Kea to gaze at the stars like nowhere else on Earth. Thousands of kilometers away from the mainland, the air in Hawaii is unbelievably clear, and the night sky is among the darkest in the world – ideal conditions for stargazing. That’s why there are 13 telescopes stationed on the summit, keeping constant watch over the heavens.

Last Exit Maui – Pure Chillaxation

To wrap things up, I’m heading to Maui for four days of taking it easy. This island is said to have some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawaii—like the stunning Makena Big Beach in the southwest. And maybe I’ll get lucky: between December and April, visitors are treated to a special natural spectacle. Off the west coast, whales raise their calves. If the timing’s right, I might just catch a glimpse of this magical experience—though the official whale season typically starts in early December.

Planned Activities on Maui:

On our second-to-last day, I’ll be joining Ultimate Whale Watch for a 6 to 7-hour adventure, including 2–3 snorkeling stops—with a chance to see dolphins, sea turtles, and whales.
This will undoubtedly be the grand finale of my Hawaii trip.
👉 www.ultimatewhalewatch.com


What can I do in 5 hours in San Francisco?

On December 6th, I’ll be flying back to Honolulu in the afternoon. That means it’s time to say goodbye to paradise. As always, I’ll be heading home with countless videos, photos, and unforgettable memories. Just around midnight, I’ll leave the island and land early in the morning in San Francisco. I’ll have 8 hours until my connecting flight – and there’s no way I’m spending them at the airport.

I plan to use 5 of those hours to head into San Francisco. I absolutely have to catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. 🙂 I really love this city! And luckily, the Metro ride into town only takes about 25–30 minutes to cover the 21 kilometers.

With a few short impressions from this beautiful city, I’ll head back to Germany in the early afternoon.

Here’s my schedule:

16.11.2017          Deutschland/Oahu (4 Nächte)
17.11.2017          Oahu
18.11.2017          Oahu
19.11.2017          Oahu
20.11.2017          Oahu / Kauai
21.11.2017          Kauai (5 Nächte)
22.11.2017          Kauai
23.11.2017          Kauai
24.11.2017          Kauai
25.11.2017          Kauai / Big Island
26.11.2017          Big Island (7 Nächte)
27.11.2017          Big Island
28.11.2017          Big Island
29.11.2017          Big Island
30.11.2017          Big Island
01.12.2017          Big Island
02.12.2017          Big Island / Maui
03.12.2017          Maui (4 Nächte)
04.12.2017          Maui
05.12.2017          Maui
06.12.2017          Maui / Oahu
07.12.2017          San Francisco
08.12.2017          Deutschland 

Update: This time, it wasn’t that easy to find a travel companion for this trip. Apparently, the destination was a bit too exotic, the price not quite cheap enough, or the travel period too long. But no matter – I’ve now found someone who loves exploring the world just as much as I do and who also has Hawaii on his bucket list. The wonderful Sebastian will be joining me on this adventure, and it’s definitely going to be the trip of a lifetime for both of us. What travel destinations come next? Well, that’s still a mystery.