What inspires you? I am most inspired when I travel. I often design with travel on my mind and pull inspirational elements from the places I’ve visited. Who doesn’t love to visit a space that transports them to another city, culture or even a place in time? As a world traveller in a pandemic, I was just itching to get out and be free. I had a fantastic opportunity to go to Honolulu, Hawaii and stay 5 days in a beautiful poolside Hawaiian guest house steps away from the beach owned by my incredible designer cousin Sophia @silverlakedesign. Luckily my BFF and cousin Tiff who is always down was willing to also risk it with me to get to paradise. We made it our mission to figure out a way to get there safely and economically. Things needed to align perfectly so careful planning was imperative. Anything for design - amirite?
Lots of people saw my IG Hawaii posts and asked how did you get there during Covid quarantine so here’s how we did it:
Quarantine restrictions were recently lifted in by Hawaii if you took a negative covid test 72 hours in advanced. Alaska Airlines was offering a rapid covid test in downtown Seattle through Carbon Health. Costs $110. You must also download and register yourself onto the Safe Travels app and upload your test results so the state can contact trace you throughout your stay. This is not very restrictive or invasive, I didn’t hear from any city officials during my trip.
Prep for the trip - Flight from Seattle is 6 hours and there’s not a lot of food options at the airport and the airline is only offering food preorder. I also wanted to only bring carryon luggage so to reduce the hands, exposure and possibility of lost luggage. Packing items for airport travel during Covid: heavy duty mask (N95, Kn95), face shield (I opted out because I wore glasses), disposable gloves, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, hand soap (also to double as laundry soap), to go meal and snacks.
Download your Netflix - It’s not easy to talk with your travel buddy because you must wear your mask the entire time of the flight and in the airport unless you are actively eating or drinking. Even in a daytime flight, people were pretty quiet most of the flight. I indulged in 6 hours of Gossip Girl reruns and my favorite snacks.
During the flight and airport - The airport procedures and process is very smooth. The middle seats in the airplane were unoccupied even for travelers in the same party. Masks are worn properly by everyone all the time. Additionally staff all wore masks and gloves. There was minimal contact and everything was extremely clean. I felt confidently safe during my entire airport travels.
Finally getting into Hawaii - Locals said we arrived during a golden time. Fall/winter weather was a perfect 80 degrees, no traffic (cars and foot) and rainbows all over the place! A few attractions were closed due to quarantine (IE Diamond Head) but most parks and beaches were open.
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ACTIVITIES & FOOD
Surf -We hit up surfing in Waikiki. Highly recommend Ty Gurney surf school. Approx $85-$110/hr
Kayaked and climbed Mokoli’i Island (Aka Chinaman’s hat) on the Leeward side of the island. You have to find your own kayaks. Coda from Active Oahu Kayak Tours delivered and picked up kayaks, life vests and dry bags right to our location. Approx. $55/kayak (with a min. of $72). Be sure to wear closed toed shoes. There are some vertical climbs.
Hiked Pillbox #1 & #2 in Kailua. This is a fairly easy walk/hike with a glorious 360 view of the island.
Snorkeled in Shark’s cove in North Shore. The most beautiful lagoon with flowing waterfalls. Urchins, fish and mermaids live here!
Shop boutiques in Kailua. The goods might not be local but they have that Hawaiian feel. Browse any one of the downtown Kailua shops for one of a kind non cheesy Hawaiian buys.
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All restaurants were open for take out and lots were available for outdoor seating. Lots of times, we just picked up food and picnicked on the beach which were not crowded and we felt comfortable to go maskless with our 6 feet social distancing.
Heres some food recs:
Island Vintage Cafe , Waikiki (though they have lots of locations) You really wouldn’t think but the Acai bowls are fantastic, drinks and food are incredible. Their outdoor seating is darling!
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, North Shore - A huge plate of their famous garlic shrimp scampi with rice. IT IS phenomenal!
Teddy’s Bigger Burger, Kailua (multiple locations) - All kinds of massive burgers perfect for lunch after a fun and sweaty hike to Pillbox.
Kula Shave Ice Truck, North Shore - I just love their Haupia cream topping- Its heavenly!
Nalu Health Bar & Cafe, Kailua - so fresh and luxurious!
Kona Coffee Purveyors, Waikiki - authentic Kona coffee and legit pastries. The packaging and presentation of this coffeeshop is truly on point! A serious coffee lover Seattleite, I highly recommend the Kona cortado with oat milk.
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Overall, it is 100% worth giving it everything you got and all the money you have to get to Hawaii. It’s waking up in paradise everyday- lounging at the beach under the sun and the bluest blue ocean water you’ve ever seen and resting your head under twinkling stars every night. Pure magic!