Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook
by Andrew Doughty
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Book Summary Information
Author: Andrew DoughtyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-05-15
ISBN: 098146100X
Number of pages: 308
Publisher: Wizard Publications Inc.
Book Reviews of Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook
Book Review: Great book!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book. Overall, its the best I could think of. Of course, a little bit more maps with a little bit more markers wouldn't harm. There's always room for improvement (especially in terms of pictures of the destinations). Couple of don't:
1. Champagne pond -- *DON'T* go there! It doesn't worth the trip. I don't know what the homeowner's society did to Andrew Doughty but he marked this spot as "Don't miss!". Honestly, you should miss it. First of all, the road is not easy there and will take lots of your time.
Second, I really can't think of anyone who could enjoy a swimming in a pond under hateful eyes of the homeowners. Yes, the pond doesn't belong to them but still, I find little pleasure in experiencing it as it is now.
And third, the pond just doesn't worth it. It's just a tiny little pool of hot water. When I visited it, it was flooded with ocean water (high tide!) and it didn't look appealing. And it will get crowded closer to the evening. I just can't justify all the hassle it took us to get there with the experience I've got from that pool. Nearby Ahalanui hot water pond is thousand times easier to reach, friendlier, has public facilities like restrooms and showers and much better overall.
All I can say about "Champagne pool" is that it's a very rude joke that Andrew made on homeowner's society. That's it.
2. Green sand beach -- this is not a road at all. Not even 4WD. Maybe a tank could traverse that road ok but not a Jeep. I couldn't made it. I should've found another quiet beach nearby that I can enjoy all by myself (the big black sand beach was overrun by crowds plus 2 buses with schoolkids arrived. Ouch!)
3. Waipi'o Valley is a must. I spent a night at the beach and it was magestic. Probably, the highest experience of my trip. Of course, some locals were saying that I'm not allowed to stay there (but then the beach belongs to the state, isn't it??) as well as some kids were telling horrible stories that locals come down at night and burn tourists tents -- so I could give a free ride home to those kids :) Yeah, it's that easy to fool me!
Anyway, it's a great place and I would like to retire there!
4. You *don't* need to cross the stream when you're looking for the trailhead to Hi'ilawe falls. The trailhead is right between telegraph table and the stream, closer to the stream. Just park there and go. It's a hard hike but well worth it! Beautiful and gigantic falls -- and you *must* experience it no matter what.
Here's some pics from there: [...] The last picture is the photo of the stream that you shouldn't cross (looking west, toward the falls). The trailhead just to the left of this stream.
What else? You don't have to pay to camp in Big Island. Spencer was closed for some party when I was there so we stayed on the hills next to Hapuna beach. Nice place except some jerks parked next to us and listening loud music until I screamed.
I highly recommend Ho'okena beach park for camping -- nice and serene place, nice sand and pretty safe. No cell phone coverage, though (is that a plus or a minus?)
Also I would rate as recommend Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill. It's good and well worth the visit. And Jackie is the friendliest restaurateur I've ever seen :)
Another thing: you will *need* some kind of a diving certificate (worth [...]) before you can go diving for Manta Rays. Without it they can offer snorkeling which is rather stupid, given the tiny price difference. We didn't have certificates and we didn't know we need ones before the very last minute. Surprisingly, no one on the team mention them and I even started fitting equipment for us. But then one French blond guy showed up and said that we should possess a certificate (what's for??). Well, most likely, he wanted to have some more business for the Big Island Divers but instead they lost us. I've got impression that the whole team silently hated him for mentioning it (well, it's kind of recession out there and we were about to part with [...]!) but couldn't say anything. So beware: be prepared and download some kind of a certificate from the internet before you go. I'll do that next time for sure!
I didn't do many of tropical vacations so far (just Egypt, Spain, Dominican republic and Hawaii) but I like the Big Island the most. It's a wonderful place to visit and really great overall. When I grow old, I want to live there, for sure.
That's it so far. Maybe I'll add some more later! Stay tuned! ;)
Summary of Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook
The finest guidebook ever written for the Big Island and the only one written by writers who anonymously review the island. They visit every beach, restaurant, activity and trail on the island. The result is this comprehensive, humorous and easy-to-read full color guide that will lead you to more adventures than any other book. A must for travelers.West Books
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