Five Great Road Trips From Around The World

by Kraig Becker on

Australian newspaper The Age has put together a list of five of the top drives from around the world. These scenic byways encourage drivers to get behind the wheel, explore, and, as the article says, take the long way home.

Some of the roads that make this exclusive list include the Hana Highway in Hawaii, which is lauded for its 80km of winding road, that includes 56 one lane bridges, that meanders past beautiful beaches and up and down rolling hills, with small ocean villages and spectacular waterfalls as a backdrop.

For something a bit longer and more epic, the Pan American Highway from Lima, Peru to Santiago, Chile is offered as a suggestion. This stretch of road is more than 3000km in length, a mere fraction of the 48,000km total distance of the Pan American, which runs from Alaska to the tip of South America. Running along side the Pacific Ocean for much of the way, this route wanders past the famous Nazca Lines and up into the high desert of the Atacama, all the while weaving in and out of small Peruvian and Chilean villages along the way.

The classic road trip is still one of the best ways to see any country, and each of these drives will not only show you the scenic side of the places they run through, but also get you immersed in the unique cultures of those places as well. So, jump behind the wheel and take in one of these amazing road trips for a travel experience unlike any other.

Eddie Aikau and the Hokule’a voyage

by Brenda Yun on

If you’ve heard the term “Eddie Would Go,” then you most certainly know about the Hokule’a voyage — the second of its kind — that ended tragically when Eddie Aikau attempted to seek rescue by paddling to Lanai 33 years ago. If you know this, then you will definitely be excited to know that the upcoming Hokule’a voyage promises to be the biggest and most ambitious sailing trip of its kind.

But let’s first start with Eddie’s story, for those of you who are not familiar with it: Aikau’s story has been popularly retold by two of my teachers at Punahou School (which is Barack Obama’s alma mater too, by the way). Marion Lyman-Mersereau (my 8th grade Ethics teacher) wrote a children’s book called “Eddie Wen’ Go,” and Stuart Coleman (my 10th grade English teacher) wrote his biography titled “Eddie Would Go” with the assistance of several of Aikau’s close friends and family members.

This cool video will help you understand Eddie’s journey on the Hokule’a:

[more on current Hokule’a plans after the break]


Eddie Aikau remains one of Hawaii’s most beloved figures, and his legend lives on in many forms, most notably, the Hokule’a voyage and, more recently, through the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational that is held on the North Shore of Oahu in Waimea Bay if a massive swell hits the bay just right to create enormous 5-story waves for surfers to paddle into.

Following Eddie’s untimely death, locals termed “Eddie Would Go” as a reminder to live life to its fullest. Now, news of the latest Hokule’a voyage is spreading across the islands and the mainland, as preparations for one of the biggest and longest sailing journeys is in its final stages. The voyaging canoe is currently en route to the Palmyra Atoll, where 12 different crews will be trained to later embark on a 37-month, 40-country journey around the world.

The purpose of this ambitious sailing trip, organized by the Polynesian Voyaging Society, is to remind the public of the days when sailors traveled the seas by recognizing wave patterns and guiding themselves by the stars. Come 2012, the Hokule’a intends to invite scientists, educators, and other social leaders on the journey in an effort to teach them about the importance of protecting the ocean and marine-dependent ecosystems as well as to encourage them to consider more carefully marine-related policies, protection, and management.

Locals here on the islands are hoping the “Hokule’a Will Go.” It sounds like quite the adventure and the perfect educational experience.

A grim outlook for Hawaii tourism

by Brenda Yun on

Just three months ago I provided a realistic view of Hawaii’s tourism, and I’m sorry to report that there is indeed trouble here in paradise, and the immediate outlook isn’t looking too rosy either.

According to recent local and national reports, Hawaii experienced a whopping 12.5% slump in visitors by sea and air for the month of January. I guess I should have come to this conclusion when, just this month, three of Honolulu’s beloved restaurants are shutting its doors for good. In Ward Center alone, only one restaurant of four on its usually happening second floor will be open come March. E&O, Compadres, and Brew Moon will be like ghost towns.

As an idealist, I’m hoping this is not a sign of the times, but it’s hard to be optimistic. And I was the one who proposed how 2009 could be the year of the YAYcation. Please don’t make me eat my words.

To complicate this already troubling matter, Hawaii is celebrating its 50th statehood anniversary, which among locals here is both bitter and sweet. Let’s not forget also that this month (on Valentine’s Day of all days) we celebrated the death of the man who “discovered” the islands, Captain Cook, who miraculously avoided death sailing around other parts of Polynesia, but didn’t make it out alive when confronted with the native Hawaiians.

As much as I would hate to see Hawaii resort to such a thing, the state is considering a move to turn the islands (or maybe just one) into the new Vegas and allow gambling. While this could certainly boost the state’s tourism and economy, it’s certainly no guarantee (just look at the reports from Nevada about the ghost town that Las Vegas is becoming). Yet, in that same Forbes report, Honolulu tops the list of high demand for living. I guess that doesn’t translate into high demand (or affordability) for traveling to Hawaii.

Somebody, please remind me to shoot myself if or when the “Golden Nugget” begins construction on Kalakaua Ave.

Gadling Take FIVE: February 7 –February 13

by Jamie Rhein on

We heard Tynan was coming back to blog on Gadling, and sure enough, this week he began his series Life Nomadic about living no where in particular, but where everywhere is filled with possibilities.

This week boasted a few more tales of amazing feats.

  • One of them was Richard Donovan’s marathon spree of around the world travel– literally. For anyone who wonders if you’ll ever get in shape by spring, read Kraig’s post and weep.
  • In London, 17,000 people mobbed London Liverpool Street Station. Scott posted the video to prove it.
  • Tom wandered in Madrid’s red light district, but not so far that he got into trouble
  • and Brenda gave a heads up on Hawaii’s possible foray into space tourism.
  • Then there is our own, Mike Barish who braved Hotel Carter to wow us with hilarity and look at what the dirtiest hotel looks like. From what I can tell, he’s over feeling woeful and almost good as new.

Forget paradise, Hawaii could be the next space tourism destination

by Brenda Yun on

Although it would still be a heavy price to pay, space flights could leave from Hawaii as soon as 2011. My good family friend, Jim Crisafulli, a member of the State Office Aerospace Development committee, suggests space tourism could be an added appeal to Hawaii’s important tourism industry.

According to a local (KHON2) news report, space tourism involves a spaceship that will take off from Earth and take passenger up to 62 miles in space. You will not only experience weightlessness, but you will arrive at your desired destination in record time. It will take less than an hour to get to Japan from Hawaii and a little over an hour to get to California.
For now, the price for a ticket such as this will cost over $100,000, but by 2015 we might see reasonable ($5000/ticket) prices. The cost could easily make up for the awesome experience of being in space — as well as the extreme cut in time for travel to other destinations in the world.

Before this becomes a reality, Hawaii must apply for a space port license from the FAA. While other state have already processed such applications, Hawaii has the added appeal of being a paradise in itself.

Before you don that space suit and pay that hefty price tag, know that you will need to undergo a week-long space travel orientation — but that too is not such a grim idea, as between lessons you can sip on lava flows and mai tais on Waikiki Beach. Sounds like fun. Lend me the money and I’ll be the first to try it!

[via KHON2 News]