After growing a bit accustomed to palm trees and sandy beaches, the sight of snow was a bit shocking. Just weeks earlier we had felt the blowtorch-like heat of molten lava singe our cheeks. Now, we were gliding over endless miles of frozen tundra on our approach into Anchorage, Alaska. We knew that traveling here directly from Hawaii would offer a study in contrasts and, judging by the view from our airplane window, we weren’t going to be disappointed.
Wooden totems still protect the area that once served as a Hawaiian sanctuary for repentant lawbreakers and war refuges at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park.
It turns out we’re not the only ones who enjoy Hawaii’s glorious beaches. These green sea turtles pulled up some sand to soak in the sun at Punalu’u Beach.
If you’ve been following along on our trip around the Big Island of Hawaii you may have gotten the impression that all of its exotic beaches are exotically hued. We’ve written a lot about black sand beaches and even an incredibly rare green sand beach. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t regular old white sand beaches here as well.
In fact, Hapuna Beach (shown above) regularly appears on various international “Top Ten” lists. With wonderful sand and beautiful water there’s little wonder why it is one of the island’s most popular. That it’s convenient parking makes it far more accessible than those other beaches we’ve discussed doesn’t hurt either.
Everywhere Once 