Leaving Maui we headed to Oahu, our port of disembarkation. Liz and I both had been there before, me for three years ’73-’76. We were anxious to get to the airport and head to Denver where we would spend several days playing GrandMa and GrandPa before returning home.

Oahu is the heart of Hawaii, where modern city life and laid-back surf vibes meet. Say aloha to tropical breezes, oceanfront luaus, and volcanic ridgelines on Oahu, the most populated Hawaiian island. Follow in the footsteps of surfing forefather Duke Kahanamoku on Waikiki Beach, visit the royal quarters of Iolani Palace, and tour Pearl Harbor. Sample hot malasadas (local doughnuts) and shaved ice while shopping for vintage floral-print shirts on Honolulu’s Kapahulu Avenue. Then get off the tourist trail with a hike to Makapuu Lighthouse on the South Shore—a place so beautiful, it’s been known to host more than a few proposals.

Hawaii’s island of Oahu, also known as the “gathering place,” perfectly fits its nickname, as its beauty and wealth of near endless activities attracts tourists from across the globe. From outdoor adventures to world class shopping and historical sites there is plenty to do in Oahu.

When deciding what to do in Oahu, it’s always a good idea to start at the beginning—honoring Hawaii’s past by visiting its historical and cultural sites. Partake in the Polynesian Cultural Center’s authentic luau after visiting its Polynesian village exhibits, peruse the displays at Honolulu Museum of Art or Bishop Museum, or see how the Hawaiian royal family lived as you walk through the hallowed halls of Honolulu’s Iolani Palace.

This would end this cruise, but we were already looking forward to the next one. I hope you are too!