Descriptive Vacation

I remember the first time I went to Disney World; excited and eager like a child on the first day of school. I already had my suitcase packed two weeks before we even left, and that two weeks felt more like two years. The night before we left, I couldn’t sleep. It was like I had nonstop adrenaline rushing through my body. All I could think about were the rides, princesses, and that beautiful beach I’ve seen thousands of pictures of. Finally, after hours and hours of stirring around, I fell asleep.

As I stepped onto the fiery sand of Ko’Olina Beach, I couldn’t help but look around and take in all the beautiful scenery. The exquisite green-blue water was the clearest and most elegant I’d seen. I couldn’t believe I was actually here for the first time, and I was ten years old. My whole family-Mom, Dad, Caleb, Luke, Simon, and I were there.

It was early November 2009, and I was very excited to go see my aunt and uncle up in the Twin Cities the next day. We were eating at Pizza Ranch with some family and friends that night, and when we left, my babysitter and a few other people told me, “Have fun at J and Lindsey’s.” Everybody else knew what was in store for us, but my almost-four-year-old brother, Owen, and I (six years old at the time) had no idea that the very next day we would be flying to Orlando, Florida, on a surprise trip to Disney World.

After a grueling 5 hour flight Billy breathed in the sweet smell of Hawaii and said “ Aaaaaaaa, Hawaii, the island of aloha.”

We kept our path on the road and eventually we made it past a couple of days, me being scrunched up between boxes in the backseat of the car and . I sat there looking at the dark sky with the even darker shadows of the big evergreen trees surrounding the parking lot of the motel. I was sitting alone while my aunt checked in and you would expect me to be anxious of such a foreign place. Time went by and you’d still find me sitting there, pondering that

It was 7:00 am on a summer morning and I was still in a daze after just being woken up. Today was to the day that I was going to see my sister and as soon as I made sure I had everything, I headed out. My sister lived far and instead of wasting gas to drive, I was going to fly. I was on my way to the airport with my mom and grandma and as we got closer, my heart began to race with fear and anticipation. It wasn’t because I was afraid of flying, because I actually loved it. I loved the way fields looked like worn quilts from so high above. However this time was different, because on this trip, my family would not be accompanying me and I would be flying alone.

Waking up tired of the daily hassles that we constantly endure from day to day? Want to get away? Whether you want to sip out of a pineapple on the sands of Oahu, fly over the break taking volcanoes in Maui, or snorkel in the clear waters of big island; The Aloha state has something to offer for everyone. The diverse cultural and tropical weather has made Hawaii unique for vacation and has attracted many tourists over the year. The native Hawaiian culture is where they part from other Islands. Although, Hawaii might seem like paradise there are also some downfalls that are causing the Hawaiian residents more concerns. Some of those problems include cost of living, agriculture and tourism increase crime rate.

“Who wouldn’t be excited to go to Hawaii,” I replied. It was still dark out, it would still be an hour before the sun would start to rise. I looked to my sister who was sound asleep next to me. Twenty minutes later we arrived at the airport. We parked

Honolulu, Hawaii is one of the prettiest and fascinating cities to visit in all of the Hawaiian Islands. “Paradise City” will help a traveler’s vacation be relaxing ,but full of adventure. In Honolulu, Hawaii travelers can experience interesting tours of Honolulu’s fascinating history, while having an amazing time at Honolulu’s Bishop Museum. After experiencing the Bishop Museum, the vacationers can taste the flavorful main courses and delicate desserts of the stunning restaurant, 3660 on the Rise. Later, after they eat a delicious meal at 3660 on the Rise, the vacationers can go to the Halekulani Hotel and relax at the spa, go for a swim at the pool, or exercise at the fitness center (“Halekulani”). Honolulu, Hawaii has some of the most fascinating destinations and the most breathtaking views.

My parents and I happily trudged out of our chilled condo room, weighed down by various beach supplies. We made our way to the elevator, slowly but surely exiting the maze we call our condo hallways. As we glided down, floor after floor, we finally reached the parking garage. We stepped out of the elevator feeling a mix of humidity and heat immediately cling to our tan bodies. We exited the garage to find a beautiful scene. Birds were flying overhead as there were sun rays beating down against white, hot sand. We crossed the bridge that held shoes and scattered shells. After we did so, we pressed our feet against the white sand that belonged to Destin, Florida. The sight was even more alluring than I had ever imagined.

“Finally, we get to go on vacation!” I exclaimed as we got up to leave. My parents had already loaded up the car and we were ready to go. All morning while I was getting ready was the sound of suitcases being dragged around and the beeping of the car as the trunk opened and closed.

My two best friends, Diego, Jonathan, and I were on the flight to Puerto Rico. The two of them were talking when I fell asleep.

The eight-hour flight from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport was not a walk in the park for someone flying more than three hours for the first time. A flight full of crying babies and arguing toddlers made it extremely difficult to rest for any amount of time, but the irritation quickly came to an end. When the clouds parted, I looked out on the horizon. Seemingly, a group of islands arose from the ocean displaying their majestic volcanos and clear blue waters. My family and I were one year into planning this adventure, and I was finally arriving in Maui, Hawaii for the vacation of a lifetime.

We had never been out of the country before, and we couldn’t wait for the first time. The day I woke up in my dad’s old room at my grandparents’ house, I didn’t wake up with the excitement I thought I would. Instead, I lay in the bed and stared groggily at the ceiling. It was one of those days when getting out of bed doesn’t even feel like an option. I hadn’t even remembered about where we were going. The sound of water running in the bathroom across the hall carried into the room, and that’s when I noticed the strip of light peeking through the crack in the door, occasionally interrupted by someone walking past. But it was too early in the morning for this many people to be up. At that moment my mom opened the door and told me that

My family has been looking forward to our annual beach vacation since last year's trip to Alabama. Although it has been a long, winding journey for two days, hauling through five states and having a personal concert in the passenger seat for fourteen hours, it was all worth it by the time we make it. Beach Boulevard is overflowing with giant houses, palm trees, stores, and thousands of other activities we are in a position to do. Everyone in the car is so antsy, we roll our windows down and breathe in the sweet, warm Alabama air. My eyes locked on my phone, I count down the miles until we arrive at our destination. Ten miles... Five miles... Three miles... One mile... Two-Hundred feet... “You have arrived at your destination,” Siri informs me. Pulling into the driveway, not a single soul waits for the car to stop completely. We leap out of the vehicle, hugging my distant relatives from Louisiana and rapidly begin sprinting down to the water. My friend, Kambri, and I are flinging sand behind us, with the wind blasting against our faces. Finally arriving to the ocean, we stand shoulder to shoulder along the shore, taking it all in. Silently, we listen to the continuous, calming crashes of water, allowing it to splash up our legs, for the salty breeze to blow through our hair, and the rays of the sun shine on our pale adolescent bodies. I have never felt more at home than I do right now, in this moment in time.