As a broke college student without loans and a very limited credit line, I had to “make do” with my resources. I’m one of those people who will spend and spend without checking my balances until later. Afraid to do so after my trip, I was pleasantly surprised to see that in total expenses, I had charged under $1,500! Now this includes airfare (I always trust Expedia for that kind of website, they have a lowest price guarantee, and Continental for an official airline website)..from Texas (423 bones including service fees!), a hotel 2 blocks away from Waikiki Beach for 5 nights, 6 days, a rental car (and insurance, of course) + Hawaii’s wallet-denting gas prices, dining out every meal, and so much more. Now I’ve always had to strategically plan out budgets with all the money I don’t have in past vacations and have excelled in finding low prices: traveling during odd times of the year, and even squeezing 8 people into a hotel room with 2 twin size beds, but I was truly impressed with myself this time.

One would think I would have to pay for these tremendous budget cuts in exchange for a shitty time, but I had the time of my life, and I can safely say, it was THE best vacation I have ever been on. Ever. Here was our 6 day agenda:

Day 1
>> Checked into Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel (which I strongly recommend, don’t let the 2 1/2 stars fool you)
>> Dinner at Chili’s (by the way, this place is like NYC, same restaurants and food, but pricier!)
>> Walked around Waikiki Beach and Shopping Plaza (few blocks worth!)
>> Went bar hopping - Wow, there are a lot of army hotties who don’t see a lot of chicks so more attention for us!

Day 2
>> Kayaking at Kailua Beach - this place is paradise; lots of watersports here, particularly parasurfing
>> Snorkeling at Haunama Bay (less than $20, my favorite activity on the entire trip, simply priceless and beautiful)
>> Shopping at Alamoana Mall - Hawaii’s Rodeo Drive
>> Bar hopping once again - they open till 4am!

Day 3
>> Surfing at Queens Beach - lots of tanorexic men in thongs!
>> Went to Diamond Head and saw a great view..and chickens
>> Movie on the beach - FREE! Chick flick projected on gynormous screen with thousands of people, great family fun

Day 4
>> Surfing at Waikiki ($30 including rentals, gear + lessons, and hot instructors)
>> Hiked to waimea falls, even more fun than diamond head, but both are equally hike-worthy
>> Experienced my first lua (this was pretty expensive $65 - not worth it, but I would definitely try it once)

Day 5
>> Drove around the entire island except for the west side - all the locals told us to steer clear of the “islanders” and slept on the sands at Sunset Beach on the North Shore
>> Stopped by the Dole Pineapple Plantation and got lost in the Dole Maze
>> Then Pearl Harbor
>> We hit up a bar where locals hang out instead of all the touristy ones

Day 6
>> Surfing and boogey boarding at Waikiki
>> Waikiki aquarium

As you can see, it’s not impossible, or even difficult to spend a week in Hawaii on a college kid’s budget and still have a kick ass time. I almost had trouble staying energized for everything we did. The only things we planned for in advance, were the airplane, hotel and car reservations through expedia. All else was figured out when we got there.

It’s such a tourist city that finding something to do without having planned ahead is almost too simple. Every hotel is inundated with detailed pamphlets and brochures. If all else fails, ask someone. Every local we ran into gladly suggested hot spots and must-dos.

Hawaii is a place where everyone should go at least five times in their life. It’s a place for everyone, children, adults, seniors. And very therapeutic. The way I see it is you’re going to spend hundreds on a psychologist, you might as well spend it on a vacation. No stigmatism to it, and better results.

Every square inch is ridiculously scenic, even right smack in the middle of Honolulu, everyone is gorgeous and genuinely friendly. Leaving with silky skin is inevitable, and spam is a delicacy! What more can you want? I would live there, but if I ever moved I don’t think I could find happiness.