FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Hawai’i’s Diverse Roads

by KatieS

Oct 17, 2014
2014

It’s me and my rental car against the forces of nature. In the course of the morning I endured wind, sand and blazing heat. I ascended the side of a volcano and was blitzed by pounding rain near the top. Now, on the way back down, I pull over at a viewpoint and forget the most basic natural force of all: gravity.

I get out, slam the door and walk across to a fence guarding the rim of the immense Waimea Canyon. I hear crunching gravel behind me. Odd. There’s nobody else here. I turn to witness the alarming sight of my car rolling down the mountain. I’d left the parking brake off.

By good fortune, the wheels point toward the road rather than in the direction of the 3,000-foot drop into the canyon. Nonetheless, I sprint to catch the runaway vehicle and sling myself into the front seat. I jam it to a halt just as an oncoming car appears ahead. I face a flash of lights and a horn blast. A small price to pay for a potentially catastrophic mistake.

Waimea Canyon © Jerryway | Dreamstime.com

Waimea Canyon © Jerryway | Dreamstime.com

This Chevy Impala is just the latest of a succession of rental cars during my island-hopping tour of Hawai’i. While other vacationers settle by the hotel pool or lounge on the beach, I am keen to see as much as I can of these incredible islands, and for that I need wheels.

I tried to match my rental choices to the particular requirements of each island. On the Big Island, I chose an SUV, all the better for looking across the stark lava fields and negotiating the cinder tracks on the upper slopes of the great volcano, Mauna Kea. On Maui, I went for a convertible — the perfect mode of transport for the sunny drive along the coast to Lahaina with the radio on, the wind ruffling my hair and humpback whales breaching offshore. I opted for a compact Chevy Aveo in Oahu, ideal for fitting into parking spaces in Honolulu and Waikiki.

The choice for Kauai posed a challenge. The island features a bit of everything. The clincher was the knowledge the island’s summit is one of the wettest places on Earth. Definitely not convertible country. The roads are good, so an SUV was not essential. And I didn’t plan to spend much time in the towns.

So it is me and the Chevy Impala. Having rescued it from gravity’s pull, I reverse it back to the viewpoint, apply the brake and for additional security place a volcanic rock beneath one of the front tires.

Now I can fully appreciate the raw landscape. This is the beginning of Hawai’i’s geological end. The canyon formed when the main volcanic dome collapsed, compounded by the eroding effects of water and wind. The process continues unabated. Over the coming millennia, the highlands will wash away, reducing Kauai to a ring of small islands around a lagoon.

The narratives of geology unfold over vast timescales impossible to grasp from a human perspective. But the scenic results are breathtaking. On the descent, I often pull over, restrain the car and take in the stunning view from new angles.

Back on the flat coast road, I realize a police car is suddenly tailing me. I measure my speed, check my seat belt and meticulously obey every road sign. Eventually he overtakes me and continues on his way.

A traffic cop is one force of nature I don’t intend to mess with.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Nov 22, 2024

Choose Lompoc on California’s Central Coast for Outdoor-Focused Fun

If you’re in weather denial mode and resisting the urge to switch your closet over to sweaters and snow boots, keep summer going for a little longer in Lompoc, California.

Extraordinary Egypt

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS

Daily
Nov 22, 2024

Try This New Sea-to-Table Experience at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, the oceanfront property on the pristine coast of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, just launched a new Sea to Table program in partnership with SpearMex, the region’s premier sea exploration experts. The new programming features a hands-on experience and ocean-to-table culinary journey combining sustainable fishing practices with personalized gastronomic techniques lead by Executive Chef Jorge González.

Daily
Nov 22, 2024

Waldorf Astoria Residences New York Announces Partnership with Bang & Olufsen

Waldorf Astoria Residences New York recently announced a partnership with Bang & Olufsen. The contemporary residences sit atop the legendary hotel, currently nearing the end of its expansive restoration.

Pick Your Paradise: Experience Bali at 3 Incredible Hotels

Bali is a name synonymous with island bliss. But there is more than just one side to this incredible place. Get a sense for the variety of experiences Bali offers by learning about three hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with distinctive opportunities for adventure and relaxation. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, earn points for free nights at each of these properties.

Daily
Nov 21, 2024

Hotel Saint Augustine to Open in Houston’s Museum District Neighborhood

Hotel Saint Augustine, expected to softly open in Houston this December, is a design-savvy boutique hotel from Austin-based hospitality group Bunkhouse. The hotel will officially debut January 2025.

eFlyer Reviews
Nov 20, 2024

Château des Fleurs Review

Just a short block from the Champs Elysées, flower-bedecked window boxes grace the corner and clearly identify Château des Fleurs. This 37-room boutique hotel is one of Vivre-LMB’s five small hotels in Paris owned by Olivier Bertrand and his sisters and affiliated with Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever

Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.

eFlyer Deals
Nov 20, 2024

2 Miami Hotels Go Big for Black Friday, Cyber Monday

Two Miami hotels entice travelers this season to take advantage of some special offers. Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, in the heart of Mid-Beach, offers up to 40 percent off the best available rate when booked by Dec. 30 for stays through Dec. 30, 2025. Book this offer.