Remember Oahu? | March 2022 #Shorts

Some trips stay with you long after the suitcases are unpacked. For us, Oahu in March 2022 is one of those trips. We recently came across a clip from that week, put it into a short, and it pulled us straight back to warm air, salt on our skin, and the feeling of finally being somewhere new after a long stretch of staying close to home.

If you want the quick version, you can watch the short on YouTube. If you want the longer version, with the little details that never fit into sixty seconds, keep reading.

Why Oahu, and why then?

March 2022 was a strange and wonderful moment to travel. Plans had been postponed for so long that getting on a plane felt like a small celebration. We wanted somewhere that felt like a real escape without being overwhelming, and Hawaii kept coming up. Oahu gave us a bit of everything: beaches, food, hiking, and the kind of unhurried pace that is hard to find back in Mississauga.

We documented the start of the trip in our first vlog, We're Flying to Hawaii! | Khela Meets Oahu | Day 1, if you'd like to see the nervous excitement of the airport and arrival day.

What stuck with us

When we look back, it is rarely the big landmarks that we think about first. It's the small things:

• The first breath of air outside the airport. After a Canadian winter, the warmth and humidity felt like a hug.
• Slowing down. We stopped checking the clock. Breakfast stretched, walks wandered, and sunsets became the main event of the day.
• The food. Samantha is always on the hunt for a great bowl of something comforting, and Amir is always up for trying whatever looks good on the next table. Oahu rewarded both of us.
• The colours. Greens that looked photoshopped, water in about five shades of blue, and flowers pretty much everywhere.

A few tips if you're planning Oahu

We are not experts, just a couple who paid attention, so take these as friendly suggestions from our own trip:

1. Rent a car for at least a few days. Public transit and rideshares are fine around Waikiki, but a car makes the North Shore and the windward side so much easier.
2. Start mornings early. Popular hikes and beaches fill up fast, and the light is gorgeous before the crowds arrive.
3. Pack reef-safe sunscreen. The sun is strong, and it's a small way to be kind to the ocean we came to enjoy.
4. Leave room in the schedule. Our best moments were the unplanned ones, like pulling over for a view or following a recommendation from a local.
5. Check current travel requirements. Rules and entry details change, and they were especially in flux when we went. Always confirm before you book.

Travelling as a couple who sees the world differently

One thing we love about travelling together is that we each notice different things. Samantha grew up with Vietnamese food and family traditions at the centre of everything, while Amir's Punjabi upbringing taught him that a good meal and good company are the point of any gathering. In Hawaii, with its blend of cultures and its emphasis on community and hospitality, we felt that connection a lot. The idea of ohana, family and togetherness, resonated with both of us.

If you're curious about how our backgrounds shape the way we travel, we wrote about it in Traveling as an Interracial Couple: What We've Learned.

Looking back from today

It's wild to think how much has changed since that trip. Our life looks different now, with a little one in the picture, and our travel style has shifted accordingly. Back then we could chase a sunrise on a whim. Today we plan around naps and snack supplies, and honestly, we love that too.

But that's exactly why a throwback like this matters. It reminds us that the trips we take, big or small, become the stories we tell later. If you've been putting off a trip that feels a little out of reach, consider this your nudge. You will not regret making the memory.

For another look at how we explore a place on our own terms, you might enjoy Vancouver & Stanley Park | Khela Meets World, another trip we still talk about.

Your turn

Have you been to Oahu, or is it on your list? Tell us in the comments on YouTube what we should do if we ever return. We're already dreaming about it.

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Watch the video: Remember Oahu? | March 2022 #Shorts

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Thanks for travelling along with us. Until next time, keep exploring!