Hawaii is Utopia, a society possessing perfect qualities, and Hilton Waikoloa Village upped my level of “wow”. As I explored the grounds, I was awestruck by the kind of beauty that isn’t used to describe a place; it’s reserved for something special like a child or a lover. It’s the kind of beauty that makes you wonder why you’d live anywhere else. Rather than trying to describe it, I want to show you. Pictures can’t do this kind of beauty justice but I’ve tried to capture a glimpse of it and you can fill in the rest with your imagination.
Have you been to Hawaii? Is it your idea of Utopia? If it isn’t, what is?
Bucket List Publications 
WOW indeed!
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Hello. I went to Kauai a few years ago with my sister and my daughter. We took my mother’s ashes to scatter there. We hired a sea fishing boat and its captain took us out to a deserted cove not accessible by road and we scattered her there. I can’t think of better place to rest.
Yes, it IS paradise, Utopia, Eden – all of those. With American diners and red Ford Mustangs – our hire car. 🙂
We took a helicopter ride over the Napali coast. Words cannot describe that experience – suffice to say I damn near cried it was SO fantastically stunning.
I would so love to go back.
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This sounds like a great way to be put to rest.
A helicopter ride is a great way to experience the landscape. Our helicopter flight over The Big Island will stay with me for life. 🙂
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Lovely 🙂
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Truly amazing.
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Wow is right. I haven’t been but its in the top of my bucket list.
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Looks so beautiful!
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WOW indeed……going on my bucket list
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Love Hawaii! Early this year we spent total of 17 nights on Big Island and Maui and still wasn’t enough! But Kauai is our favorite of all the islands:)
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I haven’t been to Maui but it’s definitely on the list. I can’t wait to go back to Hawaii 🙂
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Scotty, beam me over there now!
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Gorgeous!
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I have wanted to go to Hawaii and was thinking to stay at the Hilton. Thanks for the great recommendation.
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I have tons of recommendations. Please let me know if you’d like any suggestions 🙂
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Absolutely stunning.
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I have to get over there! Did you just smile all day long? 🙂
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I did! It was never-ending. I can’t wait to go back. 🙂
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Wow, your photos are amazing!
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Pingback: Some “Wow” Photos from Waikoloa « donniebishop
Beautiful! I know what you mean about not being able to capture the beauty with a camera! I am frustrated with my pictures sometimes. Thank you for sharing! I hope to make it there one day!
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Hawaii is my most favorite place. The beauty there always renders me speechless.
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I have stayed here many times including last April for 10 days! I love this haven of wonder! Thank you for sharing!!
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I enjoy Hawaii, but love New Zealand more.
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I’ve been trying to capturing Hawaii’s beauty for the 7 years I have lived here! 🙂 I love traveling through the different islands because they all offer such different and distinct landscapes. I love the Big Island and Waikoloa is definitely a little village of utopia. They almost make it so you don’t have to leave the resort! I hope (and am sure) you did though! So much exploring to do on BI!
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Well you’re doing a great job! I love your photos.
I tried following you on Facebook but the link is broken. Do you have a Facebook page?
Lesley
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aww I appreciate that! 🙂
Thanks for letting me know about the link… my facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/leslieschipper2
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We stayed at the Waikola Hilton a few years ago. Loved the place, especially the lagoon that let everything but sharks in.. great pics…
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I was snorkeling in the lagoon and a turtle casually swam past me. It was so amazing! I love that place.
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My son had a close encounter with a puffer fish on a couple occasions… its a brilliant place to swim!
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Beautiful! I am planning to visit Hawaii in the next couple of years, this is VERY motivating!
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I guess I will have to add Hawaii to my travel list. Thank you very much, or my wife will not be happy:-) Beautiful pictures!
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Picton, New Zealand….. Heaven on Earth, especially in the Winter time.
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Took my wife and 3 kids to Maui last year, and it was by far our families most epic trip! I grew up going to Hawaii and have stayed on Kauai, Maui, Oahu, multiple times. I do have to say that going with my own family and spending time there with my kids and beautiful wife, took the experience to a whole new level! Love it, and can’t wait to go back! The kids talk about it all the time!
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I’ve only visited The Big Island so far but I plan to return to Hawaii again and again. I think Maui will be up next. Where did you grew up that Hawaii was a regular vacation spot? Are you from Cali.?
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No, I’m actually from Utah. I was raised by my grandparents, but my birth mom actually lived in Hawaii when I was younger. So every year I’d go visit for a little bit. The way I visited the other islands was with my parents work. I absolutely love it over there!
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A little piece of heaven is what these pictures tell me. You’ve taken the right approach. Show don’t tell. It’s much easier because what words can possibly describe the views?
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I think those move right into the WOW WOW WOW category!
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WOW!!!!
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Fantastic! My friend just moved to this resort as part of the management team yesterday – so extra fabulous to see your blog today:)
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Wow! What a great opportunity for your friend. This place is amazing. Not a bad place to work 😉
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Thanks for sharing and reminding me of how wonderful the islands are. My two daughters live in Hanalei and I don’t think they are ever coming home to California, but I don’t blame them.
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WOW!
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WOW is an understatement. I don’t think there is just one word that could describe what’s in the pictures. I can only imagine what the real thing was like. I know I’ll never see it for real, so thank you so much for the pictures.
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Absolutely beautiful. You are a great photographer. Can’t travel any more, but with these photos I live vicariously thru you. Thanks for the trip.
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Reblogged this on Xper Dunn Is Here and commented:
Bucket List Pubs hits the Islands–check out these snaps!!
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Wow is an understatement!
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Hawaii is definitely our idea of Utopia! Maui is our favorite, but we definitely look forward to exploring the Big Island some more in the future! Love those sunsets, and sure do miss all the beautiful green. Keep these great posts coming!
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I think I’ll try to make it to Maui in 2014. I haven’t been yet but it’s on the list. 🙂
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These are beautiful!! Reminds me of those tour company commercials that come on T.V. 😀
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Wow, it would be lovely to be there and see from your own eyes!
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Great collections.
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Reblogged this on Travel, Summer and all that Good Stuff.
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Beautiful!
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I lived on the Big Island for 7 years, in Puna before moving to the north shore of Oahu, so Waikoloa was my vacation destination during the rainy season! The Hilton is a fun place to explore and stay for sure!
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It must be a dream to live in Hawaii. Do you find the high cost of living and island life is worth it? I ask in a “I think about doing it” way. 🙂
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Your pictures did justice to this oasis. We loved it so much we went twice and then bought a time share there.
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Lovely pictures of Hawaii, thank you!
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Thanks a lot for checking out my “Unreasonable man” blog post Lesley. It seems like your adventures are going very well since I last visited. Glad to be connected. These HI shots struck a chord with me because I am going to be buying a ticket to go overseas to both there and on to Australia/New Zealand as part of my own journey. A brother only by acquaintance that allowed me to stay with him in Mid-Cali was telling me all about his time spent in Hawaii and how much it affected him on all levels of living/existence. I am what you could call a spiritual guy and believe it will only help me in my path to travel there. Thanks so much and take care in all that you do. -Alexander
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I’m now following along so I don’t miss any of your adventures 🙂
Good luck; may the world be at your doorstep,
Lesley
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Fantastic shots bring back so many memories. I hope I will be return to Utopia someday.
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These are amazing photos! I have a close friend living there now and I really hope I can make a visit happen in the next year. I have never been and I definitely want to go!
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Thanks for reblogging; it’s the best way to share 🙂
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Thanks for liking my posts and oh my isn’t this a beautiful picture. Hawaii is an enchanting place isn’t it? Peaceful and serene picture. Just can’t beat a great sunset! Much love and light to you and have a blessed day! Queen Of Hearts
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WOW! Your pictures are incredibly! And I bet, even as wonderful as pictures are, they do not totally capture the beauty. I have never been to Hawaii but I would LOVE to visit! It is on my bucket list to spectate at the Ironman World Championship in Kona…and if I’m really dreaming here…to compete one day!
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