A Chill Shopping & Relaxation Day

🛍️🌴Originally, our Day 3 plan was packed with visits to Kualoa Ranch and a botanical garden. But after two full days of non-stop exploring, we were exhausted. Waking up to the stunning view from our apartment, we decided to ditch the itinerary and embrace a slow, relaxing day. We stayed at a condo right across from Kūhiō Beach, next to the Hyatt Regency Waikīki. Just sitting on the balcony with views of the ocean and Waikīkī Beach felt like a gift—sometimes doing nothing is everything. 🌊💙 ☀️ Morning Stroll Along Ala Wai Blvd We started with a walk along Ala Wai Blvd (see pics 3-4). A peaceful canal runs alongside the street, with the Ala Wai Golf Course on the other side. Compared to the bustling Waikīkī Beach, this area was calm and serene—perfect for watching locals jog, bike, or simply enjoy the morning. A hidden low-key spot! 🚶‍♀️🌾 🛍️ Shopping Along Kalākaua Ave Next, we hit Kalakaua Avenue—the heart of Waikīkī shopping. Sephora: I went prepared with a “North American beauty favorites” list (pic 18). Rhode by Hailey Bieber was almost completely sold out, especially the lip products. Still managed to snag some blushes and skincare! 💄 DFS Galleria: Honestly, aside from Ralph Lauren, not much stood out. If you’re into polo shirts or classic styles, it’s worth a look. 🧢 Waikele Premium Outlets & The Ralph Lauren Saga We drove to Waikele Premium Outlets, mainly for Ralph Lauren. Store closes at 7 PM. Discount tip: Look up coupons online—there’s a 25% off one floating around! At our first checkout, the cashier asked if we had a coupon. We didn’t, so she gave us 10% off after we filled out a form. Later, we found the 25% off coupon online and went back for more. We politely asked if we could adjust our earlier purchase to the new discount, but an Indian-origin supervisor refused—rudely and with what felt like discrimination. 😤 Younger staff and White staff were much more helpful. We even considered returning everything out of frustration, but were told it was too close to closing time. 📌 Pro tip: Check DFS first (newer styles, no 4.71% tax), then compare with Outlets for price and variety. 🛒 Evening Grocery Run: Whole Foods We ended our day at Whole Foods. Even in Hawai‘i, it’s a vibe—clean, organized, with beautiful displays of fresh produce, meat, cheese, and ready-to-eat meals. Picked up fish oil and magnesium supplements. Lots of natural skincare options too (we were too tired to explore fully). Not the most expensive grocery option in Hawai‘i, and they serve hot food! 🥑🐟 🌺 Takeaways from a “Do-Nothing” Day Sometimes the best travel days are the unplanned ones. From balcony views to local strolls, shopping wins (and frustrations), to wholesome grocery runs—it was a day of recharging, Hawaiian style. 📸 Drop a comment if you want my Sephora haul list or more Ralph Lauren shopping tips! #US #Hawaii #Honolulu