2 comments about The Snorkeller's Guide to the Coral Reef: From the Red Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

1. Before my recent dive trip to Fiji I looked for a good fish ID book for the area (one with photos, not paintings) and came up short. It doesn't seem like anyone has done a comprehensive reference for this area comparable to Humann's works on the Caribbean.

   However, I did find Paddy Ryan's fine volume in the lending library at the resort where I was staying. To my surprise, I find it to be much more than the typical, superficial "snorkeler's guide." It's a small but beautifully produced volume with excellent photography and a well-written text. It's a good balance of photos to help identify the most common South Pacific reef fish combined with informative text on the behavior and biology of reef fish, other vertebrates, and invertebrates.

   I didn't buy a copy when I had a chance in a local shop, and I regretted it on the long flight home. I'm buying my personal copy as soon as I finish writing this. Take my word for it, for snorkelers, novice divers! , or serious divers, this is money well spent!




2. Great book if you are doing a reef study and need to identify the correct names for all the creaters. Great photo's and helpful hints on purchasing equipment, but for the average weekend or resort snorkeller it can get boring to read. However, the book is worth having.

No comments about Compass American Guides: Hawaii, 6th Edition (Compass American Guides).

No comments about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Fire from Beneath the Sea.

2 comments about Hawaii: The Best of Paradise: A Haole Insiders' Guide to Honolulu and Beyond (DiscoverGuides).

1. I have probably read more books on Hawaii than any other travel destination. This book stands out as one of my favorites for practical knowledge and is probably the only one I read back to back and used as a reference ON my actual trip to the islands. This is because almost every page has pertinent vacation information, useful tips and on top of all, it's all written with humor and an upbeat fun writing style. How can you not love that?
   I found that all the information and ratings of places to see or things to do go hand in hand with tons of research I did on the internet, but the great thing about the book is that you can pack it with you (who wants to browse the internet on their vacation?) and it already has all the phone numbers, maps, tips and everything you could want to have at your fingertips, all in one concise place for reference.
   Some points to note about this book:
   
   - At least half the book is devoted to Oahu alone, since that is the island most vacationers go to, so for those heading to Oahu specifically this book is worth getting even if you don't plan to see the other islands. It covers everything you might want to know/do/see in Oahu extensively and gives many unusual and interesting tips on everything ranging from romance to photography.
   
   - This is not a book that's filled with breathtaking images (unless comical sketches count) or any kind of extensive background or history of Hawaii. There is a quick history chapter in the beginning that contains great introductory knowledge about Hawaii which would enhance anyone's trip in my opinion. Mainly though, this is a book of pointers to all the (best) things you might want to do/see on all the islands, and is great for first time visitors who plan to island hop and want to know the best things they can do on each island.
   
   - This book picks the "top ten" things you can do or see in almost every category, on every island and of course rates the overall top ten things not to miss in Hawaii in general. After having gone to Hawaii, and having seen just how MANY incredible experiences one can have there, I can honestly say that this must be a difficult job to rate everything, and much is of course so dependent on one's personal taste/preference. However, I would have to agree that you cannot go wrong following the general guide-lines in this book. Based on extensive research you could do online and also actually talking with people who have lived on the islands for many years, this book really does nail it about right, from the best luaus, to the best restaurants to the best activities you cannot go wrong with.
   
   - this book does not rate the actual islands (as in, the best one to visit or anything like that - I don't think that is possible) although the authors do reveal their personal favorite, which might not at all match your own so do not go by that. If you are planning to visit just one island and are trying to decide on which, I think this book gives great insight on the things you can expect to do on each island, so it's an excellent resource for research. After having been I'd definitely suggest to go with Oahu for the myriad of things to do, party atmosphere and nightlife, and drop-dead-gorgeous beaches :O (in which case DEFINITELY grab this book as half of it is about Oahu), pick Kauai for seclusion, incredible natural beauty, waterfalls and mountains, go with the big Island for the volcanos, water sports and diversity - and pick Maui if you want it ALL!! :D (and the best luaus in all of Hawaii to boot)
   
   - Aside of answering the standard "where do I stay, where do I dine, what do I do" questions, I found that this book also gave unusual and interesting tips about many things like photographic vantage points, secluded beaches and areas, and other such good-to-know information.
   
   - for those planning to do the famous road to Hana, don't rely on this book alone. I think the Road to Hana could be a book in itself and you would definitely want it in order not to miss all the hidden treasures you will miss otherwise.
   
   In summary I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who is planning a trip to the islands and of course especially first-timers. My husband surprised me in an incredible way with a booked return trip to Hawaii this year (I didn't want to get off the islands in the first place) and one of the first things I did is started looking for this book. It's coming with me!



2. I thought this book would show an insider's view of the top ten attractions in each category, instead, it shows the top ten "most popular" even though the author, who is a former marine, doesn't agree in the descriptions that these things are worthwhile. The hotel recommendations are the worst part of the book, most of the hotels on the list are chains and the author doesn't seem to have ever stayed in most of them, and the descriptions mention that some of them are overpriced and aren't even clean! This book was a complete waste of money. Also, the author does not provide website addresses for many of the listings, only phone numbers. I had to buy another book in order to find a hotel that was under $400 per night that wasn't a youth hostel or YMCA.

No comments about Fun with the Family Hawaii, 6th (Fun with the Family Series).

No comments about Surfing Hawaii: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Challenging Waves (Periplus Action Guides).

No comments about Rough Guide DIRECTIONS to Honolulu & Oahu.

No comments about Insight Guide Hawaii (Insight Guides Hawaii).

1 comments about Travels in Hawaii.

1. A very disappointing book, misleadingly presented. You would expect to find writings about Hawaii from RLS in it. In actual fact, the book contains very little about RLS's travels in Hawaii. The bulk of it are his letters to home from his travels, which contain boring details of his financial concerns, personal matters, sailing schedule, etc. and NOTHING about Hawaii. Several of his stories written during this travel period that have been previously published are mentioned, but then not included or even discussed! This book seems to be the effort of a desperate publisher trying to squeeze more money out of RLS's legacy by appealing to those of us who love the Hawaiian Islands.
   If you want a great writer's take on old Hawaii, I recommend Mark Twain or Jack London's works, which are both infinitely superior to this tedious text, as terrific choices. This book is a sham. I feel duped for having even purchased it.

No comments about Hawaii's Gathering Place: The Island of Oahu.