Sun, Surf and Ocean
To many, Hawaii is a haven of mystical charm and idyllic beauty. Roen Cian Nagapan and Carey Ng discovered all of the above and more during their honeymoon, as they shared with Lily Ong
Mention hawaii and what comes to mind are vivid images of the open ocean, exotic leis, aloha shirts and hula dancers. For most of us, Hawaii is cemented in our minds as the ultimate travel destination in one’s bucket list. For newlyweds and expectant parents, Roen Cian Nagapan and Carey Ng, it was a no-brainer for them to spend their honeymoon in the Aloha State. “Naturally, we have seen Hawaii featured on the silver screen so we had a preconceived notion of what to expect,” says Roen, citing favourites such as the Hawaii Five-o show and films like The Descendants as examples.
A fit and adventurous couple, Roen and Carey love exploring the great outdoors. Thus they tried to squeeze in as many islands as possible in their itinerary: Maui, Molokai and Oahu. They also signed up for memorable activities such as taking a helicopter ride around the islands, which Roen believes everyone should experience at least once. “But if I would pick a highlight of the trip, it would be when we saw the sun rise in the Haleakala National Park,” says Carey. It is a two-hour journey to the summit, which means there is an early wake-up call involved. But as the pair affirms, the experience was well worth their time. “The sunrise is breathtaking and there’s nothing else like it,” Roen says. The couple also emphasised that the marine life in Hawaii is second to none, with many underwater activities that will leave you impressed by the wonders of Mother Nature. “Diving and feeding the sharks was a highlight for me because it’s such an adrenaline rush,” shares Roen, who also enjoyed the experience of being able to see turtles and seals on Hawaiian shores. Then, inspired by the movie, they also visited Pearl Harbour. As for food, the couple enjoyed sampling a diverse range of local cuisine such as poke bowls, often comprised of cubed raw fish seasoned to your liking. Healthy, delicious and tasty, this Hawaiian street-side snack is now a global phenomenon. Another must-try local delicacy recommended by the couple is poi—a Polynesian staple made from the underground stem of the taro plant. When it comes to a formal dining experience, the couple enjoyed a meal at Star Noodle, owned by Iron Chef Sheldon Simeon. “Do make a reservation beforehand,” says Roen about the restaurant which he highlights as a must-visit. For casual dining, the couple suggests keeping an eye out for sautéed garlic-andbutter shrimp by the sea—especially the ones served by seaside food truck vendors, Shrimp Shack. Plus Roen, who is a coffee connoisseur, loves Kona coffee, which is only grown on the island. The wanderlust pair have travelled to different parts of the world during their four-year courtship; Roen proposed to Carey in the snowy terrains of Iceland, and they spent their honeymoon in warm weather. “I am lucky to marry my ideal travel companion,” says Roen.
“If I would pick a highlight of the trip, it would be when we saw the sun rise in the Haleakala National Park”