Planning a trip is a long process. It takes time, effort, open mind and team work. Here is our (two people) preparation lessons learned and steps for Hawaii two weeks trip.
1. Use Google document, Google Map sharing feature for the planning. It is very convenient when two people are on very different schedules. Since it is in a central location, both can see the latest information and what needs to be done next (Microsoft Excel Status: Green-Done, Yellow-Need to reserve, Red-don't have plan, Blue - the maybes).
2. TripAdvisor website, any useful online resources will give you a list of "Must-sees" and "Best-of". Do prioritize and select what are the
most import to YOU! For example, here is what's important for us:
- Staying in Kauai the longest because we are doing 3 day Napali Coast hiking. Lots of offshore snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Going to Mauna Kea Summit of Big Island (13,796 feet or 4,205 meters) to see the sunset then stargazing is a must. So we do this right away when we arrive Hawaii.
- Hiking Stairway to Heaven and Diamond Head is high priority in Oahu.
3. Once you know what you want to do and their locations. Plot on Google Map and divide the activities for each day.
4. Depending on the activities, you need to consider the restrictions. For example, if you want do scuba diving, then should not plan any high elevation hike or flights 18hrs after diving due to risk of DCS (Decompression Sickness. Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decompression_sickness)
5. Online resources are great. But guide books are always useful. We use the books to fine-tune our plan (currently in progress) We borrowed guide books from the local library and bring them with us for the trip. In case we don't have everything print out or no WiFi, we can always have the guide books.
Not all trips need such intensive planning. The above trip planning methods are only for a place full of different activities and sightseeing spots like Hawaii. It takes a long time for two people. At the end it will be worth while! No matter what, the trip will end up great and create lots of memories!
Do you have trip planning tips to share?
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（中文）
计划行程是一个漫长的过程。需要时间，精力，体谅心态和团队精神。以下是我们（两个人）夏威夷2周之旅准备的经验教训和步骤。
1. 使用谷歌文档，谷歌地图分享功能规划。这非常方便因为当两个人都很忙，聚在一起计划的时间少。文档和地图都存在共享的一个地方，任何人都可以看到最新信息，和还有下一步哪些需要做的。（Microsoft Excel Status: 绿=完成，黄=需要预约，红色=还没有计划，蓝色=也许做的活动）。
2. TripAdvisor网站，任何有用的在线资源，会给你的“必须看”和“最佳”的名单。优先选择哪些是
最合适你的！各花入各眼。例如：
- 对于我们来说，我们在Kauai岛最长。因为我们喜欢3天Napali Coast海岸徒步露营。岛上还有很多海边浮潜和水肺潜水活动。
- 对我们来说，去大岛Big Island的Mauna Kea 峰（13796英尺/4205米）看日落，然后观星是我们做想做的。所以这是我们到夏威夷立即安排的活动。
- 对我们来说，远足天国阶梯（Stairway to Heaven）和钻石头（Diamond Head）在Oahu岛也是一定要体验的。
3. 当你知道你想要做的和它们的位置，在Google地图和分配每一天活动。
4. 你需要考虑某些活动对别的活动的限制。例如，如果你想要做水肺潜水，就不应计划潜水18小时后做任何高海拔徒步旅行或飞行，这是为了减少患DCS减压病的危险（减压病信息：
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decompression_sickness）
5. 网上的资源超级多。但导游书总是有用的。我们目前正在用导游书微微调整计划。我们的导游书是从图书馆借的。 旅行时也会带。如果旅行中没有我们打印一些资料或没有WiFi，我们手里还有导游书。
不是每次旅行计划都要这样周密的计划。以上行程规划方法仅适用于如夏威夷，一个活动多多和观光景点多多的地方。计划需要很长的时间。但最后值得的！不管是什么，旅途最终会很美好，留下很多的回忆！
你有旅行计划的小窍门吗？
