“What’s your favourite place?” – a question I’ve been asked more times than I can recall over the years, and one that’s nearly impossible to answer. So, I’ve made a list that spans the globe, from Aachen to Zurich and every letter in between: My ABCs, though are not nearly as simple as 1-2-3. Today, we bring you the letter H – for Hawaii:

From the moment Fred Flintstone scored a bit part in the Larry Lava TV show “Hawaiian Spy” my younger self was irresistibly set on a path to the idyllic Pacific islands. TV shows like Gilligan’s Island, Hawaii Five-O (the Jack Lord version) and Magnum PI, and books like James Michener’s “Hawaii,” only fuelled my interest in a destination that seemed the physical embodiment of paradise.

When I finally arrived there in my early twenties with my pal Andy (of whom, I still laugh, foolishly chose to mark the occasion by wearing a three-piece suit for the 13-hour plane ride, from which his luggage bearing shorts and T-shirts never made it), I must admit to being slightly disappointed upon arrival: concrete Honolulu wasn’t the Hawaii I was expecting.

However, my dapper friend and I soon learned that the Hawaii of our dreams wasn’t far from the big city. There was hiking at iconic Diamond Head, snorkelling at Hanauma Bay, marvelling at surfers braving monstrous waves on the north shore, and considerably more.

I discovered the other main islands beyond Oahu on subsequent visits – each with their own unique attributes: Kauai, the lush garden island, with its amazing Napali Coast (immortalized in Jurassic Park); the Big Island for its volcano, black sand beaches and Kona coffee (and where I met a holidaying John Denver with his kids – nice guy!); and Maui, which tempted me to try surfing, and where I rallied along the winding Hana Highway and watched whales so close that I could nearly touch them.

Over the years, memories of Do Ho have given way to sweet-voiced Izzy Kamakawiwo’ole (if you have never heard his version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” on the ukulele, stop reading this and find it now!).

But I have never forgotten Fred, and the feeling he inspired. I quoted him at my first luau of course: “Please! Pass the poi.” Alas, like purple paper-maché paste it was, but the sentiment remained.

Honourable mention: The Highlands of Scotland; Hong Kong

Bucket list: Heart’s Content, Nfld.

Unlike the song, I have not been everywhere, so please don’t wonder why one of your favourites wasn’t one of mine. Instead, tell me at baginski@travelindustrytoday.com. I’m already thinking about my next list.

Stay tuned to future issues for the rest of the list. And for previous entries, click HERE.