With a seemingly endless array of grey days, constant drizzle, and only a glimpse of sun in YVR as of late, we were pining for an excuse to escape the city in search of some vitamin D. When news that the Wanderlust Music and Yoga Festival would be returning to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii’s North Shore on Oahu we were so there!
Flight booked (thanks to Air Canada) and rental car arranged in advance, we jetted off late last week for a quick island trip to experience this renowned four-day festival (hippies, hemp, henna tattoos and all). What we discovered was a festival that offered the perfect mix of lifestyle, music, health, wellness activities and more, all located within the gorgeous grounds of Turtle Bay Resort.
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With well-over 800 acres of property, Turtle Bay Resort is a premiere vacation spot featuring tennis courts, stables, a golf course and plenty of beachfront to keep visitors occupied. Add to the mix the more than 200 or so seminars, speakeasies, yoga, surf, SUP, kayaking and other activities that are part of Wanderlust Oahu’s schedule and it was non-stop fun.
Founded six years ago by a trio of like-minded friends who share core values (Schuyler Grant, Jeff Krasno and Sean Hoess), the event has grown to encompass six major multi-day festivals throughout the US, spreading as far away as Chile and as close to home as… well… home (both Whistler, BC and Tremblant, Quebec are Wanderlust destinations).
Wanderlust is comprised of various activities meant to suit any agenda, interest or ability – and is clearly not just for yogis. We tried our hand at SUP Yoga, grabbed a bike and made for the trails, caught some waves on a longboard, and enjoyed live music courtesy of both Moby and Donovan Frankenreiter.
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Attendees swarmed the Kuilima Market between classes (which varied between Yin, meditation, ashtanga, aerial, to power and beyond). Guests scored plenty of tasty bites from local producers like Hawaiian Fresh Farms, The Beet Box Café, KE NUI KITCHEN, as well as Vancouver-based (Californian-grown) Luvo crew (we loved their array of gluten-free offerings… and that chocolate mousse was to die for).
We caught classes taught by yoga-gurus Eion Finn and Baron Baptiste, grabbed tickets to the Sea to Table Dinner, and made friends at the kick-off Wanderlust Beach Bonfire by the ocean.
In between working on our tree pose we often found ourselves watching in awe as festival goers tried out aerial and slackline yoga moves (next time, that’ll be us!), and we had plenty of time to chill by the expansive pool (with laptop, of course) or hit the gym.
All in all, Wanderlust Oahu is definitely the perfect way to score a relaxing vacation that is guaranteed to help you clean out your mental gutter, grow as a person, and feel plenty of positive energy before returning home.
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Oh, and did we mention that tickets are already for sale for this summer’s Whistler-based Wanderlust (July 31st to August 4th)? Don’t be shy… check out the details and book here.
Have you attended any of the Wanderlust festivals? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
