God Damn Fucking Shit

I just tripped and ended up stepping on my laptop, breaking the screen.

First, it was the digital camera screen.

Now, my laptop screen is barely 60% functional.

And I am more than poor.

Fuck.

Hawaii (Part Ten): Food, food, food, food!

I started writing chronologically, but somehow morphed into grouping things by topic. So here's a continuation of the great food (and happy hours!) we had in Hawaii.

We went grilling at Gyu-Kaku. The food was amazing and it was a lot of fun cooking it ourself over the hot coal grill in the table. This is a must do if you visit Oahu!

Nemy Nae and Dean at Gyu-Kaku.

Lisa at Gyu-Kaku.

Beef with marinade, kobe beef, chicken in pesto marinade and a view of the grill.

Shochu (rice vodka) with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. AMAZING.

We had to have at least one night of crazy drinking. That happened at the Sunset Bar followed by sobering up with a ton of food at Dave & Buster's.

Nemy and her mai tai (yucky!)

Dean with martini.

Nae and Nemy getting punchy!

Finally! Food! Nae with her fried rice and Nemy's burger.

Nemy and Lisa coloring the kiki (kid's) menu.

Dean used to work at a fantastic Italian restaurant called Matteo's. We took them there for dinner. They all had ravioli and I had saltimbocca because any dish that has "salt" in its name MUST be good.

Lisa trying escargot for the first time.

Lisa pretending to like escargot.

Lisa and her first taste of baby (veal).

Nae and Dean.

We went out for lunch at the North Shore (I need to ask Renee what the name is). I fell asleep on the way out there, which was fantastic! I missed the pineapple and coffee fields, but saw them on the way back. After lunch we hit the famous surfing beach and were off for shaved ice.

Lisa drinking her "scuba diver" drink.

While on the North Shore, stopping at Motsumoto's Shaved Ice is a MUST. It is not made of little balls of ice like a snow cone. Instead the ice is light and fluffy and the flavors are rich, not sugary.

Nemy and Lisa at Motsumoto's Shaved Ice.

We stopped for a drink at Brew Moon my last full night in Hawaii. It is a small brew pub with great beer.

Dean and Nae at Brew Moon.

As you can see, I tried them all . . . at once!

Lisa drinking the Brew Moon sampler.

Dave & Buster's (again) this time for breakfast.

Morning mimosa.

Mmmm . . . mimosa.

My last lunch in Hawaii was amazing. We went to the pier and hit a fish shop. It was the best fish EVER!

Ahi sandwich. DELICIOUS!!!

Nae's mahi-mahi lunch.

We had a dinner tinged with sadness since it was our last outing before they had to drop me off at the airport. Sniff!!!

We went to La Mariana Yacht Club's Tiki Bar. The great news is that it's for sale! Save your pennies quick and you can own a piece of Hawaiian history!

Lisa and Nae at the entrance. I loved how the sign was barely working.

Here is one of the rooms - complete with indoor waterfall.

Dean and Lisa in her 1980's Dynasty chair. If only it was painted white!

My shrimp with linguine, Renee's breaded shrimp with mashed potatoes and gravy
along with Dean's pork chops. MMMMM!!!

Believe it or not, we did make a lot of food at home, especially breakfast. We also packed lunches for the beach, including a bottle of gin and cans of tonic. Mmm. . . gin & tonics. It was a good mix of thrifty and spendy.

If you go to Hawaii, or anywhere really, please don't hit the chain restaurants. There are so many mom & pop or local places to experience. Do some research and take chances. Otherwise, you might as well just go to Perkin's down the street and imagine the scenery outside is different.

Not about Hawaii

At this moment, I have two 4 year olds eating good ol' mac & cheese and hot dogs in front of the TV discussing farts.

L: Did you just fart?
N: Yeah.
L: Me too!*
N: Was it stinky?
L: Really stinky! Was yours?
N: Yeah!
Me: Did you say "excuse me"?
L & N: Excuse me bobble head butt!

Kids, they are the greatest.

*Proof that kids are competitive about EVERYTHING.

Hawaii (Part Nine): Scuba Diving and Surfing

We went to Hanauma Bay to go snorkeling. It is my favorite place in Hawaii. The bay itself is actually the floor of a volcanic crater that opened up to the ocean when its exterior wall collapsed. Declared a marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967, Hanauma Bay is sheltered from strong currents and waves, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling.

A large sandy beach is flanked by several hiking trails that lead to breathtaking lookouts. On clear days, you can see the islands of Molokai and Lanai across the channel, and during the winter and early spring months, breaching humpback whales can be spotted from shore.

Want to experience it without having to leave home? Click here to see a slide show of fish that live in the bay.

Lisa with Hanauma Bay in the background.

Looking down on the coral reefs.

Lisa in her snorkeling gear.

Nemy and Nae walking up out of Hanauma Bay.

We also went surfing at Waikiki Beach. It was our first experience at a tourist beach and we hated it. Everyone who walked by kicked up sand on you and your towel. It also smelled fishy. We were glad to go back to "local" beaches after this outing.

The throng of tourists on Waikiki Beach.

Nae and Dean scraping and waxing her board.

Dean, Nae and Nemy on their way out to the waves.

Nemy with Dean's surfboard. Smaller boards like this one are more difficult to use.
She was able to paddle out on it, which is a challenge.
If she had rented a longboard, I think she would have been able to catch a wave.

Nae the Hawaiian surfer girl with her board.

Lisa with Dean's board. I wasn't even able to paddle out with this board.
We rented a step down from the longboard for me (only $10!) which made everything much easier. I could paddle out, sit on the board and get up on my knees.
Maybe next time, I'll actually be able to stand!

Well, that's it for my water adventure synopsis. Next up: food, drinks, karoke and tattoos!

Hawaii (Part Eight) The Byodo-in Temple

The Byodo-In Temple was a site I did not want to miss. Nae hadn't been there either, so it was a first for both of us. I was sorry Nemy had left the day before because it was an amazing site to visit. It was very peaceful, beautiful and calming. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Oahu.

It was built in the 1960's to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant workers in Hawaii who came to work in the sugar plantation fields. It is a replica of the 950-year-old Byodoin Temple located in Uji, Japan on the southern outskirts of Kyoto.

As a Lost fan, I should have known, but it wasn't until after I got home that I found out it was used as a filming location in the first season of Lost, where it served as the home of the Sun's powerful father. I'll have to break out my DVD Box set to check it out.

Lisa on the bridge to the temple.

There is a five-foot, three-ton brass Peace Bell on your left after you cross the bridge. This large bell can be heard throughout Kahaluu when rung. Ringing the bell will purify the mind of evil spirits and temptation. It is said that ringing this bell will bring you happiness, blessings, and a long life. It is customarily rung before entering the temple. Nae and I both gave a donation and rang the bell. The sound was deep and soothing.

Nae ringing the Peace Bell.

Like its counterpart in Japan, the temple building itself is called the Hoodo or Hall of the Chinese Phoenix as its floor plan models that of the bird. A Hoodo consists of a decorated main temple building, two wings on the left and right sides with tail corridor at the rear. Chinese phoenixes are used to decorate both ends of the roof.

The highlight of the temple is the non-foot Lotus Buddha so named because he sits upon a lotus flower. This is the largest wooden Buddha carved in over 900 years. It is stained in a black lacquer and decorated in gold leaf. My picture does not do this beautiful piece of art justice.

The Lotus Buddha. Following Nae's example,
I lit incense in front of the Buddha.

Nae and I outside the temple.

Lisa in her "L likes to hike" pose.

Lisa next to the bamboo forest in the back gardens of the temple.

This was my second favorite activity/place in Hawaii. My favorite, best, number one place in Hawaii is up next!

Hawaii (Part Seven) Museum

I was hoping to see a wild pig/boar on our hikes, but alas, it was not in the cards. However, on my visit to The Bishop Museum, I saw plenty.

A stick on the wall pig.

A real stuffed pig!

A glow in the dark pig!

We saw other things too. Unfortunately we didn't see the hula show at 11 AM. That would have kicked ass. On the whole, I wouldn't say this is a must see. I would hit the Hawaii State Art Museum instead. Here's some more pics:

This T-Rex picture of gore, obviously, is for Paul.

Whee! I'm a lava flow!

Nae by their wind wall.

Next is my #2 favorite. So read on!

Hawaii (Part Six) Hike #4 Manoa Falls Trail

Manoa Falls Trail was a great hike and easy at only 1.5 miles. It can be slippery at times, but is set up well for kids of all ages.

Nae and Dean at entrance.

Lisa by an amazing Banyan tree.

Nae and Lisa on the well manicured trail.

Most guides say you can swim under the falls, but it is closed.

Lisa and Nae at the falls.

Lisa with an amazing (Jackfoot?) tree.

My last, and best hiking experience in Hawaii. I highly recommend it.