On the plane again...Stop 2 Part 2

~ Hawaii - Oahu ~

In Japan, I used to attend a Hope Chapel chain of churches. The Hope Chapel group started in Kaneohe, Hawaii on Oahu. So, over the years I've made a few friends and though I've lost touch with a few, with the wonders of Facebook, I've reconnected with some. One of my friends from way back when, invited me to stop in Oahu since I was going to be in the area. :D Though time was short, I was able to visit for a day.

Some of the photos here:

Sam greeted me in Hawaiian style with a lei (too bad I can't take it with me...)

A visit to Oahu wouldn't be complete without seeing Pearl Harbor. It was a small area, but worth a visit.

Pearl Harbor - USS Bowfin Sub

Pearl Harbor - Memorial

Pearl Harbor - Flag waving on USS Arizona Memorial

After our stop at Pearl Harbor, we drove through the city a bit and headed up for a view. We discussed doing a short hike on Diamond head to get a view coming the other direction, but after an early start to my day, my energy was running low. So, the drive to this point was good enough. :D

View of Honolulu from Tantalus Point (Diamond Head on left)

Waikiki Beach

Oahu definitely has more of the Hawaiian feel for me. We drove around the city of Honolulu a bit during the day so I was able to see the neighborhoods (saw Obama's haunts) and enjoy some of the flora that I was expecting to see. In the afternoon, I took a rest, but hit the sands of Waikiki for a swim and sunbathe before resting up for dinner. Though time was too short, I had a great visit and shout out a THANK YOU to Sam, my tour guide for the day. :D

I definitely hope to visit again. Hawaii is a great vacation destination!

More travels to come...

-T

On the plane again...Stop 2 Part 1

~ Hawaii - Kailua Kona ~

It was family vacation time for the past week in Kailua Kona on the Big Island! We haven't all been together like this in years - perhaps longer than my memory serves. So, it was so great to hang out with my brother and catch up with my parents. Since I don't live closeby, these moments are more precious whenever they are had.

My parents rented a house off of Ali'i road just a bit outside of the main downtown area. We had a Jeep Rubicon as our wheels to get around. Throughout the week, we snorkeled, surfed, boogie-boarded, tanned, and explored the island a bit.

When I first arrived, I was a bit surprised at the scenery as I had imagined Hawaii to be lush with flora all over. However, due to the volcanic activity on the Big Island, there is more lava to be seen. It's interesting and makes for different views of this tropical paradise. However, the beaches were still great, the water still warm and much fun still had.

I'll post a few pics here, but more will come on my main blog site when I return home. Enjoy!

The lava scenery

Sunset on the first night

The parents enjoying the beach life!

Green sands beach - yes the sand is green!

South Point - southern most point in the US and so much water.

Sunset from the house - each night we waited for the green flash...., but the margaritas didn't help. :D

Cheers! for my family!!!

Next stop coming up...

-T

Short Oregon Visit

Due my somewhat crazy travel schedule this summer, I was only home in Oregon from July 18 - 24. My main purpose was to just hang with my family and to relax.

Somehow I still ended up seeing many friends, which was great. I made a visit to the Old Spaghetti Factory, one of my favorite childhood restaurants; met my Dad's softball team; visited more friends; shopped (yes more!) and in general just felt good to be home for a few days.

So, not much to report here. Photos are on the way as always. I will post links later to pics.

Next stop - Japan!

-T

NYC - Thoughts 1

I arrived in the City on Friday after a 15 hour direct flight to Atlanta and then a short flight to JFK.

Since arriving I have gotten my hair cut and highlighted, had dinner with a friend from grad school, spent the day with another friend from grad school by having lunch, getting soaked by Hannah, going to MoMa, then went out with more friends in the evening, fallen asleep in a cab, gotten lost in Soho, had brunch with the same group of friends, walked around the village and Soho, saw a play at half price, watched the women's finals of the US Open on Tv and figured out how to post on blogger from my iPhone.

So, you could say I have been busy! I still have a day left as well.

I miss this place. I feel like I can be me here and no one will judge me except if I don't loudly claim to be and agree with all things Democrat! It is a place full of passion, culture, diversity, love, fashion, poor and rich, green and buildings, old and new - basically everything! I need to come back but we shall see where life takes me.

- T

San Francisco ~July 27, 2008~

On my way to Oregon, I had a layover in San Francisco. Realizing that I had a full day to spend in the city, my officemate who lives in San Jose/Santa Cruz offered to show me around the city. So, he and his wife kindly picked me up from the airport and whisked me away through the city for the day. You can see the photos on the Creative Meanderings site. (I hope the pictures are working!)

After stopping off for a quick cup of coffee at Peet's Coffee& Tea, which brought back memories of my time in LA, we were off to see the city a bit. With a drive through downtown along the waterfront, I saw the Bay Bridge, Pier and port of San Francisco. As we drove up the main center area, I saw the cool triangular looking building though I still am not sure what the building was, but it was near the financial district. I also got a glimpse of the colored houses (no photo due to speedy car ride) as we headed towards the Fisherman's Wharf area.

In hopes of seeing the fog lift, we walked around the wharf area where I got to see the outside of the Ghiaradelli chocolate factory, Pier 39 and had lunch by the harbor. Unfortunately, the fog never lifted...so seeing the Golden Gate bridge was not in the cards! So sad.

We went on the cable car, which has been a long time thing I have wanted to do and I had the tune of the Rice-a-roni advertisement running through my head at parts. Still, it was amazing to go up and down the hills in the cable car.

With some shopping downtown, we taxied it back to the car to head to North Beach to see a free jazz festival. My officemate's good friend and former band members were playing, amongst whom was Eddie Gale. I know nothing about jazz, but apparently he's a big name in the genre. The music was good and it was great to people watch! Finally, due to extreme coldness, we headed for dinner in the Italian area and enjoyed a delicious meal at Caffe Delucchi nearby.

Finally, we headed to the hotel where I repacked and relaxed before an early flight home to Oregon.

Overall, my impression of San Francisco was as a combination of Portland and New York. It is, of course, much bigger and sprawled out than Portland, but the buildings are more quaint like Portland. Also, the Pearl District reforms of Portland had a similar feel. The hilliness of the city, though, was much like driving and getting around Seattle. When we were walking around we heard a number of different languages and all kinds of people. While there may have been a higher density of hippy-like people, it was similar to a walk through the streets of New York. The weather was a big cool and cloudy, which is supposedly common during the summer months, but milder during the rest of the year. So, I am not sure that I would want to live there due to the climate, but the city life felt great! Even though I was only there for a day, I definitely think I would want to visit again for a few more days to see the surrounding areas in the Bay Area!

Thanks so much K & SB!!! I had a great time!!!

So, that was my layover in San Fran.

Until nex time...

-T