Still having a great time here in Hawaii. Of course I guess that is to be expected. The tropics do that to you.
A week ago I went out for a ride with some new friends, a motorcycle ride that is (and yes, I was wearing a helmet). It really put into perspective just how small this island is. We went around along the coastline for the most part, and it was just an afternoon ride. We didn't go around the entire island, but that was probably due more to the fact that there isn't a road that goes all the way around.
I've also been doing loads of other stuff. I camped out for a night on the beach, in the sand, without a tent. Had there been rain that might not have worked so well, but it was a clear night. Most of the moisture encountered was from the morning dew, and of course swimming in the ocean. Even at night the air and the water are warm enough to enjoy the salt water.
I went for a hike with Red out to a point where there are no roads. We didn't manage to make it all the way to the end, but that wasn't because we didn't want to. Turns out the point is used by birds as a breeding ground, and since we had the dog with us there was a point at which we had to stop. Along the way I saw some pretty interesting spiders, a small centipede (which I thought was quite large), and water being forced through the blowholes of a pod of whales. We had no binoculars though, so we couldn't see the actual whales too well.
As for the small centipede, I learned why the one on the hike was small back at the house. Those things get HUGE. And the bigger they get, the scarier and uglier they get. Apparently they are capable of stinging, so out of our desires to not encounter such a thing, a can of Raid was used liberally in both cases that I saw one around the house to take out the creepy-crawly creature. Cockroaches are another thing that the Raid is good for, and though they don't get as big as the centipedes, they too get much larger than any that I have seen before. On top of getting bigger than what I consider to be normal, they fly too, and my first experience with a roach in the house involved one attempting to land on my head. Once it was no longer a threat, I still continued to shudder at the thought of it landing on me for a good 10 minutes.
Today was the first good rainfall I have seen since arriving two weeks ago. I am in what is considered to be the "dry" part of the island. Most clouds release all their buildup in Honolulu before coming further west to where I am. It didn't last too long, but there is still cloud cover, so I am hoping it will rain some more.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Poke and Plate Lunches
So I have made it to Hawaii, and the plane ride wasn't all bad. The food was good (and yes, it was included) and I sat next to a guy who was friendly to chat with. I expected to be a bit tired after a 6 hour flight, but when I stepped off the plane I felt really good. Must have been that rush of warm, humid air after coming from a place that was pouring down rain on the way to the airport.
My friend picked me up at the airport and we stopped at the NEX on the way back to her place. Not a place she gets to go on her own, but since I have my military ID still I could get us in. It was there that I saw Poke (Poke-ee) for the first time, and she said I had to try it. Turns out the stuff is good. Raw tuna mixed with onions, seaseme seeds, and seaweed (a variety I've never seen before). Being a sushi fan I had no problems with the raw factor, but I can honestly say that is the first time I have eaten THAT much raw fish in one sitting. And it was a good mixture to fry up the next day, after we figured it was too old to eat raw.
On Monday we went up a walk (steep enough to be a hike maybe, but it was paved) where we could see other islands off in the distance. On the way back we stopped at a shack for plate lunches. I tried Mahi, some kind of white fish, and it was just as good. Cheap too, considering that it was fish and how much food I got. I even ordered the mini plate, the "child's size." It was more than enough.
No swimming yet, but I did get up to the North Shore where the waves were pretty big yesterday. I'm told they get bigger, but it was a calm day. We wanted to take the dog for a walk or a short hike, but all the signs we saw said no animals, so we made it just a ride. Next time we'll look and see where we can take the dog before loading her in the car.
Off for another day of living a life in Hawaii. Having a good time so far and I imagine that will stay the same for the next few days.
My friend picked me up at the airport and we stopped at the NEX on the way back to her place. Not a place she gets to go on her own, but since I have my military ID still I could get us in. It was there that I saw Poke (Poke-ee) for the first time, and she said I had to try it. Turns out the stuff is good. Raw tuna mixed with onions, seaseme seeds, and seaweed (a variety I've never seen before). Being a sushi fan I had no problems with the raw factor, but I can honestly say that is the first time I have eaten THAT much raw fish in one sitting. And it was a good mixture to fry up the next day, after we figured it was too old to eat raw.
On Monday we went up a walk (steep enough to be a hike maybe, but it was paved) where we could see other islands off in the distance. On the way back we stopped at a shack for plate lunches. I tried Mahi, some kind of white fish, and it was just as good. Cheap too, considering that it was fish and how much food I got. I even ordered the mini plate, the "child's size." It was more than enough.
No swimming yet, but I did get up to the North Shore where the waves were pretty big yesterday. I'm told they get bigger, but it was a calm day. We wanted to take the dog for a walk or a short hike, but all the signs we saw said no animals, so we made it just a ride. Next time we'll look and see where we can take the dog before loading her in the car.
Off for another day of living a life in Hawaii. Having a good time so far and I imagine that will stay the same for the next few days.
Friday, February 8, 2008
She Called It "Elbow-tag"
I was tagged for this and it looked like fun so I participated and tagged 10 more people to continue it on. Hope you have fun with it, and pass it along if you like.
RULES:
Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. Don't forget to leave them a comment ("You're It") and to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you. Since you can't tag me back, let me know when you've posted your blog so I can see you answers!
1) Within the last year and a half, I have developed a strange fear of landing while on commercial jets (though this has not stopped me from taking a total of 15 flights in the last year, nor will stop me from flying on Sunday).
2) I miss being in school. I thrive in the academic world.
3) I sold my television. I don't want a new one. Ever.
4) I hate shoes. I think I have too many. If it weren't for winter, I wouldn't own any. On the other hand, I do love my Chaco's.
5) Excluding my underwear, I can't think of an article of clothing I paid full price for. I strive to buy clothing on clearance or second-hand (or I "receive" it).
6) If I lost my cell phone, the only numbers I would know to call would be my Grandma, my Mom, and my Dad. Oh, and 911.
7) I've always paid my credit card balance in full at the end of every month.
8) If I am really enjoying a book, I have been known to read the entire book in one day.
9) I really have no set plan for my immediate future. I think that bothers a lot of people in my life.
10) 3 years ago I donated my hair. It was still medium length after the donation. It is almost that long again.
MY TEN PICKS:
Consider Yourselves Tagged - I have no good reason, other than I hope you will respond.
Wiledeyed
Lil Red
Irene
Maggie
Staci
K and E (you might need help with the typing, but I think you can do it)
pregnant anarchist
Ashley
Chloe
Mira
RULES:
Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. Don't forget to leave them a comment ("You're It") and to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you. Since you can't tag me back, let me know when you've posted your blog so I can see you answers!
1) Within the last year and a half, I have developed a strange fear of landing while on commercial jets (though this has not stopped me from taking a total of 15 flights in the last year, nor will stop me from flying on Sunday).
2) I miss being in school. I thrive in the academic world.
3) I sold my television. I don't want a new one. Ever.
4) I hate shoes. I think I have too many. If it weren't for winter, I wouldn't own any. On the other hand, I do love my Chaco's.
5) Excluding my underwear, I can't think of an article of clothing I paid full price for. I strive to buy clothing on clearance or second-hand (or I "receive" it).
6) If I lost my cell phone, the only numbers I would know to call would be my Grandma, my Mom, and my Dad. Oh, and 911.
7) I've always paid my credit card balance in full at the end of every month.
8) If I am really enjoying a book, I have been known to read the entire book in one day.
9) I really have no set plan for my immediate future. I think that bothers a lot of people in my life.
10) 3 years ago I donated my hair. It was still medium length after the donation. It is almost that long again.
MY TEN PICKS:
Consider Yourselves Tagged - I have no good reason, other than I hope you will respond.
Wiledeyed
Lil Red
Irene
Maggie
Staci
K and E (you might need help with the typing, but I think you can do it)
pregnant anarchist
Ashley
Chloe
Mira
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Travels Will Continue
I was thinking I would try to get a military flight to Hawaii, but then I found a screaming deal on airfare and decided that it would be worth the small price to be guaranteed a flight and arrival time at my destination. Well, as guaranteed as you can get with airlines. It is only a one-way ticket though, so the military thing might still happen on the way back. Or I'll just hang out in Hawaii until I find another good deal. Sure, there is a plan to return, just no plan as to when.
Can't wait to go! Bought the ticket today, and I fly out on February 10th. 8 days in advance, and that is really planning ahead for me - at least in the sense of travel.
Can't wait to go! Bought the ticket today, and I fly out on February 10th. 8 days in advance, and that is really planning ahead for me - at least in the sense of travel.
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