2 April 2009
1.  Hike to the Makapu’u Lighthouse
Its not a dificult hike, but the views are stunning, and there is a possibility of seeing humpback whales (check out Hike to the Makapu’u Lighthouse).
2.  Kailua Beach
Great beach to relax on, swim, and have a picnic.
3.  North Shore
World class surfing, great places to swim, and some good snorkeling, all found on the North Shore.
4.  Climb Koko Head Crater
Great exercise and great views of the island (check out Koko Head Crater Hike).

5.  Shave Ice
Whether it be Waiola or Matsumoto, one must indulge in …

31 March 2009
Another tradition when in Honolulu is to go to Mitsu-Ken for their marvelous fried garlic chicken.
The garlic chicken is a splendid display of the knowledge of frying boneless, bite size chunks of chicken and splashing them with a sweet garlic sauce, coating them in deliciousness.
There is always a line outside the eatery and there always seems to be a few people standing around enjoying the smells pouring out of the store.  There is no sit down area of Mitsu-Ken, one simply walks up to a glass counter that …

29 March 2009
From this view, Koko Head Crater doesn’t look too strenuous.
From this view, the path, which is an ex-railway track heading straight up the side of the volcano looks a little more intimidating.
We began by parking the car at the Koko Head Park in Hawaii Kai, Honolulu.  Walking around the baseball field, a scrambling path was evident that we took to begin the hike to the top.
Apart from the thigh burns, the heavy heart beats, the exhaustion, build up of the food from previous days eating things like Mitsu …

28 March 2009

26 March 2009
By no means is Makapu’u a strenuous hike, yet it reveals breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean on the South shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

Takes about half an hour to the top
Walk is on paved path
Lighthouse at the end of hike
Awesome views
A Humpback whale sanctuary

We were lucky enough to see two Humpback whales, gliding through the water with ease.
A bit of exercise is not a terrible idea when considering the daily 20,000 calorie intake.  The fusion of delicacies available on the islands is impossible to miss (and who would …

25 March 2009

In an ex-pizza hut in Honolulu, Hawaii, Fresh Catch, a fabulous local Hawaiian style eatery serves up all things beautiful from the sea.
I started off sampling a few of the various styles of  “poke (pronounced po ke’)” they make in the restaurant.  Poke is raw fish, marinated in a combination of shoyu (soy sauce), chili, seaweed, sea salt, sesame oil, onion, or green onion among other things.  Fresh Catch happens to have a wide range of different poke’s and stunning ones at that.  Firecracker salmon, and the shoyu …

21 March 2009
Check out the article on Waiola!

Related
Article: Waiola Shave Ice Hawaii

19 March 2009
Every time I come to Honolulu, I make may way down the block from my Grandmothers house to the greatest shave ice in Hawaii, Waiola Shave Ice.

To straighten things up, they serve “shave ice” or shaved ice.  These are not “snow cones” with crunchy pebbles of ice, swimming in some neon artificial liquid.  These are cones of ice as fine as cotton, artfully shaven off a block, and then syruped with a choice of tropical flavors. After eating shave ice, snow cones are guaranteed to have no appeal.
As …

15 March 2009
In the footsteps of the foody himself, Anthony Bourdain, the munching tour of Seattle unravelled.  I had seen a few of the eateries on television and had thoroughly vowed to myself as well as having all my friends hold me accountable to partake as soon as I could next step foot out of the Seattle airport.
Owned by the parents of chef Mario Batali, in downtown Seattle, we started off with a few meatballs, sausage, a lamb steak, and some fried salami from the famed restaurant, Salumi.  The flavors …

We got into our 4 seater Piper Archer 2 for the ultimate tour of Seattle, Washington, cruising at a premium altitude for awesome views.
Swooping in on the humble residence of Mr. Bill Gates (avoiding his anti-aircraft missile defense system (kind of a joke, but wouldn’t be overly surprised if it was true)).
Looking down on downtown Seattle.
Back on the ground.
Easily the best tour of Seattle possible!
-Mark Wiens