Happy Birthday, 80!!!!/Oh, Wait – What?!
Happy Birthday Adi-chan!!!! Today is the birthday of one of my best gal-pals from high school!!! Oh, what times we’ve had! Read more
Posts tagged ‘Travel’
Feb 25
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Big On Bishop
After the 2 sweet weeks in Lancaster last week, work trucked us on up to luscious Bishop. Bishop is situated in Owens Valley – a 5 hour drive from smoggy ol’ Los Angeles. Read more
Goodbye Dear Antelope Valley
Lancaster. What a surprisingly fun time I had living there for 2 weeks. Read more
Living in Lancaster
I’ve been put up in a hotel in Lancaster for work. Jeff has accompanied me to this high desert outpost. Aaaaaah, the Antelope Valley. Many quirks + hidden gems in this eccentric town. You just have to be curious enough to find them. Read more
Southern Cali Fiesta (pt.2)
Part two of Discover Los Angeles! Last weekend, Deb + Canmore Karen were still visiting from gloomy, chilly Canada. Read more
Southern Cali Fiesta (pt.1)
Yes, the time had come for the annual Deb (my most awesome sister-in-law) + her best friend, Canmore Karen girls’ weekend. Sans les enfants. That’s French for, “ain’t no kids included”. Where did they choose this year for their destination?! Los Angeles!!!! Woooot for me!!!! I love sharing the city I love to people who appreciate it!!!! Read more
Desert Rats (pt.3)
The final installment of the trilogy that is….Desert Rats!!!!!! In the last episode we found our newlywed couple climbing atop + ambling around the folk art majesty that is Salvation Mountain. In this episode, our twosome make their way up to the infamous Bombay Beach. Read more
Desert Rats (pt.2)
Hello all!!! Sorry for the delay of Desert Rats part deux. In our last episode (post), we found our adventurers (Jeff + I) making their way around the bleak, expanse of the deserted, questionably scented Salton Sea. Read more
Desert Rats (pt.1)
Hello all!!! Posts have been delayed due to many factors. Read more
Sep 27
Luau Memories
I’m going to do a couple series of Hawaii pictures + reminiscing because Vancouver has been gray + chilly! Also it’s because when we were in Hawaii the azure sparkles of the ocean would be calling to me, “Shelli!!! Shelli!!! Get off that damn computer! Come play, Shelli!”. Thus, I feel those posts were a bit lacking, so let’s revisit the much glossed over luau night.
I know I already posted this picture, but it’s my favorite. 
So happy, so in lurve.
I also love the fact that before we got to the luau Kelly said to me, “You + Jeff are like Michael Jackson.”. I said, “Come again????”. She replied, “No, not in the pedophile way, but in the sweet, childlike, innocence you both have!”. Isn’t that really hilarious?! I love being compared to Michael Jackson.
The tram. 
Explanation of how the pig is traditionally roasted underground. I missed this part because I was already on the bridge to be first in line for drinks. 
See? When I heard the guy say, “Everyone please enjoy…” I was already gone. I’m just a blur. I’m like, “Peace out!”.
Dinner, drinks + a show!
The bass player probably has a license plate that says, “I’d rather be fishing”. His face said, “Somebody get me another whiskey + soda.”.
The couple’s dance! My sister Ashley gave the MC our name to announce. This was only the second time Jeff + I did a “traditional dance” together!!! Jeff isn’t much into dancing unless it’s crazy person dancing.
Jeff’s first visit to Los Angeles was the first time we “danced”. Can you believe it?! 
Ohhhh, sniff!!! Looking at these pictures again is making me sad! I had so much fun on this trip!!!!
The mothers got a golf cart ride to the hula performance. My mom was hanging off the back yelling, “Woo-hoooo!!! Wooooo!!!”, when they rolled up.
The “Japanese” part of the dancing was the best. It was so cheesy + wrong. I think I remember they called us, “Our humble brothers + sisters of Japan.”. Ah, so desu ka….
Liz + I called it, “Japanese Disco”, because their kimonos looked all shiny + synthetic even from stage! They were dancing all fast + nodding their heads a lot at each other. I was cracking up! Loved it! 
The “Maori” girls are always my favorite with the fire lit poi balls.
And of course, the piece de la resistance of the hula – the fire dancer. And they always happen to be a chief from some faraway island. Uh-huh, ok.
We all had so much fun at the luau! There’s always haters that complain that it’s cheesy, not true to the cultures, the lines are long + the drinks are weak, blah blah blah. What do you expect!? It’s good clean, dorky, fun!!! I miss Hawaii. I’m signing off to go cry now.
Sep 22
Last Day in Paradise
I’m writing from Vancouver, but wanted to post some pictures up of our last day in paradise at our Puako house, in fond remembrance. The entire day consisted of AMAZING snorkeling (we searched + did not find our shark again, but instead swam with a school of unicorn fish), reading + hanging out with my turtle buddies. Paradise, indeed. I’m so sad to have left it, but now it will always be a special place where Jeff + I will always return.
Here is a photo I found on the internet which is a really accurate representation of the marine life we snorkeled with in Puako. I’m not even exaggerating. 
We came upon a couple of turtles having their shells cleaned by surgeon fish + tangs. So exciting + fascinating to watch. Again, not our photo, but a great example. 
When the turtles are munching at the moss underwater, every once in a while they would bring their little heads up for a breath. I would wait with anticipation for that moment, like the patient naturalist that I am. 
This little piggy was chowing down like it was his last meal for god’s sake.
Out cold. A most uncomfortable looking snooze.
The day we left the island, I went outside for the last time to say goodbye to our beach + to my turtle companions. It was high tide + I saw a group of three having their breakfast. I became teary eyed + went back inside. I hope to return to swim with them again. 
Paniolo Pride
Ladies + Gentlemen, we celebrated the 36th Annual Waimea Paniolo Parade on Saturday, September 17th, 2011!!!! Jeff was up + ready! We drove 20 min inland + when we arrived in Waimea, I saw the crowds + tents + boy howdy did I start getting excited!!!! I LOVE festivaaaaaaals!!!!! Lobster Fest, Octoberfest, Scottish Fest, Swallow Day Fest….I could go on. It’s too bad my festival homie Debbie Im couldn’t be with us. In spirit, Debbie!!! In spirit!!!
Jeff found this Hawaiian western shirt couple days ago thrifting + wore a tiki bolo tie that he brought from his collection in Canada, just in case. Who knew it would become useful on this trip? Who knew? Jeff knew. 
The parade begins!!!!! I’m going to organize the photos by section because we took so darn many. Hawaiian Royalty!!!! 
Check out the court announcer singing with his gelled Jonas Brothers hair. And check out the kid in the red loincloth next to him giving serious stink eye!!!! Hah!!! 
This guy is going to beat you down with a stick. In ancient Hawaii it was kapu (forbidden) for those of lower class to look upon the chief or cast your shadow upon him. The penalty is death. I think this guy is regulating!!! 
These were my two favorite guys at the parade. How cute is the french horn player??? 
I picture this as my friends + I as we gracefully enter our sunset years.
Here come the paniolos!!! My heart was racing!!!!
Why sir, that is a very handsome moustache! Y’all know I’m a sucker for a hearty moustache!!!
Here are a couple of hunky paniolo pics for you ladies:
Lots + lots of adorable keiki (kids)!!!!
The Princesses! Each one represented a Hawaiian island. They would extend their hand from their mouths + softly say, “Aloha.”. After each one passed by, without fail I’d say, “preeeeettyyy”, like Lennie from Of Mice and Men. 
The pink princess, I called the Nicki Minaj of Paniolo Princesses. She was all about it!!! Posing, waving, huge smiles!!! Girl was like, “Haaaaay!!!!!”!!!!
Here are some other highlights from the parade.
My favorite outfit with the whitelace gloves + jaunty woven hat. Sassy!
Let’s not forget the pooper scoopers!!! Each one had a different theme! Look! The driver is receiving a kiss! Poop + romance!!!!
The haole local ladies sitting in front of us did not appreciate this one!!! Oh my, no they did not!!!!
Jeff was obsessed with this kid because he had a drawn on moustache. Ole!!!!
After the parade was over, we went to the Waimea Farmer’s Market where Jeff had a fresh, homemade bacon sandwich. He pretty much was salivating over the lady making it + staring intensely at her (which I think freaked her out a bit), because we were staaaarved at that point. I really think it was wild boar that they killed in the hills because apparently the island is over-run with them + it tasted really, really amazing + fresh.
I still think it was not enough food for a lumberjack, unfortunately as you’ll find out later in the post.
Sir, why so intense, sir??? Do you realize you’ve been on a tropical island on vacation, sir? Hello, sir???
At least SOMEONE was enjoying themselves!!! Sheesh!!! Island style, brah!!! Chill, mon!!! Someone bring me a Mai Tai!
After Jeff had a little food in him, we wandered to the park for the Ho’olaule’a for food, hula + fun. My recommendation to anyone going to the 37th annual Waimea Paniolo Parade is to skip this part. Great people watching, don’t get me wrong. But it was crowded as heck, the lines were insanely long for food + it is generally like herded cattle. We waited for $7 kahlua pork, they forgot about us + when we reminded them, they said they ran out of rice + the amount of pork given to us was like a melon ball scooper’s worth. Jeff was so irate but I felt bad for them because they seriously looked panic stricken + one of them was calling their auntie to bring mo’ rice. 
Look at all those darn people! Moooo!!!
Princesses on their off time, hanging out in their jeans + drinking pop. This one princess in tan was probably related to Andre the Giant + was like 2 times taller than her husband. He + the baby were both wearing forest cammo tshirts. Bad ass Waimea style, yo!!!!
The good part is, there was a really crowded craft tent + Jeff bought a carved bone necklace by this old time artisan, Ika Vea who carved the pendant that Jeff chose + wove + braided the necklace while we hung out. It’s a very special handcrafted piece of art that Jeff is really happy about. 
Here is Cranky Pants not so happy to be in a craft tent holding one of the gorgeous wood carvings Ika made that we now regret not bringing home with us.
Note to all ladies. Don’t take your significant others to festivals unless they’ve been previously amply fed. You’ll thank me later.
Sadly, I’m writing the ending to this blog post from Vancouver. Not sad, because I love Vancouver (we arrived at 2am to Tom + Deb’s last night), but sad because I miss my tropical paradise + all of my turtle family. I spent the entire last day in the backyard of our house at the beach. I couldn’t bear to be near the computer + had to fully enjoy our most amazing last day of the honeymoon. I will post more pictures of that last day tomorrow!!!! Sniff, sniff.
Sep 17
Oh, It’s Such a Perfect Day
Today was the best day of the honeymoon so far!!!! I finally managed to sleep in, + this is what today mostly consisted of. 
That’s right in our backyard, y’all. I’m sad because I think I had salt spray on my lens, so some of my pictures from today are a little blurry.
We did a good amount of snorkeling + it was like a GOLD MINE OF AQUATIC TREASURES!!!! Although, to our dismay, we realized that instead of my totally radical Japanese flippers that I bought at Waipouli Variety on Kauai, we had mistakenly grabbed flippers that would fit a 7 year old!!!! So, I had to go flipper-less + we swam out FAR, y’all!!!! The coral reefs were like a teeming city of fishies!!!! Like the Chicago World Fair of fish!!!! We saw a ton of humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, the longest word in the Hawaiian language. 
Butterfly fish, dragonets, puffer fish, surgeon fish, yellow tangs, humuhumu’ele’ele, wrasses, etc.!!! As we were swimming around, along the ocean floor I noticed A SHARK slinking about!!!!!!! I was trying to be as non-conspicuous as I could be, “I don’t really see you, mister shark, do you see me???” while making minimal body movements. Jeff was pointing at it + so excited!!! I was thinking, “Be cool!!! Be cool, man!!!’!!! We surfaced + he asked, “What kind of shark do you think that was?”. I replied, “White tip shark”. Well, I’m a regular marine biologist, y’all, because when we got back to the house we did some online research + I was on the money!!!! White tip reef shark!!!! 
Thank god they are non-aggressive. Shark bait. By the way, these underwater pics aren’t ours cuz we don’t have an underwater camera, but you betcha we are going to buy a disposable one tomorrow, after today’s bounty!!!! AAAAAARRR, avast ye yellow liver land lubbers!!!!!
Let’s just say swimming in white capped waters without flippers made we well worn out. The rest of the day we hung out, sunning ourselves with our turtle neighbors munching along beside us. HEAVEN, Y’AAAAAALLLLL!!!
Here’s one face down napping like a champion. 
They get so pooped from eating from the algae buffet + dragging their fat little heavy bellies onto the shore, that once they manage – they just straight pass out. I can feel you, turtle brother. I feel you.
Jeff got antsy, of course + decided to yard work. Let me repeat, yard work on a rental house!!!! This guy doesn’t know the definition of RELAXATION!!!! My god, help me!!!!! 
I was happy where I was, but since mister ants-in-his-pants wanted to go out for sunset, we went to Pu’ukohola Heiau. Built by Kamehameha I, on a prophecy that if he built this temple, he would conquer all the islands. 
And by 1810, he united all the islands of Hawaii.
It’s been the most amazing day together. We are both so sad to see it coming to an end, but we are going to take advantage of this paradise to the end!!!!!!!!!!!
Sep 16
Easy does it…
After our raging dance party, admittedly today was slow goings. Jeff was like a “jamby” – that’s how my mom pronounces “zombie”. Jamby! Jamby!!! We headed inland towards the the largest privately-owned cattle ranch (Parker Ranch) in the US which is located in Waimea (Kamuela). It is said that King Kamehameha III arranged for three Mexican cowboys to come to the Big Island to teach the locals about cattle ranching. Thus, the birth of the Hawaiian paniolos (cowboys)! Viva Mexico!!!!!
I had to take Jeff to one of my all time favorite dives, Hawaiian Style Cafe. 
It is full on diner style cooking with plates heaped full o’ food!!! They are famous for their plate of kahlua hash, two eggs + fried rice – which is what Jeff devoured. Perfect hangover food!!! Just what the doctor ordered!!! 
Note: good thing I did my calisthenics this morning because I am starting to get C-H-U-B-B-Y.
I didn’t really take many pictures of Waimea because we plan to be back for the Paniolo Parade on Saturday! I can’t wait!!! I love a parade!!!!!
If it looks like all we do is eat, well it’s true. We drove east towards the little town of Honoka’a to Tex’s Drive In. Home of the fresh out of the fryer malasada!!! Hot, doughy, sugar coated Portuguese heaven!!! I took a picture like this last year in front of Tex’s when I came with my dad. 
You can get malasadas cream, fruit filled, or plain. I prefer the pure, unadulterated plain malasada. They are really hot + fresh, like pillows!!! http://www.yelp.com/biz/tex-drive-in-honokaa
We drove north west to the artist community of Hawi. Jeff took the Kohala Mountain Road which was windy + rose up high in elevation, making me very nervous + manic due to Jeff’s erratic driving!!!! Thus, no scenic view shots because Jeff was enjoying that while driving, as I was in panic mode keeping my eyes on the road from the passenger seat because somebody else wasn’t!!!!
We slowly meandered around tiny Hawi, browsing the art galleries. Happy hour at historic Bamboo restaurant + gallery. 
Sorry for the non scenic photos today. We are a little worse for the wear. It’s Flashdance that really put us over the edge.
On our way home to Puako Fantasy (our glamorous rental home), we stopped for a refreshing swim at Hapuna Beach, which is the most pristine + swimmable sand beach in the state. 
Deep thoughts…..
Yesterday + today were our first real days of relaxation since being in Hawaii. Hard to believe, I know – but with the wedding + our neurotic, hyperactive personalities we’ve been on the go so much!!! Now that we have our Puako Fantasy home, we are really going to stay put + take advantage of it for the rest of our amazing stay.
There’s my tiny little head swimming in the ocean + this wiry old chappie who was running lap after lap along the beach REALLY fast + spry!!! Stud!!!!
Another muscle competition pose by yours truly.
Wish you were all here.
how's it going, eh? 