The Big Island

In the land of Pele, there lies a magical island called the "Big Island". Besides its enormous land mass, the Big Island is considered as Hawaii's most sacred place to visit. Many legends have described it as a place of refuge and sanctuary during ruling of the Hawaiian gods.

The thing I loved most about the big island is its dynamic of sceneries and climate. You can escape from intense heat from Kona and find yourself in bone chilling temperature up in Mauna Kea. The Saddle Road has many horrifying stories behind it. However, this winding road can offer many secrets of Big Island's hidden valleys and forests. After an exhuasting day of exploring volcano and Hilo Town, we recommend you take a day to truely liberate yourself from the world by driving along the Kohala Coast and circle down to Waimea Town. This beautiful scenic drive offers fantastic ocean views, greenery, rolling hills, and surprising country farms. It was by far my favorite thing to do on the Big Island.

You can find great accomodation by staying at local Bed and Breakfast. We stayed at the Honukai Bed and Breakfast. Wendy, our host offered superb service and amenities along with our room. We truly enjoyed the our nightly conversations with Wendy. She is not just a host, but more like a family member; we felt right at home. You can find more details about this location by visiting www.honukaibnb.com. Tell Wendy Drew and Dana sent you.

Llanerch Vinyard

Besides the wonderful greetings from people, Wales also has beautiful weather during the summer. Although there is not much to do here, you can catch a bus (3 pounds each way) and go to the winery. This was rather an interesting task for my partner Katie and me. We got our way there, but had to hitch-hike on our way back. Thanks to one of its employees, Katie and I arrived back to Cardiff safely. Despite the dangerous road condition (curvey and extremely two-ways narrow), we really loved the site seeing of Wales.

Llanerch Vinyard, home Cariad Wine is located in Pendoylan, about 45 minutes out of Wales' capital, Cardiff. For four pounds you can taste up to 6 wines. My favorite was rose wine. It was absolutely lovely!

Castle-Scotland

"Oh Dearie" as an old Scotish woman may say. This picture is a famous castle that's located in the centre of Edinburg aka "Edinborough" for the locals. The residents are extremely friendly and helpful. Scotland is well known for its beautiful historic catles. The sound of pipe playing is common as you walk through the gardens and sip your tea at local coffee shops. Don't be surprised of men in kilts if you encounter them at the train station. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a large annual event that gathers various dance and military pageantry featuring performers from all across the globe.

English Country Side

The English country side is an amazing site to see when riding the Britain Rail. The rainbow here reminded me of my home in Hawai'i.

When booking your train tickets, be sure to book in the US. GBP can be very expensive when exchange into USD. I booked my four-consecutive days for $168USD at http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm

Edinbourg-Scotland

One thing that stood out in this city is the statue cow. The cows come in different colours and gestures. I actually got on one of these and snaped a photo. This art piece was my favourite painting that I put in my college apartment restroom. The rain represents the shower, and the dancing represents part of me.

When you have an opportunity, take the city tour bus (avoid the mac tour) and round devu your entire day for 10 pounds. My favourite restaurant is "Dirty Dick's", not to mention "BadAss", and "Nastiness". Scottish and their humorous dinning names.

San Gabriel Mountains

Living in the San Gabriel Valley, California for most of my life, I have never been up here. Just right above the city of Monrovia, there's a hiking trail. This trail will lead you to many hidden rivers and look outs. Up here you can view the LA basins with its unpleasant smog line.

Point Reyes Light House

Well known for its foggy climate, Point Reyes Light House is located 45 minutes north of San Francisco. The drive from the Golden Gate Bridge to here is quite curvy. However, the scenery is absolutely pleasant. Cautious for the "Cow Crossing" sign; cows really do cross the streets. Considering it's June, the weather here can still be bitterly cold. Be prepared to hike up some 100-stair-steps as you walk back from the light house.

Private Beach

This hidden sand crab symbolizes the private space of my chaotic relationship, work, and personal issues. A place of serenity, where I can find my peace, quiet, and solitude.

City of Angel

I have a love and hate relationship with this city. Every year, my friend Dana and I visit the L.A. Cathederal for our Christmas mass. It's our annual tradition. You know what I find funny? Most of these people are not even catholic and have no idea what they are doing; that includes Dana.

Giovanni's

How Giovanni got its Italian title here in Hawai'i is still a mystery to me. The look of this trailor is quite deceptive, but don't let it distracts you from trying its best shrimp scampi. Giovanni is well known for its shrimp specialties. My favourite has got to be the shrimp scampi. For $13.95 you can get an entre plate and a drink. Choices include shrimp scampi, butter lemon, or hot chili (very hot, no refund as the sign explicits).

AirTran Boycott

While waiting 3 hours at Dulles for a late plane to arrive, we missed our connection in Atlanta to L.A.. AirTran did not accomodate us with any room, except for a lousy $7.00 meal coupon. In addition, AirTran's customer service was very unfriendly. A customer was told by a representative "If you are talking at me, you are not getting on that plane." Utterly shocked, my friend and I slept at Heartfield Airport on a cold mid-July night.

Embankment

After attending a free 2-hour organ recital at Westminster Abby with a Polish girl, I visited the London Eye. Here you can view the entire city, but can be quite expensive. I decided to get lost a bus instead.

WeHo

Quite a production indeed. Every moment is a theatrical scene. Everyday is a gay pride in West Hollywood.

Ms. K is currently in Montana. While me Brokeback, the cowboy, is in Hawaii. Supper Woman is in London. She's getting married this summer. Blondie is currently working for a cruiseline in Florida. As for Aladdin and the other cast members, we have not heard from them.

The O.C. meets the North Shore

Smog was all that I saw when I was living in Southern California. Hawai'i definately has the most amazing sunsets. This photo was taken near Waimea Beach in the North Shore. You can literally be stranded on the shore alone and enjoy li-hing pineapple and mango slices. Let's not forget about fresh coconuts.

Polynesian Culture Center

I took my parents to experience a culture event while they visited me in Oahu. Here are their complaints: $75 admissin for each person is too much; the luau was not good; certainly not worth my money. Thanks to the unappreciative comments, I thought it was a nice place to visit once.

Puerto Nuevo, Baja California

Surprisingly this was not a Chinese restaurant. It's purely Mexican; look at the plate. For $12 you can get a lobster, drink, rice, and bean. Let's not forget the $2 magaritas.

I can't believe we drove 8 hours only for this dinner. It was a nice drive. Puerto Nuevo (Rosarito) is located about 30 minutes out of Tijuana, Mexico. Wouldn't trust the Cuban Cigars here.

Tragic Kingdom

After working here for three years, I never want to meet another Disney's character again. The magic has been destroyed. Once a guest has asked me "Do you think the parade dancers are gay?" My response was "I think they're pretty happy."

Makaha Farm - Waianae

Our first field trip to Makaha. This is also known as the 909 of Oahu. If you're a southern Californian, you'd know that 909 means "ghetto".

I love N.Y.

N.Y.C is Extremely humid during the summer. I love everything about this city. Traveling out of the city to New Jersey AKA "Armpit of America" is quite a challenge in dealing with traffic. My favorite restaurat was Cuba in SoHo.

Giraffes Mating

Los Angeles Zoo. The children and I got an opportunity to see the giraffes mated. Not quite developmentally appropriate for first graders, but they loved it.

Italian Replica

Las Vegas, Nevada

It's beautiful! The atmosphere of Vegas killed it for me :(

The Bay Area

San Francisco, California

Fisherman's Wharf: one of my favorite places to get fish & chips.

LAX - LHR

8:00PM British Airways flight 268 non-stop service from LAX - LHR landed in London at approximately 4:00P.M. Superb customer service!

New Home

Here lies in the ring of fire is my new home, Hawai'i. This photo was taken from Diamond Head in Waikiki. To get here you must climb several staircases. The hike is not at all dreadful, yet the view is spectacular once you have reached the zenith.