R. is crazy about sugar cane. On our way out of Maui, driving to the airport, we passed a sugar cane truck. Not just content with chilled raw cane sticks, R. decided to go for sugar cane juice as well. Sugar high to follow.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Just Cane Crazy
R. is crazy about sugar cane. On our way out of Maui, driving to the airport, we passed a sugar cane truck. Not just content with chilled raw cane sticks, R. decided to go for sugar cane juice as well. Sugar high to follow.
Maui wowie
We had a few days to ourselves in Maui, my primary objective was to properly get R. into the water for some snorkelling.
We stayed on Kāʻanapali Beach, near Lahaina, but headed southeast for a snorkelling trip to Turtle Bay, where R. made the international open water signal for "shark behind you." What she meant to say was that I was being investigated by turtles. From there, we went to Molokini, a submerged volcano with a reef in the caldera. I was following behind a shark when I noticed that all of my skin was suddenly on fire. Jellyfish. I quickly made it back to the boat, where I was informed that there are two ways to quell the pain. Good thing they had the vinegar, 'cause I didn't fancy being peed on.
Very early the next morning, we drove out to the base of Mt. Haleakala to join a sunrise biking tour. After the tropical weather down below, it was shockingly cold as we waited for the sun to come up.
But come up it did, and it soon warmed up. Time to jump on the bikes and hurtle downhill.
A great thing about the outfit we were with is that they allowed us to go at our own speed - many tours make sure you stay together, slowly. Not us, we enjoyed hurtling down the mountain!
Fire on the Plains. Not what Shohei Ooka had in mind...
The rare Haleakala Silversword.
We spent a full day driving around the island, first east on the Highway to Hana, checking out beaches and waterfalls, and picking fresh guava along the way. After Hana, we continued on the south side of the island, on the Piilani Highway.
We saw a sign advertising fruitshakes. Hadn't noted the DIY aspect.
Finally, the dirt roads ended and this is literally the first building we saw - Tedeschi Vineyards - makers of pineapple wine. Well, we checked out the tasting room, but, well, let's just say we didn't buy any to take home.
Obligatory "tropical" drink, with umbrella. Fitting farewell.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Oahu
Started out heading east from Waikiki, following the coast.
Spent a lot of time hopping along North Shore beaches, watching the surfers here at Waimea Bay, trying to coax R. into the calmer waters for snorkelling. At one point, we even ventured out into shin-deep waters. Living on the edge!
Cool looking waves.
The Banzai Pipeline was looking pretty rough.
It seems in Hawai'i, it is de rigeur to see the pineapples. Lots, and lots, and lots of pineapples.
Saturday, May 29, 2004
From Oxford to Vienna
Spent the last couple of weeks in Europe. First, to Oxford for graduation - co-ordinated nicely so as to graduate with two great friends (at Oxford, one chooses the date for their own graduation ceremony.) My parents came over for the event, and my grandmother happened to be in the UK as well, so it was a nice occasion to spend a few days in the UK. Here, with my friends, parents, and our favorite Oriel Porter, D.Y..
Doctored photo.
After graduation, my parents joined R. and I for a quick continental visit - my mother's first time to France and Austria. First, by Eurostar to Paris. R. and I stayed with my buddy and former labmate R., shared many drinks, a water pipe or two, hit up Hôtel Costes and the Buddha Bar,and managed to excise him from work one day for lunch.
From Paris, we took the sleeper to Vienna. Looking at this picture, we wonder if the amazing O. built all of this, with the exception of this faulty park bench.
From Vienna, on to Linz to visit the M.'s, R.'s parents - a must stop for me, and a first time meeting for my parents.
R. had expressed an interest in seeing some glass-blowing, so Herr M. arranged for us to visit his friend O., formerly a fiber optics technician, now glass artist and consummate DIY man - needed a house. Built it himself. Needed fuel for the house, didn't want to have to rely on imported oil, nevermind OPEC's meetings in Vienna. Started cultivating his own biomass (whatever he wasn't using for his own bread and beer needs). This is a man who felt regret that he wasn't able to pass the engineering examination. Awesome guy.
Oh, and O. needed a wine cellar. Built it himself. Using Hapsburg era bricks and a natural cooling system taking advantage of his house's particular positioning on a hillside. Needed some wine glasses. Made them himself. Wanted to be able to taste the grapes along with the wine. Set up his own trellises. Great taste in wine O. has too... mostly Austrian. Watch out Chuck Norris.
From Linz, my parents' returned to the U.S. R. and I. spent a couple more days in Austria, then onto Bratislava in Slovakia (Slovakian Tokaji, anyone?), London again, and then home. Tremendous!
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