Seoul : Korean Barbecue

Cuando nunca has estado en el Lejano Oriente y la gente te pregunta acerca de la comida Japonesa (o Koreana) pueden pasar dos cosas. O no tienes ni idea, o dices algo como "es mi favorita, me encanta el sushi".

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Oahu : Kalakaua Avenue

Kalakaua Avenue stripes along Waikiki, as the greatest shopping & luxury hub in the middle of Paradise. Waikiki beach on the side, right behind the line of luxury resorts (Hilton and the likes) we find a street where you can buy anything, eat everything & basically… Burn money, big time.

Not only Japanese people, but all of us end up getting some stuff.



It's forbidden to take pictures in the stores, but I guess you get an idea on how the Champs Elysèes of Hawaii look like.

Todo tiene un principio, pero también un final. Aquí termina nuestra aventura en Hawaii! 

Sólo espero que os haya gustado, sorprendido y que si queréis alguna de las fotos a alta calidad - para usarla de fondo de pantalla o similar, nos dejéis un comentario para que os la podamos hacer llegar (^·^)

A partir de ahora, seguiremos con las habituales aventuras from Japan, y algún que otro inciso desde nuestro sitio favorito para comprar - Seoul! Gracias por seguir al otro lado, aunque a veces  haya períodos de sequedad que se prolongan por causas más allá de mi control - es lo que tiene trabajar en Tokyo, pero aún así sigue compensando el seguir aquí, por si alguien se lo pregunta.

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Oahu : Diamond Head

Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu and known to Hawaiians as Le'ahi, most likely from lae 'promontory' plus ʻahi 'tuna' because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin. Its English name was given by British sailors in the 19th century, who mistook calcite crystals embedded in the rock for diamonds.

It's a super easy paved hike that offers awesome views of Waikiki and one or two surprises...

The crazy fact is that the Diamond's heart was turned into Fort Ruger, the first United States military reservation on Hawaii. So the path ends where the bunker starts.

After a small climb through the rock, we get to see a picture-perfect overview of Oahu.





And of course, Waikiki beach.



Back in the bunker, we imagine how it was… The day of the Pearl Harbor air raid.



Creepy stairs, on the way down. Probably people died in there… Better not to think about it.



To reach Diamond Head, take TheBus number 22 or 23 from Waikiki.

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Hawaii : Waikiki Beach

Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikiki was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Known in Hawaiian as "spouting waters", Waikiki was introduced to the world when its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901.

Those of you who followed through our adventure in Hawaii, will remember Duke Kahanamoku, aka the father of surf. He grew up surfing the waves of Waikiki and actually taught visitors how to surf at the turn of the century . Today, the Waikiki Beach Boys perpetuate Duke’s legacy by teaching visitors how to surf and canoe and the Duke Kahanamoku Statue has become an iconic symbol of Waikiki.

You can surf, swim, snorkel, stand-up paddle & find amazing things - like green sea turtles!





Obviously, there is sun too. In Xmas time, what could be beat a Santa Serenata?



Meanwhile, peep at Diamond Head and wonder about his concrete heart. What's hiding inside?



Nope, it isn't cushions!




Yeah. It happens to be one of those places you don't wanna leave.

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Oahu : Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is a lagoon harbor, west of Honolulu. Much of it's a US Navy deep-water naval base, which serves as headquarters of the US Pacific Fleet too. The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan at 7:20AM on Sunday, December 7, 1941 brought the United States into World War II.

The most amazing (and destructive) details of the attack remain unseen, even after watching the movie. While Americans looked down on Japan, essentially laughing at anyone speaking of them as potential enemy, they proved themselves smarter, excellent, organized and patient:

- They optimized their torpedos, so they would work even in shallow harbor waters.

- Their wooden fins made torpedos to smoothly flow in the sea after being dropped by a plane.

- They came up with a completely refurbished boat design, to carry planes to Hawaiian waters

- They created radio confusion, silence and noise, till it was too late.

They hit once, where it hurt the most. So I recommend you, after reading this, to go ahead and watch Pearl Harbor again. Focus on the details, on the dialogues, on the risk assessments and their ignorance by high management. There's war out there today, in the shape of the economical downturn.

War teaches us all, how to be more aware, identify risks, opportunities & act accordingly.

There are two memorials, for the boats that sunk during the bombing & became floating tomb for thousands of marines who simply didn't have time to exit the boat before it was too late.



It's not occasional. Hawaii has the rainbow plate for a good reason!

A rainbow is only visible when the sun is low in the sky, the viewer has his back to the sun, and there are water droplets in the air in front. Often, the most ideal conditions are a brief rain shower followed by sunlight. In most of the World, it is during the spring season that rainbows might be seen right after short lasting rain showers. But in Hawaii, the geography is filled with windward mountains that produce daily, brief rain showers. Together with the Tropical Sun, the equation brings an obvious result : Rainbow!!

After smiling at the cute sky that made the submarine fire rainbows… I went into heavy duties!

It was soon time to leave back to Waikiki - in the Oahu Public Bus - and find some dinner at Ala Moana, one of the biggest shopping malls in the world. It's like a huge village of luxury, where Japanese go CRAZY over luxury branded goods.

That's actually the worst about Waikiki. It's ALL ABOUT shopping! They have a trolley bus going around the shopping malls - it's called the PINK LINE.

If you ask me, this is the most ridiculous thing ever. Seriously, do you get into a plane (that costs over 1000€) just to shop luxury in a Pacific Island? The dollar is oh-not-so-cheap-anymore anyway, but if you like shopping… This is the place to be. Waikiki is all about having 1 big beach where you can bath, surf & even see some sea turtle (we got to Stand-Up Paddle with one) if you ever get tired of shopping in those hundred-thousand shopping malls.

Luckily, shopping mall means also restaurants all over the place & even… Salad buffé with my favourite-from-now-on dried blueberries on the greens.

Some beer for my baby.



Some grilled fish for me.



Loco-moco [recipe] the local staple, crazy explosion of calories consisting of:
- Rice
- Fried Egg
- Brown Gravy
- Hamburger

There are many people who claim to have invented Loco Moco, but it is generally agreed that around 1949, either the Cafe 100 or the Lincoln Grill (both in Hilo, Hawaii) originated the first dish of Loco Moco.

The dish was created for teenagers who wanted something different from typical American sandwiches and less time-consuming than Asian food to eat for breakfast. The nickname of the first boy to eat this concoction was Loco (crazy in Portuguese and Hawaiian pidgin). Moco rhymed with loco and sounded great, so Loco Moco became the name of the dish.

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Hawaii : Wailoa River State Park, Hilo

The heart of Hilo was devastated twice by tsunamis, so the areas nearby the shore are mainly inhabited and replaced by this beautiful park (built in the former Japanese neighborhood, sadly devastated by the tsunami in 1960).

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Hawaii : Vanilla Company

Hawaiian Vanilla Company is the fancy name of a family-owned farm growing some of the best beans in the world. Besides from being the most amazing perfume ever, vanilla is a great spice, not only because of its flavor but also due to its ability to blend other essences into a balanced concoction.

The Hawaiian Vanilla Co. holds the distinction of being the only commercial vanilla farm in the United States.

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Hawaii : Filthy Farmgirl of Puna

En España, los domingos se va al rastro.
En Puna, los domingos se va al Maku'u Craft & Farmer's Market.

Puna's Maku'u Crafts & Farmers Market is a major Sunday attraction, where an open space turns into a hippy town of organic fruit, physic channeling, orchids, jewelry, sarongs & home-grown cosmetic treats.

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Hawaii : Volcano's Secrets

Aloha Crater Lodge is a hidden spot in the middle of the jungle. Think of old style kistch and 50's classics playing non-stop on the TV, big bathtub, just P·E·R·F·E·C·T after a long day hiking.

I'm sure my friend Yoko would love this decoration, colorful & cozy. Natural but thought-thru is really welcoming when you get there, the nights get chilly in the Mountain so the portable heater comes in handy (not to mention the bananas, the home-made granola & fresh milk waiting at the fridge). One bottle of wine was missing and I would have just moved there.

So after a great breakfast, amid the rainy jungle, we got the owner to take us a secret lava tube.

Here, with the helmets. NOTE : Mine is actually leopard print.





Hiking, to the entrance of the cave.



Climbing down, along scary stairs.



This had not been planned in advance. Hence my completely inappropriate attire.

The Hawaii’s Kazamura Cave is the world’s longest lava tube with 65.5 km of passages mapped.

It was created round 700 years ago by an especially large and long-lasting eruption of Kilauea volcano. The cave is a showcase of lava formations and flow features. This cave pierces the underground from one side to another. We just walked along a 2km and believe me, it turned out to be pretty TOUGH. Complete darkness, rugged rocks. I got something under my skin and a jagged ankle - as usual - but it was well worth the effort.

Cool colors & moss that doesn't even need light to grow.



For once, a picture with both of us! Yes. I was a bit traumatized - but as most of you know I am kind of a claustrophobic person.

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Hawaii : Dining & staying in Hilo

Hilo is the second largest city in the Big Island of Hawaii. It is located on the East side of the Island (which is the biggest of the chain, as shown in the Heineken neon below). It's rainy, it's exposed to tragedy (was devastated by tsunamis in 1946 and 1960) but also keeps the charm of a hippy paradise. 

In Hilo, we stayed at Hilltop Legacy Inn and we LOVED it. It's essentially the most beautiful lodge, with a magic garden, cute cats & fresh papaya served in fine porcelain for breakfast. Free WiFi, free parking, calm nights and the nicest host ever (Jay). 

Lucky us, we found an offer for the Legacy Suite. Check Jay's gallery (it's worth it).

Locals outnumber you, diners are less fuss & more of a great deal. See below, one of the best burgers & beer that Enrique tried in the islands.

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