tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-209747242024-03-05T12:47:28.375+08:00Wherever Life Takes Me"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." - Ansel AdamsTMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-75792863037932855012017-01-28T19:37:00.002+08:002017-01-28T19:38:28.100+08:00Celebrating Multiple New Years<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you celebrate multiple new years in a year? I'm not talking about crossing the new year in two different time zones, but crossing the new year in different cultures or calendars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Crossing the new year in two different time zones is very much doable, and there are dozens of articles which talk about that from crossing a time zone border or even the international date line. And even at any time of the year, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am often excited when I take a trip from Asia to America via the Pacific Ocean, because I get to gain some hours due to the time zone difference. I can leave my house in the morning, take a 9-12 hour flight and still arrive in America that same morning and sometimes, even earlier. In a world where time passes by so quickly, it is a rare treat to gain some hours in a day and that is something that a lot of people would cherish to have.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But there is another way to celebrate multiple new years, especially if you are multi cultural. It could get confusing! So here goes a funny wishful thought. Imagine, you don't just gain hours, you gain days, weeks and even months. And I</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> often wondered whether being able to celebrate multiple new years, you get second chances to do what you need to do before a year ends! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Theoretically speaking, we gain some time in a year when we would be able to experience New Year again months or so after much of the world have crossed it on January 1st on the Gregorian Calendar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So here's an example using the Chinese New Year. Most Chinese believe that these things need to be accomplished before or on New Years Day:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- clean the house before the New Year comes to avoid cleaning out good luck on the 1st day of the year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- pay off debts before the New Year comes to avoid debts in the new year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- have a haircut before the New Year comes to avoid cutting off good luck on the 1st day of the year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- wear red </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- have 12 round fruits around the kitchen to bring good fortune for the next 12 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- eat noodles for long life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- have a trouble-free first day of the year to enjoy a trouble-free year ahead</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- start your new year's resolution</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- set off firecrackers to ward off the evil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So if you forget to pay off debts for example or did not make a new year's resolution, before January 1st of the Gregorian calendar, do you get a second chance to pay off your debts and start off a new resolution before the first day of the lunar calendar? Or are you just fooling yourself? Hahaha! I guess at the end of the day, we get to do both and we need to double our efforts too. But best of all, we also get to double our blessings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the last 2 years, I've celebrated many new years, not just on different calendars but also with different cultures and time zones. Year 2015, we ended the year with a bang and crossed the New Year' in Barcelona, Spain. While some traditions sounded familiar to us, one particular special highlight that I've never experienced was the eating of the 12 grapes right when the clock strikes 12 to welcome the New Year, one for each of the first 12 seconds of the new year as a bell dongs in the background. Each grape represents good luck for every month of the new year as long as you swallow everything after the 12th dong, haha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Year 2016 Chinese New Year in February, I get to celebrate back home where we would gather as a family to have dinner together. Nothing fancy, but as fellow foodies, we would enjoy the bonding and camaraderie of eating together happily and everyone in lively red to cross the New Year. Back home, we see some fireworks across the city with many of the people warding off evil spirits as we cross the New Year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At the end of Year 2016, we spent the last few days in yet another country, in Japan. While the Spanish New Year was busy and lively, the Japanese New Year was a tad quieter. We visited a temple as most locals did and offered our thanksgiving and prayers for a quiet and trouble-free new year. We were too tired though to stay up for midnight to hear the bells ringing for 108 times which symbolizes getting rid of the 108 worldly desires.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back home for Chinese New Year today, we once again celebrated foodie-style with a dinner with family. Ironically, we would have a Japanese dinner instead of a Chinese one and that's because that's the favorite cuisine we all enjoy. We also knew that for most Chinese restaurants, the head chefs are usually out for this very important holiday as well and thus, may not be the best time to go for top quality Chinese food. Besides, we would not want to miss having Japanese buckwheat soba noodles for long life. While I missed the often spectacular New Year fireworks show for two years now, I got a chance to see a great show just out from my balcony. This year's Chinese New Year fireworks were more intense and while I enjoy a quiet time in my own balcony with the cool breeze blowing on my face, the dark sky was lit up quite nicely and I could feel the glow around me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Such a great way to start another year!</span></div>
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TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-47187803887202874632016-04-07T13:09:00.001+08:002023-04-05T12:33:52.820+08:00Chasing the Aurora<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“The more you go with the flow of life and surrender the outcome to God,</i></i><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></i><br />
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<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><i>and the less you seek constant clarity,</i></i></i><br />
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<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><i>the more you will find that fabulous things start to show up in your life.”</i></i></i><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i><i>- Mandy Hale</i></i></span></div>
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</i><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqPEj2pWeYFLt6rY1y8IgNC6SuEKwa1tGx2H1gnZE_TLyfnGdPJNlBMAcOGWXVifVbamOHmF5cIn8BZQ09Sh37xCotFKiv3oypaq63DJ1G-lQk17aupocT1U3syuKD1rw3z4-Jg/s1600/DSC_0555_2.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqPEj2pWeYFLt6rY1y8IgNC6SuEKwa1tGx2H1gnZE_TLyfnGdPJNlBMAcOGWXVifVbamOHmF5cIn8BZQ09Sh37xCotFKiv3oypaq63DJ1G-lQk17aupocT1U3syuKD1rw3z4-Jg/s640/DSC_0555_2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />All I can say is that I feel very blessed. At the end of the day, this is not about seeing the Aurora Borealis or not, but the moment was made meaningful because of the way everything fell into place. We asked to see the lights, then we felt disappointed when nature wasn't on our side, and when everything seemed hopeless and impossible, we tried our best to just surrender and accept! We thought to ourselves maybe this is just not meant to be. But just as we got to the end of the line, God surprised us and moved mountains! He orchestrated with the universe to make the impossible possible! What an amazing feeling and I feel very grateful for what this moment has taught us. Let this be a great reminder that sometimes, we just need to surrender to God and never lose faith when coping with challenges or impossible situations in our daily lives! If it is meant for us, God will always make a way to give us His blessing. If not, then we just have to trust that it is the best thing for us.</span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It was a dream of my niece to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) before the solar activity cycle dips low for a decade which means less chance of seeing it for the next 10 years. As we planned this trip, we organized it in such a way to allow multiple opportunities for us to chase/hunt the Aurora. We knew there is no guarantee to see it, so we also planned for other activities and experiences that would make the trip worthwhile even if we don’t get to see the lights. But of course, we were hopeful and excited. Unfortunately, it snowed and rained and the skies got too cloudy day in and day out. Nature was just not on our side! I have to admit that deep inside, it was frustrating and disappointing but we also knew the odds. I also knew how much my niece wanted to see it, and the yearning increases as the days go by. In the meantime, we pushed ourselves to enjoy the other parts of our journey which took us from Interior Alaska up north to the Arctic Circle, and enjoyed every new and exciting adventure we encountered from dog mushing, to snowshoeing in the snowy forest, to riding the old and last Alaska Railroad flagstop train and staying in a small town that had only one main street, to visiting Santa in the North Pole, and to driving far north along the only road to the Arctic. It was really a great adventure.</span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Then it came almost time to end our trip, and still no sign of the lights! In the midst of enjoying our activities, we couldn't help check the forecast every night. The only possibility now would be to see the lights from the air which was rare. We couldn’t help but to remain hopeful. We even contemplated on extending our trip for a day, if only the probabilities to see the Aurora were higher, but weather predictions still proved otherwise. So we headed our way into the airport to head home!<br /><br />An hour prior to boarding, we received surprising news that despite the cloudy forecast, the lights were visible, albeit faint! As much as we wanted to abandon ship and get out of the airport at that instant, it was already past midnight, and there is only a tiny window of dark skies left in the night. We may not get to see it anyways as it will be too late by the time we head out to the viewing areas and visibility was unstable.</span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Then 30 minutes prior to boarding, there was an unexpected turn of events, a previous days volcanic eruption had caused flights to be cancelled the previous nights and thus an overflow of passengers from this small airport caused passenger bump offs on the current flights. The agent called us up to the counter and informed us that they could rebook our flights for the next day and give us a hotel to stay in for the night. I thought to myself that this was a sign. We had a good feeling but everything was hanging on a very fine thread, and we were afraid to shake it. It’s 1 am, only about 2 hours left to see the lights! We “tried” to remain calm and let the course of the situation just flow. Keeping our cool, we waited for the agent to process the airline paperwork and take out our bags (actually more importantly my winter gear and tripod :-)) and it seemed like the longest 15-20 minutes. We then headed to the hotel to get checked in and to drop off our things.</span></div>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">At this time, it was about 1:30am and we had no idea where to go and how. Again, just as everything was already working on our side for us, our hotel found us a taxi/tour guide nearby who happened to be off that night and was willing to bring us out to chase the lights, despite the last minute notice and having to be woken up in the middle of the night. Another couple from Australia who was also bumped off was at the right place and the right time, and they were able to join us on the chase, and we got to meet new friends too in the process. 10 minutes drive out into a dark road, we started to see very faint shapes that looked more like thick cloud formations to the naked eye. We continued on for another 5 minutes then as we stopped, the intensity grew and the green colors came out. I took a shot with my camera and was amazed, apparently the camera is able to see better than the naked eye esp when the lights are faint. I was simply awestruck and speechless! I didn't care that my photo was a bit blurry, all I cared about was the beauty it captured. The lights began to form shape and become more visible and when the lights started to dance, I figured I didn’t want to miss this moment and opted to set aside my camera for a few minutes and see them with my own eyes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu66P_MGYE5rT4kWwNb0BrAw1S2R4Lvn96T1Mey3zLvyQ3H3PdtxDp95tPKKh-5R6BDbySqY9rrBrfCUWxgWz47qlTfhWcKn1R_3a7O8UCOu096q8mmvDmZiyofqc7zJU2l3zMAQ/s1600/DSC_0532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu66P_MGYE5rT4kWwNb0BrAw1S2R4Lvn96T1Mey3zLvyQ3H3PdtxDp95tPKKh-5R6BDbySqY9rrBrfCUWxgWz47qlTfhWcKn1R_3a7O8UCOu096q8mmvDmZiyofqc7zJU2l3zMAQ/s640/DSC_0532.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Shot</td></tr>
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Barely warming our feet on the ground, we got back on our van and drove a bit to another area and got a wider view, and as we drove, the lights continued to float gracefully through the sky, just like it was following us alongside the road. Or rather, we were chasing it as it dances away. We stopped again in the middle of the road and the lights became more intense, covering more of the sky and a faint purple color also appeared. Now we could hear ourselves utter the ooohs and aahhs. Then again, barely a few minutes after, we had to leave again. As we hopped on the van, we said to each other, "so, this is what it feels like to chase the lights!" It was exciting!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZ3C1Pq6KO9kjC2Na-M2dwe0N0uspQFFfCjKgx3_EEp1xVjJI4NXUrc1SEikGog26q1Y7-iCZGs9swZIKSfrr_B3RnczrQrqvDuAgZbmO6DeT5L6hAIsIqYg01lK-e3_JkAkpjA/s1600/DSC_0539.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZ3C1Pq6KO9kjC2Na-M2dwe0N0uspQFFfCjKgx3_EEp1xVjJI4NXUrc1SEikGog26q1Y7-iCZGs9swZIKSfrr_B3RnczrQrqvDuAgZbmO6DeT5L6hAIsIqYg01lK-e3_JkAkpjA/s640/DSC_0539.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5qyMKTUUkMfEaktNgDvChYLH-tAH6vAitp2cvpJ8StJtGqF_dYZF8PUrNmt3iRNcc2Vq-mXRPckIhcgY5PppCq8S1uZ7fjXkHoW93UbJXkLTDYk6_fw_HfoSJyV-jcMCQXm3Ow/s1600/DSC_0541.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5qyMKTUUkMfEaktNgDvChYLH-tAH6vAitp2cvpJ8StJtGqF_dYZF8PUrNmt3iRNcc2Vq-mXRPckIhcgY5PppCq8S1uZ7fjXkHoW93UbJXkLTDYk6_fw_HfoSJyV-jcMCQXm3Ow/s640/DSC_0541.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Finally we drove out further on a very dark road towards Denali for about 15 minutes and stopped by a big open snowy area. According to our guide, this is the area where it would normally climax and show more activity. We stayed for almost 20-30 minutes there, and we managed to get some shots, and some selfies too. The lights would weaken a bit, then reappear, then at about 3:00am, it slowly went to sleep.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGVBP-I4nhc7OhOWYuQ1KCQtBPF0S6SpqS7Yhjdr9anWkf2KhSM8VtBzqmwRfdwhkgQ39ALPn_UhFOIuOysChFXQaHgRYs2EK8ZwRakmkoL1gMWzAuks6CCDp4W1YvlX-Kd4tew/s1600/DSC_0565.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGVBP-I4nhc7OhOWYuQ1KCQtBPF0S6SpqS7Yhjdr9anWkf2KhSM8VtBzqmwRfdwhkgQ39ALPn_UhFOIuOysChFXQaHgRYs2EK8ZwRakmkoL1gMWzAuks6CCDp4W1YvlX-Kd4tew/s640/DSC_0565.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dqb-nVvQ-L02mEryb27M_wfR9vxfcybKejVXXcZBkz0-nc1Nks3jKgWooF3DPbZ_Op8HAuoCWbkGrVLJChi2AA3VkEDQ4l9s_9DMlUEcuPZc9QqTung7kUDyjjtZC4owN813fA/s1600/DSC_0568.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dqb-nVvQ-L02mEryb27M_wfR9vxfcybKejVXXcZBkz0-nc1Nks3jKgWooF3DPbZ_Op8HAuoCWbkGrVLJChi2AA3VkEDQ4l9s_9DMlUEcuPZc9QqTung7kUDyjjtZC4owN813fA/s640/DSC_0568.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>“Surrender to what is, let go of what was, have faith in what will be!</i></span></div>
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<br /><br />It was an awesome experience, and that tiny one hour window of opportunity made up for everything, for every wait, for every disappointment, for every hopeless thought, and even the challenges that we encountered later in the journey home. We are grateful and humbled!</span><br />
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TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-46562531995306145102014-10-19T15:04:00.000+08:002014-11-30T15:41:22.603+08:00Shop and Eat Seoul Part 2: Insadong and Lotte Mart<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Insadong was our last stop for shopping. This time, we didn't have any specific items to buy, but it was nice to stroll around this area for unique specialty items, usually from local crafters and galleries. I managed to find three special items from here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We visited Insadong on a Monday afternoon, just before sending off one of our travel buddies. We took the subway train from Seoul Station to Anguk Station and took Exit #6, walked the street and joined the subway again on the station before Anguk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The street gives you a bit of the local but modern culture as products sold here are either new creative crafts or art from street galleries. Souvenirs of course are abundant here, but people are most amazed with the unique finds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I myself got a miniature set of Korean sochu and beer bottles since I love to collect miniature items. I also found those cute socks whose design cuts across both sock. I got a fat penguin design and a Paul Frank monkey design. At Samziegil, I got myself a personalized casual bracelet made of unique charms like camera, padlock, watch, etc - a little bit like the Pandora style bracelets.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8HAudMplnavnnZQ5LXR5SlGFuQEqAzo6dAkVK1RHFeqJApXrFsWgdApTQsXzt7JsZG8zsRXHIwOZEC-ze0PMdZ1S710c0ySd8QbAwtpKbQxxGI19n-1u7IW5wgAmGzWrIUtW9Q/s1600/P1180351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8HAudMplnavnnZQ5LXR5SlGFuQEqAzo6dAkVK1RHFeqJApXrFsWgdApTQsXzt7JsZG8zsRXHIwOZEC-ze0PMdZ1S710c0ySd8QbAwtpKbQxxGI19n-1u7IW5wgAmGzWrIUtW9Q/s1600/P1180351.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very nice quaint little shops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq_bpan8ZXqwkhQPmQt7PNwkSC1hzfsB-oeApGzip0YC-PnNu47rgsegyXUAOej2wKVTJ7jMy64XT-7_l7Z9hPxJ5TuuNPa7FI0MON6JDY0s073sDUH8lJ_hzo0fe6GnSvhgWDg/s1600/P1180354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq_bpan8ZXqwkhQPmQt7PNwkSC1hzfsB-oeApGzip0YC-PnNu47rgsegyXUAOej2wKVTJ7jMy64XT-7_l7Z9hPxJ5TuuNPa7FI0MON6JDY0s073sDUH8lJ_hzo0fe6GnSvhgWDg/s1600/P1180354.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caricature Drawing Booth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUEoAJE6BVC8zh5h5qWzCB9IhAPyj95N_u6qjI5uvONPRUE-Iei3mB3TSxueqbiXQanC2RBjq1p7r6D7PRluJi6fS3rmO-ONZn3jq6yUwKxZuyKM_EYfa25DzxFQ5rWEniT_BIQ/s1600/P1180355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUEoAJE6BVC8zh5h5qWzCB9IhAPyj95N_u6qjI5uvONPRUE-Iei3mB3TSxueqbiXQanC2RBjq1p7r6D7PRluJi6fS3rmO-ONZn3jq6yUwKxZuyKM_EYfa25DzxFQ5rWEniT_BIQ/s1600/P1180355.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recycling ;-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JURse9XR1kqThjTbmCmQdGBVwkhgWFieWVjHMN_m_sEwdyQILHbH5w7hxLmz5zmdycSD67WWVXWmznZtSOkesoHVJiVBiFJhK5IHkwDGNVgOJ5aUNLFw2ci90NV38RQqVEp-BA/s1600/P1180356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JURse9XR1kqThjTbmCmQdGBVwkhgWFieWVjHMN_m_sEwdyQILHbH5w7hxLmz5zmdycSD67WWVXWmznZtSOkesoHVJiVBiFJhK5IHkwDGNVgOJ5aUNLFw2ci90NV38RQqVEp-BA/s1600/P1180356.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like S__t!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3Bt0uPcJrKHJ-wFauo-Z-L-IT7SVFzMh5uCWgErqJANOBMB1ZP61CHNUd-xYlzOujVPd-797gTkcYE8yoVIhE3-LcO8_aBu7BTejebGYisbqJWHaaP7wgaBBmkbx6Oa7pvD-1w/s1600/P1180358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3Bt0uPcJrKHJ-wFauo-Z-L-IT7SVFzMh5uCWgErqJANOBMB1ZP61CHNUd-xYlzOujVPd-797gTkcYE8yoVIhE3-LcO8_aBu7BTejebGYisbqJWHaaP7wgaBBmkbx6Oa7pvD-1w/s1600/P1180358.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like the love padlocks are now out of date</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9k6aJqHbcOCumWi7swkC5msYTQ_YG8HsLm02CldbNNQyZS_ag5VhwLS-McG1JcGSNgSQbfnsyafeOMIiiYlG6TAKrys4hDBRqfWeBKZVdUW_aGoPSa9e8x4mGnYXQAdPs2AqPg/s1600/P1180363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9k6aJqHbcOCumWi7swkC5msYTQ_YG8HsLm02CldbNNQyZS_ag5VhwLS-McG1JcGSNgSQbfnsyafeOMIiiYlG6TAKrys4hDBRqfWeBKZVdUW_aGoPSa9e8x4mGnYXQAdPs2AqPg/s1600/P1180363.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside is a small cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpRYcQnUb-S_FraZHfr1tz2626LHrdK_o7nfREFdd7dzZzewntwMJI8XlbLqVcjkc52Mt5wfV-HBHJtUnYtjLLI1fHC8-r41XUX25x6DX2xEkTVQ58gSXy65eRP9GxxioEzsz5w/s1600/P1180367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpRYcQnUb-S_FraZHfr1tz2626LHrdK_o7nfREFdd7dzZzewntwMJI8XlbLqVcjkc52Mt5wfV-HBHJtUnYtjLLI1fHC8-r41XUX25x6DX2xEkTVQ58gSXy65eRP9GxxioEzsz5w/s1600/P1180367.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNr-QHu1hva4leTh589AOw5bmV52dgiRb1Qs7_yBsFU4moZQDE3LSH1i3Qa3tkWhGMV9Bex-5RVko96XLhMHIgE2fUQu3cIpHyMYaKQWSySF63w9T5nn1H67jTzSorDXAY9Xsug/s1600/P1180374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNr-QHu1hva4leTh589AOw5bmV52dgiRb1Qs7_yBsFU4moZQDE3LSH1i3Qa3tkWhGMV9Bex-5RVko96XLhMHIgE2fUQu3cIpHyMYaKQWSySF63w9T5nn1H67jTzSorDXAY9Xsug/s1600/P1180374.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samziegil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MvE4f6u3IUexXnPPsAeOGqrWTAzPBwPi-xtDTr60mcby0SsNCgbD9LCS2SflQcyWu8dm5tjNJ2LfJf4Ec7-UzktEeEbdGKmczR8fS4eszMBknrc_QnhC4WIlEDchY6epGdYyZg/s1600/P1180385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MvE4f6u3IUexXnPPsAeOGqrWTAzPBwPi-xtDTr60mcby0SsNCgbD9LCS2SflQcyWu8dm5tjNJ2LfJf4Ec7-UzktEeEbdGKmczR8fS4eszMBknrc_QnhC4WIlEDchY6epGdYyZg/s1600/P1180385.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Chinese Writing Brushes</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgnQeDoizhlwA19iuqYigSHxpiXN8TG20GXIswXGCQU-2B2EK8gceXq0WNokyeeFxyJ8CrBYahjEvmZYc9UNU6pqiWFTVwcUW_xbulEpv0kRqE-GxKCmnhoDxAcXenhvkcyEl8Q/s1600/P1180386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgnQeDoizhlwA19iuqYigSHxpiXN8TG20GXIswXGCQU-2B2EK8gceXq0WNokyeeFxyJ8CrBYahjEvmZYc9UNU6pqiWFTVwcUW_xbulEpv0kRqE-GxKCmnhoDxAcXenhvkcyEl8Q/s1600/P1180386.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream in a J-shaped cone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream in a J-shaped cone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alive Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcyDTRYxJCTcyOa5mQV5JQmsVKhfIksDmG-UatVyu_EXmtsgqkaSUjRCni5KTwEcsNhXr7vwau2AbITckcpduGfFn2GmrzAOjG67eGH4SuyM8gMovcA-f9E2LN-V3zY_d8as32Q/s1600/P1180395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcyDTRYxJCTcyOa5mQV5JQmsVKhfIksDmG-UatVyu_EXmtsgqkaSUjRCni5KTwEcsNhXr7vwau2AbITckcpduGfFn2GmrzAOjG67eGH4SuyM8gMovcA-f9E2LN-V3zY_d8as32Q/s1600/P1180395.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alive Museum</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4pxrEK-ePY0W4QbtPPHCrsvSfqoL4UB9liTFvaTmd7KHl3kUDO1-JJ6Cc8e4yRH-y7KTTELPKYCOuNwMRmDBSsiClsjnRlpq-8Q6BG1VapSdC2hDiF_Uw_eIuhT7eTTiWJMv0g/s1600/P1180392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4pxrEK-ePY0W4QbtPPHCrsvSfqoL4UB9liTFvaTmd7KHl3kUDO1-JJ6Cc8e4yRH-y7KTTELPKYCOuNwMRmDBSsiClsjnRlpq-8Q6BG1VapSdC2hDiF_Uw_eIuhT7eTTiWJMv0g/s1600/P1180392.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then headed back to the Seoul Station and walked around Lotte Outlets and Lotte Mart. Lotte Outlets were okay but I didn't need any of the products, most branded sports items. I love Lotte Mart on the other hand, it's like a giant Daiso and supermarket all in one. Well, it had a Daiso inside as one of the departments, a big cosmetics area, and a supermarket. I got some seaweed snacks and Korean noodle soup packs, and an interesting sample of new products to bring home like Iris Cookies and Cream White bits, chocolate covered Sunflower Seeds, rice rolls with spicy sauce so that I can control the spice (I'm sure the street version is better but I'm can't take too much heat ;-) so at least with this I can control it) and black sesame filled chocolates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read about our other shop and eat experience in <a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/10/shop-and-eat-seoul-part-1-myeongdong.html" target="_blank">Shop and Eat Seoul Part 1: Myeongdong</a></span><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/10/shop-and-eat-seoul-part-1-myeongdong.html" target="_blank"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-48099799821781746412014-10-19T15:03:00.000+08:002014-11-30T15:41:56.858+08:00Shop and Eat Seoul Part 1: Myeongdong<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visiting the local shopping streets and markets versus large department stores and malls, is something that I love to do when I travel. This time though, I didn't have too much time to visit a traditional local market, so I headed to the shopping districts where they at least had individual stores.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seoul has several popular places to go to for foreign visitors. Itaewon, Dongdaemun, Namdaemun, Myeongdong, Insadong are at least the most common ones. When I visited Seoul the first time, we had visited Itaewon, which is a global fashion and food mecca. But I wanted to see what Korea has to offer. So this time, my friend brought me to Myeongdong, which offers a balance of mid to high priced global and local brands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the atmosphere at Myeongdong. We had just spent a good part of the day relaxing outdoors at Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden. It was nice change to stroll through a busy and lively street this time. The weather was just right, getting cooler as the autumn months come in. The street was crowded, people going into all directions, but I could still stand around and just watch people go by. I see mostly Asian faces, although I know through their language that they weren't locals. It was tempting to go and see international stores like Uniqlo and H&M, but I'd rather spend my short time exploring their local stores which were mainly cosmetic stores. Store sales folks invite you as soon as you even spend a second gazing at their products or their store. They immediately hand you a tiny basket and a free sample, announce their promotions and politely lead you towards their store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Beauty/Cosmetic Products</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my goals was to get some cosmetic products for which Korea is known for: BB cream and facial masks ;-) We stepped into almost all the cosmetic shops: Innisfree, Missha, Nature Republic, Face Shop, Skin Food and Olive Young, some of which are already available back home, but it was nice to scan through their store even just to window shop. A few blocks away, you'd find the same stores too, so if you miss one, you'll always get a chance to find another one just a few steps away. I'm not so much a cosmetic product fan, but I am curious as to the secret that Korea offers as Korean skin is one of the best in the world. I got a tube of BB cream from Missha to try, since I'm the lazy type wherein I hate long regimens. BB cream stands for Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm, and is an all-in-one cosmetic that often acts as a moisturizer, primer, sunscreen, skin treatment, concealer and light foundation. Perfect for me, right? They even have CC cream now and soon, DD cream as well. They pretty much have the same concept, but some have additional features like whitening and color correction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other product I wanted to get was facial masks. I've used hyrdating and collagen masks in the past, and my friend had given me a couple of new ones made with many different ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, pearl, etc. I've also been hearing about snail slime and caviar having excellent facial benefits especially for aging. I wouldn't dare put a live snail on my face, so the next best thing would be a facial mask. While we can probably find these stores elsewhere and in big shopping malls, they usually sell big packs here and offer a lot of freebies. Since I also plan to get these as gifts for my friends and family, it was more economical to buy them here.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet2ERJbwX6OIsfVyzqqtd6INdGnr0MWyYQ0R2U5HIX9KgfbZsWkMoMPDWOjk508x0NzwZednxLAngRpmdh9UNP6oT9aqn8-kkDnPn1oXKMFml-Gg9BB_UDE4POcK3rUquU5gdJg/s1600/P1170910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet2ERJbwX6OIsfVyzqqtd6INdGnr0MWyYQ0R2U5HIX9KgfbZsWkMoMPDWOjk508x0NzwZednxLAngRpmdh9UNP6oT9aqn8-kkDnPn1oXKMFml-Gg9BB_UDE4POcK3rUquU5gdJg/s1600/P1170910.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myeongdong</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXStc98msjv-vrH8laYy67LMlMjjdS9PDgX4VaAJby3NmChDpIiWUdHsGFZpN1-kiIfWncwfi_ppmk7umtQlGWofyvEu3bog6aSUid8cxjD4u7CTJBImNZyg_zTL73b2BXYY0Iw/s1600/P1170913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXStc98msjv-vrH8laYy67LMlMjjdS9PDgX4VaAJby3NmChDpIiWUdHsGFZpN1-kiIfWncwfi_ppmk7umtQlGWofyvEu3bog6aSUid8cxjD4u7CTJBImNZyg_zTL73b2BXYY0Iw/s1600/P1170913.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myeongdong</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGOFZI5uAVFizUb2TO_EQP3R7SvGokftEzD7aK-O0fHOAt_qTJi0qOY8ZLCwNCPI1gnj_MAMAxBkcr8Q1KEY4rT57gprCCORHA6ZvoODHuJM7Ay_dUq1tTAbTdrxoSrpcy632cg/s1600/IMG_9990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGOFZI5uAVFizUb2TO_EQP3R7SvGokftEzD7aK-O0fHOAt_qTJi0qOY8ZLCwNCPI1gnj_MAMAxBkcr8Q1KEY4rT57gprCCORHA6ZvoODHuJM7Ay_dUq1tTAbTdrxoSrpcy632cg/s1600/IMG_9990.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myeongdong</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGftyM-ine6RNCz89TOSWy6maZtOtye9Op2xmtcLCtDUEj1X_e56zVzK8ZK2L5_E-LULO4p6OShxt9Lr4UfMIL3sktxxZxNN-qBnU-QIFpPlGXTyDOnlJHwlUlYJ92FHu6PCK8w/s1600/IMG_9987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGftyM-ine6RNCz89TOSWy6maZtOtye9Op2xmtcLCtDUEj1X_e56zVzK8ZK2L5_E-LULO4p6OShxt9Lr4UfMIL3sktxxZxNN-qBnU-QIFpPlGXTyDOnlJHwlUlYJ92FHu6PCK8w/s1600/IMG_9987.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myeongdong</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgY9mzHKdvy_xrp00HYi2NRL7J3f8Lsu1rODvE9yTaIKD_bFZiN_fy_ICmHLTM-Ff_Klx3Aqp4IuCIxrGv2bTORSt7WCuiPygmQnoSY1zjZ6bYem9YxhxSVAOPHbH6eXQuFB_zQ/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgY9mzHKdvy_xrp00HYi2NRL7J3f8Lsu1rODvE9yTaIKD_bFZiN_fy_ICmHLTM-Ff_Klx3Aqp4IuCIxrGv2bTORSt7WCuiPygmQnoSY1zjZ6bYem9YxhxSVAOPHbH6eXQuFB_zQ/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missha</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Street Food</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In between shopping and waiting for the travel buddies, I stood to look around at the street food stalls curious of the goodies that they have. We had a late lunch and dessert, so our tummies weren't exactly craving for more food. But it was still a great experience to look through. From the traditional Korean rice rolls on spicy sauce, to a more familiar Nutella and Banana, to grilled dried squid, to twisty potato sticks, to grilled barbeque. They had a lot. Stalls line along the middle almost on the entire street with an occasional stall selling the cute socks or other souvenir items. It was indeed a feast for the eyes and for the nose, even if I don't get to taste all of them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7ZKPFiS2mnkbhCWCheggfV876gqVP6g4IA7Vn_5Uc7CmFxUegHfjaZSsB-Je_KwM6H0U2iyYxICJzBl2adLzQpqK4VTBM75DY8EUIA8PhRWzvHWW7q_dTSQtsW6bvdjg4hiplA/s1600/P1170911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7ZKPFiS2mnkbhCWCheggfV876gqVP6g4IA7Vn_5Uc7CmFxUegHfjaZSsB-Je_KwM6H0U2iyYxICJzBl2adLzQpqK4VTBM75DY8EUIA8PhRWzvHWW7q_dTSQtsW6bvdjg4hiplA/s1600/P1170911.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LzuHGwhvhUdga4pXRHsTYOZ9nXfVDErHMMSyiTaz1ZQ-VgmLJcGHSyWRuE7i4RTkLKpWWqTiMJZJARYJ6W6Cd1ULLhRC-MdTslILT6vkqZw5HvFADCZN0fuDPdxWboeGfo5aQQ/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LzuHGwhvhUdga4pXRHsTYOZ9nXfVDErHMMSyiTaz1ZQ-VgmLJcGHSyWRuE7i4RTkLKpWWqTiMJZJARYJ6W6Cd1ULLhRC-MdTslILT6vkqZw5HvFADCZN0fuDPdxWboeGfo5aQQ/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Knuckles</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9wNESVJJukJwlDWTB8axyFjk_GN5NcLW5CiVAu1_lhy3sBIKjdFsdG4mtwgQgz9VjjaRaX27d2PuUIfAOKFdQdzeiJcjNSGPHYZuNMkK7uowh4YapK6Ph0oHygDyKIowUlr95A/s1600/IMG_9994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9wNESVJJukJwlDWTB8axyFjk_GN5NcLW5CiVAu1_lhy3sBIKjdFsdG4mtwgQgz9VjjaRaX27d2PuUIfAOKFdQdzeiJcjNSGPHYZuNMkK7uowh4YapK6Ph0oHygDyKIowUlr95A/s1600/IMG_9994.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twisty Fries and Twisty Fries with Sausage</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcGF1T6TsVW1qEp8gJ2LB2AV_2xsOPqYQaZ_dn0LU2eHyt5Z6f3M1IMcOBuaTujrNOyB4wwkPlKFw9_KJunZlQm9U-igSHeYNijmOoUZdXpb7v3VH9pHucB6TTYv5STc9OljlLQ/s1600/IMG_9995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcGF1T6TsVW1qEp8gJ2LB2AV_2xsOPqYQaZ_dn0LU2eHyt5Z6f3M1IMcOBuaTujrNOyB4wwkPlKFw9_KJunZlQm9U-igSHeYNijmOoUZdXpb7v3VH9pHucB6TTYv5STc9OljlLQ/s1600/IMG_9995.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In between food stalls, we can find surprises like these ;-)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolp7Ku25acaHsDTg-rIdwHk4Y2G2G0ktLIoiMWgG8Sv68TBYjprwckWdP5F1lTo-Gr1_Vhdo0tTHYVRppCHk7Y0E6tnIEl4MyqbxVBa1rcp3t0hDgoa1dv34NMuMCIccH6zAwXw/s1600/IMG_9996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolp7Ku25acaHsDTg-rIdwHk4Y2G2G0ktLIoiMWgG8Sv68TBYjprwckWdP5F1lTo-Gr1_Vhdo0tTHYVRppCHk7Y0E6tnIEl4MyqbxVBa1rcp3t0hDgoa1dv34NMuMCIccH6zAwXw/s1600/IMG_9996.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled BBQ Sticks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvlkZOhk32LgDw4ZNMSTVnPEwzAC4lpTJR2autI5fQ8p8cnZU-y9oWyQ92IbJ5ATNVL3ERX8gyUHJIUBLVFldRDZpcNofw9UgzRtdtPCVHiIRvCUaH4xaG7fecAegdquYJCKyIA/s1600/IMG_9997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvlkZOhk32LgDw4ZNMSTVnPEwzAC4lpTJR2autI5fQ8p8cnZU-y9oWyQ92IbJ5ATNVL3ERX8gyUHJIUBLVFldRDZpcNofw9UgzRtdtPCVHiIRvCUaH4xaG7fecAegdquYJCKyIA/s1600/IMG_9997.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egg Balls</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4NptaMzU03l-_-w1Mt13RJk5LT60ia-rBI8HvbYKNlGQ-54lBvBNnO1Cn4tLC33DqU8IKHloYXKLdGzjOFm7f8rj0-LyqeceKVRc1pKBWU0wmidGV0ScuqG24xR_WFPSH1crVg/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4NptaMzU03l-_-w1Mt13RJk5LT60ia-rBI8HvbYKNlGQ-54lBvBNnO1Cn4tLC33DqU8IKHloYXKLdGzjOFm7f8rj0-LyqeceKVRc1pKBWU0wmidGV0ScuqG24xR_WFPSH1crVg/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnuts, Dried Squid, Grilled Corn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5Z02eRsAQlUyCSEdtOy4dBmbW4TTyLi9W7t2BTI_lkeqeBa_vfM9FuGkEljb2GGE-NfGT2x6zD_Qu_pZvclT2s-DdTz5S1D9VaeD8fbKslVyA5Dw8DoPtYqgagVl-_wcsw0Xiw/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5Z02eRsAQlUyCSEdtOy4dBmbW4TTyLi9W7t2BTI_lkeqeBa_vfM9FuGkEljb2GGE-NfGT2x6zD_Qu_pZvclT2s-DdTz5S1D9VaeD8fbKslVyA5Dw8DoPtYqgagVl-_wcsw0Xiw/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutella and Banana Crepe</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XvquJHKDoSojPGO0deHBhD7K-bWa8zbKIpEudmFF8zUAeniuJkvav9zo4Oe-rNSXfFe7OqqGfXRasJMrPxE2QhWbNqHvZggAafsmT1FAqPxRWOqyCtDeYYHrYsQU1TAbQQ-Qpg/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XvquJHKDoSojPGO0deHBhD7K-bWa8zbKIpEudmFF8zUAeniuJkvav9zo4Oe-rNSXfFe7OqqGfXRasJMrPxE2QhWbNqHvZggAafsmT1FAqPxRWOqyCtDeYYHrYsQU1TAbQQ-Qpg/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Squid</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><b>Nanta Theater</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We even managed to sneak in a musical show while in Myeongdong. While walking around, we saw the sign for the Nanta Theater, and my friend was already waiting for us by the front steps and had already checked out the time. Nanta is a famous South Korean non-verbal performance that features a comedy show featuring chefs that perform using kitchen utensils in the traditional rhythm Salmunori. The show is very famous and had also shown in Broadway. We've heard about this from a friend and we went up to check out if there were any tickets for the 8pm show. It was already 7:55pm so we just had to try our luck. Seeing the stairs leading two floors up with no lobby in sight, we decided to use the elevator instead. Lo and behold, there were no labels in English for the floor guide so I just made a wild guess and pressed 3rd floor. And yup, I was right! The front desk asked us if we had reservations, and we said no. She appeared a bit worried but in a few seconds, was able to find us seats. There were 7 seats left, a pair of seats each for each section: orchestra, loge, and upper balcony. We just got the middle-priced one (KRW50,000) which gave us seats in loge. So we put our shopping bags in the lockers provided at the lobby and we headed into the theater, just in time for the start of the show. We were actually seated in the last row but it was not bad. Seats were comfortable and we had a great unblocked view. There was no boring moment, and the rhythms kept our hearts pounding. The show was also a bit interactive and they'd ask for volunteers from the audience to participate. And the non-verbal style made it appropriate for a global audience. One should definitely see if this if they get a chance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We weren't allowed to take photos so here's a sneak peak from their official youtube videos:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Short Version:</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2KMB2mWGN_Q" width="420"></iframe> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Long Version:</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Wqp98zQXddU" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some photos I took of the entrance and lobby area.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjJQSEfwOiBf7ZdxmPdF2JMuYtqS4LZv2tcHiEBTzmxlRhevd4RHRlX9ewxaS07IOD3Uy8_iFybXjkPcvHFjNZ7qUkSFrmWHYEVttLKN2jSeGm3YsO4BW057vM08gEgmGv6ihDg/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjJQSEfwOiBf7ZdxmPdF2JMuYtqS4LZv2tcHiEBTzmxlRhevd4RHRlX9ewxaS07IOD3Uy8_iFybXjkPcvHFjNZ7qUkSFrmWHYEVttLKN2jSeGm3YsO4BW057vM08gEgmGv6ihDg/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearby Police Station</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxLA2KINPZX3SGIIeifRAIrXgq7T5VXDKdVzE0DEoH5rcovFUSBr-vN0PTy4Kfe_H-ZAaiE2ZsUQLbxuIFYmyP0cPBzf6_qnxcFbYd3YBoDNpWec_5BAvbgj5Ivl1YmbZ-evObA/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxLA2KINPZX3SGIIeifRAIrXgq7T5VXDKdVzE0DEoH5rcovFUSBr-vN0PTy4Kfe_H-ZAaiE2ZsUQLbxuIFYmyP0cPBzf6_qnxcFbYd3YBoDNpWec_5BAvbgj5Ivl1YmbZ-evObA/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building Entrance and the Nanta Theatre signage</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgco_p6_7DmqScspi3ZRVV-T8-mz7TyAmz56mjTYVi-y0t6G_JYWKjNhlQxVpLwjC5pCXBGiwRfh48G3CHYSA0sgcbG87hMPg0LxsIO1YogqTgJpWeqgLQc0bm6U8Vcvpprwbizlg/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgco_p6_7DmqScspi3ZRVV-T8-mz7TyAmz56mjTYVi-y0t6G_JYWKjNhlQxVpLwjC5pCXBGiwRfh48G3CHYSA0sgcbG87hMPg0LxsIO1YogqTgJpWeqgLQc0bm6U8Vcvpprwbizlg/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pots and pans line the entrance at the 3rd floor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFBP6eyA41IN9uj6W_0a98IHH_wHGAPmi7y-EUky0StC74RF1qiXrfyT11KcwsDqVgMENVHePNLCCQLx0xJ0OF9yn396ff0ha3pK74aXVWTSau8ngLQTx9-sebCltv5MFNZ974Q/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFBP6eyA41IN9uj6W_0a98IHH_wHGAPmi7y-EUky0StC74RF1qiXrfyT11KcwsDqVgMENVHePNLCCQLx0xJ0OF9yn396ff0ha3pK74aXVWTSau8ngLQTx9-sebCltv5MFNZ974Q/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo booth</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPXlPPtSuhHsiU9wn99Crlh92mq3AkdpmHWD8ngP-W_1OactKwLsN3j7dOA0xvU_UGOYV5cLioftdsuAc9AYSdDsG-mb543jjk8o9Rq3bliRbJryIk6LD8leO4U7yOu8XDXY6ng/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPXlPPtSuhHsiU9wn99Crlh92mq3AkdpmHWD8ngP-W_1OactKwLsN3j7dOA0xvU_UGOYV5cLioftdsuAc9AYSdDsG-mb543jjk8o9Rq3bliRbJryIk6LD8leO4U7yOu8XDXY6ng/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Team performed for us</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YDfMYbaFZduzTPrLsLp3-LWe99LCByUias-gOc05xuM4G7eLufJbcuF6JyLZaD5MDGuSCokMyh0K9Vm2fhGSXxADfNqYsqRzdPIRQLVmr-Jwi5CnIblO8iscwu6gr9-hMzXONw/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YDfMYbaFZduzTPrLsLp3-LWe99LCByUias-gOc05xuM4G7eLufJbcuF6JyLZaD5MDGuSCokMyh0K9Vm2fhGSXxADfNqYsqRzdPIRQLVmr-Jwi5CnIblO8iscwu6gr9-hMzXONw/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read more about our shop and eat experience in <a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/10/shop-and-eat-seoul-part-2-insadong-and.html" target="_blank">Shop and Eat Seoul Part 2: Insadong</a></span>TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-54465507251986671762014-07-05T01:11:00.000+08:002015-08-17T16:16:58.306+08:00Blessed in Bhutan Part 2 of 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the stories continue, as I share my personal experiences and impressions of Bhutan through more fast and fun facts below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you missed <a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/07/blessed-in-bhutan-part-1-of-2.html" target="_blank">part </a>1 of my blog, here's the link:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4uNgAyEJNuq7ZJkb0LrCLzj_4fGC5t0hMR8FfSg_GlBd-N1C07ogno5aJH__cx0k555Eyw3DBo0HH0q-e08U3MgCTyhOI9_rsoCFU9zaOBBcMZf0lZmxWTlYLZuGrTb-J_H53w/s1600/DSC_4420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4uNgAyEJNuq7ZJkb0LrCLzj_4fGC5t0hMR8FfSg_GlBd-N1C07ogno5aJH__cx0k555Eyw3DBo0HH0q-e08U3MgCTyhOI9_rsoCFU9zaOBBcMZf0lZmxWTlYLZuGrTb-J_H53w/s320/DSC_4420.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutan is the Land of the Thunder Dragon where the Druk, a national symbol shown in their flag, represents Thunder Dragon from Bhutanese mythology. It holds jewels that represent wealth.</b><br /><br />The first thing that immediately came to my mind about the Bhutanese flag was its colors resemble the colors of Buddhism. Apparently, the orange does represent the Drukpas monasteries and the Buddhist religion and the yellow represents the authority of the King, which reminds me of the yellow color of the Emperor in Chinese culture.<br /><br />The druk represents strength of the people to protect their country. I think it's a very appropriate symbol for the Bhutanese as proven by their journey so far, where authenticity has never been compromised. One can find a lot of words to describe them: loyalty, humility, strength, purity, and it all jives into the symbolism of the Druk.<br /><br />In addition, I'd like to point out that the jewels here refer to wealth of a different kind. It refers more to the nation's prosperity, and not material wealth as most people would assume. And I think that makes Bhutan achieve the personal happiness that they so strongly protect.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutan is also known as the "Last Shangrila" due to its pristine environment and harmonious society<br /><br />Bhutan is perched high up in the mountains and is the last Buddhist kingdom in the world.</b><br /><br />One of the main highlights of my trip to Bhutan was to trek the Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang Monastery). It's a Buddhist temple perched up on a cliff up in the mountains of Paro and is Bhutan's cultural icon. Because it is so high up and in a remote location, the only way to get there is through the mountain paths. It is kind of an "Everest" in a way for me as I am not as physically fit as I would like to. That, with my slight asthma condition, and being a city person, doesn't really make it any better for me.<br /><br />But what lies atop that makes me want to pursue this? Months before, even before I confirmed my trip, this was one of the main questions I had. How hard is it to trek the Tiger's Nest. My research gave me so many mixed answers that my anxiety had built up even more. Eventually, as the trip comes to a near, our photographer lead had managed to convince me that it was much better to trek it versus riding a mule up which is even scarier through rough paths and only brings you up half way. The other concern is that I did not want to slow down the group nor be put in a position where I would have to give it up.<br /><br />Okay, I am going to do this. I'm psyched! As part of the preparation, I continued my yoga regularly and made sure I took care of my asthma condition. The day came, and we commenced our journey. But wait, I had to go to the toilet. Lo and behold, I was told there is no toilet and that I could just do it behind the bushes and they were serious. With little choice, I made my way and as I walked over, my friend joined me, and we spotted some tourists walking over to what seems like a toilet. Well, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess it was someone's house. This lucky turn of event didn't just stop here. It also gave us the opportunity to find some left behind hiking sticks for my friend which we kindly asked from the owner and she gladly obliged. This is definitely a good start, I thought.<br /><br />Now, my anxiety suddenly disappeared as one challenge after another began to ease up, much like the toilet incident. We had all day to trek and explore Tiger's Nest, no time pressure. My sandals were perfect, gave me stable footing. The breathing exercises I learned in yoga really helped normalize my breathing even during steep ascents. My companions were at equal speeds with me on the trek giving me no anxiety that I am holding them back. The paths were wide allowing my fear of heights to be of no existence. I was glad I didn't choose to ride the mule for which the height of where I'll be will be even scarier. Previews of the Tiger's Nest fed my energy at each spot. The scenery all throughout the trek were just so breathtaking that I had no time to even worry about the trek. We just took out our cameras every chance of the way to attempt to capture this natural beauty. A beautiful modest waterfall awaited us at the last and hardest leg of our trek. We even saw a family of the silver langur monkeys by the trees. And best of all, we did make it to the Tiger's Nest without any altitude sickness<br /><br />Maybe it was more of a physical goal for me than a spiritual one this time, but it was a very blessed trek, despite the fact that it took us longer than other people. I probably never experienced so many blessings in one day and that just shows me that fear is not going to get me anywhere if I don't give life a chance.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutan was introduced to Buddhism by the Divine Madman or the Mad Saint, who is known for his unorthodox method of enlightenment, which includes singing, humor, and in some ways bizarre and shocking behaviors that hold sexual overtones. He also introduced the phallus symbol which represents a blessing, especially for the women who are looking to have children.</b><br /><br />Punakha was one of the highlights of our trip, second to Tiger's Nest. Coming from Paro and Thimphu, Punakha sure gave us a different vibe, where it could get confusing to see sexual symbols like the phallus drawn on the walls of houses and stores. Somehow, one would not expect this from a seemingly traditional and conservative culture and religion.<br /><br />From our hotel in Lobesa, we took a short van ride to the rice fields just below and we walked through the fields to reach Chimi Lakhang Monastery. This is where the original phallus symbol still resides and is currently used to bless those who visit the monastery, mostly women who wish to have children. The monastery is quite small and sits on top of a small hit, and in some ways, enveloped by the vast rice fields below.<br /><br />Passing through the rice fields, we had some interesting conversations with the locals: mostly farmers and kids. A stupa would emerge in the middle of nowhere and pockets of prayer flags surround the area. It is an irony as I have never stepped on our own famous Banaue Rice Terraces back home, one of the natural wonders of the world. The view just stretches far to where the eyes can see and it's a wonderful sight, especially with the cloud formations during sunset and sunrise where we would view it from the other vantage points nearby. On one side, we see a meadow and a group of locals herding their cows. Reminds me a lot too of Batanes back in the Philippines.<br /><br />As we reached the monastery, we see many young monks who are studying out in the grounds of the monastery. I am amazed at their sharp focus as seen through their facial expressions. It seems like they were reviewing their chants for an exam. Far to one end, we see older monks giving the younger ones an oral exam. This is a common sight, and the more conventional one, seen when we made our rounds through the different monasteries and nunneries.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutanese are predominantly vegetarians due to their religion but many do eat meat like cows, pigs and yaks. However, they are not allowed to kill them. Thus, there are no slaughterhouses in Bhutan. Bhutan's meat comes from India.<br /><br />Yak production is one of the main livelihoods in Bhutan, especially in the higher altitudes as yaks can only survive around 4,500 meters and above. Aside from producing milk and meat, yak production also includes materials for garments, tents, and even fuels from their dung.</b><br /><br />The Bhutanese national dish is called "ema dachi" which is chili cheese. They use whole green chilis much like we saute our vegetables and add cheese to counter the spice. Most Bhutanese dish are spicy, and not just regular spicy, but extremely spicy. In fact, the food they prepare for the tourists is not even comparable to the normal food they eat everyday. Food they serve for the tourists are toned down in terms of spice.<br /><br />Momo dumplings are also popular. Traditionally, they are made with yak, but beef is a common alternative especially for areas where yak in not available.<br /><br />Vegetables are abundant and meats are not used as much. The meats are also not generally tender. A visit to their central market exposes their love for vegetables, especially chili. Variety seems to be quite limited but there are more than enough stalls that sell the same produce. We also saw some dried fish.<br /><br />Coffee culture seems to be catching up as one sees coffee shops sprouting up, mostly in the city. But most people still enjoy their local coffee and crackers.<br /><br />We got to try their butter tea which is tea with yak butter. It tasted more like soup to me than tea, but it was interesting. It definitely had more flavor than I had expected.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutan has a standard dress code where most locals still wear the traditional attire. Its common architecture also flanks the structures all around Bhutan and they do not use nails or iron bars.</b><br /><br />Bhutan seems to have a thing for standardization, and maybe that's the secret to their simplicity and practicality. Most people still wear the traditional gho and kira everyday to work.<br /><br />Bhutan sports a standard architecture for all houses and buildings. The delicately hand drawn multi-colored wooden frontages, small arched windows and sloping roofs are seen in Bhutanese structures, whether a dzong or a residential house. The type of architecture that does not use nails or iron bars remind me of the dovetailing method used in Japanese carpentry.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Prayer wheels and prayer flags both distribute blessings and positive wishes to oneself and to others and in a way, locals do this to gain merit, much like chanting prayers. Similarly, tiny stupas called tsa tsas are offering made to dispel the negative and bring in positive energy. Prayer wheels need to be turned clockwise.</b><br />In Bhutan, we find many of these things and one can't help to participate in these rituals. Who wouldn't want to dispel obstacles and negative vibes and bring in positive energy? I am not a Buddhist myself but I do believe that the intention of these acts are quite practical and in no way different from my own spiritual beliefs. In fact, I kinda admire that one doesn't just pray for their own petitions but also for others out in the world. This kind of selflessness is very rare.<br /><br />We had to opportunity to consult a fortune teller at one of the monasteries and I did receive a relatively positive fortune. He recommended I get 3 sets of prayer flags so I did. At the back of my mind, I wondered if this was sort of a money-making scheme, thanks to the paranoid side that society has influenced on me. But if for anything, it's for a good cause. Assuming my positive fortune is true, then the least I could do is share these blessings with others too.<br /><br />I love the words used from an article used to describe the meaning of prayer flags: "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Himalayans believe that when the wind blows the flags, it spreads the blessings, good will and compassion embodied in the images and writings across the land. Eventually the prints fade and the prayers become part of the universe, and the prayer flags are renewed."<br /><br />Each set had several flags all with the same color. I had blue, green and yellow. I managed to hang my 3 sets of prayers flags at the Takchong Lakhang Iron Chain Bridge, at the base of the last leg of the Tiger's Nest by the waterfalls, and at the Dochula Pass overlooking the Himalayan mountain range.</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tachog Lakhang Old Wooden Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the bridge beside the waterfall going towards Tiger's Nest</td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Archery is Bhutan's national sport</b><br /><br />We were lucky enough to watch some of the locals practicing at the archery range. It was a large field and both ends had a target. The local rotate from one target to another, and thus depending on which side they are shooting at, we had to hide behind a small shed to avoid being hit by stray arrows.<br /><br />Their bows seem really lightweight and they are now made of fiberglass compared to the old wooden ones. I've always been interested in archery but never really gotten into it. I did try an old wooden bow one time at one of the resorts. It was extremely heavy and the tension of the stretch was a lot to handle. I then took a quick beginner's class with the new fiberglass type. It was much lighter and I managed to hit a couple on target. But I've never been good at aiming and I just couldn't get the physics needed to understand how to control my bow :-) It was nice to see the professional archers in action.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutan's cultural dance, the cham dance, is a form of meditation and offering to the gods, led by music from Tibetan instruments</b><br /><br />The most popular festival is the annual Tshechu Festival, which is a mask dance where the locals </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">receive blessings and wash away their sins. Every mask dance performed during a Tshechu has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories and incidents from as long ago as the 8th century, during the life of Guru Padmasambhava.<br /><br />The cham dance is in a way a preview to the annual festival. It is also a mask dance where the characters sport colorful costumes and masks. We watched our outdoors beside one of the restaurants. I love the part where the characters jump high during their dance. The dance was accompanies by two musicians playing the cymbal, a guitar like instrument and two long trumpets.</span></li>
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TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-40085878569975304372014-07-05T01:04:00.000+08:002015-08-17T16:16:38.750+08:00Blessed in Bhutan Part 1 of 2<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many of my friends have asked me why I chose Bhutan as a travel destination. It's not a common place to go on a vacation, and access is still quite restricted and expensive. I guess Bhutan is the closest thing, next to Nepal or Tibet, that will bring me to the Himalayas. Being the home to the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest is not only a goal for the mountaineers but it also represents a vision of success, of hard work, or reaching a dream, of overcoming challenges, of completing a journey, of gaining great satisfaction, and these serve as an inspiration for any regular human being, in almost every part of our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So when the opportunity called to go with a photography group to Bhutan, I was ecstatic and excited. Everest is not attainable by many, at least in the physical or literal sense. This trip sort of serves as a preview, or a peek or even a short cut, depending on how one looks at it.<br /><br />Well, I didn't get to see the Himalayan mountain ranges as thick clouds covered the view both times we drove through Dochula Pass, where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Nor did I get to see Mt. Everest on our flight in and out of Bhutan. But </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bhutan turned out to be a bag of surprises for me, unexpected but very welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope to share my personal experiences and impressions of Bhutan to supplement some of the fast and fun facts below. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutan is a landlocked country in the Himalayas. It is bordered by China in the north and by India in the east, west and south. Nepal is to the west of the Indian border connecting Bhutan<br /><br />Bhutan has the most dangerous airport landing pads in the world. Only 8 pilots are certified to land here, in Paro International Airport, which is 2,300 meters above sea level, and lies in a valley surrounded by steep and high mountains</b><br /><br />Little did I know that Bhutan wasn't even beside Nepal or Tibet, despite the fact that they are all part of the Himalayas. I never expected it to be surrounded by India nor China. That shows you how little I know about our geography!<br /><br />Before embarking on this journey, I didn't know about the risk factor associated with the Bhutan take off and landings. I knew that I didn't have any choice for getting there except through their national airline, DrukAir, the Royal Bhutanese Airlines.<br /><br />So there we were almost reaching Paro, I noticed as I looked out the window, that we were flying below the tips of the mountains beside us. In a few minutes, the pilot made several turns, left and right, as we flew through the valley densely compressed between the steep mountains. For a moment there, I felt like I was flying in a fighter aircraft with Tom Cruise (Top Gun) or Josh Lucas (Stealth), pressured to find a flat landing somewhere. Or maybe I was actually in a Flight Simulator game or IMAX movie after all. I'll give it to the pilots, and yes, he's one of the few eight, yes eight, pilots certified to fly to and from Bhutan. In fact, the flight was so smooth. As I looked out my window, there wasn't any bit of fear, instead I felt that I was in a dream adventure.<br /><br />As we landed in Paro International Airport, we disembarked through the back door. We breath the first of the Bhutanese air and stepped on the land of utmost happiness, and so they say. We could literally see the entire length of the runway, which is surrounded by a range of steep mountains. A giant billboard of a beautiful young couple in traditional attire, probably in their early to mid 30s, welcomes us as we walked towards the airport structure that looked more like a temple than an airport. I assume the young couple was some sort of a celebrity, and celebrity indeed they were, just of a different kind. This young couple is actually the King and Queen of Bhutan.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutan is led by a monarchy with a king and queen. It now has a constitution so part of the administrative powers are now managed by a council members</b><br /><br /><b>Bhutan's current king was crowned at 28 years old in 2008 and he has recently married in 2011 at the Punakha Dzong</b><br /><br />Speaking of that young King and Queen, that's something quite unique to Bhutan. I always had this impression that a king or a queen should be "old" at least in age, and I'm sure most people think the same way. And this is one of the things that is so interesting about Bhutan.<br /><br />The elder king and queen had decided to abdicate the throne to give way to his eldest son who was just 28 years old at that time. He wanted to entrust a great legacy. Bhutan has gradually moved to the modern era and the elder king played a very important role in steering Bhutan successfully without the negative effects. Exposing a country and its culture to the western world often brought about harsh changes and inevitably, negative side as well. But Bhutan never compromised their identity, their culture. I attribute this to balance. While it is also detrimental to not progress, there needs to be balance where one can actually achieve the best of both worlds. The elder king did allow modernization through effective health care, "appropriate technology", and environmentally friendly solutions that do not necessarily bring in the harmful side effects. The balance plus the strength of their culture made it possible for them not to lose their identity.<br /><br />On our way through Dochula Pass, the mountainous road that brings us between Punakha and Thimphu, we had to make stops to give way to the scheduled road closures. Construction continues as the Indian workers clear up the rubbles from the landslides. This actually reminded me of the zig zag road between Manila and Baguio and one can't help but enjoy the mountainous scenery along the path. It was our time to stop and we were sitting still in a van lined up behind a row of cars. We see some folks getting out to stretch their legs. But the road was very dusty. We begin to see some cars emerging from the opposite side and noticed a few cars with flashing lights, which we assumed were doing that to avoid an accident. Our guide suddenly stood up and alerted us to look as it might be the royal family passing by. And indeed it was. As I looked out my opened window, I saw a beautiful young lady in the back seat of her car, with her windows opened 2-3 feet away from us, and with a young child in hand. She smiled charmingly and humbly as she passedb by. I was still looking out for the other cars but soon it was quiet. Our guide told us she was the queen mother. For a moment there, I couldn't fathom how that young lady could be the queen and wondered if maybe I missed it. Well, she is now in her 50s and she's definitely aging very well. Wow! What an honor to see the queen mother herself!<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bhutan is the happiest country in the world, backed by its Gross National Happiness Index, which is used to measure one's happiness level</b><br /><br />Who wouldn't want to be happy? And what better place to find happiness than the country with the happiest people? So what is Bhutan's secret?<br /><br />We actually joked that it was the cannabis plant that made Bhutanese people the happiest people in the world. Ironically, these are used as pig feeds in Bhutan. See the next fun fact for the background story on this.<br /><br />Personally for </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">me, there are three things that I think Bhutan possesses that contributes to their happiness index: its simplicity, humility and authenticity. In our society these days, we just complicate our lives so much that we inherit more bad than good. By remaining simple and practical, one achieves peace (rid of conflicts) and enlightenment (clarity), and thus one can attain the so called happiness that they are so proud of. And by being true to oneself, there are no opportunities for trying to live for someone or something else.</span></li>
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fm2uBtb4ojBdu5y5HH-lYjfWzc869sMC3reOYI-MJJfx8UGuG15OAENIivNX6zS583Lty5D9JIekcPVcexTK-64mKJcar9RG32rXHOvKD-IcYQrgPsrzgZPHa6GlNa754NTkhw/s1600/DSC_5308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fm2uBtb4ojBdu5y5HH-lYjfWzc869sMC3reOYI-MJJfx8UGuG15OAENIivNX6zS583Lty5D9JIekcPVcexTK-64mKJcar9RG32rXHOvKD-IcYQrgPsrzgZPHa6GlNa754NTkhw/s320/DSC_5308.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The cannabis plant (marijuana) is common in Bhutan. It is freely grown everywhere and is legal, unlike in the rest of the world. These are used as pig feeds. Besides, smoking, even a normal cigarette, is not permitted in Bhutan</b><br /><br />Everywhere we went, we would see the cannabis plants growing everywhere just like weeds in the wild. But as indicated, they are simply used for feeding the pigs. And maybe that's why their pigs are happy and the people who eat pork are even happier, and the joke never stops :-)<br /><br />This is my first time to see the live cannabis plant and the leaves look like maple leaves to me, which I guess are part of the same family.<br /><br />We learned that the flowering buds in the middle of a female cannabis plant (and yes there are male and female species) are the most potent part of the plant, followed by the leaves. The seeds and the roots are not. One of the locals actually asked his chef to cook some pakora for us using the cannabis leaves found in the grounds of our hotel and we challenged each other to try one each before we headed off for the night and see who gets hit the next morning. Of course, we knew that no one haves it this way and the cooking process probably ruined the effect, if ever there was any. We just had to satisfy our curiosity. Besides, a little happiness won't hurt, will it?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More fast and fun facts in <a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2015/08/blessed-in-bhutan-part-2-of-2.html" target="_blank">part 2 </a>of my blog :-)</span></div>
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TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-2249790407404587682014-06-05T14:32:00.000+08:002014-06-28T14:51:37.180+08:00Photo Gallery * Amazing Asia * Temple Running in Cambodia :-)<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="quickgallery-24126" width="700" height="600"><param name="movie" value="https://dxspaojr9hk6.cloudfront.net/swf/Art.swf" /><param name="flashVars" 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"Maui No Ka 'Oi" means Maui is the best! But then every island in Hawaii will tell you they're the best anyway! ;-) To be fair, Maui has been voted best island by many for many years. So does Maui really deserve this? After visiting every island in Hawaii, I think it's hard to compare them to each other as each one has a distinct character for me. While Kauai has the best nature, Maui is probably best for a mix of action and nature. Oahu, in my view, is more about city life, and the Big Island is all focused on its live volcanic action. But let's go back to Maui and consider some of the best things to see and do.<br />
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We spent a late afternoon at the Haleakala National Park ("House of the Sun") hoping to catch the sunset and see the glow of the sun over the craters. Haleakala Volcano is a dormant volcano at the East side of Maui. Legend says the Maui demigod lassoed the sun from the volcano's summit to slow it down from its descent so that the day will last longer. We didn't really know what to expect except for a warm sunset over highest peak in Maui. But we were baffled by the tip to bring warm clothing as we were advised that it gets really cold up there. And as any human nature would dictate, there will always be someone in the group ignoring those tips, thinking "Hey, this is Hawaii, how cold can cold get?"<br />
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It was a lovely 1-1/2 hour drive from Kahului and beautiful views meet us along the way especially along Haleakala Crater Road or Highway 378. This is the fastest ascending road up to the peak, just 38 miles ascending to 10,000 feet. Wally, our driver, was an excellent narrator. He kept us all awake with his interesting stories and with his hoarse throaty voice, he keeps building excitement as we go. As we near the park, the roads turn left and right through a series of switchbacks, and we are finding ourselves on top of the clouds. Yes, clouds! Then sun seems to be shining and we still feel the warmth from it through the windows, until we got off the bus somewhere in the middle of the ascent to take a good look at these great views. And boy, was it getting chilly!<br />
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Our next stop was a short photo opportunity with the official park signage and now it was getting windier ;-) The temperature drops about 3 degrees every 1000 feet up and it can get to 20-40 degrees F. And yes, this is in Hawaii! ;-)<br />
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Our third stop was to use the facilities and at this point, we could barely stay outdoors without a jacket on. It was really foggy and we couldn't see much. But we also had to get a good look at these Haleakala silversword plants, a very rare plant which is said to be part of the daisy family. This only grows above 6900 ft at Haleakala on volcanic cinders (rocky surface) like below and can survive the high winds and freezing temperatures up here. But being endangered, we were asked not to touch them. We saw some dying ones and it is said that the leaves go limp, dry up and turn into seed for the next round. Before it dies, it produces sunflower-like flowers along a vine that grows on top.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rare Haleakala Silversword Plants</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall ones behind are dried up silverswords after producing flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey one is dying and turning into seeds for next cycle</td></tr>
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Much like the silversword plant being a rare species found in Haleakala, this is also home to the only remaining species of Hawaiian goose, the Nene (pronounced Nini). They are found roaming around the park or you can hear their call "nay-nay" thus their name.<br />
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As we left the area, we get a good glimpse of us being above the clouds. Here's a shot from the bus through the window as we drove along the final stretch to the summit.<br />
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And when we got to the top, here's what it looked like at about 9,700 ft above sea level near Pa Ka'oao (White Hill). The highest summit actually sits at Pu'u "ula'ula (Red Hill) which is at 10,000 ft above sea level. It's nearer to the observatories which are closed off to the public. But as you can see, we could barely see anything from this overlook already.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping around in freezing temperatures</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red White Hill Trail leading to a small hill and overlook is covered in heavy fog, it wasn't advisable to go up as it too cold</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New fashion style: that's my sister-in-law covered in whatever she could salvage from her bag!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8W-srHAM0flbIcRm4MFD5EPeIbeY4Ln-JhLyK4_vEPpKpI08hgpATIvRmTq428NAHLrSybGk4z4lWfm_TNjBzc09rjdbNuDihA68kQG72tkDwIWGG_HS8s7y2rNmxpaeJ1Pj1w/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8W-srHAM0flbIcRm4MFD5EPeIbeY4Ln-JhLyK4_vEPpKpI08hgpATIvRmTq428NAHLrSybGk4z4lWfm_TNjBzc09rjdbNuDihA68kQG72tkDwIWGG_HS8s7y2rNmxpaeJ1Pj1w/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: start;">At Pa Ka'oao (W</span>hite Hill Trail)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4e3W9YsgrKMFRaYBUmTq6XapUofUhzYNp4OkPhiEISmvAGXIMykB-LHUkzD8sS2yuu5cDIAWN80h6Qa1OeGF5ZFUg2_GXsehHGcis50fP-dFkKqLZ_1gbB_R8252luKqr6daX1A/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4e3W9YsgrKMFRaYBUmTq6XapUofUhzYNp4OkPhiEISmvAGXIMykB-LHUkzD8sS2yuu5cDIAWN80h6Qa1OeGF5ZFUg2_GXsehHGcis50fP-dFkKqLZ_1gbB_R8252luKqr6daX1A/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the parking lot at Pa Ka'oao (White Hill)</td></tr>
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There was barely anything we could see, even the crater area was covered in heavy fog. But as Wally advised, we will wait till the sun sets and based on previous experience, it is known that the situation can change in a matter of seconds. So we continue to cross our fingers hoping it the fog will clear out or even just give us a glimpse<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The craters (tiny volcanic cones) are on the left side and is part of a massive depression 2,600 ft deep, but the heavy fog has covered them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8XuMv82ZtPbwIpFzHWrxCZdW1VfzKBKAPojsgMRnGPy9pHH6Zn9qAbbGaO7oByfMufeLJGoGSFE1x1FP9220JdzsmBtNKy509rl3jo649fAPLYPT0UcX2nMXXw29PuNZ7EPUVg/s1600/DSC_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8XuMv82ZtPbwIpFzHWrxCZdW1VfzKBKAPojsgMRnGPy9pHH6Zn9qAbbGaO7oByfMufeLJGoGSFE1x1FP9220JdzsmBtNKy509rl3jo649fAPLYPT0UcX2nMXXw29PuNZ7EPUVg/s1600/DSC_0166.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a while there, we had to hide near the toilets to warm up a bit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghs-WDziH9Lh5Pm8Yx7Ga4PoZEbwHMvPpO12IS15K9NZuVsJwqFN6IMKl4_fHMhBQ8eK21sy2PAxyv3BjrEL5DIOvJbUBr6LeiXTibQomMccGp5tJhzewBvIUsb4uIjiFIgP-8cg/s1600/DSC_0168_DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghs-WDziH9Lh5Pm8Yx7Ga4PoZEbwHMvPpO12IS15K9NZuVsJwqFN6IMKl4_fHMhBQ8eK21sy2PAxyv3BjrEL5DIOvJbUBr6LeiXTibQomMccGp5tJhzewBvIUsb4uIjiFIgP-8cg/s1600/DSC_0168_DSC_0169.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I got to learn some Hawaiian vocabulary :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, this is what it was supposed to look like on a clear day, thanks to photos from gohawaii.about.com:</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/gohawaii/1/0/H/Z/4/haleakala_national_park_031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/gohawaii/1/0/H/Z/4/haleakala_national_park_031.jpg" height="272" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://gohawaii.about.com/od/mauiphotos/ig/haleakala_national_park_photos/</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/gohawaii/1/0/B/Z/4/haleakala_national_park_025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/gohawaii/1/0/B/Z/4/haleakala_national_park_025.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craters, Source: http://gohawaii.about.com/od/mauiphotos/ig/haleakala_national_park_photos/</td></tr>
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For folks like us who come from tropical countries, we were enjoying the cold weather, even though it was below freezing. We stayed for a good 20 minutes up there, waiting to see if the clouds will open up, walking back and forth between the Crater Overlook area and the parking lot. And in one of our walks back to the bus, we were met with one of the most wonderful sunsets above the clouds. It just suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Here are some photos:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BRgrS-wnuxFhLZ8PPEPyt03ibNOkDMvM_DOFkHA1ROMsyL7M3kGT2hJn5MNndau4qScGnZ5rN0O6nXKMKiYFcphXvGspU72Mffx1HM1ul9BMEuf9_gkwC9unKN_oUy7fDolg1Q/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BRgrS-wnuxFhLZ8PPEPyt03ibNOkDMvM_DOFkHA1ROMsyL7M3kGT2hJn5MNndau4qScGnZ5rN0O6nXKMKiYFcphXvGspU72Mffx1HM1ul9BMEuf9_gkwC9unKN_oUy7fDolg1Q/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun suddenly emerged out of the dark foggy horizon</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ngaNYB_JOgzP7KqU3-Vv-wtSZ_6wjhVk5matbzfBZ6aGLAXejBXRmbYmc7M6dyjED_9gqkiRZQS5pXDGLsJA7KL8IQyLdSLBDz2EBfZSb_uEiaIc1Xbh7YlOeEykiEbYla1R-A/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ngaNYB_JOgzP7KqU3-Vv-wtSZ_6wjhVk5matbzfBZ6aGLAXejBXRmbYmc7M6dyjED_9gqkiRZQS5pXDGLsJA7KL8IQyLdSLBDz2EBfZSb_uEiaIc1Xbh7YlOeEykiEbYla1R-A/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq7Vd2fHZTRhj3A3dJLUq0UPGlBEN6YJFhRzXLzb792RSw_9z4WeHo7En7wLxZzUGPzK8nDChFupdRJkr4-mWGwHJQiPr_mfUbZXeRtPW9PD0AsaIrYlba9YyJdET2F4LbmJyWw/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq7Vd2fHZTRhj3A3dJLUq0UPGlBEN6YJFhRzXLzb792RSw_9z4WeHo7En7wLxZzUGPzK8nDChFupdRJkr4-mWGwHJQiPr_mfUbZXeRtPW9PD0AsaIrYlba9YyJdET2F4LbmJyWw/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the glowing orange sun</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFZHzHMdRbRalFCb1YuS5z1FtwkgzD2PtWvhwf0yPTRj7eZ18GCx4ZOX3pZowfDgBUmObktQMwAMXT7ejUrS0X4-HX5VKatNU3m3JwH7hazuebnfPVH0dOy4Dz3kvcK7x-ZIrHQ/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFZHzHMdRbRalFCb1YuS5z1FtwkgzD2PtWvhwf0yPTRj7eZ18GCx4ZOX3pZowfDgBUmObktQMwAMXT7ejUrS0X4-HX5VKatNU3m3JwH7hazuebnfPVH0dOy4Dz3kvcK7x-ZIrHQ/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpxA3CeqGDzGIngALGhzAiEQ7ucg4Bm57xKAmzknl1Zec6Z6DWJI45VDyM7lw0KcPpiWAFby4f6TrglUOIWKNEEsnYkwRqr1cFHA0WzCsA-wSIvqAQLr2eNtA2Nkh-lc3sT7_QA/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpxA3CeqGDzGIngALGhzAiEQ7ucg4Bm57xKAmzknl1Zec6Z6DWJI45VDyM7lw0KcPpiWAFby4f6TrglUOIWKNEEsnYkwRqr1cFHA0WzCsA-wSIvqAQLr2eNtA2Nkh-lc3sT7_QA/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4YB7nk0lqTlysX-32QjgTJTol88bOrQV9TnVocOPiRQKvMexNYi8FljDhjI1TTXojg5G2CmFMm1u84gTiXY4CXhPKebnhpvk1Lo0sMYZ6RSDMIPVbipjuQmDXw2GtZeYFgGuDA/s1600/DSC_0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4YB7nk0lqTlysX-32QjgTJTol88bOrQV9TnVocOPiRQKvMexNYi8FljDhjI1TTXojg5G2CmFMm1u84gTiXY4CXhPKebnhpvk1Lo0sMYZ6RSDMIPVbipjuQmDXw2GtZeYFgGuDA/s1600/DSC_0221.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking above clouds!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg143XanxUOlwpDuyntjZc1Ftf7d6OYh3D9gnpcM0JPRZyLKJ21VDT5WFIk_q2H4WsXicD16ksy4yiXbX77458QifA3ixRAJRtOGC6_cUJj4ENFBQLGLsYfytEXTmHXdtvqe7hXug/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg143XanxUOlwpDuyntjZc1Ftf7d6OYh3D9gnpcM0JPRZyLKJ21VDT5WFIk_q2H4WsXicD16ksy4yiXbX77458QifA3ixRAJRtOGC6_cUJj4ENFBQLGLsYfytEXTmHXdtvqe7hXug/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaC9MeCezkCgPG1EfMv8NQIq-T0oeUv2cQ_s4u3tAXRbDLX0wrW9BWC57jN7u7LAWQsZASMiv2Bf-oSBxbBrKBoywgCRfqpmPKDllwSu88EIHO8ucRNUDghDOEzWgDUG5v9UCEw/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaC9MeCezkCgPG1EfMv8NQIq-T0oeUv2cQ_s4u3tAXRbDLX0wrW9BWC57jN7u7LAWQsZASMiv2Bf-oSBxbBrKBoywgCRfqpmPKDllwSu88EIHO8ucRNUDghDOEzWgDUG5v9UCEw/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Observatories, Science City</td></tr>
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After enjoying the much awaited sunset and glowing sky after, we had to make our way back to the crater overlook for one last time, just to see if maybe God would give us a even just a tiny peek. In fact, it was really funny as we were running up, everybody followed thinking we must have seen the highlight. But we were actually running because Wally gave us just a few minutes and we had to head back. It is funny seeing people's reaction, I could actually see a lot question marks on thought bubbles! We were laughing on the way down, as some more people were rushing back up. Well, God is keeping His treasure for now!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnerNEjBJos8VCcA7KLzZBoruyHdckDTO9ScTrgNMIcOQfOVijDU0G_eHuhhzQ5k_Jk958PwgcoD6tVE3Zf6a4oLI15AwZgBdFGBbwajgtdAoyxmx1xC2hM_vAZjkC2ZJQKSUUQ/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnerNEjBJos8VCcA7KLzZBoruyHdckDTO9ScTrgNMIcOQfOVijDU0G_eHuhhzQ5k_Jk958PwgcoD6tVE3Zf6a4oLI15AwZgBdFGBbwajgtdAoyxmx1xC2hM_vAZjkC2ZJQKSUUQ/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Facilities and Parking area looking back from atop </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUclcuzVxawyZknxLHzstYUCgaeyJpiqloGm_wwyvmN_k0psUlixpn7NFdaBW4Da7VyCU7sVrVRNpOJMbinQuMqlDzTva2-zWWZAp8voESXzuuHMvPaTc0YuYjET_3qYP7GPQpA/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUclcuzVxawyZknxLHzstYUCgaeyJpiqloGm_wwyvmN_k0psUlixpn7NFdaBW4Da7VyCU7sVrVRNpOJMbinQuMqlDzTva2-zWWZAp8voESXzuuHMvPaTc0YuYjET_3qYP7GPQpA/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moon over our bus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC31FFApTbankfo7ePiRWLCNsP3Plor0dhznFBO9VXRhCy-6uUcIzBJKf9IA2PHML3D1QtvoF86p5xQpZI4Fp_6ozAj7DK3aREi_Q526YhcBel4WXbx0umIJMSGzToU7mf70U6LA/s1600/DSC_0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC31FFApTbankfo7ePiRWLCNsP3Plor0dhznFBO9VXRhCy-6uUcIzBJKf9IA2PHML3D1QtvoF86p5xQpZI4Fp_6ozAj7DK3aREi_Q526YhcBel4WXbx0umIJMSGzToU7mf70U6LA/s1600/DSC_0259.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Hill Parking Area at Sunset</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESIUknXbUVGKXLsJ4_YvjcQCYMI_fEnE5k2NWzBAUy2LhokCRCQzfrKsCYAtkPYZ71RiXrKh4Iz1Ayb1hBHk2oSPRkw0U-axpv_jfa6tDanP8puth5xtx9VenzbL8UeN7ADSytQ/s1600/DSC_0240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESIUknXbUVGKXLsJ4_YvjcQCYMI_fEnE5k2NWzBAUy2LhokCRCQzfrKsCYAtkPYZ71RiXrKh4Iz1Ayb1hBHk2oSPRkw0U-axpv_jfa6tDanP8puth5xtx9VenzbL8UeN7ADSytQ/s1600/DSC_0240.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't help but have a last look at what seems like heaven ;-)</td></tr>
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Even if we didn't have the chance to see the crater depression area clearly, the trip up the Haleakala summit was a great unforgettable experience. With the sunset, the glowing skyline, combined with the clouds and fog, it does feel like we're up in heaven ;-) In fact, standing at the overlook, we could almost imagine what the crater depression area looks like, just from Wally's description and our own imagination. We should never underestimate the power of imagination!</div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-6580302134034496032014-05-05T17:53:00.000+08:002014-05-05T17:53:06.018+08:00Taking The Diamond Head Trail Challenge<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm not really a fan of hiking, especially on steep terrains, but somehow I keep getting challenges to hike so that I see and enjoy the places I dream of visiting! I guess challenges make things more interesting and when one is able to experience a challenge whether they actually overcome it or not, it frees our mind from wondering if we can do it or not, thus creating inner peace. It also helps us discover things about ourselves and helps us accept ourselves for who we are and who we are not, thus self-discovery, self-acceptance and self-love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Taking the psychoanalysis aside, this was all about enjoying the hike to Diamond Head Summit, because I know at the top, I would be blessed with breathtaking views as wide as the eye can see, and these would put me in awe and pull a string in my heart every single time. I can't help but sigh loudly as I try to breath in the beauty of everything around me, hoping I can capture it and keep it within me. These moments remind me of God's amazing creations and how we are all part of this beautiful world we often forget about. Being part of a society that has turned more and more worldly material and to a certain extent negative, this yearning is</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> odd to a lot of people</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and a touch irresponsible to some. But this is precisely why we all need these reminders from time to time. Call it a mission, a crusade, a pilgrimage! It can be addicting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Having heard that the 1.5 mile Diamond Head Summit Trail only takes about 1.5 hours to hike, I quickly put this in my list to do when I visit Oahu. Despite the moderate rating coming from some hikers, the trail is mostly paved with actual steps versus rough terrain and testimony from many that this is suitable for non-hikers also because of the short trail. I am no hiker and I knew my limits. My biggest enemy is the steep elevation. I am normally a very risk averse person but I know that getting out of my comfort zone and taking a bit of risks is key to living a full happy time. It doesn't always have to be the best. I didn't have to outrun anyone. I just had to at least try and experience it for myself. Besides I needed the outdoor and physical exposure given my normally sedentary indoor lifestyle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The trail head is easily accessed from the city center. We took Oahu's The Bus Route #23 from the stop near the Ilikai. The wait for the bus took about 20-30 minutes, but we were not in a hurry, and the bus took us another 30 minutes to get to the State Park entrance. Even before getting to the trail head, we had to do a hike up the driveway to the entrance. Took us 9 minutes to get from the bus stop to the Kahala Lookout, take photos at the lookout, and 3 minutes to cross the Kahala Tunnel. Shortly before the Kahala Tunnel which takes you through one side of the crater wall into the crater, one can already enjoy some views from the Kahala Lookout. I actually took these photos on the way down.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSPkHZ_KUhzZw3AUwUaXpX1Ib8hSzkhxx1OwrLUOEPlTI_LNRkjHAJqWwUWK4px6RoXwX5TNqIT7CrPqvvXan8KQpLi7oBDSxVNeUEVhyZAYpg8mv1hoKir_jRvWTfpiSBI9WSQ/s1600/P1150223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSPkHZ_KUhzZw3AUwUaXpX1Ib8hSzkhxx1OwrLUOEPlTI_LNRkjHAJqWwUWK4px6RoXwX5TNqIT7CrPqvvXan8KQpLi7oBDSxVNeUEVhyZAYpg8mv1hoKir_jRvWTfpiSBI9WSQ/s1600/P1150223.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Kahala Area and Koko Head from Diamond Head Kahala Lookout</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eRlCYVzJqpZGuNnCd3fS2p9ffSmFkaM9a0Ztg3SzSqmzspfMjcUMGKC1HNHZUaLbfr165q-MD5uoy9AEHvZ1f8yQdoprlBZKEh6TicmcYz7uC22dNsbTeVBzu0Dlxwfx0z0rww/s1600/P1150122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eRlCYVzJqpZGuNnCd3fS2p9ffSmFkaM9a0Ztg3SzSqmzspfMjcUMGKC1HNHZUaLbfr165q-MD5uoy9AEHvZ1f8yQdoprlBZKEh6TicmcYz7uC22dNsbTeVBzu0Dlxwfx0z0rww/s1600/P1150122.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kahala Tunnel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After emerging from the Kahala Tunnel, we get to the ticket entrance and paid $1.00 for getting in on foot. We find ourselves in the middle of a vast parking lot and rest area surrounded by the crater wall. We went to use the facilities at the rest area, then started our hike at the trail head, which was already at around 200 foot elevation. I had a backpack on with my two cameras, a small one and a DSLR, plus my half bottle of water, which was fairly heavy but comfortable.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9aaz8xmoFClR-z4e2iVYBBho9FqSyh0_xRNN9txY2DUTvG0u7cD0cYVOr2nzvn8VVek6_7bd-EAKGpAzFlRyXZO_vOLL22uW44i_026WycON_LbMs3h3HvTTI-rm3qZgNGwWJw/s1600/P1150124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9aaz8xmoFClR-z4e2iVYBBho9FqSyh0_xRNN9txY2DUTvG0u7cD0cYVOr2nzvn8VVek6_7bd-EAKGpAzFlRyXZO_vOLL22uW44i_026WycON_LbMs3h3HvTTI-rm3qZgNGwWJw/s1600/P1150124.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dTIkdr__l00fH1JhKoo1kHfZwmaqH2SrBf4vmF2iLuuA8-uyhrXHFsroc3Wn8ehNwsTDhOHe4eQ-fqe6UnkjtFCgw3lD7Ug8vQKN2XfQUgNxKXMTo4nH_laeTz5hO4pHi8I5qg/s1600/P1150126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dTIkdr__l00fH1JhKoo1kHfZwmaqH2SrBf4vmF2iLuuA8-uyhrXHFsroc3Wn8ehNwsTDhOHe4eQ-fqe6UnkjtFCgw3lD7Ug8vQKN2XfQUgNxKXMTo4nH_laeTz5hO4pHi8I5qg/s1600/P1150126.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first section was paved and it was a nice winding path gradually elevating as you go. One starts to get a good view of the summit area from below, including the long path to get up there! We have barely started, I already feel tired. Surely, I'm so out of shape, age is catching up with me and the heat was not helping! But it's also the anticipation that gets the better of me. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But wait, this is not a race, so why hurry when in fact, I can slowly enjoy the journey. I took my time, made frequent stops and use those stops to recharge and absorb the sights around me. Took us about 10 minutes to tackle this first section and take photos, twice the amount of time it indicates on the <a href="http://www.everytrail.com/guide/diamond-head-summit-trail" target="_blank">EveryTrail website</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Switchbacks, view from below</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcwwlJBgq6dAOApAa_GZYG590KALt4ag2EH9mreYI44N4SQagh9uJljhS0fzYQDvAHg1W9200HRQMizy5lVItLAPNwh2Ry7Rr-UY1E1bD3wgXtJt1wr4ihHBgwbn_JylKBzJFfg/s1600/P1150133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcwwlJBgq6dAOApAa_GZYG590KALt4ag2EH9mreYI44N4SQagh9uJljhS0fzYQDvAHg1W9200HRQMizy5lVItLAPNwh2Ry7Rr-UY1E1bD3wgXtJt1wr4ihHBgwbn_JylKBzJFfg/s1600/P1150133.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4btgxY_JpGEjISry83oWaoPpiePU5SFoChs1BWbrk-QyAMMpRUYxeqOhkfA0DdrZqhIuubJedYCSV1JdiZyMgOP-bD_HWEXBQAFeIU356h_fbQqjONbzm6nNlMBvaZ_obCtZCg/s1600/P1150130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4btgxY_JpGEjISry83oWaoPpiePU5SFoChs1BWbrk-QyAMMpRUYxeqOhkfA0DdrZqhIuubJedYCSV1JdiZyMgOP-bD_HWEXBQAFeIU356h_fbQqjONbzm6nNlMBvaZ_obCtZCg/s1600/P1150130.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We reached the switchbacks, a series of zig zag paths that are built to make gradual ascends on an otherwise steep elevation. These paths are partially paved but had a fairly comfortable surface. But I hate steep paths. I can walk long distances but when it comes to steep paths, I simply don't have the endurance for this. It's physical, but maybe it's also psychological. The moment I see a steep incline, my body is strip of all the energy, haha! I had to stop every 1-2 sections, I told my cousin not to wait for me, but I think she wasn't too far ahead of me either. We took 20 minutes on the switchbacks, with stops for rest and photos, surprisingly just 5 minutes more than the average time.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the park entrance and crater walls from one of the paths on the switchbacks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYF17cLb7t8MzquK52GAAiAw79zRDm3wd0aIU99k0WA5nrh9YX5xo0MofaIECCjEhbAOMdf05lnD3uTsla1vXfvD7XnZ7bF9OI73Q75waItnlziQtiUHIwNcC7H3GI_D2pqNf2A/s1600/P1150138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYF17cLb7t8MzquK52GAAiAw79zRDm3wd0aIU99k0WA5nrh9YX5xo0MofaIECCjEhbAOMdf05lnD3uTsla1vXfvD7XnZ7bF9OI73Q75waItnlziQtiUHIwNcC7H3GI_D2pqNf2A/s1600/P1150138.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the switchback paths, view from top</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the switchback paths, view from top</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Following the series of switchbacks, we reach the set of stairs, 74 steps up to a 225 feet long slightly lighted narrow tunnel. Still huffing and puffing from the 74 steps and no spot to stop and rest, I feel my heart beating faster as I enter the tunnel. I feel the ground gradually going uphill and for fear of getting claustrophobia inside and further increasing my heart rate, I continued one step at a time as calm as I could possibly be. It didn't help that I could sense fear through the voices of the people behind me who were making jokes hoping to calm themselves. The small low intensity lights barely lit the ground and it was pretty dark except for that light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe our eyes were still adjusting coming from the harsh sunlight outside A side handrail was pretty much our guide.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the switchbacks just before the 74 step staircase and tunnel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrHhJomayGSQCultLqRZGjF3SYNN3vjzItZ25Abud00PJjSrGbGbCQPS-oWmodXWGA4MuukQgAMMdl88Kt_k2M5flNnTiNxIVDsykLV1gkL67unh4A5HhnUsYfQ78o9z_dJwdAA/s1600/P1150153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrHhJomayGSQCultLqRZGjF3SYNN3vjzItZ25Abud00PJjSrGbGbCQPS-oWmodXWGA4MuukQgAMMdl88Kt_k2M5flNnTiNxIVDsykLV1gkL67unh4A5HhnUsYfQ78o9z_dJwdAA/s1600/P1150153.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the switchbacks just before the 74 step staircase and tunnel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the 74 steps followed by the tunnel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlTZogpxMDh1CX90oA2JJUOoZnD8qfBRmhRhkwSHvt-QzgReHMUlIkGk4KjShg4UltkeKXP9P833RGbM1IZAGkEMdaokmZbbK-uU8qjY2V28sWIGwyV8dcyMFdp5KGQcg97jGLw/s1600/P1150156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlTZogpxMDh1CX90oA2JJUOoZnD8qfBRmhRhkwSHvt-QzgReHMUlIkGk4KjShg4UltkeKXP9P833RGbM1IZAGkEMdaokmZbbK-uU8qjY2V28sWIGwyV8dcyMFdp5KGQcg97jGLw/s1600/P1150156.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Tunnel - floor lights looked much brighter in the photo than inside the actual tunnel, maybe because our eyes were still adjusting from the light outside<br />
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally, a place to sit and rest at the lookout. Taking in more of the amazing views help me regain my normal breathing and resting heartbeat. Now it's another steep 99 steps up to the lower level of the Fire Control Station, which is at about 704 foot elevation. I focused on looking up to alleviate my height phobia but also wanted to take a photo looking down, crazy me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSlOrWGEp8rpBK0sece8ijMBjWkmnf3a9t9h8MrHeJte-Wli5_nrdn7lP5PoIVEXpKpV9pMqKkVgyy4w9LE6GHR15A3FSIZZSPrUMCRrOpzf-h4szN7fLVrM0NV6HO8JTj7LA1g/s1600/P1150157+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSlOrWGEp8rpBK0sece8ijMBjWkmnf3a9t9h8MrHeJte-Wli5_nrdn7lP5PoIVEXpKpV9pMqKkVgyy4w9LE6GHR15A3FSIZZSPrUMCRrOpzf-h4szN7fLVrM0NV6HO8JTj7LA1g/s1600/P1150157+-+Copy.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PRgyeHBBCp1CblUmmgEYzNJ69K_QFVrlwiIKrrMNYwWFdPrLpxuzsEcmPBbFkJH866NxcdcBdXR8e50VMAtSKxkccBehJVPynMRQZfmhbL8iXkOL6NkMq9GytvnER4Dt8O4s7g/s1600/P1150158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PRgyeHBBCp1CblUmmgEYzNJ69K_QFVrlwiIKrrMNYwWFdPrLpxuzsEcmPBbFkJH866NxcdcBdXR8e50VMAtSKxkccBehJVPynMRQZfmhbL8iXkOL6NkMq9GytvnER4Dt8O4s7g/s1600/P1150158.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from top of the 99 steps</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From there, we ascend a spiral staircase 3 floors up and</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> emerge into a low ceiling area with some old fire control equipment. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilScA4romlgqXSEkgvIhd-L0e8hyphenhyphenKwwivSi08xHjO_roqE8b8hHWg6cpNvv-MVRAMR-D4_-LJXi2LEZHRvLzArKjJXNHrtG0XHzA9ma155RvzWfhfUvgR87s2MG9A2PM68ItLMAw/s1600/P1150161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilScA4romlgqXSEkgvIhd-L0e8hyphenhyphenKwwivSi08xHjO_roqE8b8hHWg6cpNvv-MVRAMR-D4_-LJXi2LEZHRvLzArKjJXNHrtG0XHzA9ma155RvzWfhfUvgR87s2MG9A2PM68ItLMAw/s1600/P1150161.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Level of the Fire Control Station</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RvwD5ecak6ayVIcwEBsBEBxOjhZ2XpGEgVZihoXB93rwd0mVxl8GQYEtaLywNftEHTakM865AV3OEXK-L7c2Kqg7dDO4e6TXJgMBSwqHIzHaUwJDa68Gavl8iRUhdUnc3Fjbeg/s1600/P1150164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RvwD5ecak6ayVIcwEBsBEBxOjhZ2XpGEgVZihoXB93rwd0mVxl8GQYEtaLywNftEHTakM865AV3OEXK-L7c2Kqg7dDO4e6TXJgMBSwqHIzHaUwJDa68Gavl8iRUhdUnc3Fjbeg/s1600/P1150164.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiral Staircase</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUo7b3GRUh7MVmIx6pBtoS7MeG0lievFU_rTkCHO-gWBwFQtIApJeDI8lbJk9Jku5eFsAfm_acMQBOTUYLvTnHNzaqOlxVWPsnPFBcE2qxWAmyNtxz7yCTVnso7twNv2fxqVCfbw/s1600/P1150166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUo7b3GRUh7MVmIx6pBtoS7MeG0lievFU_rTkCHO-gWBwFQtIApJeDI8lbJk9Jku5eFsAfm_acMQBOTUYLvTnHNzaqOlxVWPsnPFBcE2qxWAmyNtxz7yCTVnso7twNv2fxqVCfbw/s1600/P1150166.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiral Staircase</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzTUlXPr4W5-FGZ3nDVb7fvx8jWtgpkmLW733CRK7xa9ykHYrmp68XrhcCMJ2NyPL0778RxxnZYhjlyPsvwnyZJms6C7GgOaX8XLw10HNWndYcVybgRZnnZWVLUCbOSqEopAaHQ/s1600/P1150167+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzTUlXPr4W5-FGZ3nDVb7fvx8jWtgpkmLW733CRK7xa9ykHYrmp68XrhcCMJ2NyPL0778RxxnZYhjlyPsvwnyZJms6C7GgOaX8XLw10HNWndYcVybgRZnnZWVLUCbOSqEopAaHQ/s1600/P1150167+-+Copy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd Level of the Fire Control Station</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhyphenhyphen4ZosmWw4U4zHsyxLie0SNQNZXvSUBb9CkT663hyphenhyphen4K_7tCNYiH-A4XY9eaiziuhY38mmixkJZ_u-lP5X7OgJBkXVL0rQO_t98eS1SePTLYQCcXPxb8AQF7SVKJFUc925D9ImA/s1600/P1150169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhyphenhyphen4ZosmWw4U4zHsyxLie0SNQNZXvSUBb9CkT663hyphenhyphen4K_7tCNYiH-A4XY9eaiziuhY38mmixkJZ_u-lP5X7OgJBkXVL0rQO_t98eS1SePTLYQCcXPxb8AQF7SVKJFUc925D9ImA/s1600/P1150169.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Control Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_K6ASBr_3qwBN0U3GBiYU9RS_Yt9CCDchrS2LCJxqCi4ZZSRRUwdwKwFtoEuN6El81g2muGAt_-U8iLsESO_gnJEFH0-xuQnyOR6i1O-JJ_Zh0VcLs7pEQy8LkaQsAQzihcqbA/s1600/P1150170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_K6ASBr_3qwBN0U3GBiYU9RS_Yt9CCDchrS2LCJxqCi4ZZSRRUwdwKwFtoEuN6El81g2muGAt_-U8iLsESO_gnJEFH0-xuQnyOR6i1O-JJ_Zh0VcLs7pEQy8LkaQsAQzihcqbA/s1600/P1150170.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I climb out through the small opening into the open deck above </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and what met us was a wide panoramic view of Oahu's southern coastline, including the lighthouse just below, popular Waikiki Beach to the right, Koko Head Crater to the left. It was simply breathtaking! The waters were all sorts of blue. This is what I'm talking about! I sigh loudly and I breath in the beauty of what I see around me ;-)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoPks7jofQlAeimrpIdQxr7JBbPjoSbhsvVev9mStXau31vv-_twLMWcrFXZ2fVgw63VlksZ9TMZGtYXRcji-GZHn_wNOslt0C5wT1-nhQC9vGdeHwbFylEENH2EbJs9j-KgjNQ/s1600/P1150171_P1150173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoPks7jofQlAeimrpIdQxr7JBbPjoSbhsvVev9mStXau31vv-_twLMWcrFXZ2fVgw63VlksZ9TMZGtYXRcji-GZHn_wNOslt0C5wT1-nhQC9vGdeHwbFylEENH2EbJs9j-KgjNQ/s1600/P1150171_P1150173.jpg" height="236" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Open Deck outside the Fire Control Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdoFwfsBualX6s8Gngu3jSMYse9Xx5uIaEjwHDpO6Xdsbd8mvPvGYw125fmLftLWpzoES0uezjbtVUcLWW8twAnOJaZ8M5YnY9deR3JIebspauqIADFxce5ZDAw1WKDSWwangxw/s1600/P1150177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdoFwfsBualX6s8Gngu3jSMYse9Xx5uIaEjwHDpO6Xdsbd8mvPvGYw125fmLftLWpzoES0uezjbtVUcLWW8twAnOJaZ8M5YnY9deR3JIebspauqIADFxce5ZDAw1WKDSWwangxw/s1600/P1150177.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Head Lighthouse with the turquoise waters</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81wv5Tvm2Bjb5PAK8LfQwTuoVwTV6b7DIz11oYy5wYLQqJY3yak9NJGU5plovg863GaX1tUwwYH-9ZLnJjrT_zAKzCn2K9fRY-u5737tAcRQLp5wemmDd9Xpxv-uIylCpvY9vuA/s1600/P1150179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81wv5Tvm2Bjb5PAK8LfQwTuoVwTV6b7DIz11oYy5wYLQqJY3yak9NJGU5plovg863GaX1tUwwYH-9ZLnJjrT_zAKzCn2K9fRY-u5737tAcRQLp5wemmDd9Xpxv-uIylCpvY9vuA/s1600/P1150179.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waikiki Beach on the right</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another 54 metal steps put us at the summit at 761 feet above sea level. At the top, a gold circular survey mark stands embedded on the observation deck floor. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here we get a 360 degree panoramic view. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC20WCe2aZd5ZRIuM2ZT6jrjfmX7hcv_U-yi2HJ8CTMNoIse2jniakMlZtpFHGOjC1vvPO_-OX3dXjlGnVJuSPgbS_km5FW5g82lSh5ZIzZy_LiOul30pj-JaLfuo61DL-fhQ_xA/s1600/P1150191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC20WCe2aZd5ZRIuM2ZT6jrjfmX7hcv_U-yi2HJ8CTMNoIse2jniakMlZtpFHGOjC1vvPO_-OX3dXjlGnVJuSPgbS_km5FW5g82lSh5ZIzZy_LiOul30pj-JaLfuo61DL-fhQ_xA/s1600/P1150191.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4HiQn18XpG7eLt4_CoFdKRKi79oCu-y_T7seFpiYX7X-u2Ion_Zf0Ohke97Zr-cpYpLtA9LJM44cIaeP4jDJRfAGhqToxMf-mW3678zOQX4uNWMV9qB1UhzG4X7znu35fwZ-IA/s1600/P1150183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4HiQn18XpG7eLt4_CoFdKRKi79oCu-y_T7seFpiYX7X-u2Ion_Zf0Ohke97Zr-cpYpLtA9LJM44cIaeP4jDJRfAGhqToxMf-mW3678zOQX4uNWMV9qB1UhzG4X7znu35fwZ-IA/s1600/P1150183.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Diamond Head Crater Walls with Koko Head Crater in the far background</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSzdNXdq8WD6BLmLMNAxc_j5wnSqyiu_mBg17E3r8dnGzb6_PSCowf09DPGO1UWt9KrMAV7ddeFERJQjqZbDuswhYE2ZCntyAo9duOOZoq7j9q6RjvJxB2Lyz9VgLkrEFCQ6YNw/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSzdNXdq8WD6BLmLMNAxc_j5wnSqyiu_mBg17E3r8dnGzb6_PSCowf09DPGO1UWt9KrMAV7ddeFERJQjqZbDuswhYE2ZCntyAo9duOOZoq7j9q6RjvJxB2Lyz9VgLkrEFCQ6YNw/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Entrance from where we started our hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2LJ-0MVAWicvNJdxdGBha-a_M1BArvPTELbvwJEOkTo70HB7nCAnRLFNteGH4nkKoGJz_ZrAhWUXn55TlP-z6IX8u74EmIeaXECdK_MKo8qKF0h8E-cn6jLvqsmBw2cFTqtpbQ/s1600/P1150186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2LJ-0MVAWicvNJdxdGBha-a_M1BArvPTELbvwJEOkTo70HB7nCAnRLFNteGH4nkKoGJz_ZrAhWUXn55TlP-z6IX8u74EmIeaXECdK_MKo8qKF0h8E-cn6jLvqsmBw2cFTqtpbQ/s1600/P1150186.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNULE54VVMgyi0LaSeDDjKO_v1ai45kNQrYjXknz6xV-4BH6gbpUsI48yH4c0VFT4KRfJ5YDXJnPBEhUowsvINGXOhVGBspKDwH_hxQ9sdZWdDabjZ0qhp_XRLpsEGZoSH3l17A/s1600/DSC_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNULE54VVMgyi0LaSeDDjKO_v1ai45kNQrYjXknz6xV-4BH6gbpUsI48yH4c0VFT4KRfJ5YDXJnPBEhUowsvINGXOhVGBspKDwH_hxQ9sdZWdDabjZ0qhp_XRLpsEGZoSH3l17A/s1600/DSC_0090.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide view of Waikiki Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtNEc-VJK1B9LtyYO77GYVefEJ0qxLd4aL3IBVL5BLJ4Fp3y4g-PhCExHqWeF_-5CSwjZapG949cuq-3R713YTnskSa9OTN6_XfqauBgGB5sl_Air-kWoXLncv4V4AX4w5KgyTw/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtNEc-VJK1B9LtyYO77GYVefEJ0qxLd4aL3IBVL5BLJ4Fp3y4g-PhCExHqWeF_-5CSwjZapG949cuq-3R713YTnskSa9OTN6_XfqauBgGB5sl_Air-kWoXLncv4V4AX4w5KgyTw/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up view of Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island (long narrow island protruding in the middle horizontal of the photo)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now it was time to descend and the path going back lets one enjoy more panoramic views. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The loop trail leads us back at the end of the narrow tunnel where we made our way back easier as there were less people. We had a few seconds to capture a photo inside the tunnel too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The descent was easier on the heart, but harder on the knees. At the switchback, we saw an old couple slowly making their way down. The woman had a cane and she was holding on to the guardrails, and the man was guiding her along. So sweet! And yet, it was a pleasant sight to see people not giving up things like these just because they are old. Gives me hope! :-)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5pc4vaBVQJYtEnNxbF9RqYpX_vCJA99djCAFX9Ku0qHRg3dtyOiqs2bYUEda2ocvtEYPRp5hxSQsziwbelNhJ_T4T8cUWQ6-ziSXA6afYnD-R4cC4Ct1r2OaBfHo-2jbtk4Zxw/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5pc4vaBVQJYtEnNxbF9RqYpX_vCJA99djCAFX9Ku0qHRg3dtyOiqs2bYUEda2ocvtEYPRp5hxSQsziwbelNhJ_T4T8cUWQ6-ziSXA6afYnD-R4cC4Ct1r2OaBfHo-2jbtk4Zxw/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one of the switchbacks, the lovely old couple on the left making their way down slowly</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we reached the final winding road that leads back to the visitor center, we were already thinking of getting an ice cold bottle of coke at the vending machine. That made our hike down even faster! :-) But in the end, I ended up with a shave ice from the food truck parked below. The guy asked me if I was down from the hike or just starting out. Told him I did my hike and he handed me a cold wet towel to cool off. What a pleasant surprise! We sat at the picnic table enjoying our shave ice and put up our feet to let the blood circulate back up to the rest of our bodies.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shave ice, widely popular in Hawaii</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We made it in little less than 2 hours round trip on the actual trail with stops for rest and photo during non-peak days (that's about 3 hours including the section from and to the bus station plus time to rest at the visitor center).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another mission accomplished!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-19047768291199698322014-05-04T14:05:00.002+08:002014-05-10T18:04:04.731+08:00Flying Over a Live Active Volcano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An experience of a lifetime, flying over a live active volcano may sound like a ridiculously unsafe thing to do, but hundreds of people do this every single day in the Big Island in Hawaii. They are actually made of 5 active volcanoes altogether and the one currently erupting is Kilauea Volcano. I just had to add this to my list of </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thrill activities to do before I die.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I decided to take the helicopter tour, another first for me. This is my first time to ride of a helicopter, add in with doors off and over a live active volcano! What else can one ask for, for a once in a lifetime experience? Although excited, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have always been a bit wary of my height phobia but surprisingly, I was not at all worried during the whole ride. It probably helped that I had shoulder straps too in addition to the waste belts since I was sitting on the right front side of the helicopter. There is probably only one tiny second when I first looked directly below me through the open door when the chopper was turning right that I had a slight phobia attack, probably because of the strong winds too, but succeeding looks were not a problem. I even wanted to sit facing the side if I could instead to get a better glimpse of things but the type of chopper we had, had seats all facing front.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During the orientation, we were surprised to see a lot of people at the airport, and even more surprised to see that they didn't have anything else aside from their shorts, sleeveless shirts and slippers. And here we were, looking like idiots with our long sleeve shirts, closed shoes and even a jacket in warm tropical Hawaii. But it turned out we were the smart ones. The couple that rode with us was not prepared since they didn't know about the doors off option. Apparently, they booked at the last minute, so they weren't given a choice, so they had to put doors on their seats. Even if they wanted to pay extra, they staff wouldn't allow them up cause they said they will freeze without the proper clothing. So our chopper was half doors off, hahaha! Luckily they have those easily removable and reattachable doors. But it didn't matter to us cause we were in front anyways and still had the full experience of doors off.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doors off Helicopter with the doors left behind</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing much to prepare except for simply following the staffs' instructions upon sitting and getting off. Prior to boarding, we were weighed at check-in and a computer computes our weights and determines where we should sit in the 5-seater Hughes 500 chopper. I was the heavier of the two of us and thus, I got to sit on the right front seat instead of the center front seat, one of those benefits of being chubby, haha! Lucky for me as I was nearest the door, but it would have been a disaster if my height-phobia had acted up. We had two-way radios too where we could talk to our pilot Pete and other passengers, but I realized it wasn't that easy since the wind was blowing hard and created too much static. Having to juggle with my camera, pushing the button to talk to him, and covering my mouth to talk into the mic, was just a hassle. He was quite helpful anyway in providing the narration and pointed things out to us during the 50 minute flight.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All strapped in and ready to go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we're off!<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The take off was surprisingly smooth, and felt like we were just hovering above the ground. I didn't even feel the lift up from the ground, nor the landing at the end and the change in altitude was not abrupt either. Hmmm, I could get used to this! ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ozfTFmRqu8jMjh-lRzCQrnjQOkgyu89kre1FIlzoIhjkUPXNOfZwfP4U76WU2EfqqlW0pKtoLqJvpa3T_kFrDAIFiXlJ5VUmIX-qAnuJu1eh3ZkevjdX6JlfHyd_MBEHpgPqbQ/s1600/DSC_0676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ozfTFmRqu8jMjh-lRzCQrnjQOkgyu89kre1FIlzoIhjkUPXNOfZwfP4U76WU2EfqqlW0pKtoLqJvpa3T_kFrDAIFiXlJ5VUmIX-qAnuJu1eh3ZkevjdX6JlfHyd_MBEHpgPqbQ/s1600/DSC_0676.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's a totally different experience as you can see everything from a different perspective than we're used to, and from different angles. The most unique one was to look straight down below cause we don't get to do that normally. Even riding a plane or looking down from a high-rise structure offers a different perspective, sort of a top view out the side but not exactly directly top view, except maybe for the new glass bottom platforms, like those in Grand Canyon or the Alps and Google Earth, where you can look straight down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before reaching the lava fields, we flew through lush green rainforests. It was just a breathtaking experience. It's amazing how dense the forests are. I could imagine myself diving into a giant broccoli as I zoom in to look closer.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhG6RLcS0mrTZK4_fu7TGkdWorWLTZJ6y371UMShnXOOjuhTBKpDtYJkNzgk8FcM2g4UIKepRn4NUGobu_z_c2VPEDjMlwXYVtAeQbxnmaHTogmAKqmRskFQEeHtuj4RUo05tkQ/s1600/DSC_0680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhG6RLcS0mrTZK4_fu7TGkdWorWLTZJ6y371UMShnXOOjuhTBKpDtYJkNzgk8FcM2g4UIKepRn4NUGobu_z_c2VPEDjMlwXYVtAeQbxnmaHTogmAKqmRskFQEeHtuj4RUo05tkQ/s1600/DSC_0680.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passed by many broccoli-looking fields!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wind was strong and we had to keep our arms and cameras inside the helicopter otherwise, it may just flick to the back, hurt yourself and get your camera damaged. I forgot a couple of times especially when I wanted to point something out to my cousin, but luckily I was slow to stretch out my arms and camera and could immediately retract them when I felt the winds pulling my arms like a doll.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was actually hard to take photos, contrary to what I expected because of the strong wind and I couldn't stretch my camera, which was a DSLR, outside the chopper. So I just kept shooting as much as I can, hoping to get some good shots. My flip screen turned out to be quite useful, and I was able to get photos and videos with the camera just laying on my leg for more stability.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTyIgkrLACSGwjR7OYV8VSMd2JUoiCPavw4F0FmRs-QNnLkkVI9oGU1my1aJRHhwaVfHQLDwq76cehUO5dugwW_n-8gxrbDQYgvV62aKu4hhYjGzTRwFNzi46h6r4xqLIKw6x5A/s1600/DSC_0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTyIgkrLACSGwjR7OYV8VSMd2JUoiCPavw4F0FmRs-QNnLkkVI9oGU1my1aJRHhwaVfHQLDwq76cehUO5dugwW_n-8gxrbDQYgvV62aKu4hhYjGzTRwFNzi46h6r4xqLIKw6x5A/s1600/DSC_0694.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried lava or at least it seems like it!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The strong cold wind made us forget that we are on top of a live active volcano, until we see the steam coming out of the ground. It could be deceiving as the color of the lava turns black on top and fresh green trees have sprouted out. But when I looked closely at the trees, and I can see their trunks and branches dried up from the heat below. The magma at Kilauea could go up to about 2200 degrees F where rocks melt, glowing orange lava flows more than 1600 degrees F, dark red lava at 895 degrees F and the cooler lava could be as low as 570 degrees F, just like our oven.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam coming out of the live volcano</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73DDh5JBDRlFTT6-O_cKHq3-pLUxdBCoUDxDnZL64U0AnNRMs495lf8sQ3-kSt0wdGRV3LRFybIq8O7Or8439MwdsqXgnvH01uoVzjqFY4zj_wiR9G-U9cBQpieSgJYf_pfxhwQ/s1600/DSC_0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73DDh5JBDRlFTT6-O_cKHq3-pLUxdBCoUDxDnZL64U0AnNRMs495lf8sQ3-kSt0wdGRV3LRFybIq8O7Or8439MwdsqXgnvH01uoVzjqFY4zj_wiR9G-U9cBQpieSgJYf_pfxhwQ/s1600/DSC_0700.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The color of the lava fields seem to turn from dull black to shiny black and instead of dried up lava, I could see molten lava everywhere. The Kilauea is said to have basalt, which is a type of lava that is dark in color, and thus, we could see a sea of black lava fields everywhere. Look closely, we could see dark red spots that turn out to be magma under the black exterior. Then suddenly, fiery red spots reveal themselves. According to our pilot Pete, the morning showed signs of new lava forming and it was still trying to spring out, so we could only see small areas of glowing lava.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was also interesting to see different formations from the lava like the one below. It appears they actually have a name for this type of lava, pahoehoe (pronounced "pa hoy hoy") which are smoother flat surfaces created by smooth slow flows of lava, and where one could still walk on after it cools down. The other type is called a'a which are rockier surfaces formed by faster and multiple flows and sometimes cause cracks in the crust and will be difficult to step or walk on. The pahoehoe can be smooth, billowy and ropey. In the photo below, you can see all three. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d-KHXzJJOhJylwXmeNKBGBZoczu0_CXSKtaqcTanGq_nUJai6slP-emnpWRApsqj-PP-IrqHxU-haz_DsadHJgXxMCjLccVIZap4eXEy-liakRrJs_ybg0eZz83kpIDuEyFd3Q/s1600/DSC_0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d-KHXzJJOhJylwXmeNKBGBZoczu0_CXSKtaqcTanGq_nUJai6slP-emnpWRApsqj-PP-IrqHxU-haz_DsadHJgXxMCjLccVIZap4eXEy-liakRrJs_ybg0eZz83kpIDuEyFd3Q/s1600/DSC_0702.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molten Lava Flows with tiny new lava (red spots)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWz_bwnmMzrBzPepuQxZMZRKfXTNnmek04fICkazIq0Uk0eJQa-j1HpR33Ai4MPlBB7-F0yWExqTNd_aRhn3s0iSbHzWgfzPH6PNpyG7_OaBwv1-6GOyJzBzaQK8dfAvszt4cnQ/s1600/DSC_0706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWz_bwnmMzrBzPepuQxZMZRKfXTNnmek04fICkazIq0Uk0eJQa-j1HpR33Ai4MPlBB7-F0yWExqTNd_aRhn3s0iSbHzWgfzPH6PNpyG7_OaBwv1-6GOyJzBzaQK8dfAvszt4cnQ/s1600/DSC_0706.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiery red lava!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l6y9tBFHGUK6-eUmeQMszIVCThxvcEiorNRmNy_HN2ESzwdJyFrswGQF9I5ZqdSHWY-jQPW3oLn8r7b2-KDetps-XmLjagxtoDip2xk7pYCZZP9_TKeop14F8oeZ-ImtH1iBXw/s1600/DSC_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l6y9tBFHGUK6-eUmeQMszIVCThxvcEiorNRmNy_HN2ESzwdJyFrswGQF9I5ZqdSHWY-jQPW3oLn8r7b2-KDetps-XmLjagxtoDip2xk7pYCZZP9_TKeop14F8oeZ-ImtH1iBXw/s1600/DSC_0717.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mauna Loa which is Hawaii's largest volcano wasn't visible due to the heavy fog but we flew over the area around Kilauea which was the area that is currently erupting, and saw lots of lava fields and volcanic craters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOr5qtOoGYwWJexDw4S_hsL_H6DRH5x9xs53AUbo0ZRjS70JFwlxTpWgBRzLTeZJlEmSK3pL9ojtIN5BfG8M9Tvi5abyiz1_IlKpOp_RtzuJRho3mKkdmF1c9tyaimJVDZtCmEw/s1600/DSC_0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOr5qtOoGYwWJexDw4S_hsL_H6DRH5x9xs53AUbo0ZRjS70JFwlxTpWgBRzLTeZJlEmSK3pL9ojtIN5BfG8M9Tvi5abyiz1_IlKpOp_RtzuJRho3mKkdmF1c9tyaimJVDZtCmEw/s1600/DSC_0721.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTRdOmgu1ReArW1iJ125B3ksHnV72y46IbqRS7-Lzq5ZI9sYSJQmJXQk8Eaj7P5j11ZpnMIP5JlWAAJPE7nDqp-s0vyREsocmqzI26iCA7b5OJlAexNtK1Sv_9kFsT2BNYd43Ew/s1600/DSC_0728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTRdOmgu1ReArW1iJ125B3ksHnV72y46IbqRS7-Lzq5ZI9sYSJQmJXQk8Eaj7P5j11ZpnMIP5JlWAAJPE7nDqp-s0vyREsocmqzI26iCA7b5OJlAexNtK1Sv_9kFsT2BNYd43Ew/s1600/DSC_0728.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighter brown lava here represents newer lava flows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeehCo15xIg6sj6-Xp49Zr84c_LKxJyt0sawiBG_Vm-rxPd1Ulwrw2lAcuZXxvNgcaNezH3rf_N19wqv7pRXc_3hZaVYdZ_VSUICO4Y5jlERNNs4ApK08d6-ZGtfiGRA6cVhcJQ/s1600/DSC_0733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeehCo15xIg6sj6-Xp49Zr84c_LKxJyt0sawiBG_Vm-rxPd1Ulwrw2lAcuZXxvNgcaNezH3rf_N19wqv7pRXc_3hZaVYdZ_VSUICO4Y5jlERNNs4ApK08d6-ZGtfiGRA6cVhcJQ/s1600/DSC_0733.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to the higher peaks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsHJA18QMZOshikr8-X7VnSojiBlRLXauWsOxgSNtjxjy_Fm0i6cI80ZgIBr03rf08nyNVQTCZZw0pWQtjhk69WDk6PuW76cCamv7lJbW0iULDqEv6g6AuzsLfU-MdCdm0FbCqw/s1600/DSC_0738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsHJA18QMZOshikr8-X7VnSojiBlRLXauWsOxgSNtjxjy_Fm0i6cI80ZgIBr03rf08nyNVQTCZZw0pWQtjhk69WDk6PuW76cCamv7lJbW0iULDqEv6g6AuzsLfU-MdCdm0FbCqw/s1600/DSC_0738.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to the higher peaks</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBfo6YHlt6tvjW6rXRCag11YptErqb6T5csVT4QwZ6Fz4a6tv-HcX88Y91OQlWfn9JTEkvFjZhylSlyryaBSGPJTI3erPP5AjsoFXaEpCt7EgpaDyQsJJvesLhBUceX_w8twGow/s1600/DSC_0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBfo6YHlt6tvjW6rXRCag11YptErqb6T5csVT4QwZ6Fz4a6tv-HcX88Y91OQlWfn9JTEkvFjZhylSlyryaBSGPJTI3erPP5AjsoFXaEpCt7EgpaDyQsJJvesLhBUceX_w8twGow/s1600/DSC_0739.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIln_HJ0LtuQIwTQ7nhIvTZR64kswY6Y-cezgyA8DJcdSRN9uiENVZ-YOl_3JZaCVBrxhbXvHDSN_9EO4cTfpDEOkEgWt3W1roIGIYmXGr0WPCocLpIqS_lBKtNYd4h3HdwJAeBQ/s1600/DSC_0750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIln_HJ0LtuQIwTQ7nhIvTZR64kswY6Y-cezgyA8DJcdSRN9uiENVZ-YOl_3JZaCVBrxhbXvHDSN_9EO4cTfpDEOkEgWt3W1roIGIYmXGr0WPCocLpIqS_lBKtNYd4h3HdwJAeBQ/s1600/DSC_0750.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the volcano craters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncZ3mOTJ9B85TV2Eduv0ThtwhmjjXMBDVrH1EoFK3gABW7yLqciYg_xit8rOdw8cdv_RDWNI5RPHuTF8lzsraIkK9b8lLkDOLfHzKhZu9U-g-71RieUnw2NjpHlpGUK1yzHqOzg/s1600/DSC_0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncZ3mOTJ9B85TV2Eduv0ThtwhmjjXMBDVrH1EoFK3gABW7yLqciYg_xit8rOdw8cdv_RDWNI5RPHuTF8lzsraIkK9b8lLkDOLfHzKhZu9U-g-71RieUnw2NjpHlpGUK1yzHqOzg/s1600/DSC_0752.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the volcano craters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCx_B98q6DxIf1WqZBiuwhcIRJ9vVy3AlEWQ4AaQcjbSz4ga8lNWWRmXR9GGZpQK7VmJX_uJYKerENtTA0zjWQ7d4SV5fcFm7m9zV4Rk7Bx7dWRsQM-pA82ahtuPrexbFSaqLDMQ/s1600/DSC_0758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCx_B98q6DxIf1WqZBiuwhcIRJ9vVy3AlEWQ4AaQcjbSz4ga8lNWWRmXR9GGZpQK7VmJX_uJYKerENtTA0zjWQ7d4SV5fcFm7m9zV4Rk7Bx7dWRsQM-pA82ahtuPrexbFSaqLDMQ/s1600/DSC_0758.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the volcano craters</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDOUMIHji33feUDleWF7ZBI72BqCA8enOHfsMu6Bln1GWTtolatDJ1NldP_qIU6yWfbZqg32WaNIuC3G7J6ZeE3TDurMSkEU2RUk2Q1vE2Lua_SO1RvbtWVu5W3KN4W7EOcsiZA/s1600/DSC_0763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDOUMIHji33feUDleWF7ZBI72BqCA8enOHfsMu6Bln1GWTtolatDJ1NldP_qIU6yWfbZqg32WaNIuC3G7J6ZeE3TDurMSkEU2RUk2Q1vE2Lua_SO1RvbtWVu5W3KN4W7EOcsiZA/s1600/DSC_0763.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpJhFj9icEtQBsFYBs6dgycrdhGN-yepzB-kWvooFcaCth8I8Y3fbFfd-jVaret4Y0hg3_StLuWw97MNoZNZqzEZu5NYVdQs6Km-Twd0SUV-W7pGl1TEIcOIQGkKb0wwgnN8hfw/s1600/DSC_0765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpJhFj9icEtQBsFYBs6dgycrdhGN-yepzB-kWvooFcaCth8I8Y3fbFfd-jVaret4Y0hg3_StLuWw97MNoZNZqzEZu5NYVdQs6Km-Twd0SUV-W7pGl1TEIcOIQGkKb0wwgnN8hfw/s1600/DSC_0765.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vents cracking the land open and new orange magma appearing from below</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highest Peak<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Volcanoes are not new to me, but this is probably the first time I've learned so much more about them. My first knowledge of volcanic eruptions was Mount St. Helens, and it introduced me to the world of National Geography where I saw photos of the eruption. I live in a country with lots of volcanoes and a decade after Mount St. Helens, our own Mount Pinatubo erupted. We live more than 50 miles of the volcano, but we experienced major earthquakes and several inches of ash fall in the city and were enveloped in a cloud of darkness. Just recently, I hiked to the crater which is now filled with an elegant emerald green pool of water. And not to forget our active Mount Mayon which boasts of its perfect cone shaped peak, a place I could only read about when I was a kid. I was luck to be able to finally visit it twice in the past few years. And now, Kilauea!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>- John Muir</i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUJFZSYm__BC-BwO3W8Bd2E6TSGTUYIY4HvJyZXV3bqfFKJA4xF_fz4fobLd30KbGL7IDTqT6PTOO-NF8QRuszFT1Hp0Al3Pc96Emz0HX0PEqv8SI3fs2c5iGG7sQ48DFrJVl1g/s1600/DSC_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUJFZSYm__BC-BwO3W8Bd2E6TSGTUYIY4HvJyZXV3bqfFKJA4xF_fz4fobLd30KbGL7IDTqT6PTOO-NF8QRuszFT1Hp0Al3Pc96Emz0HX0PEqv8SI3fs2c5iGG7sQ48DFrJVl1g/s1600/DSC_0793.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patchy clouds over the rainforests and communities near the volcano!<br />
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<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At times, it feels surreal to see all these things together: a live active erupting volcano against the lush greeneries and communities that go on with their daily lives. But it's a way of life! When I visited our own active volcano back home, I was told of stories where men would sit around with their beers at night, despite warnings of a possible major eruption, looking out in the darkness and paying tribute to the powerful volcano. This reminds me of the story here of Jack Thompson, who survived more than 30 years of near misses and whose house was the last one standing, till it was overtaken by lava in 2012.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblf8LQBIng5NUK4Sy5lIke5PhAbpTqi0tOmDyH4_JVwFCeQYBh0wFZnQ6AxpjV8lAc6oiUI-ky2o-v-cdW672UnGHWjg7jTHooy3K-6V8oFMnT3a1DD1rO9bUt2HHJl70fzRTBw/s1600/DSC_0803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblf8LQBIng5NUK4Sy5lIke5PhAbpTqi0tOmDyH4_JVwFCeQYBh0wFZnQ6AxpjV8lAc6oiUI-ky2o-v-cdW672UnGHWjg7jTHooy3K-6V8oFMnT3a1DD1rO9bUt2HHJl70fzRTBw/s1600/DSC_0803.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macadamia Fields (squared areas)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsZvEGIZ4NBjj5i585UoR-EtIAUUusdoWpwz9JixoTIZdfnYYiZlabh-Wk8Za9KpTMelw0iM2qAF_B5UzFymfpxqPBiPAmSc-vwlRoCAp1I-OZOLFKBnn5tL245qQHkxQ_vEQgg/s1600/DSC_0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsZvEGIZ4NBjj5i585UoR-EtIAUUusdoWpwz9JixoTIZdfnYYiZlabh-Wk8Za9KpTMelw0iM2qAF_B5UzFymfpxqPBiPAmSc-vwlRoCAp1I-OZOLFKBnn5tL245qQHkxQ_vEQgg/s1600/DSC_0808.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black circles are water storages for rainwater collection, most of these rural communities don't have pipe in water supply</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEzZQahgEUxtVSXviQqhA9lTGcJAH3OURuYfjrxAm7An6dbYPM2iGmEbZoiCUAvZ-CKShYFdzzyZYNlTm7a3bSDSjtgkaiMG7fIKWlKYEC0xHuC7FfqRJLS8MmKAgKpHdapw5YQ/s1600/DSC_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEzZQahgEUxtVSXviQqhA9lTGcJAH3OURuYfjrxAm7An6dbYPM2iGmEbZoiCUAvZ-CKShYFdzzyZYNlTm7a3bSDSjtgkaiMG7fIKWlKYEC0xHuC7FfqRJLS8MmKAgKpHdapw5YQ/s1600/DSC_0812.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical Rainforests</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ON_5062Z_lzdZKhxLNO7F9DjJjkE1ecLzWnAyMgqYBIO6Q_9MP7F-0on8cSdaapkF8e-PGHrxmTE1Iv9sroCIFLHceztln3HoXUOeRAS57OeUCJO26qLDOIY1SXtSYr8fDtY1A/s1600/DSC_0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ON_5062Z_lzdZKhxLNO7F9DjJjkE1ecLzWnAyMgqYBIO6Q_9MP7F-0on8cSdaapkF8e-PGHrxmTE1Iv9sroCIFLHceztln3HoXUOeRAS57OeUCJO26qLDOIY1SXtSYr8fDtY1A/s1600/DSC_0832.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilo urban communities and Hilo coasts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPv-yV3bBXckVOdYEKVeF9xh0qdy7WizmbhcteSmjF3eZa47GbSYCvOfm56Zu9ACKwgh8QuUOtovzLBmw-Sl4WIy8N_lKGKt2lYWTc7Doa_TOqNbUMZ-uy2oGQumJDa-mU-TrJQ/s1600/DSC_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPv-yV3bBXckVOdYEKVeF9xh0qdy7WizmbhcteSmjF3eZa47GbSYCvOfm56Zu9ACKwgh8QuUOtovzLBmw-Sl4WIy8N_lKGKt2lYWTc7Doa_TOqNbUMZ-uy2oGQumJDa-mU-TrJQ/s1600/DSC_0839.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruise ship at the Hilo Port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMO4W-9ZwXMq1mnE5-RtPxikm8-z68T3kGZjVtuOjdG4EbbkTvXz9X7Jhd5H5dxB1LHakMt157lKfp5LhwVKjHjqg6Vrv4doQt4YZBsEbRI0aik7bYBGb-LiiEVhRxK7y-fSfXoQ/s1600/DSC_0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMO4W-9ZwXMq1mnE5-RtPxikm8-z68T3kGZjVtuOjdG4EbbkTvXz9X7Jhd5H5dxB1LHakMt157lKfp5LhwVKjHjqg6Vrv4doQt4YZBsEbRI0aik7bYBGb-LiiEVhRxK7y-fSfXoQ/s1600/DSC_0846.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the falls from the flowing Wailuku River </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDd3eI537ASlGHV6oE-71p9BeOKyadBP6-1qpp6M9omtoGfRuXGwDJDXOZAPdW5z2T5BslXGaDsUwFrJSTHNUGxkkQpV38kCRjMaDVZq5e6dLe9SFpgTEI21CCWMSvFVmXJxnHQ/s1600/DSC_0850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDd3eI537ASlGHV6oE-71p9BeOKyadBP6-1qpp6M9omtoGfRuXGwDJDXOZAPdW5z2T5BslXGaDsUwFrJSTHNUGxkkQpV38kCRjMaDVZq5e6dLe9SFpgTEI21CCWMSvFVmXJxnHQ/s1600/DSC_0850.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 80-foot Rainbow Falls (unfortunately no rainbow at the time we visited, but it known for the rainbows that form from the mists)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u7vfxo1hXpRjkUpF4PEbJSh14JoTQ-79g1LzqzlnoSsDWgBtRDsK2p32KQOeiA5OLmPBMRraOzA8Z3dWbxZv2EQysM2mYLfdwj4f92gToAST1XIpvyBjZYW_mDfSmH06VUzKZQ/s1600/DSC_0855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u7vfxo1hXpRjkUpF4PEbJSh14JoTQ-79g1LzqzlnoSsDWgBtRDsK2p32KQOeiA5OLmPBMRraOzA8Z3dWbxZv2EQysM2mYLfdwj4f92gToAST1XIpvyBjZYW_mDfSmH06VUzKZQ/s1600/DSC_0855.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top View of Rainbow Falls, with water flowing from the Wailuku River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiNa8MwPpl829-HLfeczfSofnh7QOxOkhaXDu5Z_oGyQzg7dCE28qT0lJcz7bxI71eWKtnQZVl1JMscrUtqLktzqr2PPJzbrdnH_TyS1Q4uiKjb87tKpgq8jY_HBX17ioIzG6KA/s1600/DSC_0870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiNa8MwPpl829-HLfeczfSofnh7QOxOkhaXDu5Z_oGyQzg7dCE28qT0lJcz7bxI71eWKtnQZVl1JMscrUtqLktzqr2PPJzbrdnH_TyS1Q4uiKjb87tKpgq8jY_HBX17ioIzG6KA/s1600/DSC_0870.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilo Seaport and Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI69mxQ4JYJ5STTWwsJJQUC87SFSGr1UFVu0sMgbkJ0TVqzy_ZocOK_XOhz-vFL-fFWPgwGwcAxN0m7yQWNZ2W53Zsmm-kKiOwXG5xNYukZfHB4d8Xy2OQwYFfzrXbnUSVl78VKw/s1600/DSC_0871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI69mxQ4JYJ5STTWwsJJQUC87SFSGr1UFVu0sMgbkJ0TVqzy_ZocOK_XOhz-vFL-fFWPgwGwcAxN0m7yQWNZ2W53Zsmm-kKiOwXG5xNYukZfHB4d8Xy2OQwYFfzrXbnUSVl78VKw/s1600/DSC_0871.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruise ship at the Hilo Port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KN6xfGTtb8KtfsM_VmofIAqTRoJcKvIwCpeoD_Q-Z2rIYkD76erxa8DtW7dfPqHJ5KLX-V7fDtfNag5fge4argPeKS-Z5RzGb1xjlr8GCyXajWURQMhvxrKOQ1wqtU0E0MZXeA/s1600/DSC_0878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KN6xfGTtb8KtfsM_VmofIAqTRoJcKvIwCpeoD_Q-Z2rIYkD76erxa8DtW7dfPqHJ5KLX-V7fDtfNag5fge4argPeKS-Z5RzGb1xjlr8GCyXajWURQMhvxrKOQ1wqtU0E0MZXeA/s1600/DSC_0878.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naniloa Resort, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and Coconut Island (left to right) and Banyan Golf Course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZfRjMR7NT7I1LfebV2D2LIZhtxzrekRrz7r8o0adQpbYOhA5XrCiPFSnbzS8OOSoWqnbclUz4kXgQl5qg0BY1H3SDWXYBLDkP4MSlpBiYHkth6Bu0Nu2hXnabpwDss9fO02AGg/s1600/DSC_0883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZfRjMR7NT7I1LfebV2D2LIZhtxzrekRrz7r8o0adQpbYOhA5XrCiPFSnbzS8OOSoWqnbclUz4kXgQl5qg0BY1H3SDWXYBLDkP4MSlpBiYHkth6Bu0Nu2hXnabpwDss9fO02AGg/s1600/DSC_0883.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top View of the Pride of America cruise ship and port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp__wyoVGWH0059PkhVey8IjwvKuX88nP72B-CDbEhPMx-0fmlUu5dfEAyzkCIJasGLJXTl3BljgSM73E1tsZAkdml9gIy3mI1Prs0Ti27C_foTIsTdadprGY9Ts9IuIb94Q30TA/s1600/DSC_0885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp__wyoVGWH0059PkhVey8IjwvKuX88nP72B-CDbEhPMx-0fmlUu5dfEAyzkCIJasGLJXTl3BljgSM73E1tsZAkdml9gIy3mI1Prs0Ti27C_foTIsTdadprGY9Ts9IuIb94Q30TA/s1600/DSC_0885.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilo coastline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I1Tf_HXpwGULharjfteZE-87QnXhrHnLn7vGOKnLGznQ6-Kj66Rv7etrx6d1BG3SoXRFm63Bh20yAsDRD5js8ORA0xGOD61RQymjnZ4HF1_lSCMskHu85fPNvCR2EYdy5PWZsg/s1600/DSC_0887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I1Tf_HXpwGULharjfteZE-87QnXhrHnLn7vGOKnLGznQ6-Kj66Rv7etrx6d1BG3SoXRFm63Bh20yAsDRD5js8ORA0xGOD61RQymjnZ4HF1_lSCMskHu85fPNvCR2EYdy5PWZsg/s1600/DSC_0887.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that a spot of rain?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmhgmKU-e6zGc6WXHFA1b99TX69Yw1iL9SOcxcoaow0l2RcqeQHcFtRxG_YCRHYvKJv_y_MBaleOoYnntzBz3W4LMZNeOPjLF-qHgEpRRPLXg_KjUWqKA8-MDTx7D4pcXc0tTlg/s1600/DSC_0900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmhgmKU-e6zGc6WXHFA1b99TX69Yw1iL9SOcxcoaow0l2RcqeQHcFtRxG_YCRHYvKJv_y_MBaleOoYnntzBz3W4LMZNeOPjLF-qHgEpRRPLXg_KjUWqKA8-MDTx7D4pcXc0tTlg/s1600/DSC_0900.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Direct Top View of Reeds Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gpKuYlL7XF7RYVpXi-Lvz49oh9Hq8kCQ4y9EGvdKHZiaJl_YW2lnqw5B2DIixrqqkliuD9xHVwzQGOd1AP7lYOpauMa6ID5WgMZYcmV1YJjILrB2p4mfp2fZPUy67VRbRjT_6Q/s1600/DSC_0903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gpKuYlL7XF7RYVpXi-Lvz49oh9Hq8kCQ4y9EGvdKHZiaJl_YW2lnqw5B2DIixrqqkliuD9xHVwzQGOd1AP7lYOpauMa6ID5WgMZYcmV1YJjILrB2p4mfp2fZPUy67VRbRjT_6Q/s1600/DSC_0903.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilo Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALBgBtvBm3JhI0kE8mqg9HvBBVU5VsWQQW5SoafxPfN5ZmC3-TGa6VIoC-HOs3-m2WB0804QRfDGnyTxWgc524P_bhOQSht9OMA42X2Rm3ShCSJqwJho1w0c0f787C6LiXATkPg/s1600/DSC_0908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALBgBtvBm3JhI0kE8mqg9HvBBVU5VsWQQW5SoafxPfN5ZmC3-TGa6VIoC-HOs3-m2WB0804QRfDGnyTxWgc524P_bhOQSht9OMA42X2Rm3ShCSJqwJho1w0c0f787C6LiXATkPg/s1600/DSC_0908.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to go back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvE9wA0_4zWB4QUa5KS2G0J_8phWgQuw6RszNvICVyHnN8Cg4f7-ClGBS9VWClOMLV5Nmn6F5Wx7bMmAfX6c_Rkrf3mxHLDfJbMmhPtEry4YsRrmAHh9ZnCfrhVu_QMyPQa6c21w/s1600/DSC_0910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvE9wA0_4zWB4QUa5KS2G0J_8phWgQuw6RszNvICVyHnN8Cg4f7-ClGBS9VWClOMLV5Nmn6F5Wx7bMmAfX6c_Rkrf3mxHLDfJbMmhPtEry4YsRrmAHh9ZnCfrhVu_QMyPQa6c21w/s1600/DSC_0910.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilo Airport Control Tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmryQhxsm4soH-V1Lc908jUmDHoO1MqOKyuh78pXFQUjBHjYiETWiGV67huDhckeA38UEFS38BNR66_pX2SXZ4rFpekS7y6XOx_sFmu4YM7K85ORnuOASZcrP9ngxLurcsXUrN8A/s1600/DSC_0911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmryQhxsm4soH-V1Lc908jUmDHoO1MqOKyuh78pXFQUjBHjYiETWiGV67huDhckeA38UEFS38BNR66_pX2SXZ4rFpekS7y6XOx_sFmu4YM7K85ORnuOASZcrP9ngxLurcsXUrN8A/s1600/DSC_0911.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilo Airport Helicopter Landing Area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosJGK86FvDR_Ub4EM31BLyGK7ekyjUMTYUlBm3llnNq34nQxa1ezDAxdyBPfA5V3tTGxPoIpYPJcicU8dkRGf_FoQ7Cw39aEIgus1LrhrQh3dz5BLbp_ebqiyciYw-kMf_P5KWg/s1600/DSC_0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosJGK86FvDR_Ub4EM31BLyGK7ekyjUMTYUlBm3llnNq34nQxa1ezDAxdyBPfA5V3tTGxPoIpYPJcicU8dkRGf_FoQ7Cw39aEIgus1LrhrQh3dz5BLbp_ebqiyciYw-kMf_P5KWg/s1600/DSC_0913.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to say goodbye! Doors being taken off from the back seats, amazing to see flexibility and ease of removing and reattaching the doors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfO950FiEiV4306Guoh6FSAMmwqjlClNjw2-oYLkWAuBoE7toqHxrmLp0XwcUCCGoJSnjc6pziJUr2g5GpaAoeGOVQ37EJF0SXgTDjWnvAzi6OP_7NUKOLC16gcBkgKnMIPwSEQ/s1600/DSC_0915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfO950FiEiV4306Guoh6FSAMmwqjlClNjw2-oYLkWAuBoE7toqHxrmLp0XwcUCCGoJSnjc6pziJUr2g5GpaAoeGOVQ37EJF0SXgTDjWnvAzi6OP_7NUKOLC16gcBkgKnMIPwSEQ/s1600/DSC_0915.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission Accomplished! With Pete, our pilot!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This experience wasn't just all about adventure and education, it reminded me that there's something bigger than us, bigger than we can ever imagine in this earth, and it's nature's forces! Even in this modern world where all the high-technology has an answer to almost every problem, nature as deceivingly gentle as it seems, still places a strong powerful hand on everything and no technology out there can match it. In one sweep of her arms or even a cough she makes, everything worldly that man have built and worshipped could disappear in a whim. While we continue to appreciate and learn about the natural environment we live in, we should also not forget to take care of it!</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">“Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed ... so that never again can we have the chance to see ourselves single, separate, vertical and individual in the world, part of the environment of trees and rocks and soil, part of the natural world and competent to belong in it.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>— Wallace Stegner</i></span></div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-15762366937023194152014-05-02T01:20:00.001+08:002014-05-04T14:28:16.384+08:00Kauia's Paradise: The Na Pali Coast<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No words can describe exactly what Kauai's Na Pali Coast looks like! No photos can capture it's true grandeur beauty! That's how mysterious this place is! How can one place be so magical? I get goose bumps! Is this paradise? Are we dreaming?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is exactly what goes through my mind as nature reveals the more than 6000-acre stretch of mountains so uniquely represented by its razor-sharp jagged giant cliffs towering 4000 feet up high, right from the blue ocean water below. Barely any flat shores where one can land on except for a few sea caves, this place can only be seen from the sea or air, and by the adventurous heart by foot. Even an experienced hiker will need to thread the 11-mile (each way) goat trail over valleys after valleys from Ke'e Beach to Kalalau Beach, camp out and return the following day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezQfA8ID7QFe3B0WPyhwskKbyXKf-zzxoapIy_MeGMN5njXClhlAP5o-7BGzDyLEcNTqqdScP0j5ClrpunYCmpvAO0SrISV3_Md5Ei__NTLGIaUolHoo1c03-E7-EXg0DJdlD0Q/s1600/DSC_1959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezQfA8ID7QFe3B0WPyhwskKbyXKf-zzxoapIy_MeGMN5njXClhlAP5o-7BGzDyLEcNTqqdScP0j5ClrpunYCmpvAO0SrISV3_Md5Ei__NTLGIaUolHoo1c03-E7-EXg0DJdlD0Q/s1600/DSC_1959.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow to welcome our visit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never seen a rainbow this clear and this close!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrxPQxWzkg5DGO-LZUYQgGw9mNkIXxMZTMURdo0BDGoW1AeoyJWbz2_wbQvtOQN_qeiythyphenhyphenkPV6QzcMhsJ7FvZ88Be-YyB69xL6Cl9yg_qyzPzMI_gJjiDYe0vr5jNrrJMChoUA/s1600/DSC_1982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrxPQxWzkg5DGO-LZUYQgGw9mNkIXxMZTMURdo0BDGoW1AeoyJWbz2_wbQvtOQN_qeiythyphenhyphenkPV6QzcMhsJ7FvZ88Be-YyB69xL6Cl9yg_qyzPzMI_gJjiDYe0vr5jNrrJMChoUA/s1600/DSC_1982.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Never seen a rainbow this clear and this close!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Majority of the place is barely touched and that is one of the main reasons for its magic. As one website describes it, Na Pali Coast nourishes one's soul and replenishes one's spirit. It inspires with a sense of peace and serenity.</span></div>
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I could imagine a hermit or two living up there guarding the mountains and meditating to the Gods. After all, the rich volcanic land provides a great means for survival.</div>
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As we passed through the coast on our ship, our local Hawaiian ambassador said a little prayer to ask for blessings for a safe passage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFDasscqBBuBD1pVUblzM2pibbW-U592kKbixu47SEUyVFpXuCQsJ7LBOz9G5JimTr8tdhTE2NZgFvNzZQvri5ZI77aluqrPSk7SL_98cifY1H22Or1P8jancjWDK_O_HIRXsSg/s1600/DSC_1968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFDasscqBBuBD1pVUblzM2pibbW-U592kKbixu47SEUyVFpXuCQsJ7LBOz9G5JimTr8tdhTE2NZgFvNzZQvri5ZI77aluqrPSk7SL_98cifY1H22Or1P8jancjWDK_O_HIRXsSg/s1600/DSC_1968.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we look closely, we notice tiny openings which are sea caves. Rafts take visitors to see these sea caves but they are not always visible and accessible. Several t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hin white vertical lines seem to appear towards the middle of the coast. These turn out to be giant towering waterfalls.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_zAhOsnYrkFMj8iwR8LhF1Ukh3VaMyr-cj1HI4o0o-rejcAlqhxhsJj9HsW8IRXuZeQ6DW6OT5w-8S0H-Ev765qSSqS0A1vjsQ_DlVQyIpI_sjbDn3m6FW2_HJBWlUC3OOBR6A/s1600/DSC_1996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_zAhOsnYrkFMj8iwR8LhF1Ukh3VaMyr-cj1HI4o0o-rejcAlqhxhsJj9HsW8IRXuZeQ6DW6OT5w-8S0H-Ev765qSSqS0A1vjsQ_DlVQyIpI_sjbDn3m6FW2_HJBWlUC3OOBR6A/s1600/DSC_1996.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up view of one of the waterfalls</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The colors enveloping the mountains make it even more spectacular. Instead of the usual brown and green, we see shades of red and mustard yellow, reflecting on the deep blue ocean water. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The mixes of color turns into a dream as rainbows, and even double rainbows, reveal themselves frequently ending on the mountains or on the ocean water like in the first few photos.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double Rainbow!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnC93lIcoiiQdsDvFVMB8Gf1hSe_oATW_L3zJ0_FfjpVBwccPjPbIuYdIZ-g6RlDJPeupZgqHhiWIPxaoc6iMAa1zcA59yri11LZjMqllwS_mX11CGhbue02flcHEsyD3E6EpxQ/s1600/DSC_2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnC93lIcoiiQdsDvFVMB8Gf1hSe_oATW_L3zJ0_FfjpVBwccPjPbIuYdIZ-g6RlDJPeupZgqHhiWIPxaoc6iMAa1zcA59yri11LZjMqllwS_mX11CGhbue02flcHEsyD3E6EpxQ/s1600/DSC_2019.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Razor-sharp jagged edges present a unique characteristic to these mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpRlBGrGqReQF8Jxpp4vU3mBZBlTj3q1xD8Uk3dY2bH__av_nEPGTD0Vbj5UTgsuJ3Qh7c-_rz09fEsbzpBIXeC5QDMlUmFe3futpE5E29BpVlGxS2R9GzBdD7kYcJoK022IvZA/s1600/DSC_2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpRlBGrGqReQF8Jxpp4vU3mBZBlTj3q1xD8Uk3dY2bH__av_nEPGTD0Vbj5UTgsuJ3Qh7c-_rz09fEsbzpBIXeC5QDMlUmFe3futpE5E29BpVlGxS2R9GzBdD7kYcJoK022IvZA/s1600/DSC_2030.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the beach landings off Napali Coast, also to the right of the beach looks like one of the sea cave openings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcGYCwtkr_H6zXC05lz7urTVg_yTHetI1VGIjFeleDXrMmviuchOJ2hvv3qzUZ3ESMf1O2OmeFRU6J0NE2U0wW-Vva9nnOtjakQsm9h4t92R5VdF_kT7ti9ALjlotYoVuGFE4dw/s1600/DSC_2046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcGYCwtkr_H6zXC05lz7urTVg_yTHetI1VGIjFeleDXrMmviuchOJ2hvv3qzUZ3ESMf1O2OmeFRU6J0NE2U0wW-Vva9nnOtjakQsm9h4t92R5VdF_kT7ti9ALjlotYoVuGFE4dw/s1600/DSC_2046.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blurry vision of one of the small islands and atolls north of Kauai (towards the middle right side of the photo), this is probably Nihao, rumored to be the birthplace of Hawaiian goddess Pele</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j9jbbLu_3aFDJbu2eVCTuLAu9VmylOUqku9I73C-Iu86Ig4kD_WL5oQdcGxRlt0cKiGrrLSprwIBMXEFP8U1zuztQcIkREyCAEh0j4fceqrk1ViEwdFBSpC_BdpEilD2vKr5iA/s1600/DSC_2054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j9jbbLu_3aFDJbu2eVCTuLAu9VmylOUqku9I73C-Iu86Ig4kD_WL5oQdcGxRlt0cKiGrrLSprwIBMXEFP8U1zuztQcIkREyCAEh0j4fceqrk1ViEwdFBSpC_BdpEilD2vKr5iA/s1600/DSC_2054.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A frigate seabird</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were so blessed to be able to see all these from the sea, and as reached the northernmost part of the coast, the ship made a 360-degree turn and made our way back.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the back of our ship as we bid the Napali Coast goodbye</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4q_yazq2a81wGIyO1pwQkiECqZGYQfrERViZshdsKuXgiEnbnKVJ7geXu4OmMCl83r0NRLWATCSqUGwFVOSP3ogBaWmmZe7TQl6V208JG8sB32CSqVV8uV10i7EMlqoA_F_7OA/s1600/DSC_2089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4q_yazq2a81wGIyO1pwQkiECqZGYQfrERViZshdsKuXgiEnbnKVJ7geXu4OmMCl83r0NRLWATCSqUGwFVOSP3ogBaWmmZe7TQl6V208JG8sB32CSqVV8uV10i7EMlqoA_F_7OA/s1600/DSC_2089.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting smokey effect on water as our ship sails away, the movement creates wind that raises the water up to create that smokey effect</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While we all enjoyed immensely the opportunity to see the Na Pali Coast with our own eyes, my only wish is for it to remain preserved in its natural state and retain its mystery and magic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can also read about our Kauai adventure here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-wailua.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Wailua Falls, Kealia Beach and Anahola Beach</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kilauea.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kilauea Lighthouse, Kong Mountain, Coco Palms, Nawiliwili Harbor</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-hanalei.html">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Hanalei</a><br /><br /><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai.html">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Princeville, Hihimanu Twin Peaks, Anini Beach</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kalapaki.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kalapaki Beach and Nawiliwili Harbor</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-34218114847008342582014-05-02T00:37:00.001+08:002014-05-02T01:22:26.447+08:00Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kalapaki Beach and Nawiliwili Harbor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had a couple morning hours before leaving Kauai, and we didn't want to waste an opportunity to see more of Kauai, even if it's just staying near the port area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We heard about Kalapaki Beach which people claim is a nice beach. We've been disappointed in previous Hawaiian ports where claims to have a nice beach turns out to be a small dirty shore area with some sand. Coming from a tropical country which boasts of having the best beaches and having seen the beaches in Kauai's North and Eastern coastlines, I am of course bias, but even compared to our city beaches back home, beaches near the ports of Hawaii are often subpar. Kalapaki Beach on the other hand, is a pretty decent one, given that it's also the beach area outside the busy Kauai Marriott Resort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Near the harbor are small shopping malls offering specialty products like the Harbor Mall and the Anchor Cove Mall. From here, access is available to the nearby Kalapaki Beach as well.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOsSV6KhltpYJx174IYavPV0rXTq-HO9RRVsc3bN8UQo5b0pkCXsCQLmSGPYbyY9Y64ogmVzYHFMehEU79rX_QQiZEx8uO0v6xct_AEngAj26bUepM6bKf0_OudjQXK2-aTTgFg/s1600/P1150487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOsSV6KhltpYJx174IYavPV0rXTq-HO9RRVsc3bN8UQo5b0pkCXsCQLmSGPYbyY9Y64ogmVzYHFMehEU79rX_QQiZEx8uO0v6xct_AEngAj26bUepM6bKf0_OudjQXK2-aTTgFg/s1600/P1150487.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbor Mall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VEiOKMUQwxgcbrwUskl8l_XYhEGTf_UHbnuz_SPSLUURAv1m0Wr_OpEFrtuveFNRhX8KF-KiTnKhKN8JUrJeRC63dXqKAmLXjoGiuG_h-nRM3RPLkzQw6ERF1GY6v2sAcIvPww/s1600/P1150488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VEiOKMUQwxgcbrwUskl8l_XYhEGTf_UHbnuz_SPSLUURAv1m0Wr_OpEFrtuveFNRhX8KF-KiTnKhKN8JUrJeRC63dXqKAmLXjoGiuG_h-nRM3RPLkzQw6ERF1GY6v2sAcIvPww/s1600/P1150488.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving Toy Train Set from the nearby Hobby Shop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobby Shop display</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small stores selling bags and jewelries</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearby restaurant and hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjIbZagtjFADs67QB9wVkzKC_wavhfhu9Z7YSpqdaCnsUDBkKC9fT5TWd2rIpRZsf1o0OInnLBBL4LgqzhGFMXnMAS51fWZf0GBBYh8vvbC283WD-khDZEo5KG_zMPna9sIkH4w/s1600/P1150505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjIbZagtjFADs67QB9wVkzKC_wavhfhu9Z7YSpqdaCnsUDBkKC9fT5TWd2rIpRZsf1o0OInnLBBL4LgqzhGFMXnMAS51fWZf0GBBYh8vvbC283WD-khDZEo5KG_zMPna9sIkH4w/s1600/P1150505.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond with the Kalapaki Beach in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmN-NzJWjHbWGXDCNxVaPGj9l6e0iQLgSnjSKqGxS7G5TC1IINIrmuHy8v3Izj1Jrm61xNRL0FNsbaAa1gh2mBGizUml5o7LpVGkC914fG6RaeumgBXHxiU0oENaamjYYtoklMFw/s1600/P1150506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmN-NzJWjHbWGXDCNxVaPGj9l6e0iQLgSnjSKqGxS7G5TC1IINIrmuHy8v3Izj1Jrm61xNRL0FNsbaAa1gh2mBGizUml5o7LpVGkC914fG6RaeumgBXHxiU0oENaamjYYtoklMFw/s1600/P1150506.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walkway from Harbor Mall to Kalapaki Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4pXddWTr2U1PmCKt6phyphenhyphen-xQbfOp_zwgQu8LSWxCzghY1_zOzYENAEPqe5QPR6GiqSIfiNjb5_G7scs2ojaDxHq1VITjxORqZkLP6087u0eZHAELTfgw9v2K30-P5VLvBhxG5cw/s1600/P1150508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4pXddWTr2U1PmCKt6phyphenhyphen-xQbfOp_zwgQu8LSWxCzghY1_zOzYENAEPqe5QPR6GiqSIfiNjb5_G7scs2ojaDxHq1VITjxORqZkLP6087u0eZHAELTfgw9v2K30-P5VLvBhxG5cw/s1600/P1150508.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchor Cove Mall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny Black Crabs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flattened Red Crab</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyOV8mHgNpNzyn0Qlh3NGPUnCl9fAwv5C6ouBhcGiKq2jKSq5QoGrmgCeDUVLmKuSOukOXYA3TfxAy3raCma5dmR3ewGqF6UMcr8mlCz00It3s_uqlFnQafzjVIBllZG_s5pG4g/s1600/P1150604.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyOV8mHgNpNzyn0Qlh3NGPUnCl9fAwv5C6ouBhcGiKq2jKSq5QoGrmgCeDUVLmKuSOukOXYA3TfxAy3raCma5dmR3ewGqF6UMcr8mlCz00It3s_uqlFnQafzjVIBllZG_s5pG4g/s1600/P1150604.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The adventure was great and it will always live in our hearts. I now understand why all those movies portray Kauai as paradise and heaven on earth. But it's time to leave Kauai and Nawiliwili Harbor was there to bid us goodbye. Kauai was our last port as we head back full circle to Oahu, and Nawiliwili Harbor is also one of the most beautiful harbors we've visited.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nawiliwili Harbor with Nawiliwili Lighthouse and Golf Course in the background</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOl2jxu3n9MJRtLZPKw9I9SWUzz1in7kYeXSH71audPe4L6OBfXZgdKxcuZ9G0AAUpH7MnUJ1dz0bvWa_UCgpVu9wbsE8ZQX_a-iEW0HNPf2Jz2dtbIxF_Ao4846Q0rA54f28IQ/s1600/DSC_1889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOl2jxu3n9MJRtLZPKw9I9SWUzz1in7kYeXSH71audPe4L6OBfXZgdKxcuZ9G0AAUpH7MnUJ1dz0bvWa_UCgpVu9wbsE8ZQX_a-iEW0HNPf2Jz2dtbIxF_Ao4846Q0rA54f28IQ/s1600/DSC_1889.jpg" height="150" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXIGWBDJU6wSmhnwmFqqsS-I_EUt2smHFzf9pnjNapoqztIWoM8u_zBzHFMcYtoZpkZKWFRd6OINhnF9ZhJIwfNeKs365kkL3TqJE9Epk8vdKOHNdpgu6DVNdzSdAVzuvnTpPxA/s1600/DSC_1891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXIGWBDJU6wSmhnwmFqqsS-I_EUt2smHFzf9pnjNapoqztIWoM8u_zBzHFMcYtoZpkZKWFRd6OINhnF9ZhJIwfNeKs365kkL3TqJE9Epk8vdKOHNdpgu6DVNdzSdAVzuvnTpPxA/s1600/DSC_1891.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nawiliwili Port</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6dPK_l-FEN40nknD6GtnnCcfrQuBI-hDaW3MvQCXBQV7RQHHgw9obqsVsKWy87TmW9xpFtP6tWwMT8TGlAh8aKYb-JMsGPdXokoBbdv7SXgF9K0l2o7i_iquQW-em_Kzvbb3NA/s1600/DSC_1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6dPK_l-FEN40nknD6GtnnCcfrQuBI-hDaW3MvQCXBQV7RQHHgw9obqsVsKWy87TmW9xpFtP6tWwMT8TGlAh8aKYb-JMsGPdXokoBbdv7SXgF9K0l2o7i_iquQW-em_Kzvbb3NA/s1600/DSC_1911.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalapaki Beach and the Kauai Marriott Resort</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhix2YZXoIps5EzzrZpr9Ssdm6uq0sKh5hEmEYBSioZ6_Ed46b_UWuiVFzVZ6gqhGhaZEGo8VVQuHPZxd6HvH_jJ9INbsOVqvdgeuH9OkIPa93W6cztXFQ6Kw0epI5INelic2FfWQ/s1600/DSC_1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhix2YZXoIps5EzzrZpr9Ssdm6uq0sKh5hEmEYBSioZ6_Ed46b_UWuiVFzVZ6gqhGhaZEGo8VVQuHPZxd6HvH_jJ9INbsOVqvdgeuH9OkIPa93W6cztXFQ6Kw0epI5INelic2FfWQ/s1600/DSC_1936.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tugboat bidding us goodbye with a 360-degree turn salute</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2TsOZjHBvI7t4JwtmFLhxEH9h-LD6ylfDkv4vEznf15vym8cAFXBWtfzuIHJc5-u9JdkaudqnKwz2osRfpZGUbDrMa-c_-28ZixzVBXWJgvRo6B8NS9uh_78dhrzt0Q-YH9JEg/s1600/DSC_1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2TsOZjHBvI7t4JwtmFLhxEH9h-LD6ylfDkv4vEznf15vym8cAFXBWtfzuIHJc5-u9JdkaudqnKwz2osRfpZGUbDrMa-c_-28ZixzVBXWJgvRo6B8NS9uh_78dhrzt0Q-YH9JEg/s1600/DSC_1916.jpg" height="248" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgGOD538Ef3PguPseajxmdcwGx51kCUs-vTDPM51TZ7djSzWwOZwjBSpb1NO1ao8tDetp4n56cFO_B9E_Ebblp-jOB_JOK4H4hGeLPvka6PiJwcDQ9FT1zrYvSdflSn8Jx3iAWQ/s1600/DSC_1925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgGOD538Ef3PguPseajxmdcwGx51kCUs-vTDPM51TZ7djSzWwOZwjBSpb1NO1ao8tDetp4n56cFO_B9E_Ebblp-jOB_JOK4H4hGeLPvka6PiJwcDQ9FT1zrYvSdflSn8Jx3iAWQ/s1600/DSC_1925.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowhole</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light shining from the Nawiliwili Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz2NE991pgJSll-8qo-XmQ6TROYVSLD1vrLjc0yNI3jTtyCPeuIUUsPBxqsLmEXJvf68PuF9nduL_6KIVw34W8HMGsd83eiI4pBFoRUtfntb_81kSdJ3-k86-mxGkmvagtDbmTg/s1600/DSC_1948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz2NE991pgJSll-8qo-XmQ6TROYVSLD1vrLjc0yNI3jTtyCPeuIUUsPBxqsLmEXJvf68PuF9nduL_6KIVw34W8HMGsd83eiI4pBFoRUtfntb_81kSdJ3-k86-mxGkmvagtDbmTg/s1600/DSC_1948.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Goodbye for now to this magical island!<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can also read the rest of our Kauai journey here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-wailua.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Wailua Falls, Kealia Beach and Anahola Beach</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kilauea.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kilauea Lighthouse, Kong Mountain, Coco Palms, Nawiliwili Harbor</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-hanalei.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Hanalei</a><br /><br /><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Princeville, Hihimanu Twin Peaks, Anini Beach</a></span><br />
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and also our sightseeing of the Napali Coast<br />
<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/kauias-paradise-na-pali-coast.html" target="_blank">Kauia's Paradise: The Na Pali Coast</a></span><br />
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TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-30289993618209599752014-05-01T20:32:00.004+08:002023-04-05T12:49:54.367+08:00Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Hanalei<span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif">Getting lost in a magical island sounds like a great adventure! Not that we got lost physically, but we fell into its magical spell. To me, Kauai is the most beautiful island in Hawaii. It sits in the Northernmost part of the group of Hawaiian islands.</span><br />
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<span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif">Instead of going the usual touristy thing to visit Waimea Canyon, which is the popular Grand Canyon of Hawaii, we ventured out into the more rugged and off the beaten path Kauai with a lovely local couple, <a href="http://www.kauaiedentours.com/About_Us.html" target="_blank">Karen</a> and <a href="http://treadlightlykauai.com/About_Us.html" target="_blank">Jay</a>, both Kauai guides, who brought us around. We are not hikers but we love the secluded outdoor nature sceneries that simply take your breath away, where the mountains meet the sea. And that is why Kauai is popular to moviemakers who have ventured to for those perfectly breathtaking backdrops for movies like King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Jurassic Park. More recently, movies like Lilo and Stitch, Catching Fire, Six Days and Seven Nights, and Soul Surfer, amont many others, have continued to be added to the list.</span><br />
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<span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif">Kauai's charm is brought about by the successful preservation of this natural beauty. Quaint charming houses and shops line Kauai's beautiful little towns tucked between valleys. Our favorite was of course Hanalei, which is sort of an artsy sleepy town graced with timeless beauty, with population of 450. It's popular for its art galleries and famous beaches. Hanalei was also supposedly referenced in the song, <a href="https://youtu.be/Y7lmAc3LKWM" target="_blank">Puff the Magic Dragon</a>, despite no proven acknowledgement of this interpretation by the song writers. Although from the Hanalei Pier, we can imagine the exact scenery painted by the song, complete with the autumn mist that covered the mountains shaped like a dragon which lived by the sea.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6R9FInuN-xJgHzt_QcQ3SBocgELtIoBVBS9N_cIQVyvNs11G98nOSt0iQNJ3IVRP4HSD-NFI4F_IEQjhaOeHeFgXPpjTBkzfyc77QqktWykw-SFz4qOafAecupO5-lKkGJNr1w/s1600/DSC_1578.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6R9FInuN-xJgHzt_QcQ3SBocgELtIoBVBS9N_cIQVyvNs11G98nOSt0iQNJ3IVRP4HSD-NFI4F_IEQjhaOeHeFgXPpjTBkzfyc77QqktWykw-SFz4qOafAecupO5-lKkGJNr1w/s1600/DSC_1578.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Hanalei Pier on a rainy afternoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJ3wFTQxjFjAA_XfQQgI4cVIBDpvDZ3ZuRGIh9SFiHk7QcWcxfXWARZdw0DF_1XJmTVMj8T4xFOqnsh-3qVjBqTu5yqnc5X0pzWCWbcr17KSICmXnzcyqpRPyhUp_P0VbxrP-4Q/s1600/DSC_1539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJ3wFTQxjFjAA_XfQQgI4cVIBDpvDZ3ZuRGIh9SFiHk7QcWcxfXWARZdw0DF_1XJmTVMj8T4xFOqnsh-3qVjBqTu5yqnc5X0pzWCWbcr17KSICmXnzcyqpRPyhUp_P0VbxrP-4Q/s1600/DSC_1539.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanalei Pier on a rainy afternoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh9jRVfCm-7YJqw0BNUWk6V-AbaDgRL4CTF7-DEYNsYCP0g1z3BZEB8_Z2EVmbPnIbigQBn_CJse3tyLUYuO7LDcpg18hr2_6RIm6DgJYmSyFNcXe-0iWvzMwYGClKlbrE26SeA/s1600/DSC_1565.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh9jRVfCm-7YJqw0BNUWk6V-AbaDgRL4CTF7-DEYNsYCP0g1z3BZEB8_Z2EVmbPnIbigQBn_CJse3tyLUYuO7LDcpg18hr2_6RIm6DgJYmSyFNcXe-0iWvzMwYGClKlbrE26SeA/s1600/DSC_1565.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Pot Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ3OpFpKQfEvC61Pnsz2VqHPBuFlaouYi8_Dnji3Oums3puJp9da_FusDojotsCB3xcvsFDc3-k9Xtll3KNrsHFfR3gPHx56mh1T5oz8kbClNRzyLTe5QAhYx8e3YArjiQKcRTg/s1600/DSC_1545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ3OpFpKQfEvC61Pnsz2VqHPBuFlaouYi8_Dnji3Oums3puJp9da_FusDojotsCB3xcvsFDc3-k9Xtll3KNrsHFfR3gPHx56mh1T5oz8kbClNRzyLTe5QAhYx8e3YArjiQKcRTg/s1600/DSC_1545.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Families enjoying Black Pot Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbmPMx9K7yivtR1irhFL9K3pBJqAyzpDP5sSCVojUDVvr9uXbSWdEqhxRhQIpSKhjJ36_424HseTSUKVWZh9PQtDHTiuya2LN4GgJhD2-oRqB2V6-SL9VVIOoJ77Dkte6qZNLkg/s1600/DSC_1547.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbmPMx9K7yivtR1irhFL9K3pBJqAyzpDP5sSCVojUDVvr9uXbSWdEqhxRhQIpSKhjJ36_424HseTSUKVWZh9PQtDHTiuya2LN4GgJhD2-oRqB2V6-SL9VVIOoJ77Dkte6qZNLkg/s1600/DSC_1547.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfers at Black Pot Beach</td></tr>
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<span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif">Nearby from the pier, we found some of the sites that make up Hanalei's character and charm.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just by the stream off the ocean</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone's backyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Wai'oli Hui'ia Church, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">one of the most historic churches</span></td></tr>
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<span face="'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif">Hanalei Bay is also popular for the movies South Pacific, Lilo and Stitch and the Descendants. The famous song "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Out of My Hair" in South Pacific was also filmed in nearby Lumahai Beach.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy afternoon at the Lumahai Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjDbYmfSfxwHdiFGUeh0UpYVA_7qgUiDTr09Qw1gLo4tFJbfg2-Y98FECfhKykB9q-RZK-MQRbjpWR1Z7pOlAiSZTFItSbRASUNla9FU22RmJ6aAlltbxI0B1OjNmSPaeKnfDKg/s1600/DSC_1530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjDbYmfSfxwHdiFGUeh0UpYVA_7qgUiDTr09Qw1gLo4tFJbfg2-Y98FECfhKykB9q-RZK-MQRbjpWR1Z7pOlAiSZTFItSbRASUNla9FU22RmJ6aAlltbxI0B1OjNmSPaeKnfDKg/s1600/DSC_1530.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumahai Stream links from the ocean on the right</td></tr>
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<span face="'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif">Some of the breathtaking views as we were waiting to pass the one-lane bridge leaving Hanalei:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall and thin pine trees and what seemed like vine-like plans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOXzQVjoGkf1Cd5-AyJor0AysY49U0DBqhnk8mMEQPYbPqOK-Xu-_GP7HUfKRlZW5bKHidv0kXJabO3wVLA4J6tq3WNhQQo1NC5SR4MZIXiHtvs2tjIU5Bx1cPXRyd7gPvp5SRw/s1600/DSC_1678.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOXzQVjoGkf1Cd5-AyJor0AysY49U0DBqhnk8mMEQPYbPqOK-Xu-_GP7HUfKRlZW5bKHidv0kXJabO3wVLA4J6tq3WNhQQo1NC5SR4MZIXiHtvs2tjIU5Bx1cPXRyd7gPvp5SRw/s1600/DSC_1678.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feels like Christmas ;-)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEj7Ngo8vu0lbLTPYvpk3HtVGdLL4thQByz-0jQv2f9dn5tJSD5hsO_qcMp7t59RZdfkdI3Jsdu-PBGG58y9Nj9jscugbs-O25ApXy0x_SQef2ch0i5S-fDBwTRfi_FIJqpDqxw/s1600/DSC_1680.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEj7Ngo8vu0lbLTPYvpk3HtVGdLL4thQByz-0jQv2f9dn5tJSD5hsO_qcMp7t59RZdfkdI3Jsdu-PBGG58y9Nj9jscugbs-O25ApXy0x_SQef2ch0i5S-fDBwTRfi_FIJqpDqxw/s1600/DSC_1680.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face="'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif">Hanalei was once a great producer of Taro (kalo in Hawaiian), and many of the wet taro fields are seen along the way. I've had taro back home but never really seen taro plants. The taro plants are easily identifiable by their large heart-shaped leaves. The Hawaiians use the taro to produce poi, which is Polynesian staple food, mashed into a paste like consistency. Of course, these days, other varieties of products are made from taro including taro chips, etc.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKWOeytKfb4c95H1dgtHo9XyB6AORnzwh4Q1zuI4NWdHfKcbMuavXHHrNTEL-C7wOgXNh_GYWha6CacoJTVg3vLfet2Y-TD4N20VJQ93OceTXz7XHPFmP4h3sK0yeCynVd0m0Tw/s1600/DSC_1679.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKWOeytKfb4c95H1dgtHo9XyB6AORnzwh4Q1zuI4NWdHfKcbMuavXHHrNTEL-C7wOgXNh_GYWha6CacoJTVg3vLfet2Y-TD4N20VJQ93OceTXz7XHPFmP4h3sK0yeCynVd0m0Tw/s1600/DSC_1679.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet taro patches (sorry, not a very good photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNDBopA-Gbs_HMwxq-69cI4ClwKIleJdF54nPcx5IVej4uNrVoxXSrYqgYJXPTt9T3HsUcsm170RzOgsCb_ri31gX7t0O6iAi1bti-h09McHdNwUYAe83kEBNNxUfkKHycNAjTg/s1600/IMG_7836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNDBopA-Gbs_HMwxq-69cI4ClwKIleJdF54nPcx5IVej4uNrVoxXSrYqgYJXPTt9T3HsUcsm170RzOgsCb_ri31gX7t0O6iAi1bti-h09McHdNwUYAe83kEBNNxUfkKHycNAjTg/s1600/IMG_7836.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taro chips</td></tr>
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<span face="'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif">Till we see each other again, Hanalei!</span><br />
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<span face="'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif">You can also read the rest of our Kauai journey here:</span><br />
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<br />
<span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-wailua.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Wailua Falls, Kealia Beach and Anahola Beach</a></span><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kilauea.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kilauea Lighthouse, Kong Mountain, Coco Palms, Nawiliwili Harbor</a><br />
<br />
<div>
<span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai.html">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Princeville, Hihimanu Twin Peaks, Anini Beach</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kalapaki.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kalapaki Beach and Nawiliwili Harbor</a><br />
<span face="'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif" style="color: #0000ee; font-size: x-small; text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>
and also our sightseeing of the Napali Coast<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/kauias-paradise-na-pali-coast.html" target="_blank">Kauia's Paradise: The Na Pali Coast</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-9986823888317151072014-05-01T20:32:00.003+08:002014-05-04T14:28:52.290+08:00Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kilauea Lighthouse, Kong Mountain, Coco Palms, Nawiliwili Harbor<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Topping off Kauai's North Shore was a visit to the Kilauea Lighthouse, located at Kilauea point, which is in the northernmost part of the main Hawaiian islands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deep blue seas, rugged mountainous coastlines, cool ocean breeze, flying seabirds such us frigates and shearwaters from the nearby National Wildlife Refuge, a tiny lighthouse out of the cliff, this is one of my most favorite sceneries where I get lost in the beauty of God's creations.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wX4Xybp7xas6E_BMjoKheSShdZ7ENb8Pm8LVB2mkKb3_xDpyzWAbtMjMCNkaZ3VsnHu27CUB3V7U_qwtr9nF8Qjp1pxKnLdJzRs6fGVwSi4Xuor66-qLhPCS4RPzxv3OuYpnhg/s1600/DSC_1693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wX4Xybp7xas6E_BMjoKheSShdZ7ENb8Pm8LVB2mkKb3_xDpyzWAbtMjMCNkaZ3VsnHu27CUB3V7U_qwtr9nF8Qjp1pxKnLdJzRs6fGVwSi4Xuor66-qLhPCS4RPzxv3OuYpnhg/s1600/DSC_1693.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilauea Lighthouse, Kilauea Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7_5-iapKpRlhC_vafdceBggYLN88Vir9xCwxPgwiionTfKpO_FPtTppI64P15mTYp9WuJl9XMh_gKqPhBTAkpHLE29Px8WcbeP9UAONsVxaJZc1qRouWisB9CHOyzkc5jG6OXA/s1600/DSC_1712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7_5-iapKpRlhC_vafdceBggYLN88Vir9xCwxPgwiionTfKpO_FPtTppI64P15mTYp9WuJl9XMh_gKqPhBTAkpHLE29Px8WcbeP9UAONsVxaJZc1qRouWisB9CHOyzkc5jG6OXA/s1600/DSC_1712.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Wildlife Refuge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m1JCqIirdeO9Qhzu0jJFL14uTWmlA6wzPoB-jxBTt5il0VTZUsXayVSBQBcXHeRvmQ_cv-OX6lAOdA4Z75AA-JyA8Tl-WYwtI1LG8ocBdOK8lAIpFAiOIraqcILVWm0kg0DgGg/s1600/DSC_1734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m1JCqIirdeO9Qhzu0jJFL14uTWmlA6wzPoB-jxBTt5il0VTZUsXayVSBQBcXHeRvmQ_cv-OX6lAOdA4Z75AA-JyA8Tl-WYwtI1LG8ocBdOK8lAIpFAiOIraqcILVWm0kg0DgGg/s1600/DSC_1734.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Wildlife Refuge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvTRimhMBKJwyCZdY9k1IHR3CTsMIpfbSK82cKyN2gQ96TkVubHF45Ots7UKNjKExr9j6pOob1TASh5akGUaCHmUxg5RC9VGS5KeMZehXxxpZlb2V0v6mqj2UtQo8EQjSm5TP9Q/s1600/DSC_1746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvTRimhMBKJwyCZdY9k1IHR3CTsMIpfbSK82cKyN2gQ96TkVubHF45Ots7UKNjKExr9j6pOob1TASh5akGUaCHmUxg5RC9VGS5KeMZehXxxpZlb2V0v6mqj2UtQo8EQjSm5TP9Q/s1600/DSC_1746.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a shearwater seabird</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilauea Lighthouse, Kilauea Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMg3JCep40vfmFPP-BkWJdBcL2Qqxi48HUKyPncbDnKXNRlqbM-y80dxlzijLQpKramxcJVrw4oJJEojblhwVd5yzgyL__4TC2fKwd2du4JHMuhfrhSe42jvDVuoGzv-YMuscsQ/s1600/DSC_1752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMg3JCep40vfmFPP-BkWJdBcL2Qqxi48HUKyPncbDnKXNRlqbM-y80dxlzijLQpKramxcJVrw4oJJEojblhwVd5yzgyL__4TC2fKwd2du4JHMuhfrhSe42jvDVuoGzv-YMuscsQ/s1600/DSC_1752.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawaiian Pandanus Tree (I've seen this back home in Batanes in the Philippines and the fruit is bright orange, it is said to grow in the coastline, it's called sea pandan back home and a food for the famous Batanes coconut crabs)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even on our way back south, beautiful sceneries continue to reveal especially as the sun starts to set</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kong Mountain or Mano Mountain, but officially called Kalalea Mountain (was called Mano meaning shark bec it resembles a shark fin, then more recently referred to as Kong Mountain because of the profile of King Kong, this was the backdrop on the opening of the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpg6J614-PzoLYg6YSKgETh1hR8ZYHDKM9oZ1t9kus4cKFhxqIHd9B3zQiobJ8JGjLKKQx-J2CvoggjeVnLThSCU5Y-EXeojfm0ACtJrBIp27OKBuguDYudHnJPAh3qpNC8icyQ/s1600/DSC_1787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpg6J614-PzoLYg6YSKgETh1hR8ZYHDKM9oZ1t9kus4cKFhxqIHd9B3zQiobJ8JGjLKKQx-J2CvoggjeVnLThSCU5Y-EXeojfm0ACtJrBIp27OKBuguDYudHnJPAh3qpNC8icyQ/s1600/DSC_1787.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Coco Palms Resort, once the most popular and premier place to stay, also where Elvis' Blue Hawaii was filmed. It was destroyed by the hurricane in 1992 and was never rebuilt.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokq9NuukuaA5j2NQgHEMDYcSD2NDt4za1-cYNM2AQgPqPNA3LYY254mQ9HOjh4f6LQcf9TZ79MyXEqRkNJD_9fwqILTnYQZ7I49RoPXeBB8Z_pmyugyfP1NCgUBOcb8QMSxC4zg/s1600/DSC_1789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokq9NuukuaA5j2NQgHEMDYcSD2NDt4za1-cYNM2AQgPqPNA3LYY254mQ9HOjh4f6LQcf9TZ79MyXEqRkNJD_9fwqILTnYQZ7I49RoPXeBB8Z_pmyugyfP1NCgUBOcb8QMSxC4zg/s1600/DSC_1789.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kauai Airport in Lihue</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUr1u4jBc7HAApTBPvyk9H5CvMTkZ87Gzq61Kl_aBHYIVvMC6lYW9-sp_OnshHJnieMHNH1nhpsdVKqLCPELmOh6vJBFrR4gMBnGR2AqI29mucLCwD9QJKloi1DuZEh5kTz-Pxyw/s1600/DSC_1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUr1u4jBc7HAApTBPvyk9H5CvMTkZ87Gzq61Kl_aBHYIVvMC6lYW9-sp_OnshHJnieMHNH1nhpsdVKqLCPELmOh6vJBFrR4gMBnGR2AqI29mucLCwD9QJKloi1DuZEh5kTz-Pxyw/s1600/DSC_1792.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nawiliwili Harbor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVhANgJqKfh6VR00cBK0bwc9j3ZbfjXUAuGmyKnrrzj8WL8wsEKA6DlvZJiroIGchESlIIQeEn9I9Fd8wNWsbz8WLN8zjn0Qggp7Dez9CDYA7IA9BdFLvTegxtNe3mhZUOgsdPg/s1600/DSC_1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVhANgJqKfh6VR00cBK0bwc9j3ZbfjXUAuGmyKnrrzj8WL8wsEKA6DlvZJiroIGchESlIIQeEn9I9Fd8wNWsbz8WLN8zjn0Qggp7Dez9CDYA7IA9BdFLvTegxtNe3mhZUOgsdPg/s1600/DSC_1793.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Kauai Athletic Club parking area at Nawiliwili Harbor, and yes, chickens that roam around at normal especially in Kauai</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSU4Py6Qe2IC3ac8wUZf-7Ee74wAdLbl12qLNGSWXFEt0eUdSe_GQXD6zaoKRm_qKijPqHk_EGPtOroS-c3T0bPLKyill7rfcyrv_JSaFSW4aMAmxDapO39Wz5QZGevTd2YluZ_A/s1600/DSC_1797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSU4Py6Qe2IC3ac8wUZf-7Ee74wAdLbl12qLNGSWXFEt0eUdSe_GQXD6zaoKRm_qKijPqHk_EGPtOroS-c3T0bPLKyill7rfcyrv_JSaFSW4aMAmxDapO39Wz5QZGevTd2YluZ_A/s1600/DSC_1797.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Sugar Mill at Nawiliwili Harbor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1gTaAFK0nQ-lobKHhnyl7eDxq0TtLKFNtV-ZTKDGvx97mpR7omaZuhS9jZj_E5p4WWdITKww4_npRjFrlOlTVL3rK0925fs6RkW-FMLJxOHbM4B7ffQB7Q13uF1Y0yB2caDOQQ/s1600/DSC_1799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1gTaAFK0nQ-lobKHhnyl7eDxq0TtLKFNtV-ZTKDGvx97mpR7omaZuhS9jZj_E5p4WWdITKww4_npRjFrlOlTVL3rK0925fs6RkW-FMLJxOHbM4B7ffQB7Q13uF1Y0yB2caDOQQ/s1600/DSC_1799.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nawiliwili Harbor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9D8-RtB4mAXckDC53CLetV59J9TtnkZVI9w80KHczZRZzgdRO_nQ7RIXRufZVH00x-37NHer3S4GFWqRx95-byqxSHW9kmwsGHOfcchsFZ1QUCtLmwYdYqLUaw4VlgcT1qUDOg/s1600/DSC_1804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9D8-RtB4mAXckDC53CLetV59J9TtnkZVI9w80KHczZRZzgdRO_nQ7RIXRufZVH00x-37NHer3S4GFWqRx95-byqxSHW9kmwsGHOfcchsFZ1QUCtLmwYdYqLUaw4VlgcT1qUDOg/s1600/DSC_1804.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Nawiliwili Harbor</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A great way to end our adventure in Kauai! Thanks to </span><a href="http://www.kauaiedentours.com/About_Us.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Karen</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://treadlightlykauai.com/About_Us.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Jay</a>, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">our Kauai guides for this wonderful day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can also read the rest of our Kauai journey here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-wailua.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Wailua Falls, Kealia Beach and Anahola Beach</a></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-hanalei.html">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Hanalei</a><br /><br /><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai.html">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Princeville, Hihimanu Twin Peaks, Anini Beach</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kalapaki.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kalapaki Beach and Nawiliwili Harbor</a><br />
<br />
and also our sightseeing of the Napali Coast<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/kauias-paradise-na-pali-coast.html" target="_blank">Kauia's Paradise: The Na Pali Coast</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-40629678391934554782014-05-01T20:32:00.001+08:002014-05-02T01:23:22.958+08:00Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Princeville, Hihimanu Twin Peaks, Anini Beach<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we approached mid day, we made our way from Anahola further up north. We get a glimpse of the Hanalei Mountains and specifically Twin Peaks as Jay pointed out the perfect timing to take the photo as we drove by. I can't get over the sharpness of the edges of these mountains. It's almost like asking a small kid to draw their first mountains.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalNtnkldpl5Hn5hLBa_s5GouGebpBS1rZEjoZye8CmLI-7dmn-XMhA52bfqCzsW-ZyvNEs-eZL1Tw1Vt-SE7AQ_cg0Az_rw1Q8QrYf4D7Jhq6FQ3-_GLGrJX1ITIJ-G7w0qwCcQ/s1600/DSC_1434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalNtnkldpl5Hn5hLBa_s5GouGebpBS1rZEjoZye8CmLI-7dmn-XMhA52bfqCzsW-ZyvNEs-eZL1Tw1Vt-SE7AQ_cg0Az_rw1Q8QrYf4D7Jhq6FQ3-_GLGrJX1ITIJ-G7w0qwCcQ/s1600/DSC_1434.jpg" height="201" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanalei Mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-MFl-LWmBIAWraSyCU_f6mUC56MDMbs38aXqCrT0eL71PZuw1-KyUz17CDfUzGboGDz0VrA_8cxCweUJrf7Fe1L8e1M5UcbNVApH_unGQAfhvx2FCEv0JEtcz-KUx-JiAZR6NA/s1600/DSC_1437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-MFl-LWmBIAWraSyCU_f6mUC56MDMbs38aXqCrT0eL71PZuw1-KyUz17CDfUzGboGDz0VrA_8cxCweUJrf7Fe1L8e1M5UcbNVApH_unGQAfhvx2FCEv0JEtcz-KUx-JiAZR6NA/s1600/DSC_1437.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Peaks, 2400-foot Hihimanu Ridge (Hihimanu means beautiful)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We reached Princeville, which was our </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">main stop for supplies for our picnic lunch, the small town with less than 2000 people and named after Prince Albert Kamehameha, the son of Hawaii's King Kamehameha IV. The complex had a Foodland, one of the branches of the popular local Hawaiian supermarket chain. Even this supermarket was a cozy place, and they had great gourmet deli that serves a variety of the popular poke, salads and sushi's. Small quaint clothes and craft shops line the complex as well, including a very homey post office. Despite being a modern development for resorts, condominiums, golf courses, etc, Princeville has maintained the charm of Kauai.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyQWktVjbzRlUMgTNBHUxvLhvqHEDV1eVXty4VP4u1wu9RPw9AIuMGzpTBpqQtbeVGYGUYNTY1-3zsWeKuHCf1X5qZjF27Zk7av57yAsU4y8H645wi5Oh6D1VeEJJ14ciGJuBgw/s1600/DSC_1447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyQWktVjbzRlUMgTNBHUxvLhvqHEDV1eVXty4VP4u1wu9RPw9AIuMGzpTBpqQtbeVGYGUYNTY1-3zsWeKuHCf1X5qZjF27Zk7av57yAsU4y8H645wi5Oh6D1VeEJJ14ciGJuBgw/s1600/DSC_1447.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post office in Princeville Shopping Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMhk130ugrgJ61l-7YZB4PCExMJET9PNFFwAQqg2FQHf2SyppoQJnQmOwiLdP1MBD6nsGbHOz4gzsgQOu7e7_JExjTR6eDK9NUf5nAHYSKzi5_wHuZ_mOS-iLhRk9BwvounSnGA/s1600/DSC_1448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMhk130ugrgJ61l-7YZB4PCExMJET9PNFFwAQqg2FQHf2SyppoQJnQmOwiLdP1MBD6nsGbHOz4gzsgQOu7e7_JExjTR6eDK9NUf5nAHYSKzi5_wHuZ_mOS-iLhRk9BwvounSnGA/s1600/DSC_1448.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mailboxes at the post office in Princeville</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrlH327XV3oCcvVj9gyRtV8hkjfcIZLRknZOxGycFzFsU5RijnjqM1A7O1HnDI8LF_nive_HZg7b6Yw275TtIJvhGNzJGKt7IXtqktQh9x0X-nRdBw9VEIVRKmVp2-q09_KcMQg/s1600/DSC_1451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrlH327XV3oCcvVj9gyRtV8hkjfcIZLRknZOxGycFzFsU5RijnjqM1A7O1HnDI8LF_nive_HZg7b6Yw275TtIJvhGNzJGKt7IXtqktQh9x0X-nRdBw9VEIVRKmVp2-q09_KcMQg/s1600/DSC_1451.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had to option to go to a local place for lunch or have a picnic by the beach. We rarely get to do this outdoor thing so we decided to get a table by the Anini Beach nearby.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iEaFEXtMRmxYvK4UKIG2tdAncZyO3gjcobL0bGSdBfgKHX55R3Ruccp6zfzNTiRd-kjF8F8F-IeQlQdRs2WFpQyr-tCfpQQbvEyWl5xDY4iIfe6cgbczukdkDXSDoU7w9HpKLQ/s1600/DSC_1457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iEaFEXtMRmxYvK4UKIG2tdAncZyO3gjcobL0bGSdBfgKHX55R3Ruccp6zfzNTiRd-kjF8F8F-IeQlQdRs2WFpQyr-tCfpQQbvEyWl5xDY4iIfe6cgbczukdkDXSDoU7w9HpKLQ/s1600/DSC_1457.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Brazilian Red Cardinal, found in many places in Hawaii</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1JxACalwow41BaT2pEXN51QCPO4zY1X1ri6fEczz1rw95zQDgIOJLXcjM-3ZctXWb3uUv3OglOhOdnQ03-OCTeHUBl7RJzSwA8qRliMTA9OO1RLqM-gIWbsGHjIOecrUvs6Mew/s1600/DSC_1463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1JxACalwow41BaT2pEXN51QCPO4zY1X1ri6fEczz1rw95zQDgIOJLXcjM-3ZctXWb3uUv3OglOhOdnQ03-OCTeHUBl7RJzSwA8qRliMTA9OO1RLqM-gIWbsGHjIOecrUvs6Mew/s1600/DSC_1463.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anini Beach camping tents</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc53NvXUY4h1Lk497hCQnQeEmbRqPgpRr22v1JWyNfkFMlkJFNA_Pvj21v6ibphRHpOiTuY10cUYOTVURKyXyeuA_lbwvFdRx_xgvBbzvcFzUYdkj5wpkHZh_34eYM0Aik-wwvw/s1600/DSC_1465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc53NvXUY4h1Lk497hCQnQeEmbRqPgpRr22v1JWyNfkFMlkJFNA_Pvj21v6ibphRHpOiTuY10cUYOTVURKyXyeuA_lbwvFdRx_xgvBbzvcFzUYdkj5wpkHZh_34eYM0Aik-wwvw/s1600/DSC_1465.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our stash from Foodland Deli! ;-) I love the California Ahi Poke and Salmon Poke I got, have to learn to make them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgIpVb7h37tn5Rx3-GzTMdjUJz40oM56Sy_S3srfpJ3wOEoJL50gI1LiLXoKczuVsYHT8sJ2oNaEr6mDnhV6aLEmQn3peJQIFczO8DCZpNWuuWPrx7jIYavjYjl0gDbPDkxqJ4A/s1600/DSC_1479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgIpVb7h37tn5Rx3-GzTMdjUJz40oM56Sy_S3srfpJ3wOEoJL50gI1LiLXoKczuVsYHT8sJ2oNaEr6mDnhV6aLEmQn3peJQIFczO8DCZpNWuuWPrx7jIYavjYjl0gDbPDkxqJ4A/s1600/DSC_1479.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our picnic table by the beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: start;">Anini Beach is a long stretch of coasts popular for windsurfing and snorkeling in the coral reefs around the shores. It is considered one of the most beautiful and offers great views. You can see why below.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBddX3YbKd0_9RgylFVygGTU9ivaphJoVvaJcMXsVljHwBHsbvma-0sBB_qINHvtUFkm0IgG1mxrBKBPV6Bo0xRlVvBp28lqWslRnGVCGy3FP4i_GrseVuOhfGh0m8BgSLSHiWDQ/s1600/DSC_1464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBddX3YbKd0_9RgylFVygGTU9ivaphJoVvaJcMXsVljHwBHsbvma-0sBB_qINHvtUFkm0IgG1mxrBKBPV6Bo0xRlVvBp28lqWslRnGVCGy3FP4i_GrseVuOhfGh0m8BgSLSHiWDQ/s1600/DSC_1464.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Anini Beach with large trees which make perfect shades for campers and beach goers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgObs1tXd_kgc4QIjjZanTOvOmDgH1G445xli6pqgD7dmjjHEUCwBa0vRnwCI1c1beUte8o-d9IY7mkpei2oYoUMzWnf09FCgTtBzVggzyes33AOoVX4YG8F05mEpuy11SaHEHg/s1600/DSC_1471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgObs1tXd_kgc4QIjjZanTOvOmDgH1G445xli6pqgD7dmjjHEUCwBa0vRnwCI1c1beUte8o-d9IY7mkpei2oYoUMzWnf09FCgTtBzVggzyes33AOoVX4YG8F05mEpuy11SaHEHg/s1600/DSC_1471.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popular for romantic walks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvcPYgCCkN9_Gpl29-ZKF5tVX6dhvpDb-xYB2qH8PxE_zNq-_XUl8HsIheEu-W7yOg6evCoV3uPVzwwR6uSrL5RpwQypF-speZTUkeSjYRsFRlQpZ9_zAOIjRaTx6N9LuHVl9aA/s1600/DSC_1475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvcPYgCCkN9_Gpl29-ZKF5tVX6dhvpDb-xYB2qH8PxE_zNq-_XUl8HsIheEu-W7yOg6evCoV3uPVzwwR6uSrL5RpwQypF-speZTUkeSjYRsFRlQpZ9_zAOIjRaTx6N9LuHVl9aA/s1600/DSC_1475.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm waters with offshore continuous reefs perfect for snorkeling</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTIECTKkyFPJZYBxBzsfRw0QeaslvzLsTw2SRTAceZe1McAtIAt8Bf45E0IBg96ExTLOH2BsGEZWdDiigiknr9xMMtarCt0_5hvB9TPDTan8akoCFBL84t0W2QDZsU7nx5ACA4g/s1600/DSC_1477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTIECTKkyFPJZYBxBzsfRw0QeaslvzLsTw2SRTAceZe1McAtIAt8Bf45E0IBg96ExTLOH2BsGEZWdDiigiknr9xMMtarCt0_5hvB9TPDTan8akoCFBL84t0W2QDZsU7nx5ACA4g/s1600/DSC_1477.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT5GUW8YzhfFVg4U97VdmKIzGzguIljMIhxQAZdiKM09LgOKBNTtvUezUNaVdcl9a5mT0oswc_i5kO2J0Y_xs3gXIsmX2RsC19KqWQ0tjUXA2qXC1X6JOy02ajJCCKO305Ttd2A/s1600/DSC_1483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT5GUW8YzhfFVg4U97VdmKIzGzguIljMIhxQAZdiKM09LgOKBNTtvUezUNaVdcl9a5mT0oswc_i5kO2J0Y_xs3gXIsmX2RsC19KqWQ0tjUXA2qXC1X6JOy02ajJCCKO305Ttd2A/s1600/DSC_1483.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KDtCKjKh-aOds7CJkpoWXkUsN8_GDbKA6CxMMsJbnC9pet7u0kAuKnMvk3VTvr2URvKTo-hxk064MUsWSzqAihSmP5U4Gtw0fVGxeeycmHGcuiiBF8aF69Wg8i3y_iAGHxQubw/s1600/DSC_1485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KDtCKjKh-aOds7CJkpoWXkUsN8_GDbKA6CxMMsJbnC9pet7u0kAuKnMvk3VTvr2URvKTo-hxk064MUsWSzqAihSmP5U4Gtw0fVGxeeycmHGcuiiBF8aF69Wg8i3y_iAGHxQubw/s1600/DSC_1485.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen also showed us how to find the tiny miniature reddish Kahelelani shells in this beach, they are used to make lei necklaces or other similar jewelry, see sample <a href="http://janjirarities.com/gallery.html" target="_blank">here</a> as I wasn't able to take a photo of it, they are hard to find and sell for a ton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1xxy3WPCkoAwtiGet7nkFbBoF4Nfx9lIPOWCuDrOg5jgaPfrLwO27PNFbgm9hrlJGiDAFRfxf87kPz1PjL1dvqXrR5zcottQ5Y6ahE7kpSDCWHXW2Oj7eR0Tj3eE4biVHzrPRw/s1600/DSC_1487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1xxy3WPCkoAwtiGet7nkFbBoF4Nfx9lIPOWCuDrOg5jgaPfrLwO27PNFbgm9hrlJGiDAFRfxf87kPz1PjL1dvqXrR5zcottQ5Y6ahE7kpSDCWHXW2Oj7eR0Tj3eE4biVHzrPRw/s1600/DSC_1487.jpg" height="640" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rescue tube which is a flotation device, installed in many beaches in Hawaii</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlH3HPRRI83HOAD-1Bdh9i5wOBbQ8lUq76ZRLm1Gkt-hv_KLgsPjJMq0kbSXLOrP1k3nS1P6Z_Erlm_LFIDVR0TZ2eYNXdJwRlLkEPAi5UyteqEY89fgZi9ND5KwghvQ8hR3U8A/s1600/DSC_1502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlH3HPRRI83HOAD-1Bdh9i5wOBbQ8lUq76ZRLm1Gkt-hv_KLgsPjJMq0kbSXLOrP1k3nS1P6Z_Erlm_LFIDVR0TZ2eYNXdJwRlLkEPAi5UyteqEY89fgZi9ND5KwghvQ8hR3U8A/s1600/DSC_1502.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: start;">You can also read the rest of our Kauai journey here:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-wailua.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Wailua Falls, Kealia Beach and Anahola Beach</a></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kilauea.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kilauea Lighthouse, Kong Mountain, Coco Palms, Nawiliwili Harbor</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-hanalei.html">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Hanalei</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-decoration: underline;">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kalapaki Beach and Nawiliwili Harbor</span><br />
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and also our sightseeing of the Napali Coast<br />
<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/kauias-paradise-na-pali-coast.html" target="_blank">Kauia's Paradise: The Na Pali Coast</a></span></div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-91237051368840770642014-05-01T20:32:00.000+08:002014-05-04T16:01:23.197+08:00Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Wailua Falls, Kealia Beach and Anahola Beach<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we ventured out from the Nawiliwili Port for a day of rugged and off the beaten path Kauai with a lovely local couple, </span><a href="http://www.kauaiedentours.com/About_Us.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Karen</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://treadlightlykauai.com/About_Us.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Jay</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, both Kauai guides, who brought us around, we were met with a smashing first highlight at the Wailua Falls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ever watched the TV series "Fantasy Island"? If so, you're probably old enough to remember stories of visitors being flown each week into a hidden magical island resort. At the start of every episode, the character of Tattoo would ran up the bell tower and shout the popular catchphrase, "The plane, the plane" to announce the arrival of the new guests. The shows were filmed with the gigantic 113-foot Wailua Falls as a backdrop.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXtO-JbIUIsDx8FCrMRrNUxKxYRXczWBWgSPxSJE_cnDdrQWKUXqjsHcP7o4VVVPjEqXuxsfe0-ofXr6naK4QtJ5PzxbvhkiKMnnLnfTWK9sM3VBy33tpbP-t7kd6fCiJNRTZ-g/s1600/DSC_1283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXtO-JbIUIsDx8FCrMRrNUxKxYRXczWBWgSPxSJE_cnDdrQWKUXqjsHcP7o4VVVPjEqXuxsfe0-ofXr6naK4QtJ5PzxbvhkiKMnnLnfTWK9sM3VBy33tpbP-t7kd6fCiJNRTZ-g/s1600/DSC_1283.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wailua Falls</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Although it provides a difficult access by foot to the floor of the falls itself, the falls is easily seen from the road up above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we continued our journey, we headed along the Kuhio Highway along the eastern coasts and ended up in the Kealia area. We stopped for a bit of history of Kauai's plantation heritage, just by an old sugar mill across a small community post office.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens are everywhere and run wild in Kauai, and we just saw an old man stop his car on the road side to feed them</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens everywhere!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJuQ_qb6ZmjsKEJGYT98Mht6Q2CRB9tf9WH7VF2F2S2-uYkRSWWYxXXksZHxTyTFagro_0mcOTeOVP-GqixCqTd2ntogp-Yd_Dhb4ptMZCmKotHnbk4A-4tpIXVn3LhlkjxaW4w/s1600/DSC_1314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJuQ_qb6ZmjsKEJGYT98Mht6Q2CRB9tf9WH7VF2F2S2-uYkRSWWYxXXksZHxTyTFagro_0mcOTeOVP-GqixCqTd2ntogp-Yd_Dhb4ptMZCmKotHnbk4A-4tpIXVn3LhlkjxaW4w/s1600/DSC_1314.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Trees everywhere too!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After that, we headed for a pit stop at the Kealia Beach public toilets just across the road. But the blue skies, patchy white cotton clouds and blue green ocean water was really inviting, and we can't help but head down to the beach, take off our shoes and sink our feet into the cool fine sand and clear ocean water.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smart lady enjoying Kealia Beach all to herself!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kealia Beach is also known as Mana Oka'Aina Beach, which means power of the land. During big surfs, it reveals a rock bed. Coincidentally, Kealia means bed of salt. The area also used to be a landing for steamers that load sugar cane harvest from the nearby fields.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since we loved the beach so much, we made another stop at Anahola Bay before lunch.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anahola Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Kalalea Mountains in the background, including King Kong profile</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfZ3gW_N1vTvgXBU28fVqhO9lhc29WdaHhVq2izoEmLqA8rtRAVy6WUARyHAe7kc9eA9uHQ4nJeojJHFKpR6g7R9NgRcSPaz9UCS-FPxsdLnUwts1iZjzEDT4liiGEVPKZtU-JA/s1600/DSC_1413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfZ3gW_N1vTvgXBU28fVqhO9lhc29WdaHhVq2izoEmLqA8rtRAVy6WUARyHAe7kc9eA9uHQ4nJeojJHFKpR6g7R9NgRcSPaz9UCS-FPxsdLnUwts1iZjzEDT4liiGEVPKZtU-JA/s1600/DSC_1413.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the rocks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Families with little children enjoying the beach and calm waters</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What a perfect morning in Kauai so far!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can also read the rest of our Kauai journey here:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kilauea.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kilauea Lighthouse, Kong Mountain, Coco Palms, Nawiliwili Harbor</a></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-hanalei.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Hanalei</a><br /><br /><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai.html" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Princeville, Hihimanu Twin Peaks, Anini Beach</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-lost-in-magical-kauai-kalapaki.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">Getting Lost in Magical Kauai: Kalapaki Beach and Nawiliwili Harbor</a><br />
<br />
and also our sightseeing of the Napali Coast<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://presyustravels.blogspot.com/2014/05/kauias-paradise-na-pali-coast.html" target="_blank">Kauia's Paradise: The Na Pali Coast</a></span>TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-47533343331525847722013-12-25T14:21:00.000+08:002014-01-22T21:19:20.053+08:00Amazing Asia * Sink Your Teeth into Light and Crisp Baked BBQ Pork Buns<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BBQ Pork Buns are one of the most basic and popular Chinese <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dim_sum" target="_blank">dim sum</a> dishes out there. Most often, we would find them, also referred to as cha siu bao, steamed in one of the bamboo steamers and being sold at the sidewalk bakery or being pushed in a traditional dimsum cart in restaurants.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWUq3SZY-0TLD-u_fqSt3FKtEfzpM4UcUWvK-gulR4REzt6OeF4FelH37FMerKCp2wnKJRYBX_iGt9b8aGVuCsY3yFzCL47HMIgGoODL9m7FcI9iR9jJhxRDFqOSXj0RdYOIHtg/s1600/IMG_6758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWUq3SZY-0TLD-u_fqSt3FKtEfzpM4UcUWvK-gulR4REzt6OeF4FelH37FMerKCp2wnKJRYBX_iGt9b8aGVuCsY3yFzCL47HMIgGoODL9m7FcI9iR9jJhxRDFqOSXj0RdYOIHtg/s1600/IMG_6758.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two buns left from the full order of three, <br />
before I could even take a snapshot of it,<br />
that's how yummy they are and people can't wait </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But as the market becomes more competitive, chefs have to think of new dishes or rather new and innovative ways to present old dishes. Tim Ho Wan, one of Hong Kong's famous hole in the wall dimsum restaurants and Michelin Star-rated, have just done that. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Personally, I find the traditional steamed buns sometimes heavy and too filling and am happily surprised to get these light and crisp buns instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you step into a Tim Ho Wan restaurant, you'll almost see every table with their famous baked buns, that's if you are quick enough to spot them before the customers devour them while hot and fresh. Each table has to wait for them to be baked and brought out on a giant tray fresh, which in an instant becomes empty in just a few seconds as the dishes are immediately distributed to the waiting customers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We arrived in Singapore, just ready for late lunch at around 3pm. Obviously we weren't satisfied with airplane food. Who does anyway? ;-) So we headed to the <a href="http://www.timhowan.com/" target="_blank">Tim Ho Wan brnach in Plaza Singapura</a>, hoping to get a table quickly, assuming an off peak time. But to our surprise, there was a long queue still. Being a big fan of their buns which would often be a struggle to try in Hong Kong given our short visits, we were willing to wait this time, and the queue seem to be moving quickly. We decided to break into two groups to get a better chance at getting tables. After about 30 minutes playing musical chairs as we moved one seat after another nearer to the end of the queue, we finally got a table. Not bad for a wait. The other half of our group was not so lucky, since the restaurant requires all members of the group to be complete before seating you, and they had to queue up separately. I think that's a fair guideline to have though. No take out orders either for this branch, such a bummer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once seated (eight of us had to squeeze in a table for six), we got a menu which we could tick off what we wanted to order. Three orders (3 pcs each order) of those baked buns for eight of us please, one each with one extra bun for the lucky one. But before turning in our order, we added another one, just to make sure we ended up satisfied, and we did not regret it ;-) We also ordered their famous Pan Fried Turnip Cake (otherwise referred to as Raddish Cake in the Philippines) as well as Steamed Egg Cake (otherwise referred to us Ma Lai Gao in Hong Kong or Malay Cake back home). Despite the flurry of dim sum places in the Philippines, we still miss the great quality of the dim sum dishes that we can almost only find in Hong Kong. After all, that's where dim sum originated.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zA9j0Y8Z7zObHnAq9TykkUU4dXmYNw4JI59j1LIP0SeTY8V1heES5E_VILoBKMeOSo9ZSEQ3crg6TN3RL8aF6Af7StS4sATO-qqYLyCmkxarjcwLECWSrCCacdlXu3gwTsG6kA/s1600/IMG_6758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zA9j0Y8Z7zObHnAq9TykkUU4dXmYNw4JI59j1LIP0SeTY8V1heES5E_VILoBKMeOSo9ZSEQ3crg6TN3RL8aF6Af7StS4sATO-qqYLyCmkxarjcwLECWSrCCacdlXu3gwTsG6kA/s1600/IMG_6758.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light and Crisp Based BBQ Pork Buns</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light and Fragrant Ma Lai Gao (Malay Sponge Cake)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJ7R4SVetHpD0NSBxc1B8QBEOYbN_oCjcfS3USGzPiBDhE8qWhEiBxx1sC7KULShKim4UP9E0a85PtGfDoecFiZN4FdvqJoskz2FVxDRsQLX7FGOrsQ5rccbVxZDYjQA7V9JihA/s1600/IMG_6763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJ7R4SVetHpD0NSBxc1B8QBEOYbN_oCjcfS3USGzPiBDhE8qWhEiBxx1sC7KULShKim4UP9E0a85PtGfDoecFiZN4FdvqJoskz2FVxDRsQLX7FGOrsQ5rccbVxZDYjQA7V9JihA/s1600/IMG_6763.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't miss ordering my favorite dim sum dish: Steamed Beef Balls,<br />
best dipped in Worchestershire Sauce which unfortunately, most restaurants nowadays don't serve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Eating dim sum reminds me of my childhood days when we would go back to my mom's hometown in Hong Kong, on every school break we get. And we'd have towers of the yummiest and most authentic dim sum dishes each time we go.</span><br />
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TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-26787483181224887752013-07-02T01:50:00.000+08:002014-01-17T02:22:34.120+08:00Photo Gallery * Amazing Asia * Our Unplanned Japan Food Adventure (June 2013)<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Embarked on an "unplanned" food adventure in Japan with my friend as we just made random choices or follow our curiosity at a place with long queues!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm so amazed how we managed to squeeze in so many varieties of Japanese food that we just encountered along the way from sushi, sashima, tempura, ramen, curry, katsu, yakitori, yakiniku buffet, and even the Sumo chanku dining!</span><br />
<br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of course, not to forget the varieties of unique flavors of soft ice cream! Haha!</span><br />
<br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And the original takoyaki and okonomiyaki of Osaka!</span><br />
<br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And still more cheesecake versions!</span><br />
<br style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lastly, just looking at all the food varieties in the department store food basements and fresh markets is already in itself an attraction!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://www.quickgallery.com/" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9px; margin: 0 10px;">Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com</a>TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-57009518827030036752012-12-30T00:00:00.002+08:002014-01-16T23:37:42.668+08:00Highlight * The Making of Real Good Chocolate at the Airport * Amazing Asia * Hokkaido, Japan (December 2012)<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/WLRAMCUnPE/large__1040286.jpg?1359956107" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/WLRAMCUnPE/large__1040286.jpg?1359956107" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's quite a surprise to see a working chocolate factory in an airport, and Chitose Airport in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, has one: the Royce' Chocolate Factory. You can view the process from finish to end along the stretch of the terminal. They have recently renovated the terminal and it looks like a small amusement park. Aside from the chocolate factory, they even have a Doraemon Park.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Royce' was founded in Sapporo and they're known for making very good quality chocolates. I first encountered Royce during a visit to Hong Kong, and I've always managed to bring some home. They're popular in Asia. But since then, branches have also opened up back home in the Philippines. In fact, they have also very recently opened their 1st US store in New York and a second shop in Russia.<br /><br />My favorite is still their Classic Bitter Nama Chocolate made with dark chocolate. Each box comes with a small spatula used to lift each piece of chocolate from it's casing. The chocolate pieces are also sprinkled with powdered chocolate on top. Aside from the usual milk chocolate and white chocolate flavors, they also have Maccha or Green Tea flavor. Their Nama chocolates are also available in chocolate liquor versions.<br /><br />Some other unique items included their chocolate covered potato chips or some with strawberry or lemon fillings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.e-royce.com/english/rcw/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.e-royce.com/engl...</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: This highlight also appears in <a href="http://www.afar.com/highlights/the-making-of-real-good-chocolate-at-the-airport?success=true&shareOnFacebook=false&shareOnTwitter=false" target="_blank">AFAR Website</a></span></div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0Chitose, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan42.8209577 141.6508760000000442.4482337 141.00542900000005 43.1936817 142.29632300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-14177045527124363132012-12-30T00:00:00.001+08:002014-01-16T23:37:42.594+08:00Highlight * Tennis Balls for Dessert? * Amazing Asia * Hokkaido, Japan (December 2012)<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/MJnFqcgs1T/large__1040309.jpg?1359952179" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/MJnFqcgs1T/large__1040309.jpg?1359952179" width="299" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Curious at the clear tube of yellow balls that looked like a can of tennis balls, I had to get one of these interesting Hokkaido desserts. I was on my way back home, and was at the Chitose Airport when I saw this in one of the refrigerated shelves.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They had two different flavors available: one was white pudding and the other was cream custard with egg. Apparently, the company also produces a chocolate one but they didn't have it in that store. They offer a cooling bag if you wanted, but I figured I'll be eating it soon anyway.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />But I got back home after about 8 hours, and I suddenly realized that I had this tube of cream custard in my bag. Oh no! I might end up with a melted lump of cream! But it was still in good shape, phew!<br /><br />Now, how to eat it? There seemed to be some kind of balloon on each ball, sealed with a pink clip that can't easily be removed. No instructions apparently in the packaging either. Hmmm, what should I do? I asked Google, LOL! See the video link I found below.<br /><br />And true enough, there's a special way to open it. I had to use a sharp needle or pin and pinch it slightly on the balloon. Pop the balloon and out emerges a bouncy ball of custard ;-)<br /><br />As I took my first bite, the creaminess of the custard filled my mouth. The best thing I liked about it is that the creaminess didn't overpower the flavor and it remained light and not too sweet. I think the nearest thing I could compare the taste and texture to would be the Italian Pannacotta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmaEMtbfHxU" target="_blank">How To Video for Opening and Eating Bocca Pudding</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: This highlight also appears in <a href="http://www.afar.com/highlights/tennis-balls-for-dessert?success=true&shareOnFacebook=false&shareOnTwitter=false" target="_blank">AFAR Website</a></span></div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0Chitose, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan42.8209577 141.6508760000000442.4482337 141.00542900000005 43.1936817 142.29632300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-11565453739286474412012-12-30T00:00:00.000+08:002014-01-16T23:37:42.579+08:00Highlight * Hokkaido Souvenirs, Japanese Petit Piece Puzzles and Gap * Amazing Asia * Hokkaido, Japan (December 2012)<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/U68EuXV5Q7/large__1040252.jpg?1359949234" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/U68EuXV5Q7/large__1040252.jpg?1359949234" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This may look like a typical outlet mall in the US, but this photo of a mini food truck was actually taken in Chitose, near the international airport in Sapporo, Japan.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Most of the shops are actually Western brands and thus the look of the US outlet malls: Lego, North Face, Columbia, Samsonite, Gap, Claire's and so on. Prices are actually quite good, considering they're imported.<br /><br />There are only a handful of shops that are local, one of which is a big one-stop shop for Hokkaido souvenir and food items, great for some last minute shopping before you head out to the airport, which is just 10 minutes away, and serviced by a regular shuttle bus.<br /><br />Another shop worth visiting is the puzzle shop which sells good quality unique miniature piece puzzles that are only made in Japan. Aside from them being postcard size puzzles, they also use the petit pieces that are sized like half of your fingertip. Most of the designs are Disney, but they also offer other ones like a Mona Lisa. Another unique find there are the stained art puzzles, which looks like small stained glass windows.<br /><br />This winter, the outlet grounds had a small snow covered slide where kids can do some sledding. Christmas trees and igloos were also set up.<br /><br />There was one amazing exhibit where a working maze was set up using empty cardboard boxes, courtesy of one of the shops called The Box Outlet. Kids can crawl in and enjoy.<br /><br />If you have a few hours to spare while waiting for your flight, it's worth a visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.outlet-rera.com/english/" target="_blank">http://www.outlet-rera.com/...</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: This highlight also appears in <a href="http://www.afar.com/highlights/hokkaido-souvenirs-japanese-petit-piece-puzzles-and-gap?success=true&shareOnFacebook=false&shareOnTwitter=false" target="_blank">AFAR Website</a></span></div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0Chitose, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan42.8209577 141.6508760000000442.4482337 141.00542900000005 43.1936817 142.29632300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-56718251383251259692012-12-29T00:00:00.004+08:002014-01-16T23:37:42.663+08:00Highlight * Window of Fishes * Amazing Asia * Hokkaido, Japan (December 2012)<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/hnvP7VgPtP/large__1030916.jpg?1359972811" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/hnvP7VgPtP/large__1030916.jpg?1359972811" width="299" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we drove past one of the streets of Sapporo, red light flashed, and we stopped at an intersection. I was panning my camera and suddenly stopped when I saw this interesting looking window. I was trying to figure out what they were from afar, but eventually figured out when I zoomed in, that these were fishes being hanged out to dry (himono).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Drying fish is the oldest preservation method and it not surprising to see this in a country that has abundant seafood. Traditionally, these are sun dried, but modern technology has used fans to dry them. Experts have of course claimed that the traditional method is still much better.<br /><br />Living in Asia, dried fish is no stranger to me, but there are all kinds of fishes and many more kinds of drying, salting and fermenting fish. Some are of good quality while others are not. Some are dried wide open and some whole. I always remember my mom searching for a good quality dried salted fish when she travels.<br /><br />Imagine the smell! But I have to agree, the taste and flavor, when eaten, makes it all so much worth it, haha!<br /><br />While I am more used to dried fish being deep fried to that ultra light and crispy level where the bones are already edible, we noticed that in Japan, the dried fish are served grilled, either over the traditional charcoal or an electric grill.<br /><br />Typical fishes use are mackarel (aji), smelt, herring (nishin) or even flying fish (tobuio) which are popular for supplying the orange roe (tobiko) that we see in our sushis.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: This highlight also appears in <a href="http://www.afar.com/highlights/window-of-fishes?success=true&shareOnFacebook=false&shareOnTwitter=false" target="_blank">AFAR Website</a></span>TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan43.0620958 141.354376342.6903893 140.70892930000002 43.4338023 141.9998233tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-29177911463074648562012-12-29T00:00:00.003+08:002014-01-16T23:37:42.622+08:00Highlight * Interesting Finds at the Tanukikoji Shopping Street * Amazing Asia * Hokkaido, Japan (December 2012)<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/t5SwYjFjaW/large__1040143_small.jpg?1359968588" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/t5SwYjFjaW/large__1040143_small.jpg?1359968588" width="299" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love going to shopping streets around the world and in Sapporo, they have Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade, which is a ten block stretch of covered pedestrian passageway surrounded by stores, restaurants, clubs, amusement centers and even a capsule hotel.<br /><br />I usually like to shop in places like these. It's a little bit different from the usual mall shopping as you'd usually expect to find more unique items being sold here, like these colorful looking floor mats made of scrap cloths. It could actually be used as a decor too ;-)<br /><br />A very unusual item I bought here was actually some Japanese digestive medicine from one of the local drugstores here, called Wakamoto. It's a popular and effective digestion medicine that I could buy back home but of course, would cost me a fortune with all the embedded taxes and import costs. Where best to buy it but from where it was originally made :-)<br /><br />I also managed to step in one of the amusement centers. If you're familiar with those claw machines in circuses or carnivals, where you try to grab a stuffed toy with a mechanical claw but fail immensely 99% of the time, then this is the place to see. They've got hundreds of them in these centers and I dare not spare a dime as this could be really addicting, haha!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gosapporo.com/living/shopping/tanuki-koji/" target="_blank">http://gosapporo.com/living...</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: This highlight also appears in <a href="http://www.afar.com/highlights/interesting-finds-at-the-tanukikoji-shopping-street?success=true&shareOnFacebook=false&shareOnTwitter=false" target="_blank">AFAR Website</a></span><br /></div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan43.0620958 141.354376342.6903893 140.70892930000002 43.4338023 141.9998233tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-88586304546554986982012-12-29T00:00:00.002+08:002014-01-16T23:37:42.704+08:00Highlight * Sapporo JR Station Eat and Shop * Amazing Asia * Hokkaido, Japan (December 2012)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/lFSDTciihv/large__1040167.jpg?1359967740"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.afar.com/uploads/images/post_images/images/lFSDTciihv/large__1040167.jpg?1359967740" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Sapporo JR Station is the central railway station of the city of Sapporo. We stayed in a hotel near this area, so it was really convenient.<br /><br />JR Tower sits at the top of the station, which houses one of the best observation decks to see Sapporo at night. It also houses one of the two famous Ramen places for which Hokkaido is known for, the other one is Ramen Alley in Susukino, 2 stations away. Here in the Sapporo JR Station area, you can choose one of the Ramen places at the 10th floor of the Esta Building and get a great view of the city at night. Esta Building is interconnected to the JR Tower at the basement level. Aside from the popular Ramen restaurants, there is a large Japanese electronics chain named Bic Camera, for the tech-lovers.<br /><br />Interconnected also to these buildings from the inside are the Stellar Place and Daimaru. Stellar Place is a shopping center which houses a variety of restaurants at the 6th floor and lots of the local retail chains, including Uniqlo and Muji. Daimaru, on the other hand, is one of the popular Japanese department store chains.<br /><br />Make sure you drop by the basement floor of both Daimaru and Esta, which sells all sorts of food and delicacies, and best of all, offers free tastings, so that you can taste before you buy. This in itself is a very interesting and popular attraction common to the Japanese. Be ready cause it's always crowded and full of people; but very interesting things to see, even if you don't intend to buy anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: This highlight also appears in <a href="http://www.afar.com/highlights/sapporo-jr-station-eat-and-shop?success=true&shareOnFacebook=false&shareOnTwitter=false" target="_blank">AFAR Website</a></span></div>
TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan43.0620958 141.354376342.6903893 140.70892930000002 43.4338023 141.9998233tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20974724.post-11208963817405150042012-12-29T00:00:00.001+08:002014-01-16T23:37:42.575+08:00Highlight * Genghis Khan Lamb BBQ with Sapporo Beer, perfect combination! * Amazing Asia * Hokkaido, Japan (December 2012)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the popular dishes that originated in Hokkaido is the Jingisukan, which is lamb bbq or mutton bbq. Instead of the usual open grill on charcoal used in western barbeques, the Japanese use a non-smoke pan like the one in the photo, sometimes also come in a convex version.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jingisukan, or otherwise translated as Genghis Khan, came from the belief that lamb was a favorite dish of the Mongolian soldiers and they used to cook it using their helmets. Interesting :-)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Having the grilled meat paired with beer is perfect combination. You can have it dish in many places in Hokkaido, but the popular Sapporo Beer Garden offers a delicious meal combined with the original Sapporo beer, oldest and most popular beer in Japan.<br /><br />There are two restaurants in the Sapporo Beer Garden, the Genghis Hall which has the noisier beer hall type environment, and Garden Grill, which is a more relaxed family oriented environment.<br /><br />We chose the Garden Grill so that we can have a relaxing conversation during dinner :-) We had a plate of delicious lamb bbq, some wagyu beef and a glass of Sapporo Five Star, a beer that you get to taste only the Garden since it's a limited edition beer that was sold only in the 70's. The lamb was tender and fresh, flavorful yet rid of the gamey smell that are sometimes found in lamb.<br /><br />In the same complex (used to be the old Sapporo Brewery) is the Sapporo Beer Museum. And nearby is also the Ario shopping mall. It's approx 20 minutes from Sapporo JR Station.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sapporo-bier-garten.jp/foreign/english.php" target="_blank">http://www.sapporo-bier-garten.jp/foreign/english.php</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: This highlight also appears in <a href="http://www.afar.com/highlights/genghis-khan-lamb-bbq-with-sapporo-beer-perfect-combination?context=user&context_id=tina-lim" target="_blank">AFAR Website</a></span><br />
<br />TMoLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520632942657998902noreply@blogger.com0Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan43.0620958 141.354376342.6903893 140.70892930000002 43.4338023 141.9998233