Posts Tagged 'hawaii'

February 21
|

My two favorite islands in the world, Hawaii and the Philippines.

 

The last time the casing worked. Canon has officially told me, that the camera is economically unrepairable. GREAT!

 

My ride or die chick.

 

Steph is loving our view enroute to the summit of Mauna Kea.

 

 

One of the many reasons why Big Island is my favorite of the bunch.

 

 

Well worth the freezing hike up to that top.

 

 

Never will one be so cold and be so close to the Equator.

 

The other reason why I love Big Island so much.

 

Watching Big Island grow.

 

An unachievable dream at this point…but kudos to all our service men and women.

 

Quite the landscape to be flying and landing from.

 

It’s hard to believe but some of the biggest buildings in the world were constructed with the help of simple bamboos…the scaffolding of Asia.

 

Wonder why these red cabs never got the attention our yellow cab has gotten. I find them very comfortable and roomy.

 

Siargao, Philippines. I knew I was in the right place when I saw this as a mode of transportation.

 

The beautiful people of the Philippines.

 

I don’t know what this local was doing…

 

Our Thai inspired lunch @ Buddha’s Surf Resort.

 

Their super cute Beagle!

 

Really gotta get used to spooning dudes in Asia, or else you’ll never get anywhere.

 

What should be much larger Tuna. The people here catch what they can. The years of dynamite fishing has unfortunately killed most of the marine & coral life in the region.

 

 

 

As gorgeous as the water is, there is a disturbing lack of fish.

 

I miss having warm tropical waters between my toes…

 

They did have oysters.

 

Don’t really know what he’s fishing for…didn’t see ONE fish.

 

There were a bunch of these guys.

 

 

Keeping ourselves entertained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 17
|

So since I’m “blogging” now, I figured I’d put together a post of my recent travels. Work travels are not included neither is Vegas…for obvious reasons. =D
I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to travel with the frequency that I do and to meet some of the warmest people in this world…

As I was putting this together, I bawled like a little baby going through the pictures of Vietnam… Vietnam was the trip that changed my entire world around. That was my very first trip that I had gone solo on, my first international non-profit, and many more other “firsts” but it was Vietnam & the orphanage that put things into perspective and made me feel like I have lucked out in life.

When traveling solo, I refuse to stay in big hotels. I find people there are much more isolated and guarded. Some of the best and most interesting people that I’ve met have been at hostels, homestays or small local hotels (By 3rd world country standards). How is one supposed to experience another’s culture when you’re being pampered? It’s certainly not the local’s way of life, that’s for sure. Besides, I have a great life back home…I don’t travel to escape from my life, I travel to appreciate everything I have.

Partying in Hong Kong

China's fear of being dark...in a nutshell.

Sunsets in Boracay are some of the best in the world.

Street food intestines in the Philippines....questionable at best but we survived.

The beautiful waters of Boracay...still my favorite island in the world...though Isla Mujeres is fast approaching that label.

Found this in a "department store" in Tokyo....we found some crazy stuff in that place from food to pets to luxury bags and well...adult toys.

Snake wine in Vietnam...Took a bit of convincing but it wasn't too bad. Conceptually, it's disgusting.

The head monk in the orphanage playing with kids in Nam...I miss those kids...

Geoffrey soon found out shortly after this that sand...gets...everywhere...

Beautiful family on the side of the road selling us goods

The fisherman in the small Nam' town of Mui Ne packing it up for the evening

 

Qui's a sweet heart. Single & ready to mingle but shy and pees a lot...like...a lot...

Sau's the beautiful queen and the laughing princess at the orphanage.

The beautiful Karra & my baby boy.

I called him Jingles (But I think his real name was Jai) when I was there cause he would sing "Jingle Bell" He used me as a human roller coaster ride...

Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco

Only city prettier than SF is NYC. Can I get an Amen?!

First day with UBECI

Silhouette in the Amazon...scariest experience in my life and it wasn't because of the animals

Don't let this serene picture fool you, these waters are filled with nasty creatures...so I decided to go swimming & almost drowned.

He wasn't happy when I took the baby bottle away from him...he's too damn big for a bottle anyways.

Don't let my smile fool you, the neck of that tiger smelled like urine after this picture...I'M KIDDING!

The monks in the tiger sanctuary are crazy! Keep in mind, that ink was put on the traditional way.

Kaoshan Rd (One of the busiest streets in Thailand) at 10 PM during the Thailand protests (I booked a last minute flight there to photograph the events unfolding but got in one day too late)

The aftermath in central Bangkok the following morning...all I remember that morning was the smell of burnt metal (from the bombs & blown buildings) & something really sour (I didn't want to know)

Elephants became my favorite land animals in the world after this trip

Scary to some...but peaceful to me.

Yeah...I'm a bit insane...

The long neck village, unfortunately they've turned the ones in Thailand to a bit of a tourist attraction. I'm going to find them in their native home in Burma. Mark my words!

This is local but too memorable to not put up.

Also local but can't believe it's almost been 10 years...

Okay, I'll admit...this picture wouldn't be up here if it wasn't for that...that....beautiful.....wave. - Costa Rica

Pura Vida! I'll also admit, I'm a terrible surfer.

Driving a Wrangler in Big Island, Hawaii made me want to invest in the American automotive industry.

Um...that's my brother in law...explains it..no?

I love seeing dolphins in the wild. I would free all the dolphins in the world if I had the power...

The red rocks clashing against the Turquoise ocean with the blue sky on top...Big Island is my favorite Hawaiian Island

The lava formations are insane! The rocks were so fresh that it was still hot!

Ill advised to drive on lava rocks as the surface can buckle...but when was the last time I actually listened to advice? =P

My 2nd time around in Ecuador with UBECI.

Please, get involved and spread the word about this wonderful organization. She's giving you a preemptive "Gracias" http://www.ubeci.org/

Annie's a year older and exponentially cuter.

I'm been traveling so much that I'm starting to call this "futbal"

If I ever had a home somewhere else, this was it.

They love NY! ......well....maybe not that little one on the bottom. hahah

The Bay Islands of Honduras...nice for a short trip or a dive license...but questionable for an extended stay...

I'm an import go kart model....

This is us asking: "Where the FUCK are the whale sharks!" More on that soon.