my one and only hiking expedition

For as long as I've been here, I've wanted to go hiking. I did what I call a mini-hike up Diamond Head crater to the observation tower at the top. It was built-up with concrete walking path and stairs to a deck where there is quite a view of the surrounding area. Well, I've finally done the real thing, a hike in nature where mud, rocks, trees, bugs and water are aplenty.

A friend and I went to Manoa Falls where it was a short jaunt to this tall waterfall, about 1-1.5 miles. Then we decided to go on a longer hike to a place called "Jackass Ginger Falls" and yes that is the real name! It was up and over these hills with mud and rock, through trees and bamboo forests and occasional views of Honolulu and the Pali highway which connects Honolulu with Kailua on the windward (east) side of Oahu. It was a beautiful, warm, yet humid day and so I'm sure I sweated a few pounds off, yea! All in all, we were gone almost 8 hrs from starting from the bus ride out there and back. A bonus, sort of, was the viewing of the stars of "Lost", the baldheaded guy, since they were filming some scene on the way up to the trailhead. Didn't actually see any filming of scenes but the crew were there. We were hoping to be in the background somewhere...can you imagine watching the show and somehow you were able to see us? However, no such luck!

A group of us travellers plus a couple that are permanent yet temporary (only here for 18 months) got together for a bbq on a rooftop deck. I made my bulgogi (Korean bbq beef) which everyone loved. This weekend I'm hosting a smorgasbord dinner at my house to eat up the food I have since I always have too much and I leave in less than 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to it since I love hosting dinner parties!

Northwest here I come!

Time is winding down for me in Hawaii. I spent last week making sure I had all the paperwork prepared and sent off to the various agencies to obtain my WA state OT license. I had gotten so many licenses previously when I was travelling because I figured it would be faster to get an assignment but then I stopped. Now I'm finding that it's a headache because I need to contact all these agencies for any new licenses. The other good news is that I found a place to stay in Tacoma, WA, which is cheaper than the housing stipend allowed so I'll be able to bank some money that way.

So I accepted the WA job and then a week later, I'm contacted by a facility in Ketchikan, AK. Oh, well, too bad, so sad! I had to tell her that I'd already accepted a job but was still wanting to travel to AK so maybe after I'm done in WA, hint, hint ;). I think she was interested, so we'll see what happens. Now I'm patiently waiting for the WA license to go through and finishing up my last 2 1/2 weeks in HI. I've met some great people here, plenty of travellers, that I'll keep in touch with and hopefully run into again.

I went on my first and only booze cruise here. I was able to control myself but a couple of others weren't quite so successful and ended up paying for it the next day. I was chatting and drinking so I missed the sunset, but did see a couple of beautiful rainbows just off Diamond Head Crater. The water was a little choppy but was so deep blue! Amazing!

I'll be back in town the early morning of Tuesday May 27th, taking the redeye from Honolulu on the night of Memorial Monday. I've got some packing up to do of clothes, books, etc and a couple of errands but would love to see anyone who has time. I'm driving up to Tacoma and dropping off my stuff at my temporary digs there and then driving up to Vancouver, BC to visit with my family. I plan on leaving the 30th or 31st of May, not sure yet, depends on when my family is available and how fast I plan on driving up.

See you soon.