Browse Author: beakatude

New Game!

Lisa_the_Vegetarian.jpg

We just finished an 8-day trip filled with rich foods and tasty treats and our fridge is completely empty.  So, we’ve decided to start a new project, which we will call “The Veggie Experiment”.  Jes wanted to try eating like a vegetarian for one week.  Yep, you read it correctly.

For this week, here are the rules:

1) no beef, chicken, or pork
2) no fish
3) no eggs

Things that are ok to eat this week: dairy (yay cheese!), things made with eggs (like pasta).

Today was Day One and we went to Trader Joe’s to stock the fridge.  We bought lots of stuff that Jes would never try before but I was looking forward to trying lots of new items.  For dinner we had cheese quesadillas, black beans (Jes hates beans), salsa, and guac. Yum.

In the next few weeks we’ll add one of the forbidden items and work our way back up to being omnivores again.  It’ll start with adding eggs, then fish, and then the meats.  I’m curious to see how bacon tastes after this is over.  Does anyone want to join us?!

Turtles and Rainbows

napili bay

On our last day in Maui, Jes and I had a relaxing day in the sunshine.  In the morning, we had a free brunch at the hotel, complements of Auntie Kiyomi, who gave us their leftover vouchers.  We then took a walk through Lahaina to check out the little shops.  Then it was off to Kapalua for lunch at a cute little place overlooking Napili Bay.  After we finished eating, we walked down to the rocks and got a kick out of watching the turtles hanging out in the waves.

turtle

Jes tried to get up-close for photos but this is all he could get…a shell and part of his head.  For dinner, we went to Lahaina Grill for a tasty New York Steak.  Yes, we had steak.  After a week of fish, pork, and fruit, it was really yummy.

rainbow

On Thursday morning, we woke up to pouring rain.  I guess it was a good day to be flying back to SF.  On our morning drive to the airport I saw a huge rainbow but no whales in the water.

rainbow

blue water

I saw another rainbow as we flew over Maui and the water was so blue!  In Honolulu, we had a 3-hour layover but the time passed quickly.

reading

Our flight back to SF was smooth and we watched “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” on Jes’ laptop.  Since it was filmed in Hawaii, it was a nice way to prolong our trip just a little longer.

view

It was a great trip and a true vacation.  We hadn’t stayed at such an enormous luxo resort for so many consecutive days since our honeymoon.  It was nice spending time with my family, getting some desperately-needed sunshine, and just relaxing.  I can’t wait for the next vacation!

We got home to a happy dog that had some tummy troubles over the week but he was fine.  I think he had his own wild and crazy week at Smush’s house.  I also got home to a message from my manager, who offered me the day off today.  I couldn’t resist so I had a free day at home catching up on tv shows, doing laundry, and even a discounted pedicure.  Now I’m ready for the weekend!

Freezing and Thawing in Hawaii

moonset

This is the moon setting and reflecting the sunlight.

Jes and I were a little crazy on this trip and actually got up at 3 am on Tuesday morning.  We drove almost 2 hours to the peak of Haleakala Crater where it was 48 degrees!!!  I layered my white button-up and hoodie for warmth but I really could have used a jacket.  Jes had his North Face jacket but decided to wear flip-flops so his toes froze.  The full moon was spectacular that morning and I watched it set behind the crater around 5 am.  Once we arrived, there was enough time to take a short nap in the car and then it was a short walk up the stairs to the tower.

sunrise

At around 6:20 am, the sunlight peeked over the clouds and we were seeing a little color.  The sun wasn’t supposed to rise until 6:38 am so in the meantime we shivered and waited in the cold.  It was really cool seeing the tops of the clouds and fog along with road below.  Then we ran out of luck…a huge cloud came over the area and the sun got fogged out.  Oh boo.

ponchos

So, we drove down to the visitor center for a pee break and bumped into my auntie and uncle!  They were so cute in their little rain ponchos that they got from the Polynesian Cultural Center earlier.  I could have used a poncho for warmth!

road

humu

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at the AT&T store in town but left empty-handed since I still had one month left before qualifying for a discounted upgrade.  Back at the hotel, it was sunny and warm and perfect for another snorkeling excursion.  This time around we still heard the whales and dolphins and the water was much clearer and warmer.

luau_01

sunset

luau_02

firedance

In the evening, the whole family went to a big luau at the Hyatt.  We got a great table and the food was tasty.  The entertainment was also pretty good and I think everyone had a good time.  It was a great way to have one last hurrah before everyone left the next morning.

The sun came out!

mommy's feet

My Mommy’s feet enjoying the Maui sun and sand.

After a few days of cloudy skies and rain, the sun came out on Monday and it was gorgeous! We all headed out to finally get some color on our skin.

mommy at the bar

We went snorkeling in the morning and the parents joined us at the beach and at the barefoot bar afterward.  The water was a little chilly but warmed up with the sun.

puffer fish

Can you find the puffer fish?

I got some photos of the fishies but it wasn’t a completely clear day yet so I would have to try again another day. The really cool part of the day was when we could hear the whales and dolphins singing under the water.  It was a little creepy at first, then really neat-o, and then it just became really loud!  Still very cool though…

sunset

In the evening, the clouds rolled in again but made for a pretty sunset from our balcony.  For dinner, we drove through a downpour to Sansei for some tasty sushi.  Then it was time to go to bed early for the sunrise at Haleakala Crater.

Disconnected

Dude, lost my phone at the beach…at night…searched and searched with no luck. Don’t be surprised if a sea turtle crank calls you.

Aloha from Maui!

view

view and jes

Hi! We have been in Maui for about 2 days now the weather has been much warmer than O’ahu but still sprinkling a bit now and then.  We got upgraded from a Garden Room to a Deluxe Ocean View Room and the view is amazing from the 9th floor!

balcony

Brother and Joy also got upgraded and their balcony is close enough for us to pass drinks to each other.

daddy

The parents arrived yesterday (Sunday) so after hanging out at the pool, we took them to the Maui Ocean Center.  I saw a bunch of whales on our drive from the airport to the hotel on Saturday afternoon but they didn’t come out for us on Sunday.

shark

It was fun going to the aquarium with my mom since she doesn’t swim and doesn’t get to experience the ocean and its creatures like we do.

mommy and fish

She was fascinated by all the different fish and wasn’t shy about telling certain ones how ugly they were.  Pretty funny.

Today the sun came out and we’re off to Black Rock for some snorkeling.  Yay!  Laters…