On the plane again…Stop 3 Part 1

 General, Meanderings Abroad  No Responses »
Jan 272010
 

It only took me about 24 hours to get to Malaysia from Hawaii, but I made it! I’ve wanted to see Kuala Lumpur for a while now, though I can’t remember what caused me to have an interest in the city initially. With vacation still left to use up, hitting this Southeast Asian country seemed like a good idea. πŸ˜€

Upon arrival, I caught the KLIA train in to KL Sentral station to drop off my bags as I had decided to take advantage of Couchsurfing and couldn’t meet my host until later in the evening. However, through Couchsurfing, I met Nicole who had contacted me about staying at my place when she visits Abu Dhabi. So, she kindly agreed to meet with me and spent most of the day driving me around the city showing me the sites.

Thean Hou Temple
Merdeka
The National Mosque
The famous Petronas Towers
It was great to get oriented to the city of Kuala Lumpur via car as I was kept from having to traipse around on the trains in my very tired state.
I finally was able to meet my host, Phyllisse, in the evening, but was so exhausted that we went to her place where I got a short nap and got up for quick Chinese food dinner near her place, then went back and crashed out! More pictures and update for the following day to come!
Until then,
-T

On the plane again…Stop 2 Part 2

 General, Meanderings Abroad  No Responses »
Jan 182010
 
~ Hawaii – Oahu ~
In Japan, I used to attend a Hope Chapel chain of churches. The Hope Chapel group started in Kaneohe, Hawaii on Oahu. So, over the years I’ve made a few friends and though I’ve lost touch with a few, with the wonders of Facebook, I’ve reconnected with some. One of my friends from way back when, invited me to stop in Oahu since I was going to be in the area. πŸ˜€ Though time was short, I was able to visit for a day.
Some of the photos here:
Sam greeted me in Hawaiian style with a lei (too bad I can’t take it with me…)

A visit to Oahu wouldn’t be complete without seeing Pearl Harbor. It was a small area, but worth a visit.
Pearl Harbor – USS Bowfin Sub
Pearl Harbor – Memorial
Pearl Harbor – Flag waving on USS Arizona Memorial

After our stop at Pearl Harbor, we drove through the city a bit and headed up for a view. We discussed doing a short hike on Diamond head to get a view coming the other direction, but after an early start to my day, my energy was running low. So, the drive to this point was good enough. πŸ˜€
View of Honolulu from Tantalus Point (Diamond Head on left)
Waikiki Beach

Oahu definitely has more of the Hawaiian feel for me. We drove around the city of Honolulu a bit during the day so I was able to see the neighborhoods (saw Obama’s haunts) and enjoy some of the flora that I was expecting to see. In the afternoon, I took a rest, but hit the sands of Waikiki for a swim and sunbathe before resting up for dinner. Though time was too short, I had a great visit and shout out a THANK YOU to Sam, my tour guide for the day. πŸ˜€
I definitely hope to visit again. Hawaii is a great vacation destination!
More travels to come…
-T

On the plane again…Stop 2 Part 1

 General, Meanderings Abroad  No Responses »
Jan 182010
 

~ Hawaii – Kailua Kona ~

It was family vacation time for the past week in Kailua Kona on the Big Island! We haven’t all been together like this in years – perhaps longer than my memory serves. So, it was so great to hang out with my brother and catch up with my parents. Since I don’t live closeby, these moments are more precious whenever they are had.

My parents rented a house off of Ali’i road just a bit outside of the main downtown area. We had a Jeep Rubicon as our wheels to get around. Throughout the week, we snorkeled, surfed, boogie-boarded, tanned, and explored the island a bit.

When I first arrived, I was a bit surprised at the scenery as I had imagined Hawaii to be lush with flora all over. However, due to the volcanic activity on the Big Island, there is more lava to be seen. It’s interesting and makes for different views of this tropical paradise. However, the beaches were still great, the water still warm and much fun still had.

I’ll post a few pics here, but more will come on my main blog site when I return home. Enjoy!

The lava scenery
Sunset on the first night
The parents enjoying the beach life!
Green sands beach – yes the sand is green!
South Point – southern most point in the US and so much water.
Sunset from the house – each night we waited for the green flash…., but the margaritas didn’t help. πŸ˜€
Cheers! for my family!!!
Next stop coming up…
-T

On the plane again…Stop 1 Part 2

 General, Meanderings Abroad  1 Response »
Jan 112010
 

A visit to Japan is never complete unless I have seen my BFF, godson and friend (same family). Since my godson, Ethan, just had a birthday last week turning the ripe ol’ age of 4, I wanted to be sure to celebrate and give him a present. Also, I’m not sure when I’m going to see all of them again (hopefully back home in the summer…).

Since Ethan had a free meal and dessert coming to him at Outback Steakhouse, we met there to catch up. Though a quiet meal, we still had fun.

The Suzuki family

The birthday boy spacing off….
A look of disappointment when waiting for his birthday ice cream…(they sang for someone else first…)
At last, it has arrived!!
“Not gonna let a single bite go…even if it makes me sick!!”
The whole gang – Happy Birthday, Ethan!

On the plane again…Stop 1 Part 1

 General, Meanderings Abroad  No Responses »
Jan 102010
 

Holidays are here again. It seems like I’m always on holiday, but one must always remind others that my last trip to Japan was indeed a business trip and not all business can be labeled as “holiday”… okay maybe it can!!! πŸ˜€

In any case, real holidays are here and I’m on the planes again to see what I can see.

First up – a stopover in Japan on my way to meet my family in Hawaii. Since I was a bit late in getting my tickets to Hawaii (sorry family…), I couldn’t get there until the 11th anyway. The flight route brought me to Japan anyway, so since my friend was getting married and having his wedding party on the 9th, I thought it was a great opportunity to squeeze it in!

Though I had hoped to stay in warmer climates for this trip, I figured I could endure the cold for a couple of days. So far, it’s been okay, but I’m definitely a warm-weather girl now.

Last night was the party – here’s a photo of the whole gang –

Ah, how I miss the crew. This is the end of everyone being in the same place as people have finished their contracts and are moving on to new ones down south or elsewhere. It’s a great bunch and I miss them all dearly. Still, I know we’ll keep in touch and I will always have a reason to come back for a visit!!!

More to come…

-T

Unexpected

 Creative Meanderings, Writing  No Responses »
Jan 062010
 

It wasn’t until the end was near
That it became so clear
Our hearts are intertwined
So strong is the connection of our minds

A friend, a lover, a confidante
A laugh, a kiss, a shoulder to cry on
All these moments we share
All these emotions seemed to come from nowhere

Yet as we weave our way
It feels only natural each day
To allow ourselves to do
Whatever it takes to say β€œI love you”

-T
~January 6, 2010

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