Aloha from the island of Oahu! Jay and I spent a couple of days surfing in Waikiki and I am proud to say that on Wednesday, we surfed twice in one day. And yesterday was my birthday, and I got to surf. It was the very first time I've ever surfed on my birthday.
I am very happy here. We drove to the North Shore yesterday afternoon and are in awe of its beauty. We are staying in a beautiful cottage that comes with two bicycles and on the property there are two sheep, some chickens and a cat. The roosters start crowing before the light breaks, but we don't mind. And, I just ate some fresh pineapple.
I am pretty excited so I have to tell you that just a couple of hours ago, we went to Ted's Bakery and ran into our wedding photographer, Adam Palmer. This was after I read a book in our cottage last night about the North Shore, and then noticed that he was the photographer! Adam had the day off and was taking his kids to jump off the rock at Waimea.
Oh yes, we ran into Jay Adams at Ted's, too! But just before we stopped in the bakery for that chocolate haupia cream pie, we spent a little time on the beach with Buttons Kaluhiokalani.
Buttons is an open, kind and generous person. Here we are at Backyards this morning. Very windy. I think it was a good hair day for Buttons, but not for me.
Now, Jay and I are going to go check out Velzyland, Pipe and maybe take a jump off of "da big rock". Reporting from the North Shore, this is PLuv wishing you much Aloha and a very happy Surf Fridays.
p.s. To see what Buttons has been up to lately, check out this great interview on Liquid Salt.
Showing posts with label Aloha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aloha. Show all posts
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Memories of Waikiki
An invitation to paradise. May 2006.
I was invited by my dear friend Jenni Adair, to stay with her in her hotel while she had business in Honolulu. I decided to head over two days early and got a room in the cheapest place I could find, with the best reviews. I am a brave traveler.
Arriving at night, a welcoming sight if I ever saw one.
The view from my balcony. Later that evening, the hotel owner came out to play the ukulele while guests are invited to sing along. It was a happy sound! I couldn't wait to wake up the next day.
Here she is, the front of the Royal Grove Hotel in the heart of Waikiki. Known for the friendly owners and just a block and a half walk to the beach. Can't beat that for $62! It's pretty much the opposite of The Four Seasons, but it was perfect for me those two nights.
Waikiki Beach. I noticed that the locals came to swim here every morning, along with the tourists. Eating at the parks and swimming seemed to be a part of the locals' daily life.
Oh, Duke Kahanamoku. How I admire you. A fun little secret is that you can stand in front of his statue and ring up your friend back at home - tell them to go to this site so they can see you throwing shakas at them! I did that to Jay and my Mom and they saw me. Jay told me that it made him happy.
Canoes surf break. Mellow waves and not that crowded! I rented a board and had so much fun. I mentioned last Friday that I had my longest and best ride ever on this day. It was pretty magical.
A little shower after your surf sesh, good vibes from the locals.
After a simple lunch of sushi, it was time for some shave ice. I had one every day when I was there. That was my rule.
I walked along and heard the most beautiful sounds. My ears led me to a park in front of the Hyatt Regency, where the Royal Hawaiian Band was playing a free concert at lunchtime. Hearing the sounds of this band while alternating my gaze on the hula dancer and the surfers = heaven on earth.
Isn't she beautiful? Her graceful gestures and sways while always smiling, brought tears to my eyes.
Next was the famous International Marketplace, where you can get trinkets for the folks at home.
The Moana Surfrider is a beautiful, old grand hotel. I stayed here in my 20s and had to go back to see how "the first lady of Waikiki" was doing. Their Banyan Court has one of the most majestic banyan trees on the island and wonderful entertainment in the evenings. I found on this trip, that I could sit by their pool to read a book and no one seemed to mind!
Later at the Moana it was a fine time for a Blue Hawaiian, with a perfect view of Diamond Head. Which by the way, is amazing to see from a surfboard.
When Jenni arrived, we checked into our new digs near the Honolulu Harbor and this was the beautiful view from the balcony. It was wonderful to be with one of my best girlfriends in this paradise. To tell you the truth, I kind of missed the little pink hotel.
The next morning I awoke to discover some peelers with just a few locals surfing at the harbor.
On my last day, I walked to the beach and took all of it in one last time. I smiled and thanked this beautiful place for making me feel at home. The Aloha spirit you've heard of truly presents itself to you as soon as you land on the ground. They hope that you take it home with you.
I was invited by my dear friend Jenni Adair, to stay with her in her hotel while she had business in Honolulu. I decided to head over two days early and got a room in the cheapest place I could find, with the best reviews. I am a brave traveler.
Arriving at night, a welcoming sight if I ever saw one.
The view from my balcony. Later that evening, the hotel owner came out to play the ukulele while guests are invited to sing along. It was a happy sound! I couldn't wait to wake up the next day.
Here she is, the front of the Royal Grove Hotel in the heart of Waikiki. Known for the friendly owners and just a block and a half walk to the beach. Can't beat that for $62! It's pretty much the opposite of The Four Seasons, but it was perfect for me those two nights.
Waikiki Beach. I noticed that the locals came to swim here every morning, along with the tourists. Eating at the parks and swimming seemed to be a part of the locals' daily life.
Oh, Duke Kahanamoku. How I admire you. A fun little secret is that you can stand in front of his statue and ring up your friend back at home - tell them to go to this site so they can see you throwing shakas at them! I did that to Jay and my Mom and they saw me. Jay told me that it made him happy.
Canoes surf break. Mellow waves and not that crowded! I rented a board and had so much fun. I mentioned last Friday that I had my longest and best ride ever on this day. It was pretty magical.
A little shower after your surf sesh, good vibes from the locals.
After a simple lunch of sushi, it was time for some shave ice. I had one every day when I was there. That was my rule.
I walked along and heard the most beautiful sounds. My ears led me to a park in front of the Hyatt Regency, where the Royal Hawaiian Band was playing a free concert at lunchtime. Hearing the sounds of this band while alternating my gaze on the hula dancer and the surfers = heaven on earth.
Isn't she beautiful? Her graceful gestures and sways while always smiling, brought tears to my eyes.
Next was the famous International Marketplace, where you can get trinkets for the folks at home.
The Moana Surfrider is a beautiful, old grand hotel. I stayed here in my 20s and had to go back to see how "the first lady of Waikiki" was doing. Their Banyan Court has one of the most majestic banyan trees on the island and wonderful entertainment in the evenings. I found on this trip, that I could sit by their pool to read a book and no one seemed to mind!
Later at the Moana it was a fine time for a Blue Hawaiian, with a perfect view of Diamond Head. Which by the way, is amazing to see from a surfboard.
When Jenni arrived, we checked into our new digs near the Honolulu Harbor and this was the beautiful view from the balcony. It was wonderful to be with one of my best girlfriends in this paradise. To tell you the truth, I kind of missed the little pink hotel.
The next morning I awoke to discover some peelers with just a few locals surfing at the harbor.
On my last day, I walked to the beach and took all of it in one last time. I smiled and thanked this beautiful place for making me feel at home. The Aloha spirit you've heard of truly presents itself to you as soon as you land on the ground. They hope that you take it home with you.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Surf Fridays!
Sign, 1969
Travel brochure, ca. 1916
Magazine advertisement, 1939
Postcard, 1962
Travel brochure, ca. 1924
Book cover, 1915
Children's book illustration, 1936I am daydreaming about surfing Waikiki Beach. I went there in May of 2006 and had the best, longest surf ride ever. I was smiling to myself, passing other people in the water, smiling at them. I will never forget that moment and feeling.
I must have been radiating good vibes and the aloha spirit! It makes me understand why it's so important to do what we love because that's when we pass on the stoke so naturally. That's when we share the aloha feeling to others, without even trying. And that's when love makes the world go around.
There's a new surf movie called Finding Aloha.
Finding Aloha marks a cinematic convergence of body and mind. It contains dynamic action footage, some of the most stunning ever to appear on film, but it is also a testament to the human spirit. Armed with both qualities - physical prowess and a gentle heart - these adventurous athletes find the key to harmony in the Hawaiian islands. They discover, and nurture, aloha.
It premiers in Pacifica, CA on March 27th, with Dan Moore attending for Q&A. For those in the SF Bay Area, check out the Pacifica Beach Coalition for details. See you there!
Much Aloha to you.
I must have been radiating good vibes and the aloha spirit! It makes me understand why it's so important to do what we love because that's when we pass on the stoke so naturally. That's when we share the aloha feeling to others, without even trying. And that's when love makes the world go around.
There's a new surf movie called Finding Aloha.
Finding Aloha marks a cinematic convergence of body and mind. It contains dynamic action footage, some of the most stunning ever to appear on film, but it is also a testament to the human spirit. Armed with both qualities - physical prowess and a gentle heart - these adventurous athletes find the key to harmony in the Hawaiian islands. They discover, and nurture, aloha.
As the film depicts, aloha can be a simple barbecue on a Hawaiian beach, graced by laughter, generosity and a visitor's respect. It comes easily to anyone who spends a lifetime sharing, giving and raising a family. It forever evades the rude, the insensitive and the arrogant. Countless water-sports athletes, particularly surfers, have gone to Hawaii with a warrior's mentality. Knowing the best spots are crowded and fiercely protected, they try to barge in, impose their will, take what is not rightfully theirs. They will find no aloha.
Aloha has its roots in patience and understanding, a feeling that there's always another wave, that it might be more worthwhile to make a few friends along the way.
Check out the rest of the story summary chronicling big wave surfer Dan Moore, Layne Beachley, Mark Anderson, Jimmy Hall, Laird Hamilton and Tahitian surfer Vetea "Poto" David.It premiers in Pacifica, CA on March 27th, with Dan Moore attending for Q&A. For those in the SF Bay Area, check out the Pacifica Beach Coalition for details. See you there!
Much Aloha to you.
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