TravelTalk - FoodTalk - Food, Food, Food and more Food (Hawaii)

One of the great things about Hawaii - besides the beaches, the weather and the sites - is the food.

Hawaii is home to many, many nationalities and with it you can find nearly every type of food on the islands.

Here are just a few of my favorite.

(don't forget to check out my YouTube videos!: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos)

Japanese food - While most people only think of sushi when it comes to Japanese food, there are actually many different types: donbury, ramen, soba/udon, yakinikku, kaiseki, shabu shabu (yum), teppanaki, and more.  My favorite udon place on the island of Oahu is Marukame Udon, which use to be the Jack in the Box on Kuhio St.  This place is super great, everything is super fresh and be prepared to wait about 15-30 minutes to eat - if not longer during busy hours!

 

 

  

  The following pictures are from Raging Crab - located on Keeaumoku street (across from WalMart).

If you're craving seafood with creole seasoning - this is a pretty good place!  I haven't been to any other ones in Oahu, but I really liked the food (though stay away from the crawfish).

 

 

Now we move on to Thai food.

One of my favorite places for Thai food in Hawaii is Maile's Thai Bistro in Hawaii Kai.

Official Website: www.mailesthaibistro.com/‎

For those of you who love spicy food, Thai food is one of the great types of food that are made to handle any level of spice, from mild, to Thai spicy! 

Thai Tea

My favorite things to eat at Maile's are below... (pictures of actual dishes I ordered)

Dessert - Mango with sticky rice

Yellow Curry with Tofu - spicy (order with sticky rice!)

Next is Chinese food.  I love Chinese food.  Everything from modern fusion, to dim sum.

One of my favorite places in Hawaii for Chinese food is Little Village.

Official Site: http://www.littlevillagehawaii.com/

I love this place because the food is just delicious, the service is great and they are very friendly.

My favorite dishes are the Honey Walnut Shrimp (pictured), lettuce wraps, salt and pepper porkchop and any of their seafood dishes!  

  

Singapore Rice Noodle (yum): Rice noodles stir-fried with shredded char-siu, vegetables, shrimp and bean sprouts and served with a special curry sauce.

 

Honey Walnut Shrimp:

 Large shrimps tossed in a garlic and green onion cream sauce.  Topped with honey walnuts. Crispy   

 

California Pizza Kitchen 

CPK is one of those places that I can go to on a weekly basis.  The food is comforting, yet there is enough variety to keep it interesting.  The service is beyond superb (special shout outs to Keisha and Molly at CPK - Kahala).  Check out a few of my favorites:

Asparagus + Arugula Salad:

Tossed in housemade lemon vinaigrette with sun-dried tomatoes, toasted almonds and shaved Parmesan.

 

 

Butter Cake - Enough said. 

TravelTalk - Postcards for you from Hawaii.

Aloha everyone!

 

Well, you guys know that I am not very artistic, but I do like to make my own things on occasion.  This time around, I wanted to make my own postcards to mail to all of you around the world.

 

Unfortunately, the shipping costs are really expensive since the company no longer prints them here in Hawaii.  So, here they are online for you to see and enjoy.

 

I'm sorry.  You guys know I love sending postcards!

 

xoxo

 

enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

 

TechTalk - Windows Surface RT - Browsing and App List

The Surface RT has been receiving some slack - due to sales, but that is because people have iPad expectations on this tablet.

 

I am typing this blog and nearly all my blogs, papers, emails, etc. AND

uploading videos (including the ones below) on YouTube, writing papers, etc.

 

ALL ON MY SURFACE RT

 

Yes, iPad is great as a media consumer, but it lacks so many basic things:

-expandable memory

-USB drive

-Keyboard

-Desktop mode

-Directory

 

If you need your tablet to work more like a computer (and sacrifice iTunes and app selection in the process), this device might be for you.

 

Check out these videos.

##If there is anything specific you want to know - let me know and I'll make a quick video!##

 

 

 

 

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

TravelTalk - Maui (A quick weekend trip)

This past weekend, I went to Maui (literally for the weekend) to hang out in one of my favorite places in Hawaii - Hana, Hawaii.

 

While most of the island is starting to become really crowded, this area of Maui is still not so crowded - haha, and its a great, relaxing place to be.

 

 The Road to Hana is one of the most beautiful drives out there, it is 56 miles from the Kahului airport (there is a race called the Hana Relay - which I use to run).  The road is full of winding curves, awesome scenery, crisp Hawaiian air, and unfortunately not even my HD videos nor pictures can capture the feeling I experience while taking this path.

 

I hope you enjoy, I certainly love this area of Maui. 

 

If you have any questions - post them in the comment section! =]

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE:

http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

 

 

 

TravelTalk - Aerial photos - Kailua-Kona to Kahului, Maui (KOA to OGG)

Aloha everyone!

 

I wanted to write this quick blog and share some aerial photos with you guys.

 

Between the islands, I've had the chance to fly go!, Mokulele and Hawaiian Airlines.

If you're scared of small planes - Hawaiian airlines if your only (probably most expensive) option interisland - they planes hold 119 passengers (115 in coach and 4 in 1st class).

 

Anywho, this plane hold only 9 people, but this route KOA to OGG isn't very common, perhaps Mokulele has bigger aircrafts on their other flights!

 

Well, thanks for reading.  Enjoy!

 

I have a YouTube video of the take off - which I will post later.

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

TravelTalk - Big Island - Day 5 (Final Day)

 Wow.

 

What an amazing trip this has been.  I hope you have enjoyed the videos and photos I have shared of this trip... and if you have, just know that these videos and experiences are even better in person. 

 

So come and visit!

 

My last day here on the Big Island has been awesome.  It pretty much involves the things I love doing the most: snorkeling, eating, relaxing, talking, laughing, eating, eating, eating.

 

I am not even sure how to continue writing... I guess I'll start with the daily events.

 

After breakfast consisting of tea, coffee, blogging, rice, eggs and bacon (yum), we headed out to the other side of the island for some snorkeling.

 

I'll post some underwater shots and videos soon!

 

After snorkeling, lunch, drive, pot luck dinner, hot tub, conversation, moon, stars, laugh, talk.

 

Ha ha, I do wish I was a bit more eloquent with words as there is definitely more to share.  The peaceful familiarity and friendliness of the Big Island has a big space in my heart - but like most places it is the people that has made this experience the great experience that it is.

 

Some people say, I am lucky to travel the world. 

Actually, I am very lucky to have made friends around the world. 

 

Special thanks to Coco and Summer.

 

NEXT STOP: MAUI

 

PS. I probably will not have reception or WiFi the entire weekend.

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

 

 

 

 

TravelTalk - Big Island - Day 3 and 4

Wow.  Day 3 and 4 really past by quickly.

 

On day 3 - we had a pamper day.  I mean, traveling is quite exhausting, so we just had to partake in a 1.5 hour massage and a pedicure (my first in ages... haha).  Besides relaxing, shopping at Costco, eating ice cream, cake, talking story, sharing laughs - is always part of the equation.

 

Day 4 was a bit more adventurous, which included a drive around the Big Island (thanks Julie), snacks along the way, lots of puppies, Thai Food and two main attractions: South Point (The Edge of the World) and Green Sand Beach.  I'm really glad I started incorporating videos because these pictures do not do any of these sights justice.

 

So make sure you watch the videos - I have them in 1080P (HD) as well and don't forget to click "Like" and SUBSCRIBE!

 

What is surprising about South Point is that no matter how many times I have jumped over the cliff - it really doesn't get any easier!  haha, maybe I'm getting a lot older - this site is a must see if you're heading to the Big Island, its one of favorite things to do on the island.

 

If you're a bit adventurous, take the 2.5 mile hike to green sand beach - you can also drive there, but you will need a 4 x 4 (like most awesome places on the big island).  I swear the walk seemed longer, but hey, no pain, no gain, right?!  Plus there are so many awesome sights along the way that you will just bypass if you were just sitting in a pick up truck.

 

Well, I hope you enjoy these videos and pics - going to enjoy my last day here on the Big Island!

 

I was asked earlier about my photos - all pics taken with HTC One X+ - without any modification, photoshopping, etc. haha, that takes too much time.

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

 

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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