Shark Encounters

Just when I thought the weekend couldn't get any better we all met up on the North Shore Saturday to try out the Shark Encounters snorkeling.  Wow!  I, unfortunately, got a little seasick since the swells were massive but it was worth it.  Some of the sharks were up to twelve feet! 

The boat that takes us out

 Maybe the nerves are setting in a bit?

I had the bad seat on the way out - I was soaked!  Kinda loved it ;).

My girls

The first shark sighting - I think we all wet ourselves

This is how it goes down - pretty sweet.

The crew in our gear.  All in all a pretty unforgettable birthday weekend!

Birthday!!!!

It was a great day of tearing up the windward side of the island on my birthday tooling around in the yellow jeep.  Stopped at a few beaches and grabbed a lunch in Kailua to pack in the cooler to bring to Hanauma Bay.  The snorkeling at Hanauma was amazing.  For the second time while on this trip I had a sea turtle swim with me for a while.  Saw a bunch of other fish as well.  Got home in time to join Jeff and Jenn at Morimoto's for birthday dinner and it was AMAZING.  It topped everything off that we got to see the Chef himself as we were walking out.

 Hanauma Bay is an incredible natural pool that has formed in a volcanic crater. The crater is evidence of a volcanic burst of activity on the island tens of thousands of years ago. These volcanic eruptions formed the crater on the sea floor, and waves from the ocean eventually filled the circular bay.

Jenn and I pre-dinner cocktail



Edition nightclub where the restaurant is.  We watched Waikiki fireworks before heading in to eat.

Chow Time!

Shellfish Balls (I don't remember the real name- they were good though!)

Tempura pineapple with jamon wrap

Pork Gyoza - Inside the pocket were the separate dumplings

This was a local fish dish and all of our favorites.  The waiter prepared the dish table side.  The raw fish was placed on the sides of the hot bowl and seared, then he mixed a raw egg into the hot rice which allowed it to cook.  Amazing!

By far the most fancy dish and had a TON of flavor.  An entire fish fried up.  I stayed away from some parts of it but overall it was phenomenal.

Finally - dessert on the house!  Aw.

To top off a perfect night we get to meet the chef while walking out.  IRON CHEF MORIMOTO!!!

http://www.morimotowaikiki.com/  When am I going back?!

Thanksgiving in Paradise

My co-worker invited us crazy Chicagoans to his home for the Thanksgiving celebration.  They did it up perfectly.  It was a great day of friends and food with a sunset on Ewa Beach to top it all off.  Jeff, my buddy from back home, is back here to celebrate with us so it made it even more special!

The girls on the way up!

Pre-dinner drinks is cool right?

The Crew at Dinner

The girls after dinner - sunset

The Yellow Jeep :)

Testicle Toss - Who will Win the prize?

Winners - Kristine and Seb!

Kristine and Seb take home the plaque for now - I feel a "going away" party throw down!

Why not end the night with the running man?  Seemed very appropriate :).

And that's all folks - another great day in paradise!

Thanks Seb and Kristine!



Nice Night Out!

A group of us went up to Diamond Head to participate in Oahu's restaurant week.  What good food!  Shrimp Bouillabaisse, Tempura Spare Rib Salad, Creme Brulee, and Champagne.  The Hotel the restaurant was in was absolutely beautiful.  I love all the Christmas decorations going up around the island. 

So Many Sites To See!

I spent my Saturday doing some sightseeing for the day.  There is SO much to do and see on this tiny island and I want to do it all before I have to leave.  I knocked out Haleiwa, Waimea Bay Falls, Buddhist Temple, and Pali Lookout.  Amazing.  All while tooling around in a bright yellow jeep, haha.  It was a great day.

Surfing capital of the world!  The Triple Crown tournament was getting ready to start up so it was busy up there.  Such beautiful beaches!!

This 1,800 acre historical nature park is located in the lush green Waimea Valley on O'ahu's famous North Shore.  An entire day could be spent here but a nice stroll to the falls was sufficient!

On the way back to Waikiki we stopped at the Buddhist Temple which is a  replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In located in Uji, Japan. It is located in one of the most peaceful locations in O'ahu - the Valley of the Temples. The valley is situated against a back-drop of tall cliffs and is landscaped with traditional lush Japanese gardens and koi ponds. Outside is a three-ton, brass Peace Bell.   The deep tone of the bell sounds a message of calm and peace.  I rang it ten times - haha!!  Inside the Byodo-In Temple is a nine-foot Lotus Buddha. It is the largest wooden Buddha carved in over 900 years and is covered in gold and lacquer.

The Nuuanu Pali Lookout ("Cool Height Cliff")overlooking the 985 foot cliffs of the Koolau Mountain Range, is one of the best views on O'ahu. It was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha and his warriors defeated the O'ahu armies by sending them over these steep, forested cliffs and claiming his victory and uniting the Hawaiian Islands. The breathtaking sight and the gruesome history of the battle fought here is enough to cause a chill to run up your spine. Add to that the incredible winds that often pass through the Pali and you may be swept off your feet!