somewhere over the rainbow

vacation at Waikiki

It is less than a week since my holiday in Waikiki, after the conference in Kauai. It was a well deserved holiday, after a crazy year, and especially the past 2 months.

As there was very little time to plan, I settled for a short break at Waikik on the way back. Even rented a car, even though I was not at all confident of driving on the other side of the road. In fact, I was nervous when I first gotten the Jeep that I did not know how to start the car properly.

Anyway, I did not choose this SUV initially, but the person at the rentals was saying that I will have to wait for some time if I want to get the small car. And hey, when will I ever get a chance to drive a Jeep again?

So began my adventure, with driving and navigating. For those who may have been driven around by moi before, you should be able to guess how bad I was. But it was fun!




The room and the hotel turned out very well, and I really liked the location, the lobby area (was surprisingly nice, and the bar area was very cosy too).

Walking around the Waikiki beach is a must, and I did just that. Walked through that for one afternoon, and lazed on it for another. Beach bumming is nice...

One of the standard tourist sites is the Diamond Head State Monument, which is actually the crater and the peak of an extinct volcano. The photo below is actually the crater.

The walk up and down took about 2 hours. Good cardio exercise in prep for the upcoming marathon?

Driving around to sightsee was a highlight on this trip. And I was lucky enough to have the company of 3 fine young people, to have dinner and drinks with for each of the 3 nights of this break. Perhaps I do like drinking afterall... just needed the right company.

Work ends and Vacation begins?

Well, that's me on the right with two of my friends (guess where they are from...), and that was after our 50+ minutes shore dive. While the water was not perfectly clear, it was still very fun, having seen the turtles, the "dragon" fish, the "car wash" fish, etc... apparently i cannot recall the actual names of these fishes.

Another enjoyable thing we did was to just laze around in the pool and jacuzzi. So looking forward to that again.

The work is complete, or so I think. At least the bulk of the day-time work is complete, and can probably work off the blackberry. Tonight, i shall need to plan for the itinerary for the next few days, so that i can have a good time in Honolulu. Gotta reward myself for the good work so far. (shameless, aint i?)

Waikiki... wonder if i would just laze around at the beach, drive around and get lost, visit all the touristy stuff or go clubbing or partying like mad.

a lazy 2nd day in Kauai

yes, it may be inexcusable... i was so lazy and lethargic that i slept in for the morning, after a short run/gym + breakfast. i only got my ass out of bed when my korean customer/friend called me.


meeting them for lunch, i hung around with the folks until most of them got their rooms, and strolled along the beach there after.

then we had a good time lazing in the hotel pool... this is probably more relaxing and better for my well-being than going out to look for adventure. at least for today.

well, still have not decided on where to stay or what to do during my vacation following this conference. perhaps i will decide on this hotel near this clothing-optional beach... ooo... and the beautiful wife or a handsome colleague/customer was telling us that you will never see what you hoped to see at these beaches. haha... but i think i will "watch out for the bridge as i get there". better be more prepared for the dinner later, and the work/trips tomorrow.

a little breathless

how do you respond to stress?

when i was much younger... (as much as 6 years back), i would respond with an itch from under the skin. i was puzzled for the longest time, until a dermatologist told me that there seemed to be nothing wrong with my skin. it seemed purely psychological.

i would like to think that i am older and wiser now, and not so easily stressed. in fact, i had not had the "itch attack" ever since university days.

now, however, i have been feeling congested at the chest. it was like i needed to sigh continuously to release the pent up frustration from within. there was no single event that resulted in this, i think, but a combination of lack of rest, work pressures, and emotional conflicts... and there is only 1 thing i have control over......................... must get some rest soon.