Hwy 19 Along The Hamakua Coast

Scenic Route Coastal Drive

PIck up Hwy 11 (Hawaii Belt Road).  This will take you directly to Hawaii’s Volcanos National Park.  The park alone can be a separate daytrip in itself.  However, depending on the time of year, you can easily spend 2 – 3 hours at the park, and still make it back to your hotel before dark.  Continue on Hwy 11 past the barren lava fields, towards South Kona.  If you’ve got time and it’s still day break you may want to stop at Punalu’u State Beach Park (aka Black Sand Beach).

The Big Island - Scenic Lookout

There are so many scenic stops along the way, and it’s an effortless way to see the island. Stop for a picnic at Kolekole State Park.  And, if you’re lucky, you may see a zebra that is a pet in someone’s backyard garden.

Zebra in Backyard

Leave your mark with Rock Graffiti

As you walk along the beaches in Waikaloa, there are white pieces of coral all along the beach that you can use for your artwork.   Do NOT dive or snorkel for them as this is viewed as tantamount to eco-terrorism.  If you can, I would say start collecting them on the first day, and by your last day you should have enough to do something really fun.

Rock Graffiti Along Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy

Hawaii Volcano National Park
This is a must do.  The bottom line is this, if you go to an island that has an active volcano, you have to go check it out.   If you can, make this an all day trip.  Spend the day, check out Halema’uma’u Crater; the steam vents (yes, you can see steam venting from the ground reminding you that she’s alive and well); go to Jagger Museum, hike Mauna Loa’s Observatory Trail (there are numerous other trails depending on your level of fitness, some are even wheelchair assessable), see ancient petroglyphs; and walk through Lava tubes.

Steam Vents At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The View From Craters Rim

Punalu’u State Beach Park

Famous for its black sand and basking green sea turtles, this is a popular beach with both the tourist and the locals.  It’s not a good beach for swimming, but the park has several picnic pavilions, rest rooms, and drinking water, making it the perfect pit-stop while you’re circumnavigating the island.  There are two exits between mile maker 56 and 57 that will get you there.  And, if you’re lucky, you will see the turtles chillin’ on the beach.  And, remember don’t touch them!

Green Sea Turtle

Get You a Shave Ice
We say “shaved ice”, Hawaiians say “shave ice.”  Either way, this fine cut Hawaiian version of a snow cone is the best ever.  I feels like silky snow on the tongue.  There really is no  better way to cool of while walking the streets of Kailua-Kona than with a shave ice.

Dude Making My Shave Ice

Fly over waterfalls!!  Go Zip Lining!!
Yes!!  I’m saying it again…it’s a must do.    This activity isn’t for everyone, there are age and weight restrictions and certain medical issues (ie back injuries, pregnancy) that one may want to consider prior to participating.  There are several operators on the island.  The Honolii Mountain Outpost boasts the longest zipline in Hawaii with their Umauma Falls Zipline Experience.

The Zipline

Hanging on a Zipline

DMM > AMS > SEA > SAN > SEA > LAS > SAN > SEA > SAN > LAS > SAN > SEA > STR > KON > LAX > SAN > SEA > AMS > DMM > AMS > ARN > AMS > DMM > AMS > ARN > AMS > DMM > AMS > SEA > SAN > SEA > JFK > SAN > SEA > AMS > DMM

Amsterdam is always a layover stop for me when I travel from Saudi Arabia.   This year, it wins as my most visited city.  Even though I’m only there for 8 hours at a time.  I always go into town for some sightseeing.  When it comes to the layout and the architecture (I love those canal side houses) Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities.

Amsterdam Canal Houses

San Diego is my hometown, born and raised.  I love San Diego.  For me, it’s like that friend who has known you since childhood, and you know them.  However, even with knowing the friend so well… people change; as do cities.    The thing is I have not actually lived in San Diego for any length of time since 1999.  When I come to San Diego, it’s all about family for me, and free room and board.  LOL  My family is pretty much the only thing happening for me in this town.  I have love for my hometown, but as far as cities go I think it’s kinda boring.  The vibe of this town is beach and sun.  Other than that, there isn’t much of a “culture.”  But, that’s okay because I still got love, and I’m proud to call myself a San Diegan.

Mission Beach in San Diego

Seattle is my adopted hometown.  I lived in Seattle from 2000 to 2008.  I LOVE Seattle.  From the time I moved to there the vibe was good, it was easy for me to get in, make friends, and start a life.  I have my favorite neighborhood (West Seattle), my favorite happy hour spots (Bahama Breeze and The Black Bottle), my favorite food spots (Chaco Canyon), along with my favorite grocery stores (Marlene’s Natural Market and Metropolitan Market), and all my favorite friends (who I won’t name ).   I headquarter myself out of San Diego, however, whenever I come back to the States, I always spend time in Seattle.  I fly in and out of the States via SEA.  Besides the fact that it’s cheaper than flying directly into San Diego or Los Angeles, it gives me the opportunity to lay over for a couple of days; which is what I typically will do.  Before I leave to go back to Saudi Arabia, I always spend at least 3 days in Seattle.  If I had a house in Seattle, I would make it my home base.  The only problem I have with Seattle is the weather.  OMG.  The weather sucks!!!  But, you can’t have everything.

Pikes Place Market Sign

Veeeeeeeeeeegaaaaaaaassssssss!!!     I Love Vegas!!!   This year, I went to Las Vegas 3 times. I have totally rediscovered this town.  I went in January for a wedding, then I went back again with a girlfriend in April to check out Janet Jackson at Ceasar’s (she was fabulous), then Rolle and I went back again a month later for the Billboard Music Awards (I love going to award shows!!).  The only gripe I have about Las Vegas is them trying to turn this town into a “family” destination. I view Las Vegas as a playground for adults.

At The Billboard Music Awards

The Wynn Hotel's Room with a View

I made my first solo vacation trip this year.  Even though I’ve traveled alone numerous times, I’ve never traveled to a city and stayed for an extended period of time by myself.  I kinda had to be talked into it, but once I made my decision to go I was excited and nervous.  Stockholm was the perfect city for me to have my first solo experience.  I lived there for a short period (1999/2000), so I knew the city and felt comfortable there.  My intention was to stay for 10 days, I ended up staying for 2 weeks.  Stockholmers can be a little “not friendly,” but the trick is to not try to speak Swedish, don’t expect to make “new friends (or acquaintances), they only speak to people they know (which begs to ask, how do you meet people?) .  If you go in just doing your thing, you’ll do fine in this beautiful, easy to navigate city.

Stockholm - StrandVagen from Water

Along with those oldies, I visited some new cities this year as well.

It started with Santa Rosa, CA.  It’s located smack dab in the middle of Sonoma Valley’s wine country and farm land.  This didn’t do me much good considering that I was there for a 10 day stay at a health retreat.  I did a 7-day water fast.  Yes, people, that means for 7 days I only ingested water.  While at the facility, I was not allowed to leave the grounds as they couldn’t have me passing out on the streets.  LOL.  However, the last 3 days we were able to get out and see a little bit of Santa Rosa.  I actually wish I could have spent more time here but Hawaii was calling.

Landing in Santa Rosa

This wasn’t my first trip to Hawaii, however it was my first time to The Big Island.  We headquartered ourselves out of Waikoloa Beach, but spent most of our time in Kona-Kailua or Hilo.  I blame the fact that I hadn’t eaten in several days as the reason for me booking myself in a planned resort community with a Macy’s across the street (ughhhh).  If I had done the research that I typical do before booking a trip I would have had us staying in Kona.  All and all it didn’t matter; we had a blast.  We discovered our favorite healthy restaurant, we zip lined, we circumnavigated the island, and we witness smoke plumes at National Volcano Park.  What’s not to love about Hawaii?

Halema'uma'u Crater, Hawaii Volcano National Park

Last but certainly not least is, New York Baby!!

OMG  I Love New York.  It appears I love all the cities I went to this year, but seriously I loved none more that New York.  It was nothing like I expected.  I thought it would be overrun, overcrowded, I expected the people to be harsh and rude, and Central park to be a deep dark cavern of a park in which I could get raped, robbed or maimed at any corner.  Well…for once, I’m glad none of my expectations were true.  We had a nice apartment on the Upper West Side, right on 72nd Street.  I felt like a local, and at one point I had someone tell me they thought I was from there.  I considered that a major compliment considering I was trying my best not to look like a tourist, which is hard when you’re carry around a big ass camera, which is why I left it in the apartment 50% of the time.

City View from Empire State Building

Times Square

And, in between all of this were quite a few day trips to Bahrain and to Los Angeles.  What can I say?  2011 has been a fabulous travel year for me, and I’m already looking forward to where I may go in 2012.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Directions:  From Highway 19 turn right on Rte 220 (after 13 mile marker) off of  towards Honomu and drive through the town.  Follow signs for Akaka falls.

Roland said, “What was that?”

I was like, “What?”

He said “That sign said something about a park”

I said, “Should I turn around?”

He’s like, “I don’t know.”

Then I’m like, “Yes or no!?”

He said, “Yes.”  So, I made an illegal UTurn and we went back to what turned out to be the sweetest little spot everrrrrrr.

We descended down a narrow road with a rock wall lined with lush vegetation on the left, a drop off to the valley floor on the right, and overhead it was thick with leaves from the surrounding trees, creating a tree tunnel.  I love a tree tunnel!! When we reached the base of this road there was the option to cross a bridge that goes over a stream, or make a right and head into the park.

After stopping to take some photos, we veered to the right and drove along the stream into the parking lot situated in front of a large grassy area that was lined with a few picnic tables.  Next to us flowed the stream, feed by the Akaka Falls about 4 miles away, that lead to a rocky beach where it met the ocean.  As I ate my lunch the view directly in front of me was that of a beautiful small waterfall.

So…here we were, sitting at a nice clean picnic table, eating our fresh salads, next to a stream, with a water fall in the background. It really was picture perfect.  All because we had decided to take a detour.

Have you had your own “Embrace The Detours” moment?  If so, I’d love to hear about it.

Over The Line is a form of softball played on sand. The games are played on 50 mini-courts and are limited to 1,200 3-person teams in 9 age-divisions. Unlike in softball, the Batter and Pitcher are on the same team. The Batter stands at Home while the Pitcher stands  in front of The Line, not in the Triangle. Fielders from the other team stand behind The Line, in fair territory. The objective is for the batter to hit the ball into fair territory without a fielder catching it.

Fueled by copious amounts of alcohol, the tournament has gained a reputation for its hedonistic and sexual overtones.  Just check out some of these team names: 50 Easy Virgins, The Camel Toes, Sit On a Happy Face, Long Beach 69ers.  I could go on, but I think you get my point here.  Personally, I just like hearing the names of some of these teams.

Now, I don’t need to tell you (I hope) that this is NOT an event for the kiddies.

Dates:   July 9-10, 16-17
Time:  7:30am – 8:00pm.
Location: East Mission Bay Park (Fiesta Island)
More Info:  http://www.ombac.org/over_the_line/

NOTE:  Admission is free, but guests are asked to observe OTL’s “Five B Rules.”

No Bottles, Babies, Bowser’s (dogs), Birds, Battles (Fights) or Boas (Constrictors).

You will not be allowed to drive onto the island during this event. So, check out the OMBAC site for details on the shuttle services and parking availability.

Bicycle use is limited as well. Bikes are not permitted on the sand near the playing court areas as they can be a “health hazard” for the players and spectators. Please look for the designated bicycle parking areas to lock your bike up.

Please Drink Responsibly.  Please consume alcohol only in the Permit Zone Areas.
Photos courtesy of OMBAC

I drove past this site almost every day of the 6 days we were on this island.  I kept wondering…where do I get the white rocks?  I need white rocks!!

We were down to our last day and I still hadn’t tagged the lava flow, and I still didn’t know where in the hell to get the white rocks.  And, almost magically, as if he had heard my siren’s call…my husband came in from his morning run and his pockets were loaded down with white coral rocks!!!!  There weren’t a lot…but it was enough, enough to spell out BCOT. 

So…if you’re ever on the island of Hawaii, and you just happen to find yourself on Queen Kaahumanu Hwy (which isn’t hard considering it’s the main highway the oops around the island), near mile marker 80, on top of the lava flow, you will (I hope it’s still there) see my contribution:  BCOT.

I few weeks back I gathered with a group of other photographers, and we met under the Ocean Beach Pier for a Saturday Morning Ocean Beach Shootout.  We walked the rocky cliffs and dirt paths along the coast.  The following photos are my best shots.

Click on Photo to Enlarge

Click On Photo To Enlarge

Tickets are available for purchase onsite and online

Prices: $10.00 for Adults, $9.00 for Seniors 60+, $5.00 for Children 3 – 10, Children 2 and under are Free

Season Passes: $20.00 for Adults, $18.00 Seniors 60+, $10.00 for Children 3 – 10

Wagon Rides: $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 3 – 10

Information Line: (760) 431-0352

You can check out what I captured in the slide show below.  Enjoy!!