Gullible's Travels

I've been traveling a fair bit more than the norm lately. My work keeps me busy but it is an incredible luxury to have an expense account that will still allow for some small pleasures.

Props must go to Cutie-Patootie Claussen at the Coopers Square Hotel for taking care of D & I during our stay in NYC. The hotel is too kool for skool(I still love it!), but he made us feel welome and very well taken care of. Be forewarned, next time I see you, I'm putting you in my pocket and taking you home. (Do only older people say things like that? Good god, I'm mortified.)
Must also take this opportunity to plug Accomplice:NY, an amazing group of people who put on a mxiture of walking tour, scavenger hunt, and improv theater. It's a blast and an awesome way to see parts of New York City. Run don't walk(or in this walk don't run?) for your tickets and be prepared to have your wits about you!

Fast foward 2 weeks, and I'm in Hong Kong (I'm so continental!) enjoying a solitary brunch on my one day off during a 2-week business trip. Started out in Singapore and will ultimately end the roadshow in Beijing. The Aircon here can be jarring; and as with visits past, I am fighting a cold. Its annoying but at least I brought fortification (Zycam!). And, as a Chinese-looking, Cantonese speaking ex-Pat in this City, the experience can be an interesting one.
If I use English to communicate, I can be treated differently. Treated better or worse depends on who I'm talking to. The drivers tend to find it funny that I'm bi-lingual. Last night my driver wouldn't shut up knowing I was an ex-Pat. Too bad I only understood about 60% of his story. I think he was discussing Holland? It was nice feeling my Cantonese improve day by day. Who knows, maybe I'll be expounding on the the state of affairs in Holland sometime in the future. I reckon I should learn to expound upon it in English first...

West 55th, Midtown

NYC.
"Business" Hotel. Free Wifi! w00t! A coffeemaker, microwave, and room in mini-fridge for leftovers! Double w00t!

Fat mirror in the bathroom. This place sucks.

Hawaii Highlights

It was a mere 3-hour difference, but coming back from Hawaii screwed me up something fierce. I came back the first night only to stay up till 5am before having to head to work on 3 hours sleep. Ggggaaa. I'm still trying to catch up with my life. Boy, am I a business travel newbie or what??

Well, before moving on to some other topics, here some highlights from my week-long stay in the Aloha State. The week-long stay part is deceiving as I really only had one full day off to enjoy the island so really there's not a whole lot to say.

First Up: Makapu'u Point. Following a paved 2 mile trail up the hill, you can find the Makapu'u Lighthouse, one of Hawaii's most familiar landmarks with a spectacular view of the Windward side of O'ahu. It was a hazy Saturday but allegedly on a clear day you can see the entire coastline and the island of Molokai in the distance. I took the road less travelled(off to the right) and found myself in a scarsely populated cove where it seemed a bunch of local kids hung out. Coolio! Always nice to have a brief respite from pesky tourists, yours truly notwithstanding of course...

Next it was onward to the lighthouse point. Despite the wind whipping the crapola out of my face, I had an amazing view of some of the bluest waters I've ever laid eyes on. And the Makapu'u Lighthouse with its red roof made for the perfect contrast. I was on a bit of a time crunch that day, so didn't actually make it down to the structure itself. This way I've saved something for my next trip!

I was getting hungry and the North Shore beckoned. So I hopped back into the Rental and proceeded to continue my drive north along the coast. I had been told by some folks in the office that no trip to the North Shore would be complete without a stop at Matsumoto's Grocery Store for shaved ice. I'm not a big shaved ice freak but who was I to argue? Not knowing when I'd ever be back, I opted for all the fixin's. So here's my shaved ice: The Hawaiian (coconut, pineapple, and I forget what) with red beans AND condensed milk. Despite D's proclamation that my concoction was "gross", I found it strangely tasty. Nonetheless, once left with a heap of melted ice, syrup, and red beans.. I was ready to toss the last 1/3 of it out. I got the gist of it.

After that it was a 40min drive back to Honolulu and a dinner of Linguini & Clams in a restaurant called Ciao Mein (surprisingly good!).

Bon Voyage Lala!

A hectic Friday... Have much to share but little time to do so.

But I have to send my hugs and kisses and best wishes to the amazing LaLa.
She is off to Morocco today!!!!
May you see amazing sights, hear awesome sounds, and taste delectable tidbits.
But above all else, remember the cranberry pills, and stay away from the fucking fromage!

You're gonna MoROCCo their world.

(Sorry!  Couldn't resist!)