The Hawaii Series, yes, we are experts Chapter 2 · Saturday February 19, 2011 by colin newell
I have been talking to a lot of people about travel the last 6 months or so.
And from my perch in the North-west (Victoria, B.C. Canada), I hear the following a lot…
“Going to Hawaii” “Going to Maui” “Going to Kauai” “Going to Waikiki”
Oh yea – and a few cheapskates going to Mexico… no bias or anything here. None at all.
Picture at right: The Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi, North Kohala district on the Big Island of Hawaii – is a culinary gem!
Folks looking for a warm getaway in 2011 look towards Hawaii and the Islands for a bunch of great reasons.
It’s warm. Yes, it is warm year around.
It’s safe. Hawaii has a really, really low crime rate. Pay no attention to Dog the Bounty Hunter or Hawaii Five O because it is, firstly a reality show and secondly fiction.
The place we stay, a condo 10 minutes walk from the heart of Kona, Hawaii, has not had a car break-in in over 4 years. Many reasons: Laws are tough and it is an easy going place. Drug addiction (despite what you see on Dog) is not rampant and everyone appears to be living well.
It’s part of America, a pretty civil and law abiding place.
Currently Mexico (not all of it of course) is ravaged by poverty and regional drug wars – sure, you are not likely to get caught in the middle of a fire-fight, but why run the risk of being kidnapped, murdered… or worse.
Sure, you can save a lot of money traveling in Mexico – but if you want worry free travel, I think Hawaii is a great choice – which explains why everyone is talking about it – and actually going there.
So anyway – warm, safe, stable (and if you are a Canadian with Canadian dollars) it is as affordable as it’s going to be for a while – our dollar being at par or better!
Getting there – The clear majority of folks that visit Hawaii fly there – considering the alternative (taking a boat), it is the only way to go. But pick your carrier carefully. Andrea and I have been flying Alaska Airlines for some time now – and they never let us down. I made a vow a couple of years ago to:
a.) Avoid YVR (Vancouver International) and
b.) Air Canada (The Canadian equivalent to Aeroflot)
If at all humanly possible.
Seattle (SEA) Tacoma is, by far a vastly superior airport for getting into the Pacific.
Seattle International has a better vibe, it is better organized, and there are no twitchy Canadian RCMP officers with tasers waiting to send you to your maker (OK, more bias, long story…)
So, for us, SEA is the way to go – and Alaska Airlines as a carrier. They are the American version of Canada’s West Jet (whom I would happily fly with if the scheduling was right…) West Jet flies to Hawaii but I have yet to exercise that option.
And for our readers around North America – you really do need to do your homework. While we were in Hawaii we talked to a lot of people about how they got there – and there were horror stories aplenty about those old familiar airlines ; United and American. Look, if you can avoid them, do it. Scan trip adviser online for feedback and testimony on who served travelers right. Ironically, in North America, Hawaiian Airlines is one of the most popular airlines going – sadly, they do not fly everywhere. Check their site for cities served. Hawaiian flies direct to Honolulu from a handful of large Western U.S. cities like Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles. Check them out.
In our next chapter, we will talk about the planning that goes into a trip to the Hawaiian Islands.
The Hawaii Series, yes, we are experts Chapter 1 · Sunday February 13, 2011 by colin newell
Andrea and I have just returned from a month in Hawaii. For the third year in a row.
So yes, we are experts now.
And it is high time I cooked up a series on the subject of visiting and getting the most out of your Big Island experience.
So – This will be a series of blogs on getting to, staying in and eating – drinking all that Hawaii has to offer.
For starters, let’s talk about what Hawaii is overall – and what it is not.
And keep in mind, this is NOT going to be a Fodor’s, Lonely Planet or Hawaii Revealed type guide – because that has been done – and they are books.
Book suggestion By the way – if you are planning on visiting the Big Island of Hawaii for the 1st time – or are returning after a hiatus, buy yourself a copy of Hawaii Revealed by Andrew Doughty – it is the one single book purchase that you must make. It is complete, concise and honest – 3 things I hope to be with this series of blog entries.
Hawaii overview: OK. Myths.
1.) For starters, Hawaii is not a tropical place (one of the bigger misconceptions) – Hawaii is sub-tropical. Yes, it is probably hotter than where you live right now, but if you are a North America resident and live in the Northeast or Midwest, your weather is probably hotter and more humid than most spots in Hawaii.
2.) Hawaii is not blazing hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Yes, it is cooler in the winter time – but unless you think that 85 degrees (F) or 29 degrees © is uncomfortably hot in the summer, then yea… you might find it hot. Because Hawaii is not equatorial (18 to 26 degrees North of Equator), it is cooler than you think and there is only modest variation in the temperatures between seasons.
3.) There is no Island called Kona. Waikiki is not on the Island of Hawaii. Waikiki is on the Island of Oahu. The Big Island of Hawaii is actually bigger than all the others – hence the moniker The Big Island. Hawaii actually refers to the one big island. The Hawaiian Islands refers to all the Islands. Confused yet? Apparently a lot of people are.
Pleasant reality: Hawaii is a mere 5 hour flight from Vancouver or Seattle. That means, in the same amount of time it would take to fly to Toronto, Ottawa, or Chicago – you could be in the tropical paradise that is the Hawaiian Islands.
Anyway – Up shortly, boatloads and boatloads of Hawaii observations… stay tuned.
Jump to Hawaii – Chapter Two
Summer Food Fun and Drink Chapter 7 Kiva and Hug someone · Saturday July 3, 2010 by colin newell
I have a friend named Bob Harris, from Los Angeles, who tonight is somewhere in Hungary… Budapest I think – being astounded by the unique nature of the language.
On his own. On a mission that any parent, friend or partner would be proud of.
Researching a book on the subject of KIVA – a microfinance thing that everyone should know about and participate in.
Because it works.
Simple concept.
You loan out small amounts of money to folks in developing nations that are starting up a business that need a helping hand.
Bob has made hundreds of loans – many of which that have already been paid back. It’s simple. And hey, it works. Check out his page
Anyway – yesterday Bob was in Bosnia – a war torn region that is on a comeback. And he anonymously met with folks that he has loaned money to. He is writing a book on the subject. From where I am sitting, Bob is a saint. Or not. Maybe just a normal guy on a mission. That you can participate in as well.
Check out Kiva.
Summer Fun Food Drink Chapter 4 More New Canada surprises · Tuesday June 29, 2010 by colin newell
Toronto’s police chief is now admitting there never was a five-metre rule that had people fearing arrest if they strayed too close to the G20 security perimeter.
Come again? You mean, this shit was made up?
Civil libertarians and other bleeding heart liberals like yours truly were fuming like a mis-tuned diesel after hearing Friday that the Ontario cabinet gave police the power to stop and search anyone coming within five metres of the G20 fences in Toronto for a one-week period. And it turned to be a lie. Bogus.
The Ministry of Community Safety claims all the cabinet did was update the law that governs entry to such places as court houses to include specific areas inside the G20 fences — not outside. Not outside the wall!
A ministry spokesperson declared the change was about property, not police powers, and did not include any mention of a 5 meter exclusion zone.
Asked Tuesday if there was a 5 meter rule, given the ministry’s clarification, Chief Bill Blair said, “No, but I was trying to keep the criminals out.”
F*ck me.
Premier Dalton McGuinty has some explaining to do methinks.
The public was left to believe the province had given officers the power to demand identification and detain anyone within 15 feet of the G20 site.
Damn. How I wish I could just make shit up like this.
All weekend there were reports of police stopping people throughout downtown Toronto — often in areas nowhere near the G20 zone — demanding identification and to search bags and backpacks. Each incidence a violation of fundamental Charter rights.
I want my country back and I want it back now! This is fricking stressful and I do not like the feeling.
Do yourself a favor folks – do not get down on the Toronto PD – because those men and women were not the weasels in riot gear that took pleasure in putting boots to peaceful folks. The riot cops, wherever they came from, would be psychologically unfit for regular duty in any detachment or precinct. God help the family and friends of riot cops – because many of them are obviously demented.
Canada day is coming – and remember, as we celebrate freedom in Victoria B.C. Canada – that you cannot be stopped in the street by a cop and be searched. If you encounter a road block or check point in the city, you do not need to submit to a search without a warrant.
Have a great Canada day… and Peace out.
