Hawaiian Blackout

Wow how was that Hawaiian Blackout last night?  Luckily I was home safe and sound when everything went black.  No streetlights, TV, computer,  with sirens blaring in the background.  Imagine no lights in your neighborhood not just for one day, but every night?  Well here in Fiji, and many other places in this world it's normal.  No electricity, no video games, no youtube, or internet but just plain old fun under a moonlit sky.  Here our Fijian brothers showed us how to do some firewalking on burning hot stones.  Next time the lights go out, maybe we can bring out the marshmellows and have a barbeque.  Good night...zzzz

A Christmas Wish

Wow! If you are like me, you must be asking where did 2008 go?  Has it been a year already gone by?  Well it's a wonderful life we live having the health and breath to live out our dreams each day.  I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and may your homes be filled with happiness and peace, and of course may God's love and grace shine upon you this day, Christ was born.  Here my nephew Kai stoked on life with his new toys Santa brought him for Christmas.  Hey wait a minute...that looks like my toys:) Wanna trade for the new Wall-E Gamer?  MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Happy Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for this year?  Family, friends, food on the table?  Imagine having to dive or surf in frigid waters below zero?  Having to wear a 7 mil wetsuit every time you wanted to catch dinner?  Yup that's not the Koolau mountain range in the background but real snow! 

You can only imagine how cold this dive was as I got ready to spear some salmon on our last trip to Alaska. We have a lot to be grateful for this year and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life's journey.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tahitian dream

Ia Ora Na, we just returned from the secluded Tuamotu Islands of Tahiti and experienced the true Polynesian Hospitality.  Our guide/interpreter/diver in the middle of the group, Tim Nakamura hooked us up with his close friends of Manihi and our Red Sea Crew captured the moment with over 1000 photos and high definition video to come on Hawaii Skin Diver TV.  A big "Maruru" thank you to Gilles, Angela, Nakamura Ohana, and all the people of Manihi for opening our eyes to what "Aloha" really means. 

This was one of the resorts on Manihi which offered a beautiful view with bungalows overlooking the lagoon where the Tahitian Pearls are farmed and have become so popular.

Got Shells

One day most of the group decided to go pick shells on the Indonesian seashore "sounds familiar" along one of the secluded beaches (say that ten times).  The variety of shells were amazing and our collectors brought home 20 pounds of shells.  The few of us (Lena, Travis, Dean, & me) left decided to go for a surf in front of the shell pickers and..

after they saw Dean get slotted on his 9'-0" longboard the rest was history.  "Get the dingy! Bring my board" Kirby yelled!  "What the *#^@@)&^ are we doing picking shells in front of this?" Laurie shouted as she began snapping photos.

Breakfast in a barrel

Every day we would have 2 breakfasts.  The continental early morning serving with the follow up mid-morning meal after we surfed.  Here Al Ah Nee is first in line for his mi-goreng (noodle dish).  They had this bell they would ring every time a meal was served.

We scored some fun uncrowded surf and with days like this who needs to eat.  I preferred to have my breakfast in a barrel.  

Ultimate Boat Trip

Salamat Pagi! Or Good morning in Indonesian...After 14 days of adventure to some remote islands off West Timor our group of 14 travelers finally made it home scar free (except for a few minor injuries) and major jetlag.  We were scouting for new uncrowded surf spots, giant fish, and were truly blessed with perfect weather and good memories.  Teremakasih (Mahalo) to Captain Josch and his crew for their generous hospitality and willingness to accommodate us on board his beautiful boat, "Moana".  There are so much stories to tell so I'm sure you will be hearing much more to come on this incredible boat trip to Indo.