Travel Tales

Mahalo & Aloha for Now

Posted on February 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

As many of you know, I’ve slowed down my traveling ways over the last five months. Maybe not forever, but the days of hopping on a plane or train once every week or two are gone for now. This is something that life had been demanding of me months before I accepted it as my reality – and for various reasons, too. The most significant is that I need to root myself in one place long enough to bring some of my other writing projects to fruition.

Traveling and writing about all that I’ve seen and experienced has not only given me countless stories, a deeper understanding of others and the way they live, and moments of profound joy, it has also fueled within me a tireless pursuit of self-inquiry. So it is with the deepest gratitude that I thank you for sharing in my writing – and yes, my life.

Travel Tales is not coming to an end – it is merely being put on hold so that, like me, it too can be re-birthed in another form. Check back in mid-2012 to see it in its new incarnation.

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Posted in Updates

Tagged adventure, travel, Travel tales, traveling

Paris en Hiver

Posted on January 12, 2011 | 1 Comment

Notre Dame and the Seine

Up in the attic

Flower Market Along the Seine in the 1eme

My Hideaway on Rue Jacob 6eme

La Tour Eiffel

Shakespeare and Co.

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Posted in Europe

Tagged Eiffel Tower, La Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame, Paris, Paris France, Rue Jacob, Seine, Shakespeare & Co

Mountain Hideaway

Posted on October 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

I know I haven’t been very consistent on the writing front as of late. However, I can assure you that it has little to do with my lackadaisical ways and everything to do with the fact that I’ve been having a lot of fun – albeit, not all travel related. And yes, I am still in Hawaii. A few months ago, I would’ve told you I’d be off somewhere in the Alps or in South America, but I’ve changed my tune and happy that I have.

With winter nearing, there are few places I’d rather be than Hawaii. The sun shines almost perpetually, the water’s still clear as crystal, and who can complain about surfing in December without a wetsuit? So while half the globe is starting to layer-up, I’m happy to be stripping down to my bikini. But aside from hitting the beach, I find there’s no better way to pass the winter days than by hiking.

The Hawaiian Islands are packed with hikes boasting jaw-dropping views and exquisitely lush landscapes, and this becomes evermore true in winter, when rainfall increases drastically. And so to answer the question that’s inevitably about to leap from the tip of your tongue: yes, hiking in Hawaii can be quite a muddy affair – especially as February rolls around. But for me, getting dirty is half the fun. The other half is trying not to fall and slide down the entire trail on my derrière.

A very muddy hike, which happens to be one of my favorites on Oahu, is about a 5-minute drive from my place in Hawaii Kai. It’s not a terribly intense hike or even very long, for that matter – 1.5 hours round trip for someone in-shape and wants to take their sweet old time – but it’s a great workout and a quick escape into solitude. For those of you who live in the area, you’ll most likely recognize the trail from my photos below.

The best thing about it, though, is that it’s not in any of the guide books, so the trail isn’t overrun with people. And out of respect for everyone in the neighborhood, I won’t post directions or the name of the hike here for the whole world to see. But since this is a travel site, I won’t completely withhold the information. If you’re genuinely interested, email me for details: endlesstraveltales@gmail.com.

Happy hiking!

Red Dirt Country

Waimanalo and the Mokulua Islands in the Distance

Regal as a Crown

Overlooking Waimanalo

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Posted in Hawaii

Tagged Hawaii Kai hikes, Hawaiian mountains, hiking in Hawaii, Mokulua Islands, Mokuluas, mountains, Oahu hikes, Waimanalo

Sailing in Hawaii

Posted on October 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

Until yesterday, it had been nearly a decade since I stepped foot on a sailboat. And as someone who normally travels by plane, train, car or bike, I have to say it was a nice change of pace. I’ve also decided that – aside from hiking – it is quite possibly the best way to indulge in the beauty of Hawaii. The photos below are of the Gold Coast – Waikiki and Diamond Head.

Waikiki Shoreline

Diamond Head at Sunset

Loved their sail

Honolulu

Another gorgeous sunset

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Posted in Hawaii

Tagged Diamond Head, Gold Coast, Sailing, Sailing Hawaii, Waikiki

Shorebreak

Posted on September 27, 2010 | 2 Comments

After working a bit too hard over the last couple of weeks, I finally made it to the beach this morning for a swim. I also got a bit camera happy while I was at it. Enjoy. It’s another perfect day in paradise.

Sandy Beach - Shorebreak

Bodysurfing bliss

High tide

Sandy Beach

Swept away with the tide

Crystal waters

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Posted in Hawaii

Tagged bodysurfing, Hawaiian waters, Sandy Beach, Sandy Beach Shorebreak, swimming

Home Cooking with a Twist of Chic

Posted on September 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

Peace Cafe logo

Wandering around downtown earlier this evening I stumbled upon one of Honolulu’s best kept secrets: Peace Cafe. With a colorful well-appointed shop front, it was hard not to notice this chic little eatery amidst the grit of King Street. A quick peek through their windows allowed my curiosity and empty stomach to get the best of me. After contemplating the menu for far too long – everything sounds delicious! – I took a seat at a stunning, communal-style wooden table and sipped a glass of lemon-mint iced water.

Peace Cafe snaps

Peace Cafe prides itself in serving only vegan cuisine, which means that all of their food is free of processed ingredients and animal products (eggs, dairy, meat). The menu boasts succulent dishes such as Morrocan stew, carrot and pumpkin miso soup, and cilantro hummus sandwich on freshly baked ciabatta bread. Awakening the taste buds and defying the negative stereotypes about vegan food, Peace Cafe’s offerings are rich in flavor – so much so that they attract a clientele which is diverse in age, character, and diet.

For those of you who are not up for a full meal, you can linger over an iced matcha latte or an exotic kinako latte – which tastes a lot like peanut butter even though it’s soy-based. Or why not try a cup of Kusmi Tea from Paris? Whatever you choose, be sure to try one of their many sweets. Don’t worry, it won’t go to your waist – it’s vegan!

Even with such scrumptious food and a décor that oozes love and comfort, Peace Cafe offers yet another great touch: music themes for each day of the week such as Jazzense, Indie Express, BossaNova Playas, or Girl Power. Today was Girl Power Friday, which meant Björk and Frou Frou were the soundtrack for my dinner. Some other artists on Peace Cafe’s playlist are Wilco, Medeski Martin & Wood, Sergio Mendes, Manu Chao, the Beatles and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Although it took far too long for me to choose from their enticing menu, it took only a few seconds to realize that Peace Cafe is the perfect urban oasis. Its icterine yellow walls, ambient music, careful selection of handcrafted furniture, half dozen potted plants and flawless lighting – Etsy, no less! – make it the coziest cafe on the island. Regardless of whether you’re a vegan, Peace Cafe is not to be missed.

*Peace Cafe is open from 11am – 7pm on weekdays and 12-4pm on weekends. Click for directions. Photos are – although great, don’t do the place justice! – from Peace Cafe’s website.

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Posted in Hawaii

Tagged 6th arrondissement, kinako latte, Kusmi Tea, matcha latte, Paris, Peace Cafe Hawaii, Peace Cafe Honolulu, vegan, vegan desserts, vegan restaurant Hawaii

Photo Diary: Seoul

Posted on September 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

Here are a handful of choice photographs from the year I spent living in Seoul. Seoul may quite easily be one of the most fascinating and amusing cities in the world. If you haven’t visited yet – go!