The Horizon's show

This was fantastic. The pictures cannot do justice to actually being there and seeing this show live in person. But I hope that the pictures give you a sampling of the show.

Polynesian Cultural Center

I had intended to wake up and see the sunrise, but instead my parents were the ones who got to see it. I slept in and woke up around 9am. The plan was to head to Turtle Beach and see if we could swim with some green turtles. But we didn't see anything other than some pale backed creatures. =)

Lunch was at one of the Shrimp Shacks around the North Shore. I had read that Romy's Shrimp Shack catches their shrimp in the morning so it is really fresh. They gave us three different sauces to use with the fresh steamed shrimp there was garlic butter, soyu and cocktail sauce. All delicious and yummy! Then we went to see a naturally made blow hole on Lai'ane point. The hole was created by a tsunami in the 1970's, of course Sebastien came along with us.

Then it was off to the Polynesian Cultural center. We had a great time. Our guide, Melissa, was from Australia and she had this accent which was fun to hear. There was so many things to see at P.C.C that I will just have to let the pictures talk for me. The dinner was delicious, it was buffet and I stuffed myself before realizing that I didn't take any pictures of the food. So you will just have to take my word that it was good! =) The show after dinner in the Auditorium was fantastic! It was the Horizon's show and I can now see why this luau was voted by Travel Channel as the "best luau" in Hawaii. The fire show in the end was awesome! Enjoy the pictures.
[ I will upload the Horizon show tomorrow]

Ohau day 1

My dad almost changed his mind this morning due to pre-flight jitters. But we made it to the airport and through boarding with very little drama. I did see a co-worker who was supposed to be on the flight after me but she was able to get on my flight as well. We flew Hawaiian airlines and I must say that there isn't much space in the economy class for you "normal" sized big people, fortunately I am so small that it was ok. My parents and brother sat two rows ahead of me and on the other side of the plane. Which was a good thing cause my mom apparently was camera happy and caught my brother sleeping. =) I tried to catch up on some sleep but to no avail, it was cat naps all the way. I had arranged for a lei greeting with my travel agent when we arrived at the airport and it was so worth looking touristy. =)

I must say that I was rather surprised at the long wait for a rental car. We waited over 30 minutes before a car was available and then to drive through the Honolulu highway was an adventure itself. They have very small merge lanes, it is like immediately you merge on the freeway, there is no smoothness or flow. My brother was intrigued with the names of streets and I know I butchered saying them. The drive to our hotel was pretty and we got to see some of the various sides to Oahu. I had heard of the Pali look out and since it was on the way to the Windward side of the Island, so we had to make a stop. Of course Sebastien was not just going
sit in the car. The wind was really blowing but you got a great view of the South-West side of Oahu.

Our hotel is very, very nice! It is just like the pictures. Our room faces the pool side with a view of the ocean. They have a nice cove area where you can swim and plenty of kids running around. This is definitely a family friendly resort! Instead of eating at one of the restaurants on property, we opted to just have room service so we could sleep afterwards. I asked my brother what he wanted for dinner and he saw that they served lamb, which he had never tasted before, so that is what we ordered. My parents didn't want anything heavy so they opted for some soup and baked clams. I saw that they had tiramisu, so that was our dessert. The food was delicious! The lamb was crusted with some guava and had a nice dark sauce along with some baby carrots and asparagus. The baked clams had this nice white sauce with just the right amount of spiciness to it. Dessert was just divine!

Family vacation

Last time I went on a family vacation was two years ago when I took my family to the Philippines to celebrate my parent's 25th wedding anniversary. I didn't think that we would take another family vacation until my parents' 30th anniversary. But in a few hours all four members of my family will be on a plane to Hawaii. Originally it was supposed to be my brother, mother and I but last week my dad changed his mind and decided he wanted to come along too. So my fabulous travel agent was able to work her magic and get him on the same flight as us. (She so deserves some chocolate covered macademia candy!) Last time on our family vacation my dad had every day planned and for three weeks in the Philippines. We covered plenty of territory; we were able to hit all three major island and see plenty of little brown people who all knew about my brother and me and were friends or related to my parents. But the "relaxing" trip was even too much for someone like me, I felt like I was going on a rocket and just barely holding on. So this time for this family vacation I am in charge. :-)

I found that my Paris formula of creating a very flexible itinerary works. I have an activity for the morning and one for the afternoon planned but that leaves plenty of room to be flexible or just relax depending on the family. Also having a rental car in Oahu means that we can cover more ground. The fact that the two hotels we will be staying at has internet access allows me to keep in touch with friend and this blog.

So the bags are packed (only two bags to check in this time! a first I've seen with my family), Sebastien (my teddy bear and traveling companion) is strapped on to Jeriah's backpack and dressed in his snazzy golfing outfit, the tickets are confirmed and transportation is set up. Lord willing, this time tomorrow I will be at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu.

Here's the website of where we'll be staying so you can check it out: http://turtlebayresort.com/

Tell me what is a traveler?

I've looked online trying to find articles that describe what a traveler is. The dictionary makes it seem so simple.

trav·el·er trævlər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[trav-uh-ler, trav-ler] –noun

1.	a person or thing that travels.

2.	a person who travels or has traveled in distant places or foreign lands.

But a traveler is more than that. However through my search I did find an article that TJ Tom wrote on his website. www.thebigwelcom.net which helps describe what a traveler is when he wrote about the "traveler's glow". Here is an excerpt from it:

Travelers possess a confidence, serenity, a focus and a passion. Their glow radiates from their soul and their heart, and those around them can sense it. They carry with them, almost tangibly, their experiences and discoveries, and the ways in which they’ve learned from them.

Travelers are strong and durable from carrying their lives on their backs, yet their walls are down and they approach life with open hearts and minds. Their quest is one of discovery and immersion. They understand something new about the human experience and recognize their place in the world. “They (travelers) are the lucky ones-to have taken the time to truly experience what the world has to offer. It isn’t for everyone, and some do not have the opportunity, but a combination of opportunity and willingness puts them in a sacred group with some responsibility, I believe, to humanity.”

Isn't that beautiful? I want to be like that! I want to be a traveler.

Any suggestions?

I'm in a state of bewilderment. The original plan was to go to New Zealand this winter but the cost of flying into that country, lodging, car rental and other expenses add up to where it is cheaper for me to go back to Paris. But then again I don't want to go back to a place I have already been when there is a world full of unexplored places to see. When I mentioned this to the 'rents they suggested I visit some of their friends in Asia or more specifically Cambodia, Thailand and maybe even do a stop over in Hong Kong. I can save on lodging because I will be staying with family friends and they will help with guiding me to what is there to see in their country.

But what is there to see in Cambodia and Thailand? I am not familiar with these places. My travel thoughts have been geared toward the already explored places like New Zealand and Europe. Should I go to some place where not many things are known? What famous sights are there to explore in Cambodia? What kind of food do they have there? And besides the beaches of Thailand what else is there to see?

My anxiety is showing. Can you not tell?

Currently reading :
Lonely Planet the Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World
By Roz Hopkins
Rel

What is a VESTA?

My class on the VESTA yesterday went well. I spoke too fast but there was enough digression and sharing of stories between me and one of the other teachers we were able to fill in an hour. When I practiced my lecture the night before it was only 40 minutes and that included the pictures on the power point. I just hope the trainees will be able to retain some of what I taught.

What is a VESTA? The VESTA is the phone system that is used to control the 9-1-1 call center. This software allows information to flow from the telephone system, to the CAD (computer aided dispatch), into radio and then out to the field units. Your VESTA is composed of the Computer screen, plantronics box and a manual phone pad.

The VESTA is better understood when you actually use it. It is one of those things that need hands on training because a lecture and pictures won't really do it much justice. But it is an important equipment in my line of work along with the CAD.