Hawaiʻi is a perennial postcard – gold-hued, full of life and light, and stretching into infinity. Hauʻoli i ka manawa.
Posts Tagged ‘Travel’
postcard days
Posted: November 14, 2021 in Photography, TravelTags: beach, Hawaii, life, photo, Photography, postcard, Travel
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The plane touched down in Kalului around 3:00 pm. Minutes later we departed the aircraft and strolled through the open-air terminal to claim our bags. As a mainlander I immediately sensed something, although I couldn’t articulate what it was. Perhaps the cumulative effects of an 11-hour flight messed with me. Maybe the warm breeze rustling through the palms created a psychological illusion. It may have been the lack of scowling, brash crowds which tugged at me, people jostling to get a prime spot at the baggage carousel in a hurry to move onto the next angst-filled activity. Whatever it was, one thing was certain: something was in the air, invisible yet tangible, passive yet active. It whispered, “Aloha, malihini. Welcome to Hawaiʻi.”
During our time on the islands it was impossible not to be seduced by the unhurried pace, the remarkable natural beauty, and the genuine smiles and calm demeanor of the locals. I realize tourism is the lifeblood of the state and it would be foolish to treat visitors poorly, yet this was different. It wasn’t just the pleasant daily interactions which struck me, (more…)
philadelphia freedom
Posted: September 14, 2021 in Traskland, TravelTags: Center City, faded, humor, humour, life, Philadelphia, Traskland, Travel
Early Saturday afternoon I was suddenly consumed with a burst of restlessness, an urgent need to get out of the house and do something that did not involve staying in the house. It was a gorgeous day – high clouds, crystal blue skies, mild temperatures with low humidity. There were plenty of local options to burn off the jumpiness. We could shoot down the road into Princeton and wander among the ivy, day trippers, and shops. A short drive in any direction would take us to hiking trails and parks. We could stroll around our familiar streets and blithely comment on minor changes to our neighbor’s outdoor décor. We could do any of these things, things we’ve done 1,000 times before. But on this particular Saturday I wanted more than the usual distractions. I quickly concocted an impromptu plan.
I slipped downstairs. With the subtlety of a diplomat I asked Caryn if there was anything she hoped to get done before the end of the day. She mentioned a few things, but they all had a self-imposed deadline of Sunday night. Seeing an opening, I shot my plan at her. (Figuratively.) “Let’s go spend the night in Philly!” Within minutes we were headed south to the city where Ben Franklin fathered an illegitimate son, where Angelo Bruno was rubbed out Mafia-style in front of his home, and where (more…)
it is Rapperswil, not rapper swill
Posted: January 12, 2018 in Humorous Bits, Photography, TravelTags: Europe, humor, humour, Rapperswil, Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland, Travel
Rapperswil is part of a municipality in northeast Switzerland. It is *not* a questionable brand of bathtub gin marketed to struggling rap artists. You may think offering that lame pun in a local tavern will elicit good-natured laughter, but the only thing you’ll receive is the dreaded Swiss death stare. It is exactly the same look you get when you kid about money with a wealth manager from Credit Suisse. Switzerland may be famously neutral and their knives more functional than deadly, but their aloof contemplation can be withering. So do yourself a favor. Resist the urge to make a bad Rapperswil joke, especially while in Rapperswil. Don’t be the Ugly American.
Rapperswil was settled many centuries ago and for a long, long time was its own thing. Oh sure, an occasional power struggle erupted to keep things interesting, but (more…)
a slash in the earth
Posted: September 3, 2016 in Photography, TravelTags: Arizona, Grand Canyon, life, Mother Nature, photo, Photography, Travel
For as long as my memory stretches I have seen movies and television shows set at the Grand Canyon. I have seen countless photographs full of color, shadows and light shot by world-class photographers. I have read about the mule trains and the meandering Colorado River. I have flown over this enormous (more…)
n’awlins: quick impressions
Posted: August 15, 2013 in TravelTags: Bourbon Street, humor, humour, lovely Ms. Trask, New Orleans, Travel, walking, weather
We’re spending several days in New Orleans, or as people who think they know what the locals call it but seriously don’t have a clue, N’awlins. So we’re here in N’awlins because the lovely Ms. Trask is attending a conference with her professional peeps. Me, I’m just along for my spectacular company and stellar restaurant scouting skills.
It is my second time in N’awlins, but the first time was so long ago and for such a short amount of time this might as well be my maiden voyage. About the only thing I remember from that previous trip was going to Pat O’Brien’s Piano Bar and drinking an evil concoction or three known as a Hurricane which, in retrospect, may be (more…)
Trask Avenue 