Lots of Stairs and a Few Whales

Julie and I experienced some really exciting things over this past week, even though the weather has not exactly cooperated. The wind has been in the wrong directions for kiteboarding, at least for a beginner like myself, and the waves have either been flat or off the scale big. Last Sunday police were out walking the north shore beaches making sure no one entered the water. There where 40 ft wave faces at Waimea Bay!

(The hike starts under the highway.  This part of the hike is the least exposed!)

The first big mission was the Stairway to Heaven hike that we did last Thursday. 3,700 steps and a 2,200 ft elevation change make for an amazing climb in the mountains of Hawaii. This hike is officially closed to the public, which in this case only means that it is an adventure to even get to the base of the stairs. We made friends with the security guard at the base of the stairs on the way down:)

(This shot gives you some scale and is a great view of the H3 highway, recently on Discovery Channels Modern Marvels.)

(Julie and I in the clouds at the top of the stairs.)

(Julie decending out of the clouds on a steeper stretch of the "stairs".)

I was able to get an invite to a whale watching excursion on the dealership's yacht (Mercedes), a 65 ft Viking Marlin Fishing Boat (worth $3.5 million!!!), for Sunday. Julie and I were able to join 10 others from the dealership group for a 4 hr boat tour off the Northwest coast of Hawaii, out of Ko Olina. The yacht was immaculate, the food and drinks were great, and the crew was top notch. A similar 4 hr tour is worth over $4,000!

(Julie enjoying the outing on the "Mercedes", but trying to fight off sea sickness.)

(We were able to see about 8 humpback whales from afar.  I caught this one breaching.)

On Monday night Julie planned a little BBQ at our place. Once again she did a great job getting a bunch of friends together to eat, drink, and enjoy the hot tub. Julie made up some tasty burgers and I worked the grill. The X Box game Guitar Hero was also amusing entertainment at the party.

(Another beutiful sunset from our home in Kailua.)

I hope to report some more adventures and water based sports activities for next week. PEACE

Breaking in the New Year

(Aaron and friends at North Beach on MCBH.)

I made it into the ocean 3 times this past week. I surfed on North Beach on the Marine Corp base and absolutely got my ass handed to me. Some of the sets were double overhead high and all the waves only had 9 sec. periods between them. I made it out through the break once and then just got hammered over and over until I clawed my way back onto the rocky shoreline. Julie and I also made it up to the North Shore and surfed at Haleiwa in 4ft surf. The big news is that I finally got a kiteboard setup. I got it Thursday and took it out to Kailua Bay, but light winds prevented me from doing a whole lot. I did get one good pass with two planning jibs. I didn't stay up wind very well, so ended up hiking the beach, but that is all part of the learning curve. Sadly there has been no wind since then, and I mean NO wind! I have been running almost every day though and trying to get in shape.


(Me ready to launch my new North Rebel 12M kite.)

Work has been slow, but I'm working hard and making things happen. I also test drove a Porsche Cayman S today. That car is a blast to drive! Julie has been teaching tons of windsurfing lessons and generally keeping busy with work. Until next week...


(One of the many amazing kiters in Kailua Bay.)

Parties and Explosions

Sorry for the late short post with no photos, but Julie and I have been busy with work and the crazy holidays.  Over the past week Julie's parents went back to MD, I sold a few cars, Julie taught a lot of windsurfing, we threw a huge pre-new years party, and enjoyed the war zone that is Oahu on New Years.

The big story was the crazy party that we threw at our place on Sunday night.  All the roommates invited their friends and cute acquaintances.  Julie also had a lot of her co-workers over for the festivities.  The festivities included full use of our extensive bar, darts, beer pong, foosball, live acoustic music, and our hot tub.  Overall it was tons of fun and put our huge party friendly house to good use.

Fireworks are very legal here in HI and everyone seems to love to put on their own huge displays for New Years.  The entire town of Kailua was enveloped in smoke, load explosions,  and bright flashing lights as soon as the sun went down and ended around 2 am.  It felt like a war zone, but one where everyone was laughing and having fun.  I found it to be a truly unique experience.

Hopefully 2008 is treating you all well.  I know that this year will hold big changes for many of you, as well as for myself.  Whatever the year holds for you be sure to stay healthy and live life to the fullest.

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)

(Julie and I enjoying the holidays on Lanikai Beach.)

It's been another long week in HI.  I worked a ton, at both jobs.  The second Land Rover that I sold last Tuesday actually got returned the next day.  Basically the buyers wife was not happy about a new vehicle purchase just before the holidays.  I've only got one truck sold, but another two lined up for later this week.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I also managed to sneak in a kiteboarding lesson last Thursday evening.  It was fun, but I wasn't on the rite gear and struggled a bit.

Julie had a week full of work and family.  She had her Mom, Dad, and Sister Diana in town.  They are a great family and where tons of fun to have around for the holidays.  There time here has gone by quickly, as they leave on Thursday night.

Christmas in Hawaii has been a very different experience than the normal family gathering.  This is only the second time in my life that I've been away from my family for the holidays, and I miss them dearly.  It has been 75 degrees, sunny, windy, and at times rainy all day.  Aaron, our new roommate, and I went up into the mountains above Kailua and did the Olomana hike.  It is a hike that takes you over 1600 vertical feet, over 6 miles round trip, and over three separate peaks.  It was EXTREMELY muddy, very steep, very exposed, and required anchored ropes at times.  It was a great challenge and a great workout.  Julie spent the day teaching windsurfing in her Santa hat and took her sister for a kayak tour.  The whole lot of us had a cookout at the house in the evening.  Hamburgers on the grill was a first for me as a Christmas meal:)  Julie got a nice road bicycle from Santa (ie: Me).  Julie is buying me a kiteboarding kite, that should arrive late next week.

I really hope that everyone is enjoying the holidays and staying safe.  I miss my family, friends, and the snow.  No winter sports or kayaking is driving me a bit nuts, but hopefully kiteboarding will quench my appetite for adrenaline for a while.

(Aaron , our new roommate, hiking up the second peak with the third peak in the background.)

(This is descending from the third peak, with the second and first peaks in the background.)
(This is from atop the first peak.)
(A classic beach shot down at Lanikai Beach.)

Work, Work, Work

I started at Land Rover of Honolulu last Tuesday, and have sold two used LR3s already.  One today and one yesterday.  Basically I have been busy accumulating leads, following up, training, and selling cars.  I also put in some hours with Skagen, and remembered how much fun mall retail was around the holidays (hopefully you can hear the sarcasm in my voice!).  The new schedule has taken some getting use to:  6am run, 7:30am commute, 8:30 arrive at work, off work at 6pm, and home a little before 7pm.  Trying to get to bed early hasn't worked all that well, but I'm working on it.

Julie has also been busy at work.  The winds have also gone back to normal, East at 15-25 mph.  Julie has been enjoying the windsurfing and managed to get in a kiteboarding lesson as well.  She enjoyed it, but I don't thing she is going to give up windsurfing anytime soon:)

Enjoy the week leading into Christmas.  Julie and I are thinking of you all.  We are also really excited that her parents and sister will be in Hawaii later tonight.  Sorry there aren't any photos this week, but I've been a bit busy.  Next post coming on Christmas.

Kona Winds and Heavy Rains

(An evening shot of Kailua Bay looking South towards the Mokalua Islands)

This week has been a bit strange.  The weather has been crazy with strong Kona, west, winds and big rain storms.  Between the winds and flooding we lost power on a number of occasions and the North Shore turned into an Island within an Island with no way in or out.  Julie and I did manage to squeeze one long day of adventures in with some surfing and hiking.  I put in a bunch of hours at Skagen and Julie did a lot of busy work as their weren't too many tours due to the weather.  I started my job at Land Rover today.  The commute, long hours, and new arena of sales are going to be a bit trying for a while, but it should pay off in the long run.  Please stay in touch and be sure to write comments on this blog, as they are funny and everyone can enjoy them together:)

(Julie and I had a great longboard session at this spot, called Cockroach Bay)
(The Light House at the South Eastern corner of Oahu)
(Julie at the top of the Light House hike overlooking Rabbit Island)

Work in Paradise

This has been another long week of job searching and crazy weather.  I went to a number of interviews and filled out countless applications, both online and in person.  I also put in a number of hours at my part time job for Skagen watches.  I have been selling for them at the Macys at Ala Moana mall as well as handling their merchandising at their two accounts here on the island.  The weather has been crazy here with temps in the 70's instead of the 80's, the winds have been extremely strong (but out of the west instead of the east), it has rained hard every day, and the surf on the North Shore has been EPIC!!!  Basically what all that means for Julie and I is that we can't go windsurfing or kiteboarding and surfing is out of the question.  I've been running a lot, but the heavy rains have slowed me down a bit.

The big news is that I got a full time job yesterday.  I will now be selling Land Rovers in Honolulu.  It is a commission based position that will require me to work 55 hrs a week and commute across the island 5 days a week.  This will be a big change for me, but I think I'm up for the task.  A part of me is actually looking forward to having a normal schedule and being able to put some money in the bank.  I have to do a drug test later today and then they need to run a background check, so I should start work sometime next week.

(The current Land Rover product range.)

(This the watch that Skagen is sending me for working for them.)

(This shot was taken atop the Pali Lookout- Purple: The house we stayed at on Marine Base Hawaii, Blue: Kailua Bay, Orange: Our new house)

Hopefully everyone is doing well back on the "mainland".  Please keep in touch.  Until next week...