Waikiki ReCap

Back from Hawaii, and although I'm happy to see my bf and kid-pets, I wish I could have stayed longer.

The wedding was wonderful. It took place at the Hickam Officer's Club on the Air Force base. All the bridesmaids wore coral-colored dresses. What made this occasion unique is that the groom, Max, is French! So his French brothers (seen above, dancing), parents, and two best men were there. Despite cultural differences, we all partied down, laughed, cried, and celebrated Laura and Max's love. It was also a super-small wedding -- less than 30 in attendance. 

Other than wedding festivities, I hung out with Stacey and Alex mostly, since Josh wasn't able to come on the trip. They were so kind to let me be their third wheel. We ate food, drank drinks, sun bathed, and were silly-silly.

Most importantly, here are the places I ate:

La Mariana Sailing Club - This is where the rehearsal dinner was. It was AWESOME. It's an old tiki bar from the 50s, in a completely random location. The food was delicious and we were serenaded by a blind man on keyboard, who took requests. Laura's old nanny family was in attendance; one of the boys was named Jude, and so we all sang "Hey Jude" along with the piano man. He loved it. It totally reminded me of the singing scene in My Best Friend's Wedding.

Doraku Sushi - This was probably my favorite place we ate. I had the Tuna Tataki: Julienne Daikon radish and sweet onions with seasoned Wakame, Kaiware, Ponzu sauce, crispy garlic chips, and garlic aioli. And the Yellowtail scallion roll. And a Kirin Light.

Mt. Ka'ala Coffee - This is where I got my coffee every morning, located in my hotel's lobby. Delicious and refreshing. Obviously local.

Chibo - Authentic Japanese food... I could tell because we were the only white people there. They specialize in what is basically a Japanese pancake, although I got scallops from the grill, and probably some of the best fried rice I've ever eaten!

Hiking Hawaii Cafe - Acai bowls and breakfast pizza!

Shorebird - Right on the beach, in the ... We had $3.50 mai thais, french fries, and I got the ahi wrap. 

Rum Fire - We started out the bachelorette party here. It's in the Sheraton on Waikiki. We shared white sangria, crisps and dip (garlic and kalamata olive crisps, edamame hummus), fish tacos (chimmichurri marinade, cole slaw, maui onion sambal), flash stir fried edamame (indonesian satay sauce, sesame seeds), and green papaya salad (wok charred tamarind chicken, fresh mint, roasted peanuts, nuoc cham).

Rejuvenation

As a tried-and-true water sign, I am looking forward to a little aqua therapy this week, be it the pool or the ocean. First catamaran experience! And, hey, I am determined to get up on a board again. There is no better place for it than Oahu. 

I have scheduled posts for the week, so you don't go into ginger-withdrawal. 

Port Renfrew and Victoria, B.C.

The anniversary weekend started off with two dozen roses from the boy. 

We took an early ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, B.C.

We had lunch in Victoria at Pig, a great BBQ place.

The surprise destination was Port Renfrew, a two hour drive from Victoria up the west coast of the island. We stayed at the amazing Soule Creek Lodge. We were their only guests that Saturday night, so we were upgraded to a nicer room. My favorite part was the bathroom. Woohoo!!!

And since we were the only guests, we basically had our own personal chef make us dinner that night. 

Some of the best salmon I've ever had, caught fresh down the road that day. Accompanied by a vanilla bean burre blanc sauce. Smashed potatoes, a few shrimp, and veggies.

A little dessert sampler platter, with house-made ice cream, cheesecake brulee, apple tart, and flourless chocolate cake. Freaking awesome.

After dinner, we watched the sun set from the hot tub :)

Port Renfrew is a beautiful area. The most amazing place in my opinion was Botanical Beach. The tidepools are some of the best I've ever seen. We were hoping to spy a baby seal, but no luck. I did see an otter from far off, which was pretty exciting.

Conquering the tidepools!

Lunch at the Port Renfrew Hotel restaurant. Great view and a few bald eagles soaring around. 

Half crab! Noms!

This guy is such a keeper.

Back to the wilderness... We tried a trail called Mill Bay Trail, but it was overgrown AND we saw super fresh bear tracks on the trail so I started getting a panic attack and we had to turn around :D

So we went to Botany Bay. More ocean views and pretty scenery.

Sweet potato fries at Coastal Kitchen.

You know how to spend a sexy night with your boyfriend? Play Trivial Pursuit! I WON.

Yesterday we headed back to Victoria and spent a couple hours there before catching a ferry. We waited in a half-hour long line to get some grub at Red Fish Blue Fish. Popular for a good reason. 

Vacay Photos (Part Two)

 

On the beach with Ralphie and Mom

Hanging out on Stearns Wharf

At the zoo!

By the creek, and clowning around in La Arcata Plaza

My new friends, AKA May on the left (Josh's grandma) and Phyllis on the right (May's long-time neighborhood friend). Josh and I cooked them a nice meal and we sat and giggled at Phyllis' stories about her time at Saint Catherine's Residence for Anglican Girls. Classic.

Ok, this is embarrassing: The above photo is none other than Oprah Winfrey gate to her Montecito home. Josh made me drive there, and I was sort of mortified.

On top of the courthouse

Malibu, on our way to Santa Monica. We saw a few dolphins!




...Those were all taken by Josh.