34. Spend $100 on a single meal

Completed: 11/18/2015

 Set menu appetizer and mango smoothie

 

I try to be as budget-conscious with my spending as possible to save money for long-term goals like buying a house (which in Hawaii seems like an impossible dream) or raising children with a comfortable financial cushion. But because bucket lists allow for room to get out of my norm, this item was created under the motivation to do something I would otherwise never do, which is to indulge myself with very expensive things. Of all fancy things to treat myself to, I chose a meal because who doesn't like to eat food?

Salad, goat cheese wontons, fish roll

My original idea to accomplish this goal was to use this as a prize for a competition between my mother and me to see who could be the first to go without complaining for a straight 21 days. Turns out that realizing that goal would take more discipline than either my mom and I had expected, so that has been on a (long) hiatus. Instead, another opportunity presented itself, courtesy of Honolulu Magazine. They just so happened to have a month-long giveaway in October 2015 with daily prizes that totaled about $500. I was the lucky winner of day one's package, which included a $200 gift certificate to Chef Chai's Restaurant.

Vegetarian entree

Excited by this perfect prospect, I decided to make a reservation for my husband and me to visit the restaurant during Restaurant Week, a special time of the year (typically in November) when participating restaurants across the state would offer special menu items at a promotional rate. Lucky for me, Chef Chai was willing to modify the menu to allow for some vegetarian options so that my fancy meal experience would be extra special. For $50, each of us got a sate starter (mine's was tofu), an appetizer sampler (which included 4-5 items, but since they could only modify one thing, I just got a mushroom taco. This, by the way, was my favorite menu item of the night). A salad with tangerine vinaigrette followed, and then the main entree. I chose a vegetable terrine with green curry sauce. I do not know what terrine means, but it turns out the dish would look like a steak made out of vegetables, which was an amusing surprise. Finally, the set menu concluded with a dessert (I chose the white chocolate truffle gelato with raspberry sauce).

One of our desserts from the set menu

(Please excuse the bitten piece, I got excited before remembering to take a photo)

Since we had an extra $100 to spend, other items we ordered to supplement our meal included a virgin lava flow (my favorite!) and a mango smoothie for our drinks. We also had goat cheese wontons with a pineapple chutney. I would have loved to eat more because I enjoyed the marriage of the savory cheese flavor with the sweet chutney, but the cheese was a bit rich for a meal that was already quite filling. Jack also ordered some kind of salad and a fish roll. I enjoyed the vegetable parts of the salad, which had a pickled and spicy flavor (the spice was kind of a bit much for me though). By this point, we were super full (and this was before we received our entree). But since I wanted to be greedy and spend the gift certificates in one go, we decided to spend the remainder on desserts. We got to try pineapple with a honey cream and side sorbet, and a white cake with Tahitian vanilla creme anglaise. 

Other dessert from the set menu (I personally liked this one more)

Here's my take on the experience. On the positive side, I think we got to try all the things we wanted off the menu. I felt like the Restaurant Week menu was an awesome deal for the amount and taste of food received. I also appreciated their accommodations for my diet very much, since not all places would be vegetarian-friendly. We also got a lot more food than I expected for $200. On top of that, we got to bring some desserts back to our families so they could try it too. On the flip side, it seems like you're supposed to enjoy your meal over a stretch of time, but three hours for our meal was kind of a long time for us. Granted, there was another huge party at the time we were there, but the pace of service was the same in the hour we arrived earlier than the large group and then when they arrived. Also, the desserts were pretty overpriced ($8-9 a pop, vs $50 for a 5-course meal). All in all, it was nice to be able to experience this at just the cost of tip. But it was definitely much harder than I thought it would be to spend $100 on a meal. The spending is not hard, but to enjoy the meal on top of that (we were stuffed beyond belief by the end) is also something to keep in mind. My choice of restaurant may not have been the most ideal for this bucket list goal, but I think I can accurately say that Jack and I are not used to eating at higher-end dining, so you won't be seeing much of us in type of dining scene. Regardless, we go to experience something we normally wouldn't think to do, and it was a memorable experience nonetheless. 

33. Plant a Tree

Completed: 09/27/2015

  

Group photo around the commemorative 'ulu tree named after me

 

I went back again to Maui for the annual task of taking students to one of the neighbor islands to expose them to career opportunities in their fields of study and to provide them with hands-on, in-the-field learning experiences. This year,  I was able to check another item off my bucket list unintentionally: to plant a tree.

  

HUGE tree on a hiking trail in Makiki (I'm on the bottom right for scale)

 

I added this goal to my bucket list since I have somewhat of an affinity to trees. They're strong, sturdy natural structures that have many useful purposes, from converting carbon dioxide to the oxygen that animals need to survive, to grabbing onto soils that prevent erosion during rainfall, to even providing shade and comfort on a beautiful day. It's amazing how tall and wide trees can grow to be over hundreds of years. I find them fascinating to look at while I'm on my hikes, and climbing them every once in a while appeals to the hidden child in me.

 

 

 

Greenhouse with cacao plantings

 

This task has been attempted in the past. Every year, the University's landscaping department plants trees around campus on Arbor Day. I tried to go to this event last year, only to find that the group had so efficiently planted all the trees by the time I made my way over to the designated planting area. I also thought to do this as an activity for the annual trip with my students on a different island, but that never came to fruition. It's funny how opportunities don't seem to present themselves until you're no longer actively working to arrange them.

 

 

 

Gunars talking to our group about different trees for windbreak

  

Out on the hillside of the west side of Maui, in Lahaina, is a huge expanse of agricultural lands. Here is where I came to learn of a farm called SimpliFresh. The story of the farmer here, James Kimo Simpliciano, is one of how one man's passion is helping to save the island state. He used to work as a chef in a hotel chain, but didn't like the rate at which Oahu was being developed and the country no longer staying country. Because he wanted to support Hawaii's local food movement and sustainability in the islands, he moved to the lesser developed island of Maui to get involved in the agricultural industry. He has now shifted over to being a full-time farmer, devoting his time to experimenting with growing all kinds of foods that are found around the world and starting an apprenticeship program to inspire students to be future leaders in the agricultural industry. Unfortunately, he was not available during the exact weekend that we came to visit, but his partner, Gunars Valkirs, was gracious enough to host our group and give us the chance to do some real farming.

 

Charly with our Charlie-Brown-like 'ulu tree

 

One way for groups who come to volunteer here to make their mark is to plant an 'ulu (or breadfruit) tree to commemorate the experience. We had bought one after we landed in Maui, but being the last one in stock, it was a sad-looking tree. This one became affectionately named Charlie (specifically the British pronunciation of "Chah-lei") by the students, perhaps inspired by the Associate Dean of Academic of Student Affairs of CTAHR, but whose name is just pronounced the typical American way.

 

Students working on planting the Sylvia 'ulu tree

 

Luckily, the farmers we visited provided us with another more substantial 'ulu tree to plant, which the students decided to name after yours truly. If I ever go back to Maui, I wonder how this breadfruit tree will turn out. Hope it actually bears some fruit!

  

 

 First, digging a hole

 

After our nice little tree planting ceremony, we went over to Gunars' section of the farmlands, which is focused on his area of interest: cacao. He shared lots of great info about his passion for chocolate before giving us the chance to go into the fields and help to plant about 20 cacao trees. The process consisted of digging a hole, excavating the extra dirt out, massaging a small cacao tree from the container it was initially grown in so that it could be planted in the ground. After mixing some fertilizing seeds with the soil to pack the dirt so the tree could stand on its own, a stake was placed next to the tree to ensure that it would grown in a straight manner. For precautions against a meddlesome beetle that liked to dine on the cacao leaves, the trees were then protected by a circular mesh cage, which also had to be staked into the ground. Only when this whole structure was in place did we consider our work successfully complete.
 

Carefully removing tree from pot to plant into ground

  

The labor was intensive and our hands and bodies soiled by the red dirt in the fields we worked in, but it was a gratifying experience to know that we contributed in some way to Hawaii's agricultural industry. This, as did many other hands-on experiences in the field that I've done in my time in job, reminded me to be appreciative for all the work that farmers do so that I can have fresh foods for on my plate everyday to consume and enjoy.

 

Packing in the soil so the tree stays upright 



32. Visit a World-Famous Landmark

Completed: 05/31/2015

 

  

I was privileged back in 2008 to visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World as a part of the US Department of State's Summer Language Institute to Harbin, China. I had a chance to tour Shanghai and Beijing before settling in Harbin for eight weeks to partake in an intensive Mandarin learning program. In Beijing, we took a bus down to Mutianyu to see the Great Wall of China, taking a cable car up, walking along the wall, and coming back down on toboggans.

 

 Traveling up

 

Posing at the top

Looking out onto more Great Wall



 In the summer of 2015, I had a chance to travel to South America for the first time as a part of the short-term summer study program which I brought four students on to engage in volunteer service related to their fields of study as well as participate in some educational and cultural activities. We spent a total of 12 jam-packed days exploring Peru, from the city of Cusco to volunteering in the Amazonian jungle to checking off another item on my bucket list, which was to see another Wonder of the World (Machu Picchu). A summary of our the trip, interspersed with photos from Machu Picchu:

 

 Vistadome train with ceiling windows



Getting to try Inca Kola

 

Friday, May 22, 2015:

Fly HNL-LAX, LAX-LIM, LIM-CUZ. Pleasantly surprised by two meal offerings on flight between LAX and LIM, and a snack box on our flight from LIM to CUZ. LAN Airlines was quite cozy, with personal TV screens on the middle flight.

 

Typical tourist

Saturday, May 23, 2015:

Arrive in Cusco, greeted by Maximo Nivel representative who happened to be from Maui! Drank coca tea to acclimate to the altitude. Went out to exchange money and buy water. One in our group faring well in the altitude, developing pulmonary edema. Spent night in hospital.

  

 

 Additional fee to hike this adjacent mountain to see all of Machu Picchu

 Part of the Huayna Picchu hike, which is apparently considered one of the most dangerous hikes. I didn't feel the "danger" factor was all that great though.

Sunday, May 24, 2015:

Met our Maximo Nivel representative who would be traveling with us to the jungle. Also met Director at the hospital. Got discharged. Made way back to homestay and hurried to get ready for orientation. Did a walking tour and ended up at Greenpoint, a vegan restaurant, for lunch. Got a set menu consisting of salad, bread, soup, stuffed tomato entrée, fruit jelly dessert, and purple corn drink for only $4 USD! Went back to get ready to head to bus station for 10-hour ride down to jungle. Surprised by presidential suite on bottom of double decker bus. Got into some hysterical laughing frenzy (likely from lack of sleep). Wasn't aware that bus ride would be really windy down, one in our group got motion sickness. Very fitful sleep that night.
 

Unfortunately, clouds rolled over so we couldn't take a picture, but we did get to see some of Machu Picchu so that was nice

Signed my name in a book to show proof that I hiked Huayna Picchu

 

Monday, May 25, 2015:

Arrive at Puerto Maldonado. Wished I could have taken the mini motor car to the Inkaterra Office, but stars not aligned for me. Waited at the port for our boat. Took boat to another island, Casa ITA, where we would be staying for the week. Very well-maintained area. Claimed our bunk space with mosquito netting. Headed out on boat to Gamitana Farm on a nearby island to start working. Met two girls training to be police officers in Canada. Worked with them to collect dead trees from the jungle to make into compost. Accidentally messed with an ant nest, got attacked by ants. Hurt when bit, but not that bad. No marks left from their bites. Dinner and night walk to see nocturnal species out and about. One in our group couldn't sleep at night so we had chatted for two hours.

 

 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015:

Went over to Gamitana farm. Worked on making compost, sifting twigs and other larger debris from the dead trees we collected. Tilled plant beds to mix with compost to prepare for planting of vegetables. Another group worked to collect plantains, cut them up to dry to grind into flour. Before lunch, visiting neighboring animal sanctuary. The two police officers in training prepared a delicious lunch for our group.

 

Quarry which sourced the rocks for the creation of this Incan civilization

 

Wednesday, May 27, 2015:

Continued working on mixing compost and tilled soil. Others worked to clear field for more banana trees to be planted. Later worked on collecting banana tree saplings.

 

 Sixteen fountains that brought drinking water to the people

 Close-up of the water system

See the nicely cut grooves

 

Thursday, May 28, 2015:

Downpour. Completely rained out so spent the day playing FU and Monoperu. Clothes that were handwashed were now sopping wet. Weather cleared in the afternoon. Went on a canopy walk. Two of the students went over to Gamitana overnight and went snake hunting. In the night, rat ate through my backpack, moth flew into my bed space.

 

 

Back on the Machu Picchu side, with a view of Huayna Picchu in back

 

Friday, May 29, 2015:

Headed back to Puerto Maldonado to catch bus back to Cusco. Ride this time not as bad, nice scenery as we were going up. Got kinda sick towards the end. Lady behind us threw up into a bag. Made it back to our homestay.

 

 

 

Saturday, May 30, 2015:

Went out to tour agency for trip to Machu Picchu. Took van ride to small town of Ollantaytambo. From there, boarded train to Aguas Calientes, town at base of Machu Picchu. Ate lunch and visited hot springs in the town. Slept in nice hotel room with hot water.

 

Condor shaped from stone at the Temple of the Condor

 

Sunday, May 31, 2015:

Woke up at 4:30am to prepare for our day at Machu Picchu. Ate breakfast in hotel, went to wait for bus ride to Machu Picchu entrance, got into Machu Picchu, did hike on adjacent mountain called Huayna Picchu. Made it to the top, where very misty. Caught some of Machu Picchu before clouds rolled in. Went back to Machu Picchu to meet tour guide Romulo at entrance. Went back in for guided tour and learned some about the site:

-Machu Picchu means "old mountain" and Huayna Picchu means "young mountain."

-Civilization was discovered by someone who has ties to Hawaii by the last name of Bingham.

-Stones used to build the civilization taken from quarry found at the top.

-No mortar used to create structures.

-Area very earthquake-prone (located along something like 7 fault lines), so can see how the stonework has shifted, yet impressively still standing.

-Llamas are actually naturally at higher altitudes, but the government place them at the site since they're a tourist attraction.

-Used an innovative water system (sixteen fountains) to bring drinking water to all parts of the civilization, also had ducts to divert rainwater.

-Machu Picchu is divided into regions for agriculture, for noblemen, and for religious purposes. The temple of the condor was pretty neat.

-There is half of an Incan cross in one section of Machu Picchu. Our tour guide asked where the other half was, to which we couldn't answer. He revealed that when the sun hits, the shadow creates the bottom part of the cross, since it's symmetrical. How clever.

-Fastest record that the Inca trail was completed was in 7 hours (our tour guide took longer, but still awed us with the sheer number of times he's been on the trail and up to Huayna Picchu).

Quite pooped by then so went back towards the exit, got a stamp in our passport, and headed back to the bus to the town. Ate at an overpriced Western establishment, got traveler's diarrhea, and headed back to Cusco by train and then van. On the van ride, heard a Spanish song that we liked the beat of, but didn't know how we would find it back in the US. By the deductive skills of one of the students, did manage to find the song. Turns out it was Enrique Iglesias' "El Perdon."

 

  

With our tour guide, teaching him how to shaka

 

PC: Students who accompanied me on this Peruvian adventure



 



31d. Hike Oahu continued (Diamond Head to Pearl City)

Diamond Head to Pearl City
[x] Diamond Head Crater, April 2011 

The hike that all tourists know and are wowed about by the view at the top. Not so much for locals who know of other more awesome trails that are free (pay $1 per person or $5 per car to access Diamond Head). I remember as a little kid when I did the trail with my family, the highlight of the trail was the tunnel, which was pitch black and exciting to go through. Now, it's well-lit so takes the enjoyment out of that part. And I guess the infamous 99 steps that I remember when I was little aren't as daunting now as an adult. Anyway, still had a good time.

 Sporting our cool shades at the top

Another lookout point

[x] Lanipo/Mau'umae, February 2016

This 7-8 mile hike in Kaimuki offers excellent panoramic views from town to the windward side of Oahu. It's a relatively quick hike for the reward at the end. I would recommend going with long pants (for the uluhe ferns), when it's overcast (much of the trail is exposed), and with good shoes (it's pretty muddy, but not as muddy as other trails I have seen). I quite enjoyed this hike, though I'm sure doing it when the sun wasn't beating on us placed it in higher ranks for me.

[x] Ka'au Crater, June 2014

A challenging waterfall hike deep in Palolo Valley. Challenging not in the technical difficulty of the trail, but in the length. Took Jiahong and me about four hours to hike to the three waterfalls (all of which were impressively tall), reach the top of the crater, and head back down. There is the option of hiking a loop around the crater, but we were tired by the time we reached the top. Hiking down from the valley can also be a little taxing since tree roots along the path prevent flat foot placement, which puts strain on the knees. The views are spectacular. Hiking up the third waterfall is also quite fun. Luckily the trail is covered for the most part (except atop the crater). Although you're in the valley and mosquitoes are present, they are not as vicious as in other waterfall environments (like Manoa).

  

In front of waterfall one

 Selfie with the second waterfall



 Posing in front of the second waterfall

Hiking up the third waterfall 

[x] Wa'ahila Ridge-Mt. Olympus, November 2011

First hike with Tracyn. Little did Reid and I know how awesome a hiking partner Tracyn is for her entertainment value and that this would begin a hiking bond amongst us three that would lead to many more enjoyable hikes over the years. Within 5-10 minutes of this trail, Tracyn had her first fall. Everything about her fall was perfect; how unexpected it was, the way in which she seemed to float in the air for a while before gravity doing its thing and pulling her down, to falling perfectly into a spot in the mountain that was like nature's chair made specially for Tracyn. But that wasn't the end of it. When we came back, Reid told her to run and she did, resulting in a slip and slide in the mud. My description doesn't come anywhere close to how beautiful a memory she created for Reid and me.

 [x] Pu'u Pia, August 2011

A trail I attempted on my own one weekend morning. I got lost on the road to the trailhead, but once I figured out that I was supposed to turn to my other left (I shake my head to myself sometimes, with how old I am and still confusing my right from my left). Anyway, after I got to the trail though, I managed to make my way to the top with ease. Nice view of Manoa.

 [x] Waiakeakua Falls/Seven Bridges with side trip to part of Manoa Middle Ridge, February 2013

A hiking experience before Reid, Tracyn, and I did community service at the Lyon Arboretum. The Seven Bridges Trail is an urban legend where if you travel on the trail at night, you'll count seven bridges going in, but only six coming out. We went in the daytime and didn't manage to hit all seven of the bridges (I think we got up to five?). It was kind of eerie to see really old cars with tall grass growing through them (I think this trail used to be a habitable area, but not sure how come no longer). Instead, I accidentally led them up what I later found out was the Manoa Middle Ridge, which I think eventually connects to the Wa'ahila Ridge. It was kind of steep. I could tell this stressed Tracyn by her threats of killing me, but of course everything was fine later on :) After backtracking, and managing to find the falls, we got back in time to eat Boston's Pizza for lunch and get to our service project.

Reid's view when looking up after setting his camera ready to take a shot of the steepness of the trail

[x] Manoa Falls and also to Aihualama, August 2011

Done this trail a bunch of times. When I went with my sister, we also traveled up the Aihualama trail, but only went as far as a junction that connected to other trails. The Manoa falls are especially nice after rain; when not so wet, then just an unexciting trickle. Took the ambassadors here for a social since one of the ambassadors, who's from the mainland, had this on her things-to-do-in-Hawaii bucket list.

 Ambassadors know how to set picture poses

 Nice gal group photo

 Failed attempt at the fanned out pose

 Nice picture at the falls...I think this supposed to be the model pose?

[x] UH Manoa Boulder, Spring 2010 

There was a period of time during my senior year that Sharon and I tried to get into hiking. But since we were both in school, we could only do a few, short hikes every now and then. This was one of them, conveniently located near the UH faculty dorms. It was a nice scramble up the short mountain; the not-so-nice part was getting stuck in some angel hair. Those thorny things hurt.

[x] Kaminiki Ridge, June 2013

This lesser-published trail is located in Kalihi Valley. Thanks to the one Yelp review for the detailed instructions to the trailhead. Although this trail was deemed as easy, there was a lot of stair-climbing in the beginning that got my heart pumping. Because the trail is mostly shaded, it's a good hike to do any time of the day. Hard to tell where the top of the trail was since it seemed to continue to the Koolaus.

 Snacking on crackers at the top

[x] Naohia Falls (Ice Ponds), June 2013

I consider this trail, also located in Kalihi Valley, to be the best waterfall hike. It's not the biggest or highest falls, but the easy hike (it's an asphalt road most of the way with one steep  but roped section right before getting to the falls that can be classified as hiking) to the substantial falls made for a great reward. It was only about an hour roundtrip.

I Spy a Hawaiian at the top (joke from the stranger who took our picture)

[x] Kamananui Valley (Moanalua Valley), February 2013

All this hiking got another best friend who was coming back to Hawaii for a bit exciting to try some hiking out for herself. She has never been on a trail, and so I tried to select a relatively easy one to start her off with. Read that this hike was suitable for all ages, and seeing as how Allison was staying in Pearl City, it was the perfect trail to go on. It did turn out to be a nice hike; along the way we observed helicopters overhead trying to drop off materials that some guys were trying to fix the telephone poles running through the mountains with. This trail is actually pretty long, but since the view is pretty much the same the entire way, we just walked for about an hour, turned around, and went back so Allison wouldn't miss her family dinner that night.

One of the many bridges you can walk on or next to

The reflection of the water fascinated me

[x] Aiea Loop, January 2011
Completed this trail twice. The first time was with Reid and Larry, where we got lost at one point and I got grouchy because I was beginning to get hungry. The second time was with my family. It's a nice loop trail that's about 4-5 miles and is mainly covered, so no need to worry about the sun. You can see the H-3 from here. I read that a view of a bomber plane that crashed here during World War II is visible somewhere along the trail, but both times I tried looking for it and failed.

[x] Upper Waimano Trail, January 2016

Another trail hiked with Tracyn and Reid, this time recommended by Reid. We went through lava tubes (where Tracyn managed to get all muddied up and hit her head when Reid and I were fine) and somehow got lost at one point. Reid went semi-delirious, chanting for sushi in a zombie-like fashion. Luckily we got out and managed to get our sushi fix at Kuru Kuru Sushi and dessert at Baskin Robbins. I don't think we technically completed the trail this time, but it was definitely a memorable hike.

As I was training for the Na Pali coast hike on Kauai, I wanted to complete a high-mileage trail. This trail is 7.2 miles from the end of Waimano Home Road to the edge of the Koolaus overlooking into Kahalu'u. The trail itself was not arduous; the elevation gain was very gradual. It was just a very long hike. Our GPS marked the trail as a little over 8 miles one way, so it took us about 8 hours and 40 minutes to complete a roundtrip hike of 16.5 miles. Although the legs were sore afterwards, it didn't last until the next day or two as expected, probably because it wasn't physically demanding.

 Proof I made it to end of this very long trail

 Nice views (see Chinaman's Hat on the left?)

Immediately socked in, but luckily not accompanied by rain

[x] Lower Waimano Trail, January 2016
On the attempt where Jack and I went to the end of the Upper Trail, we took a detour to complete our return leg on the Lower Trail as we were coming back. It was muddier and didn't offer any special views. I definitely prefer the Upper Trail, but if you want to complete a short loop hike, then the Lower one fits the bill.

[x] Waimano Falls, December 2012

Mary came home for winter break, and of course I took this as an opportunity to try a new hiking trail with someone. I chose the Waimano Falls one to offset the ridge hike we did the last time Mary came back, thinking waterfalls would be a nice change. There is one part of the trail labeled as cardiac hill, which lived up to its name. There is a house near the trail head with a pig and a goat, so that too was a highlight.

Falls was pretty substantial