So as I begin to write this I am sat in my business reclined seat on my way to Osaka, Japan. Not gonna lie it is fuckin awesome ( so American, I know, someone slap me). It happened to be that they had many seats in business available from Hawaii to Japan that I got upgraded. I'm sitting with a pillow across my stomach coz I just ate everything they put in front of me. Here's me saying "when I go to Japan, all I'm going to eat is healthy food" and now I'm on the plane eating steak and every dessert optional. I just watched two movies. Firstly Noah, and I cried my eyes out. I don't know if it's the high altitude, the fact I was so happy I got business or I'm just a sucker for animals rushing to a big wooden arc to be saved from the cleansing of the world, either way I was balling, and frankly I didn't care. I didn't have nobody next to me to judge. Only Wendy Williams (the best flight attendant ever) like lady who keeps feeding my emotions, who got to see me vulnerable. The second movie was The Prisoners. Oh sweet Jesus, not a movie you wanna watch when you going to a foreign country by yourself to stay in a guesthouse and feel quite scared already. Thankfully Wendy was there to look after me with more snacks.
Where did I leave off
So last posting I was in LA. Had a fantastic time and was heading for the weekend to San Diego. My friend Chris has a family beach house down off the island which I can't remember the name but where the military base is and all beaches. His family house was stunning and all the houses in the area were like celebrity multimillion dollar houses. Loved the architecture and feeling to this island. Anyone who has been or wants to go, there a massive bridge that crosses downtown to this island and I highly recommend going over. It's like another bubble like Celebration in Disney. My overall impression of San Diego was I loved it. The downtown area I think is the best I've seen in the US. So well kept together, right on the water and lots of things to see and do. I recommend to anyone a 4 night getaway to San Diego. The weather is perfect and a big factor that may make me consider moving here later in life. Also great restaurants, we had sushi one night and Mexican another. Both really good and they were so many more I would wanna try. Balboa park is a great day too. Lots of museums and beautiful parks. We went to an exhibit on torture. For me I love museums with shock or intriguing content, like sex, horror, but then that's just my fucked up mind. In the exhibit was over 40 torture devices that were used at some point in human existence, some of which are used today in countries that do not recognize the United Nations agreement against torture. It's quite hideous to think how brutal we were to one another in past existence. If you were a women that spoke her mind or slept around, or a gay guy, you were screwed, in some cases literally screwed. But the exhibit did pose an interesting question, is torture always wrong? Instantly I thought yes but suppose someone had set a ticking time bomb that would kill many people, and only 1 person who set it knows where it is and is not complying. Is torture excepted in this senario? Food for thought people, food for thought,
Anyhow, had a great time in San Diego, got pissed both nights and drinks were cheap thank god. As much as $4 each, bargain!!
Hawaii
So on Sunday 22 June, we drive back from San Diego to LA, stayed the night at Michaelangelo place and had Korean food, not as good as NYC Korean BBQ but was a good end of location meal. And just quickly thank you to Chris Henry, Michaelangelo, Jude and Los for showing me around LA and San Diego. You made my trip something far greater than it could ever had been by myself. On Monday 23 June I got the underground, subway, metro, whatever you call it to the airport. And I'll say pretty simple for those who go to LA and don't have a car. Total cost $6 from LAX airport to downtown. Cheaper than a $60 + taxi. Plus there's a free shuttle from the airport to the metro. Flying standby, it's very hard to get flights to Hawaii coz they are always so damn full and on this Monday, nothing was different. The most available seats was the 2.30pm flight that I enlisted for however I was pushing it with that flight. Arriving at the gate, I saw my name on the list, I was number 2. But seats went quick and before I knew it, there were only 2 seats available. Fearful I wouldn't make it and be spending a night at the airport I was shitting bricks. It's a nerve racking game when flying standby, and at this point it felt like I was having contractions. And then 10 minutes before I see my name transferred to the seat assigned screen. I was over the moon. And on I got heading to Hawaii, I was so happy I was chatting to all my neighbors on that flight. I was that annoying person to sit next to.
Should of called the last section getting to Hawaii, anyway this is Hawaii
So I arrived Monday evening to Honolulu around 6pm where I had booked a shuttle to pick me up. Anyone going to Honolulu, I recommend rebooking the speedy shuttle that charges $14 each way. A lot cheaper than a $40 + cab. So I arrive in Waikiki and greeted by my friend Mark and his roommate Desiree. They had just moved out to Waikiki from Arizona a week previous, so the island was new to them to which made great timing for exploring. The first thing that amazed me was the beaches. Stunning blue water, soft yellow sands, wonderful sun sets and exceptional weather makes Hawaii one of the most beautiful tropical places I have ever been, right next to bournemouth beach lol jk, love Bournemouth , my hometown. Over the following 5 days we parasailed, snorkelled, went to national parks, waterfalls and Pearl Harbor. Much to my surprise, whilst browsing on Facebook I saw that Kelly Radecky ( probably spelt wrong) happened to be there too with her boyfriend for a surprise birthday vacation. Not having seen each other in over 4 years since working at Raglan we met up at Pearl Harbor and spent a few days exploring together, jeeping by cliff edges, going in dark scary caves and exploring the island. Thank you so much Kelly, Teddy, her boyfriend, Marc and Desiree for spending time with me, taking me around and looking after me in Hawaii. The scenery is absolutely stunning. Waikiki is touristy but nonetheless beautiful but take a trip to the north shore for quieter areas that are just as speechless. Also Diamond Head, an expired volcano lol. Can't think of the right word, had my favorite views. Manoa Falls is also a great place for a rainforest experience. Hawaiian food is delicious but a lot of carbs. Everything served with rice and macaroni pasta makes it a fattening trip but definitely try kahluo pork, sure I spelt that wrong too. If you are thinking of a beach, tropical, explorative vacation, Hawaii is the place. Food you can buy on the cheap but hotels I believe can be costly. Thankfully the weather is great all year round so I recommend off season. On one other note, the island is a military station so the amount of fit guys is astonishing. Especially in Nashville Waikiki Bar. An underground country bar full of army men and line dancing with pool and blackjack tables. Girls, Waikiki is a perfect bachelorette destination for those who can afford it and like army guys.
What's Next?
So as I said I'm on my way to Japan. Not gonna lie I am a little scares though excited. This is the furthest I have ever gone and don't speak a word of Japanese. I have a hostel booked for 4 nights and getting there should be fun using the trains. Still need to get Yen currency, I'm so unorganized lol. Better still I was having a moment aka nervous ticking session for those who know me as when I went to check in , they told me I need to have a return flight booked for immigration purposes. With just over an hour to spare I was on line looking up flights to book back. Getting my knickers in a twist I managed to cancel my first flight, which then set me off shaking with worry. Finally I slapped myself and pulled it together and had both flights booked, however the desk attendant checking baggage even questioned why I was shaking and whether I had been drinking!! Lol if only she knew me.
So wish me luck as in 2 hours I will be arriving and not knowing a single sole lost in Japan. Yeah it is exciting and crazy. Oh well you only live once. I'm sure my next post I'll have a lot to say, stupid shit that happens to me. Here goes nothing
