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The year I turned 25, I thought I had it all figured out. I was saving for a down payment on my first apartment, working as a paralegal in Honolulu, and training to run my first marathon. I was full of rosy optimism and grand plans for the future. Being the type-A person that I am, I decided to start a list of “30 things to do before I turn 30″ which included big things like buying that apartment and finishing the marathon. I also had a few “random” items thrown in, like trying out a local shrimp truck, taking piano lessons, and doing a hike under a full moon. But far and away the largest part of my list was travel-related items. Oh, how I love to travel. My list included things like “share a romantic kiss in Paris” and “hug a koala bear in Australia” and I figured that 5 years would give me enough time for a few trips to the various continents in order to check everything off.

At 28, I was slowly letting go of the dream of owning an apartment, due to the ridiculous prices in the housing market it Honolulu. So I cashed out my IRA, sold everything I owned except what would fit in my Toyota Camry, and set out with a friend for a six month trip to Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. When we landed in Australia, my first plan was how we’d make it to the zoo to pet a koala. Yet I kept being thwarted! On our first attempt, we arrived an hour after the feeding time so the koalas were asleep (who knew they sleep something like 18 hours a day!) and then two days into our stay, I got violently ill and spent most of the week stuck in our hostel. On a last ditch effort on our very last day in Sydney, the koalas had been removed to a separate exhibit so my friend, trying to cheer me up, surrounded me with plush koala bear dolls in the gift shop. It just wasn’t the same.

My six month trip eventually turned into nine when I added a solo trip to Paris for a month-long writing workshop and took my time in Europe before returning home to reality. So did I get that romantic kiss after all? Nope! It was slowly becoming apparent to me that I was not going to check off a majority of the travel items on my list. I also came back in the fall of 2008, just as the mortgage crisis was pulling the entire country into a recession. Suddenly, I couldn’t find a job and my savings were completely depleted. With seven months and counting til my 30th birthday, I was starting to feel really disappointed in myself and the fact that I wasn’t going to finish something that I’d set out to do. I’m not the kind of person who takes these things lightly. I could feel the negativity creeping in and realized that I needed to make a change.

Then suddenly one day I woke up and that proverbial light bulb went on. Was I crazy? Here I am disappointed that I didn’t get to see the pyramids before I turned 30. Boo hoo! I’d been to 18 countries in less than a year, filled up an entire passport, and had eaten my way through most of Southeast Asia. I was living my dream of traveling and writing about it. I had wonderful friends, family, and my health. What was there to be down about?

After an attitude adjustment, I took up the task of editing my list. Instead of unrealistic travel destinations, I added in things that challenged my comfort zone here at home, like skydiving and posing nude for an art class. (Guess which was scarier?) I paid for a meal for the person behind me in a drive thru. I finally took that midnight hike.

By the time the big 3-0 rolled around, I had finished all but two items from my list. My 25 year-old self would have disapproved of coming so close and not finishing. But my 30 year old self knew better. Those two items? They got moved to the “35 before 35″ along with that romantic kiss in Paris. Although I learned to be flexible and to see things in a positive light, I still believe in having goals!

So what’s on your list? Leave a comment below.

Bio:
Malia Yoshioka is the resident Hawaii expert over at WhyGo Hawaii where she dishes out tips on where to stay, where to play, and what to eat on your trip to Hawaii. She’s currently working on her 35 before 35, getting that romantic kiss (if it kills her!) and hugging those pesky koalas.

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This was one of those moments where I was so happy that I brought my Canon G12 with me as I was walking around Waikiki. With a free public hula show on the beach nightly at sunset, it’s clear that the Hawaiian Tourism Authority knows what it’s doing. I happened to catch the dancer and musician in silhouette, but couldn’t be more thrilled with the halo around the sunset and the added mystique of the glowing outdoor spotlights. The clouds and palm trees played their parts beautifully in this composition. To see more photos from my trip to Hawaii, CLICK HERE.

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First and foremost, you should know that in Hawaiian culture, the men and women are large and in charge for a reason. They fry anything they can, add butter like it was calorie-free, and slop mayo and other indistinguishable sauces on everything. The bad news is, it’s not helpful if you’re attempting to avoid cardiac arrest. The good news is, it tastes good.

Hawaii has multiple islands and many cultures represented, so a full culinary quest is something you need to experience yourself in order to understand the value of these islands’ diversity. Fine dining and exquisite cuisine is available at every price point. For the purposes of brevity and giving you a simple guide, there are three types of food I am going to review in this article:

1. Fast Food/Drive In
2. “Raw stuff” & seafood
3. Desserts

DRIVE IN STYLE DINING

photo courtesy of weddingspree.com

There are two main “drive in” style restaurants that you must visit, especially if you’re staying anywhere near Waikiki. One chain that you will see all over the island of Oahu is “Zippy’s.” You can dine in the restaurant, but most locals grab a plate to go. They are famous for their vegetarian chili which young islanders sell frozen and in bulk for school fundraisers. They’ve also got fantastic and convenient “zip pacs” which feature multiple protein options on a bed of rice. Cheap and extremely portable, you’ll see these restaurants every couple of blocks.

Another popular stop is “Rainbow Drive In.” The line is always long and there is a reason- they have fresh bbq meat, rice, and potato mac salad that the locals compete to eat just as much as the tourists. The parking lot is a mess, and the small seating area is a war zone. Bring your patience and a hefty appetite, the serving size is not small. Neither is the calorie count. I promise you though, the flavor, substantial portion size, and affordability makes this a stop worth every trip to the gym you need afterwards to maintain your girlish figure.

“RAW STUFF”/ SEAFOOD

Hawaiian culture is undeniably associated with the gifts from the sea. Islanders seemingly throw out a fishing line wherever they please and local sea cuisine is no joke.

Made of raw seafood marinated and seasoned, one thing that you absolutely must try before leaving the islands is “poke.” The most common varieties feature Ahi tuna or octopus- called “tako.” You should know that if you want to sound like a local, you’ll say “poh-kee,” but if you want to be true to the language, you’ll pronounce it “poh-keh.” No matter how you pronounce it, you’ll be enjoying something that is in every family’s refrigerator (which they call an icebox).

One must-stop shop is actually a hollowed out station wagon near the historic town of Haleiwa on the way to Northshore, Oahu. Ask anyone on the island and they will agree that “Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck” is the best. They’ve only got three items on their menu- all various preparations of huge shrimp served in the shell with legs attached. With two scoops of rice and a healthy helping of napkins- stick to the #1 (Scampi) and get your fingers dirty. The line is long and the price for a regular plate is $13. One of the more expensive stops you’ll ever make at a food truck, but one that you will never regret. www.giovannisshrimptruck.com

DESSERTS

An exhaustive list of Hawaiian desserts exists somewhere on the internet, I’m sure. For now- let me direct you to the important parts. Once again- diets are not part of these recommendations.

Malasadas are a Portuguese-style donut, often filled with yummy concoctions ranging from “dobash” (chocolate) to “haupia” (coconut creme). The best place to get them is Leonard’s in Waikiki, and the line proves it. There is no sugar limitation in these recipes so get ready for some sweetness. If you just want a sample, bring cash because there is a $5 minimum charge and you’d be surprised at how many malasadas that will get you.

Another creme-filled sweet you’ll want to try is a “coco puff” from Liliha Bakery. These chocolate filled puffs are iced with chantilly and even green tea flavors. Per their website, “there is a reason we sell between 4,800 and 7,200 every day.” You can also stay for a scrumptious fresh breakfast, but you’ll have to wait in line for that. The packed bakery serves other great baked goods and coco puffs are also available by the frozen dozen. Use your GPS to find this spot near downtown Honolulu (on Liliha street off the H1 freeway).

Last but certainly not least is Hawaiian shaved ice. If you’re staying in Waikiki, you should stop at Waiola shaved ice. They shave the ice so finely that it actually has the same consistency as icecream. If you want to do as the Obamas do, you’ll stop at Matsumoto’s in historic Haleiwa town on the way to the Northshore. Either location, you should try it covered with condensed milk and with a scoop of vanilla icecream. It’s a heavenly treat when combating the island heat.

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I’ve got a great camera, but not the best camera. As a result, I get very disappointed on a regular basis when the lens doesn’t seem to capture the colors of the world as my eyes do. In this picture, I was ecstatic to see that the beautiful yellow/green of the fallen leaf shown in all its glory. Juxtaposed with the steel gray of the background and the composition in the frame with scattered brush, I love the way this picture turned out. Courtesy of SF Golden Gate Park.

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2. Photo of the Week 2/9/10
3. Photo of the Week 12/14/2010

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While Sin City is known more for its debauchery than for its more redeeming qualities (such as fantastic food and entertainment), I am always amazing by the amount of electricity the city uses. This photo was taken on the new Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. I could get lost in this picture trying to find all the nooks and crannies that fit into one frame.

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I had the honor of being a member of the crew of the film “A Marine Story.” This film has done incredibly well on the festival circuit in the last year, winning 15+ “Best Of Festival” awards along the way. While filming, we were on location on a hilltop in Saugus, CA. One of my favorite pictures from that day flared the lens and reflected the sunset off an old and rickety white picket fence. It was one of those moments that you know you could never create, you just had to be present for.

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KIDS
The exhibits are state-of-the-art and extremely interactive. If bringing small children, take them over to the Splash Zone, a hands-on experience equipped with kid-friendly exhibits and complimentary antibacterial hand spray.

All of the various displays are colorful and include great signage and explanations, though it will be important to have a guide (either a parent or teacher) be present for the multitude of questions that small ones will have about this invisible world under the water. If you don’t feel qualified to lead a personal tour, worry not! There are plenty of helpful staff members floating throughout the aquarium and some helpful pamphlets, movies, and public speaking sessions throughout the day to take the pressure off.

A jelly in Monterey

ADULTS
For the mature animal-lover, the highlight has to be the exhibit on Jellyfish (obviously kids will enjoy this one as well). Each tank is superbly constructed to encourage the fish to float effortlessly right in front of your eyes. The beauty and majesty of these flowing creatures is a rare treat and in my opinion, worth the price of admission on its own.

Throughout the experience, you’ll be reminded on a rather constant basis (sometimes annoyingly so) that humans pollute and hurt the underwater ecosystem. If you’re a fish eater, be prepared for a guilt trip you may not be expecting- Disneyland sure doesn’t make you feel bad for eating salmon for dinner. Alas, they also give quite a few useful and easy suggestions about how to be more responsible, and why not stare at some penguins, pink flamingos, and sea turtles while being taught how to be a responsible human?

FINANCES
The price tag is getting up there, I must say. Even a child costs $18 with regular adult admission skirting ever-so-close to $30. The good news is, it’s worth it to cough up the dough, especially when you consider that the admission ticket actually goes to fund much of the environmental programming that the aquarium supports.

If you’ve got some money to spend, I’d highly recommend investing in one of the boutique experiences the staff at the aquarium offer. From diving into the reef exhibit, feeding the otters, sailing with the staff and even a New Year’s Sleepover, there are some awesome opportunities to get up close and personal with out friends in the water.

LOCATION
If you’re coasting up or down the 101 Freeway, take a little detour into Monterey. The surrounding Cannery Row restaurants are rather kitchy and definitely overpriced, but the view of the bay and marshlands feels like a welcome departure from the bustling California metropolises that I’ve come to associate with the Golden State.

Parking can be difficult and pricey, but once again- it’s all worth it.

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Feast your eyes:

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The building off which I plummeted 108 stories

As you know, many of the posts I write on this site are about crossing items off my “Life To Do List.” Commonly known as a bucket list, this fun motivating device is something I use to inspire myself, remind me to go after my dreams, and challenge myself to make things happen that seem unattainable.

#61 on that list was “Go Skydiving/Bungee Jumping.” Today, I can cross that item off the list because I jumped off a hotel last night. You read that correctly… I purposefully plummeted myself down an extremely long drop for the thrill of it.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I do know that I did NOT expect to be as nervous as I was. The anticipation on the way to that tall tower was borderline overwhelming. Alas, I had tweeted it, facebooked it, and already put it on the life to do list… so chickening out was definitely not an option.

Here’s a video I made about the experience:

The good news… I’m alive! I live to tell! Grand scheme of things, it was an amazing experience. To be standing atop the tower overlooking the Las Vegas strip is something worth the $7 elevator ride in itself. If you sign up for “Sky Jump,” however, you can do what I did and take a leap of faith that a wire and a group of talented stunt staff will get you to the bottom alive.

Las Vegas was an ideal backdrop for the entire experience because even though I jumped at close to 9pm, the weather was sublime. It was an extremely clear night so the views were spectacular. The fact that a DVD and a couple photos comes standard with the package makes the entire thing a pretty sweet deal.

Comparatively speaking, I’ve gone paragliding off the Himalayas which took a lot longer and definitely got me air-sick. This short sweet flight down 108 stories was a thrilling adventure and a welcome removal from the list.

Average Cost: $99-$125

NOT RECOMMENDED if you have any fear of heights. Even a little bit.

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