It took me more than three years to attempt such a feat, and the only reason that I got the inspiration is that I moved apartments for the first time in 6 years. This necessitated me having to do a massive amount of cleanup and organization to begin with, and as I found CDs tucked into drawers and stuffed between books in my bookcase, I realized I had well over 100 CDs to assemble and organize. What was even more fun is that a measurable majority had been separated from their cases or were missing labels altogether.

Some of the CDs were immediately uploaded into my iTunes and then sold at my recent yard sale. Some were tossed after they were rendered either so scratched and unplayable, or full of such bad associations that I wanted nothing to do with them. Others were a joy to rediscover as I hadn’t seen many since I had bought them.

My favorite group was the CDs that I’ve had since childhood, so much so that many still had labels “J. Eagle” from when I took them Jewish Summer Camp as a pre-teen! Others carried such fond associations, including my first ever CD, Billy Ray Cyrus’s “Achy Breaky Heart.” Many would find it incredibly embarrassing to admit that this was the first CD they ever owned, but in my case, I have an adorable story attached. My father bought me that CD when I was all of 8 years old because the song that named the album was my first ever halftime routine as a cheerleader. Considering I danced at many a halftime show over my decade + long career as a Cheeri-o, I find it adorable and sweet to reminisce about just how easy life seemed back then. I had no idea what heartbreak even meant, let alone the Achy Breaky kind.

Other big wins included finding my old Barbara Streisand, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz collections. Those will probably never go in the trash. Many other CD’s were mislabeled and full of compilations I created during my Napster-infused days in college before I grew a conscience and learned that illegal downloads were equivalent to stealing. I waxed nostalgic at the lost art of the “mixed tape” and the gifts we used to give each other by creating a CD full of feelings for those we love. And the CD’s meant for Road Trips. Oh those road trips…

Alas… I am excited to embrace the technology that has developed over the three years that I have been sitting on this “To-Do.” I will probably use my “Shazaam” app to fill in some details on tracks I can’t even identify from days of yore. I will share and enjoy a much-developed set of playlists and hope those who bought my old CDs at the yard sale love them. I appreciate that this item is crossed off the list and that in doing so, I got to have a rather pleasurable stroll down memory lane.

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One of the highlights of any trip to the Middle East is the proverbial Camel Ride in the Dessert. On the Taglit-Birthright trip that I took in January 2012, the entire ride consists of two humans per camel and is a grand total of 15 minutes while walking in a big circle. While the ride is underwhelming, the pictures can be very fun. And those faces are pretty priceless.

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Photo Courtesy www.dole-plantation.com

The plantation is not actually in use anymore. As the locals will tell you, the economy of Hawaii has shifted heavily from an agricultural exporter to a tourism-based industry. This is unfortunate during economic downturns as one of the first luxury items that we cut back on is leisure travel. Fortunately, the Dole plantation is packed year-round as it is a must-see for every tourist that visits.

Almost in amusement-park style, there is a kid-friendly maze, store with pineapple-themed merchandise and also standard “aloha” items, and a tour available. The entire experience will take only about an hour and a half, but is a great site to pair with other North Shore locations such as Pipeline and Historic Haleiwa town. The full restaurant has everything from Hawaiian style favorites like Kahlua Pork and more standard fare such as hotdogs and hamburgers.

One must-have experience is to get a “World Famous Dole Whip” which is their pineapple flavored frozen yogurt. Available in a cone, bowl, or other concoctions to taste… totally worth the stop in itself.

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While trekking around Angkor Wat, many children spend their afternoons watching the tourists walk by. This little girl was swinging on a nearby vine and proved to be just as picturesque as the ancient ruins surrounding her.

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Chiselhurst caves

THIS IS A GUEST POST from Charlotte Kay over at Holiday Extras. Because the only place in the UK that I’ve been to is Northern Ireland, I thought it appropriate to populate this blog with a little bit of Brit. And of course, because I’m all about going “Off the Path…” Charlie (as she’s called) has provided us with some perhaps unexpected suggestions for how to spend your vacay in the UK.

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Many travellers have a view of traveling to the United Kingdom that only involves cream teas, and stiff upper lips – a view that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Once you find your car at Heathrow Airport Parking and dropped your luggage off at one of the nearby Airport Hotels , step outside and prepare yourself for the strangest, weirdest, spookiest travel experience ever.

In the Cotswolds there is a little village whose residents partake in fully clothed football games in the river… this may be a fun start to a trip… or maybe you would prefer to visit Gloucstershire for their cheese rolling competition?

If you plan to stay just in the London area, be sure to visit Churchhill’s war rooms; full of interesting facts, stories and arifacts. For the macabre, alongside Guy’s Hospital near London Bridge, one can visit the Old Operating Theatre – an unusual museum that hosts a wide variety of items including an amputation table.

If you’re on the hunt for ghosts, be sure to visit The Viaduct Tavern which is one of London’s spookiest haunts. Call ahead if you want a tour of the cellar, which is the most haunted spot in the pub. The Tavern was built over parts of Newgate Prison which adds an extra edge to the experience; it’s a traveler destination that will not soon be forgotten. Check out this video to see more about the spooks (and AWESOME accents):

If you’re looking for something slightly more picturesque but want to maintain a spooky feel then Ham House by the River Thames is the place for you. For less haunted and more historical adventurers, be sure to go to Chiselhurst Caves – an easy trip by train. Originally used in World War II for air raid shelters, the caves can feel fairly haunting. Be sure to take advantage of the offered guided tours as this adds extra debth to these shadowy caves.

There are also a load of guided free and paid walks around the various areas of London for history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts who love the weird and haunted. There is a “Jack the Ripper” walk that follows his steps through London’s darker, seedier streets. If Jack the Ripper isn’t really your scene you can opt for a more light-hearted trek and try out the Theatreland Walking Tour that takes you through all the historical theatre locales in the city. If after all the partying and the macabre you feel the need for a little spiritual lightness, be sure to visit the many, many Cathedrals throughout the city.

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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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It was amazing to sit through the agonizing process of getting feedback. It felt like opening up my artistic heart, putting it on a chopping block, and handing everyone forks and saying “Dig In.” And boy, did they! The feedback was immensely appreciated- both positive and constructive. Our film will be the better for it and I’ll never forget it.

If you’d like to watch a funny video that shows me introducing the film, check this out:

Stay tuned for “A Perfect Ending” out in the 2012 festival circuit.

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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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If you receive an error message, click HERE to view on my Flickr Photostream.

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