Xedule.com – My Travels & Activities

Here is my plan for Kauai – I’m extremely excited!

Wednesday Sept. 2, 2009

Depart LAX 4:45 PM, AA Flight 285
Arrive LIH 7:45 PM

Pick up Hertz car

Buy ahi tuna at a market (which one?) to eat at home

Thursday Sept. 3, 2009

Zip line @ Princeville, 7 am – 11:30 am
http://www.tombarefootshawaiitoursactivities.com/product.php?id=1681&name=Ranch_Mountain_ATV_Tour $133
http://www.hawaiiwebdesign.com/kauai_ziptours.htm $133

Then drive to various beaches on the North Coast, kayak near home

Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

Hiking Kalalau Trail – all day
http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/hiking_kauai/kalalau_hike.php
http://www.napali.com/na_pali_coast/hanakapiai.html

Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009

Rafting Na’Pali coast – all day
Tombarefoot http://www.tombarefoot.com/kauai/capt_andy_rafting_kauai.html $138
Hawaii web design http://www.hawaiiwebdesign.com/kauai_zodiactours.htm $139

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009

Wailua River State Park / Wailua Falls http://gohawaii.about.com/od/photography/ig/Hawaii-State-Parks-Photos/hawaii_state_parks_0007.htm

Monday, Sept. 7, 2009

Kayaking & snorkeling near the house or finish whatever other things we didn’t do

Depart LIH 9:15 PM
Arrive LAX 5:40 AM
dive off the runway into Pacific ocean
then go to work

Japan was awesome. I only stayed there for 8 days but I was able to get a lot of exploring done. Thanks to Japan’s great transportation system I was able to explore 5 different locations: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, and Izu. Just about every place was great, but by far my two most favorite places were Kyoto and Izu; Kyoto for its rich history and Izu for its serene scenery (it’s definitely a great get-away place for relaxation).

Pictures of Japan

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In 4 days I’ll be in Japan! Ohhh the excitement – this will be my first time visiting the country. I have most of the itinerary laid out for my journey, but there is more research to do for the open time slots. My current up to date schedule = “xedule” is:

Saturday 6/27

Departure from LAX airport 1:20 pm

Sunday 6/28

Arrive Tokyo airport 4:30 pm
Take train to Harajuku at 5
Arrive Harajuku at 6 and check into hotel (name TBD)
Walk around Harajuku and Shibuya from 6:30 until 11 – maybe hit a nightclub (still researching which clubs to go)

So far these are the current night club options for the night in Tokyo:

* Womb
* Ageha Dance Club
* Maharaja Saloon King & Queen
* Roppongi

Monday 6/29

Check out 7:30 am
Eat quick breakfast at Tsukiji – Tokyo’s famous fish market – 7:45 – 8:30
Take train from Tokyo to Osaka – 9:00
Arrive Osaka at noon
Explore Osaka – details TBD – (Note: famous foods okonomiyaki, yakiniku, takoyaki, blowfish, Hariju)
Take train from Osaka to Kyoto around 8-10 pm (takes 15 min)
Check into hotel in Kyoto

Tuesday – Friday 6/30 – 7/3

Kyoto (details TBD) – go to a geisha tea house perhaps???

Friday 7/3

Leave Tokyo for Izu around 11 am
Arrive Izu around 3-4 pm
Check into ryokan – Hot springs

Saturday 7/4

Leave Izu for Tokyo around 11 am
Arrive Tokyo around 2 pm
Check into hotel
Go to Sumo district and eat there
Then go to Shinjuku and Kabuki-cho

Sunday 7/5

Check out
Walk around Harajuku
Leave for airport around noon

If you’ve been to Japan before, I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Every year, I keep telling myself I would go see wild flowers – and now, finally I went. It was very enjoyable. There is actually a lot to do out in the Anza-Borrego desert. There are hiking trails and several flower fields that have great sceneries – very nice for photos if you’re thinking about having a photo shoot for self portraits in a natural setting. There is also an Oasis, but I didn’t make it there to see it (next time I’ll definitely go there). At about this time the weather is very nice and cool – so if you’re planning on going out there, I recommend going now. Anytime later, say towards the summer will be very hot. I took some pictures – hope you all enjoy them.

Pictures of Huntington Library in the Botanical Gardens on a peaceful February 14th day. Check out the cherry blossoms in bloom.

Valentine’s Day is just a couple of days away. I was wondering where I should go, but all I could think about was traveling far – which isn’t something that I can do since I don’t have the luxury of picking up and going faraway whenever I’d like. Although, it would be nice to buy an airplane ticket and go to Hawaii or to Key West, Florida. Anyway, I guess if I can’t go far away I can always go near. So, If you’re anywhere near me (which is LA) here are a few places I thought would be nice to go to for Valentine’s Day – that won’t cost much. All it would take for you is the drive there and packing a nice lunch with some snacks for the day. Anyway, here are my top picks: The Getty Museum, Griffith Observatory, Huntington Library, Manhattan Beach, Malibu Beach, Rodeo Drive, Corona Del Mar, La Jolla Beach, and Palm Springs. As for me, I’ll probably pack a lunch and hit up the Huntington Library. Here are some pictures of the places. Hope you all enjoy your Valentine’s Day.

If you ever plan to see foliage, I recommend going to Stowe, Vermont in the beginning of October. Stowe is a very nice small town filled with outdoor activities all year round. You can choose to hike, bike, go horse back riding, boating, hot air balloon, fishing, scenic driving – you name it, they’ve got it! And if you enjoy snowboarding or skiing, the slopes are normally open right after the Thanksgiving holiday. I was there during October and it was absolutely beautiful. Here are some pictures of Stowe.

Today at work ,  I was talking to my co-workers about my trip to the US Virgin Islands this past summer and now I wish I was back there! I had the best time snorkling in Saint John’s at Trunk Bay. Here are some snorkeling pictures at Trunk Bay – hope everyone enjoys them!

For many people, a new year – means out with the old and in with the new. Unfortunately, while others are buying new clothes, cars, signing up for fitness clubs, etc. – I am stuck with last year’s traveling debts!!! So I guess for this year I’m playing frugal until I can pay off all of my credit card bills. Speaking of which, while surfing on line I came across a very useful site about savings accounts – the website basically has tips and information on various personal finance topics. Which is basically exactly what I need to prioritize my financial needs for this year. Plus, I guess with tax season coming around soon – I’m going to also try out the free credit report that the Go Banking Rates has on their website! I’m thinking this is going to be a great year! Maybe, if all my financial issues get resolved early I can start saving up and go on more vacations.