Oahu

Nearing another glorious week on the island.  We're staying with Shanon, who's a friend from our training days at Stanford.  Her Honolulu 45th floor apartment has a commanding west-facing view of the mountain and ocean.  We've been hanging out nearly nightly with her friends from work and it's a blast.  To quote another: "Things may be expensive on the island, but you can always count on alcohol to be cheap -- 2 lychee martinis and a draft beer for $13..."  Other cultural highlights were the Greek Festival, watching Tropic Thunder (surprisingly funny), Mai-tai's, and Uncle Bo's.

The days have been in pursuit of suitable waves for bodyboarding.  I spent many hours at Makapu'u beach on the windward side.  The rollers and shorebreak are challenging, but consistent and awesome.  I'm too freaked out by Sandy Beach -- the shorebreaks are heavy neck-crushing.  Despite the warning signs, the unsuspecting or unaware get pummeled and it is supposedly the site of many spinal cord injuries.

Waikiki is a bit maligned due to the congestion of traffic and tourists, but it's a great place that justifiable popular.It's convenient, the water is beckoning, and the crimson and orange sunsets are unreal.  Next to the usual Japanese travelers, you now see a profusion of Europeans, courtesy of the low standing of the mighty dollar.

Worthwhile places to spend the day are Hale'iwa, a charming surf town on the North Shore, along with Waimea Bay, another great beach with waters calm enough to swim in the summer.

Diamond Head Grill and Kaka'aka Kitchen have "ono grinds." 

I could definitely stay here longer, but tomorrow we fly off to Tokyo.