"Tripper" (tripe46)
08/01/2016 at 12:01 • Filed to: None
4
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"Tripper" (tripe46)
08/01/2016 at 12:01 • Filed to: None | 4
| 29 |
I’m now a married man, and I have just returned from two weeks in Hawaii (I almost didn’t make it home). As with any good trip, I’ve got some stories so read on if you care and if not happy Monday!
First, my wedding band as I have been promising pics. Made from race used F1 carbon fiber. My fantastic wife found a jewelry maker in Sweden that has access to the material and has a unique style for CF rings. I snapped the below pic because I had almost lost it twice while we were in the ocean.
Best part - wildlife/people, worst part - helicopter ride.
I was certain that I would love the helicopter as I love all vehicles...NOPE. There were six of us crammed into this thing that looks like it was a giant erector set. The whole time we’re boarding I’m thinking “this shit flys!?” As we took off, the 5-6 boy who was also aboard started puking his guts out... I was in the middle of the back row (2 seats up front/4 in back) So my ride consisted of puke smell with a bunch of gigantic camera lenses in my face on what was already an uncomfortable flight. Luckily it was only 45 minutes and I was able to chill myself out enough to appreciate views of the Na Pali Coast and the original caldera of Kauai (the wettest spot on the planet). I had a hard time accepting that I didn’t like it. I’ve driven a car within spitting distance of 190mph, I’ve hucked myself off multiple cliffs/bridges, and generally have no problem with relatively dangerous scenarios. However if you ever get me on a helicopter again it will because I really need to get to a hospital in a hurry.
Na Pali Coast
On to the good stuff (everything else). We went snorkeling a bunch which was cool and a little scary once you get in/around a big piece of the reef as you don’t want to disturb the reef/coral nor do you want it to disturb your skin. We saw all kinds of fish/crabs/eels... then I carefully floated over a big patch of coral and... SEA TURTLES!!! 4 of them ranging in size, and the we’re all just chilling. They were keeping an eye on me but otherwise did not seem bothered by my presence. After a few pics I let them be as my wife and I found a sandy area to re adjust our gear and talk about the turtles. Just then we saw another one, this time swimming in the open sandy area where we were standing. He swam circles around us and picked at the sand that we kicked up with our fins. I swam back toward the reef right along side him/her, but a few other people saw that there was a turtle and by the time there were 4 or 5 people following it, he/she had understandably enough and took off into the reef. Just seeing a sea turtle was on both of our “bucket lists”, but getting to swim with them all by ourselves was truly amazing.
Sea Turtle @ Anini Beach
It seems as if all of the Animals in Kauai are more comfortable with people than anywhere I have ever been. Two monk seals pulled up right on the beach in front of us when we were watching the sunset one night!
Fish @ Anini
Finally the funny stuff. We were having lunch the day of our return flight, and I said to my wife “I have a little problem, and that is that I’m not flying home today.” She laughed and I laughed, and then I said “No really, I’m not getting on a fuckin’ plane today.” She asked why, and I couldn’t really give her a good answer but I said “I just can’t do it today, I can’t sit in a seat where I can barely move for 12-13 hours.” We kicked around our options and we’re planning to stay another night or two, which would be expensive, but I didn’t care at the time. Then we started talking work. We both could have gotten away with taking a few more days, but I needed those days because I’m in my buddy’s wedding in a few weeks and she had stuff that she needed to be home for. So she finally said “Ok, I know you don’t want to do this, but you have to go to the ER and tell them that you’re too anxious to fly.” I thought that they would look at me like a drug addict and tell me to piss off, but they did just the opposite. I was in and out in less than 10 minutes with a script for 4 Valium. By the time we were boarding we could have been getting on a rocket ship and I wouldn’t have cared. I slept on an airplane for the first time in my life, it was glorious. I don’t think I will ever take another long flight without out it haha.
On a car related note, my S3 felt like an S500 after driving the rental for two weeks. Also, today marks one year since I bought it so I guess it’s time for a review.
Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 12:06 |
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That sounds like a horrible helicopter ride.
notsomethingstructural
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 12:07 |
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If you refer to the caldera of Kauai as the wettest spot on the planet then I’m not sure you understood the advice people gave for your honeymoon.
Great pics and story, sea turtles are fuggin awesome
Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 12:10 |
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Congrats! Looks like you had an awesome time!
Btw, can you share a bit more info about that jewelry maker? Website or name? haha
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Tripper
> Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/01/2016 at 12:10 |
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Sucked lol, and we had just gotten a couples massage before the heli ride. Totally ruined as I was so tense when I got off the heli. To be honest I think I would have liked it better if we were going full tilt the whole time. Just getting knocked around by the wind while were hovering over gigantic sheer mountains...no thanks. I think that ride added to my pre flight anxiety on the last day.
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Tripper
> Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/01/2016 at 12:11 |
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MrDakka
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 12:12 |
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Try any spam musubi?
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Tripper
> MrDakka
08/01/2016 at 12:14 |
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No but we did the whole Luau thing and I did sample the Poi with my pulled pork. It looked disgusting and tasted like nothing so I was pleasantly surprised.
Future next gen S2000 owner
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 12:16 |
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I took a zodiac up the Na Pali coast on my honeymoon, and did a plane ride around the island as well. The view is spectacular.
FYI, for everyone, take your rings off when you go in the ocean.
Steve in Manhattan
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 12:19 |
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I have agoraphobia (mild) so planes can be difficult - movie theater more so, and riding the subway here is difficult. 13 hours on a plane to Japan in March, and I can't sleep on planes. Took an Ambien and slept for 4 hours on the way over. It worked.
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Tripper
> Future next gen S2000 owner
08/01/2016 at 12:22 |
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Yea I wish I was able to enjoy the heli ride a little more. When we go back we’re going to do the 11 mile hike there. Everyone that we talked to said that the hike is the best way to see the Na Pali.
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Tripper
> Steve in Manhattan
08/01/2016 at 12:24 |
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I’ve always hated long plane rides, but this is the first time I was like “nope, no doing it.” Funny that you mention movie theaters, I get weird there as well. I can’t stand anything longer than a kids feature unless we’re in one of those theaters with the nice electric recliners.
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Steve in Manhattan
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 12:37 |
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This nonsense started in 2006, and despite being properly medicated I had a big panic attack in the Guggenheim in mid-2009. I also developed, for some reason, a fear of heights. I can't even watch skydiving. That ballooning accident over the weekend horrified me - but, you'll admit, you're kind of asking for it going up in the air in a 17th century means of travel. And a helicopter? I can't even imagine.
lone_liberal
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 12:54 |
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I’ve had that “I really don’t want to go back” thing when leaving Maui but never had real anxiety tied with it. That must have sucked. I’m glad the rest of the trip, other than the helicopter ride, was so much fun. I actually lost my wedding ring while rafting so any time I even think about getting in the water I leave it behind now.
The Dummy Gummy
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 13:08 |
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I’ve done that same heli tour. Mind you I have a solid stomach. I’ve battled massive seas in tiny boats and have never once upped a chuck, but that flight... that flight was a challenge. I felt the heat rise over my body as I began to lose my edge. I thankfully made it through, but 2 people on our chopper and 4 of the 6 on the other didn’t have as much luck. My wife was done for a day and a half after that.
Also, I know it stinks taking off the ring, but never wear it around snow/water/sand. I’ve never lost my ring, but several of my friends are on their 4th and 5th sets.
One last thing, congratulations!!
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 13:12 |
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Hawaii seems awesome! My girlfriend and I are planning to go next year at some point with our airline miles. We have racked up like 50k points on Virgin America doing the dual-coast relationship thing. Was there anything that stood out as your MUST do, non-touristy thing for the trip? I also could never do a helicopter ride. Understanding the physics of flight, makes the way helicopters fly seem like pure magic.
Also, I definitely understand what you are talking about how your own car feels so much better when you get home. My Miata is slow, I am well aware of that. But after having a Chevy Spark for a week and a Smart for 4 another week, my Miata literally felt like a go kart with a MASSIVE amount of power. Really it was just seating position and throttle response I guess. But it was just crazy how different it was going back.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/01/2016 at 13:19 |
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Is there such thing as a good helicopter ride? I mean it is basically just beating the shit out of the air and physics instead of actually flying. I guess you could have a good view of stuff but I think I would much prefer a propeller plane for the same purpose.
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Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/01/2016 at 13:20 |
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Probably not. I’ve never actually been in a helicopter so I have no clue.
functionoverfashion
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 13:37 |
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I lived on Maui for a bit, and even in my short tenure there I witnessed several people searching hopelessly for newly-acquired wedding bands in various locations. Glad you held onto yours!
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Tripper
> functionoverfashion
08/01/2016 at 13:38 |
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How was it living there? Were getting pretty serious about buying a condo on Kauai. We would rent it out most of the year, but I know that I want to retire there.
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functionoverfashion
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 13:45 |
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I’m sure you’d do ok renting, I was just talking to a friend whose parents are on that track (Kauai condo for rent then retirement).
Living on Maui was equal parts amazing and expensive. Milk was $8/gallon. You could do OK at the bigger stores, but many regular groceries were 50% more than on the mainland. But then, there is no shortage of outdoor adventure to be had, at any level. Being comfortable outdoors 99% of the time was also my idea of Heaven. We lived just outside Paia, which is the opposite side from all the crazy resorts and condos, but still 10 minutes from the biggest town with typical American strip malls, for better or for worse.
I’ve never been to Kauai, but it’s very much on my list. Did you stay mostly on Kauai? Or visit any other islands?
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Tripper
> functionoverfashion
08/01/2016 at 14:01 |
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We were on Kauai the whole time. We had plans to go to Oahu to check out all of the big wave breaks, but we bailed. It’s not big wave season and one of the guides recommend against it even if it was because of how many people show up when they waves are really going off.
I definitely felt the food costs in Kauai. Luckily the food trucks were much better than most of the sit down restaurants. Meals at the trucks were sub $30, meals at sit down places were at least $70. We stayed in a villa that had a full kitchen so we cooked a few nights, but as you said food costs are nothing to scoff at on an island.
If you like the outdoors you will love Kauai. We did so much stuff in two weeks that I put 1200 miles on our little rental. We hit every major beach, hiked/kayaked to a few waterfalls etc... We’re planning to hike the Kalalau trail when we go back. We wanted to do it this time, but then we found out that its 11 miles and part of it is really serious. So were going to make sure that we are prepared for next time.
ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 15:04 |
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Welcome back, how are your hip-flexors?
I’m a fit guy, but vacation boning (in your case honeymoon) is a hole other league of boning.
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Tripper
> ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
08/01/2016 at 15:23 |
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Yea pretty much any time were in a hotel room it’s on haha. If anything this time was a little easier as we did a lot of clothed physical activity as well (swimming kayaking hiking). So I was sore, but like sore all over so I didn’t really notice it.
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ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 16:17 |
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Nice! Haha, glad you had fun.
AdverseMartyr
> Tripper
08/01/2016 at 20:20 |
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Oahu adds extra buses onto the North Shore route when the waves are big. It’s so insane that I just cross that whole stretch of highway off of my cruising map of possibilities when there are big waves. It might be worth the hassle if you are here as a tourist when it is big.
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AdverseMartyr
> Future next gen S2000 owner
08/01/2016 at 20:35 |
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Pro tip for people and wedding rings - check your boardies (and maybe swim trunks) for the elastic loop in one of the pockets; slip the end of the loop through your ring then pass it over the ring so it locks it on the loop (can do the same thing with the non-electronic door key for the car).
I always remember to do it once I am in the water, and after 8 years in Hawaii I still have my original ring.
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Tripper
> AdverseMartyr
08/01/2016 at 21:43 |
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That’s good to know! Even if it was crowded I’ve always wanted to see big wave surfing in person.
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AdverseMartyr
> Tripper
08/02/2016 at 01:49 |
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I would say it is worth it once. Especially if you don’t surf, and haven’t been out in something ‘big’ (though the North Shore definition of ‘big’ is a lot bigger than most people’s definition). Watching these little specks out on waves 4-5 times bigger than them is very cool.
I’m sure there are big waves over on Kauai as well, but I bet the locals keep it as quiet as possible. You’d probably need a decent ‘in’ to have someone tell you right where it was.
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Future next gen S2000 owner
> AdverseMartyr
08/02/2016 at 10:23 |
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This. So much. I miss Hawaii.