Month: November 2009

joys of hitchhiking

On By Rick McIn food, product endorsements, travel4 Comments

I hate hitching.

But, as a hiker, it’s fairly often that I find myself standing roadside with a backpack, trying to look harmless. Attempting to be empathetic with the people in each vehicle that passes me by. Likely I’d not stop for myself.

In Maui two brave ladies from Vancouver picked me up. I ended up spending most of the day with them, touring the island.

One of the ladies was doing travel research for an article to be published in the Edmonton Journal. We stopped first at Alii Kula Lavender Farm, not an attraction I would find or ever hear about if I was on my own. But actually it was very interesting. We even had lavender coffee at their restaurant.

lavender3

The ladies led me to Ichiban Okazuya.

Ichiban Okazuya restaurant, Maui

Although this place is a hole in the wall, without any indoor seating, this is my favorite Japanese take out place on Maui. During the lunch rush, you will see locals (usually office people) lined up outside for their plate lunches. …

more reviews on Yelp

Prices are insanely inexpensive for Hawaii, the food authentic and filling. It’s only open 5hrs/day, 5days/wk. We ate outdoors.

Ichiban Okazuya restaurant, Maui

Next the ladies took me to several speciality shops (antiques, hand made dresses, local crafts) on Market Street, Wailuku. All were very interesting I’m shocked to admit.

Worse, I’d stayed at Banana Bungalow Hostel on Market Street for 4 days … and never noticed any of the 3 unique shops nor the nearby Ichiban Okazuya takeout. Some traveler I am …

A terrific day all thanks to hitchhiking. I’ve got to be more open-minded about hitching in future. And pick up more hitchhikers too.

Wailuku-map

Run down Wailuku town in Maui is way underrated. I’m very happy I stayed there for my second week. Very few suitcase tourists ever get there.

fly Emirates Business Class

On By Rick McIn product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

Got bumped to Business for a 5hr leg of my long, long trip. Sweet.

EmiratesInterior_wideweb__470x310,0

Emirates is one of the best airlines in the world. Switching from crappy United Airlines to superb Emirates reminded me of what’s been lost in North America.

The flying waitresses on United make it conspicuously obvious that they are ignoring you as much as they can, instead chatting at the back of the plane. On Emirates, even in coach, the staff still fawn on your every need.

Emirates was the first airline to introduce a personal entertainment system on a commercial aircraft after introducing the world’s first seat-back screens in 1992. They’ve won the award for best In-Flight-Entertainment from Skytrax for their ICE system every year since the systems inception in 2003.

600 channels of entertainment shown on a 43cm wide personal TV screen. Over 100 movies on demand including a few current releases.

Emirate’s growth has never fallen below 20% a year. In its first 11 years, it doubled in size every 3.5 years, and has every four years since. They are very profitable.

I’m right now overnighting in the VIP lounge at the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Cost US$15 inclusive of wifi, food, drinks, shower. Man it’s great to be back in the developing world!

Waiter … I’ll have another sweet lassi.

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

On By Rick McIn books, product endorsements3 Comments

In 2075, underground colonies are scattered across the Moon. Most “Loonies”, as the residents are called, are either criminal or political exiles or their descendants …

Moon-cover

Amazon – The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

The ringleader of the Moon’s revolt from Earthworm tyranny, Professor Bernardo de La Paz, describes himself as a “Rational Anarchist”. We would call it Libertarianism.

Very thought provoking. This book is important social commentary, even today.

I’d never read the 1966 science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, but it ranks up there with these other master works:

  • Starship Troopers (1959)
  • Stranger in a Strange Land (1961)
  • Time Enough for Love (1973)

    • Heinlein was a genius, way ahead of his time.

    Unfortunately his frequent theme of sexual liberation reached the point of prurience in his later novels. I wondered at the time if Heinlein’s mental faculties were diminished. His last books, I thought, unreadable.

    Heinlein is oft listed with Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke as one of the “three masters of science fiction to arise in the so-called Golden Age of science fiction”.

    I would rank him with Asimov in the top two.

    ♫ … I think I’m going to Kathmandu … ♫

    On By Rick McIn hiking, music, travel1 Comment

    I think I’m going to Katmandu,
    That’s really, really where I’m going to.
    If i ever get out of here,
    That’s what I’m gonna do.
    K-k-k-k-k-Katmandu …

    Bob Seeger – lyrics

    Stupa

    People often ask me, “What’s your favourite travel destination?”

    Usually I reply, Nepal. As a hiker Nepal is nirvana. And their blend of Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism and Tourism makes a rich Chai.

    Downside?

    Perhaps 60hrs in transit. IF I’m lucky.

    Facebook After You Die

    On By Rick McIn blogsLeave a comment

    facebook_death_1027For the record, I’d love to have a memorial page on Facebook once I’m gone.

    Time – What Happens to Your Facebook After You Die?

    In fact, I assume software is in development that I can program to keep blogging for me … after I’m gone. How difficult would it be for a machine to put up snide posts like this?

    The Lighthouse – P.D. James

    On By Rick McIn books, product endorsements, TV2 Comments

    The 13th (2005) in the excellent Inspector Dalgliesh mystery series. The second most recent.

    … Acclaimed novelist Nathan Oliver incurs the wrath of his fellow residents on Combe Island, a private property off the Cornish coast used as an exclusive retreat by movers and shakers in many fields. When Oliver is murdered, Scotland Yard dispatches Dalgliesh and two of his team to Combe, where the commander checks alibis and motives in his trademark understated manner. …

    Amazon Review

    Dalgliesh is stricken with S.A.R.S. in this one.

    Lighthouse-cover

    P.D. James is one of the best writers today, quality literature in the British tradition.

    The detailed and ingenious plotting reminds me of some of the great BBC TV serials.

    My Dad watches a lot of BBC. My Mom never misses Coronation Street.

    It’s amazing how many older, even elderly, actors get work on British television, all seemingly stage trained. Normal looking people, most with crooked teeth.

    On American TV being a model with no acting experience at all – but great teeth and hair – is sufficient to get you a role.