Hooters Girls :) (@ Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu)

To be honest, the food at Hooters aren't exceptional.

But no matter how unimpressive the cooking may be, it's still worth a visit

- just to see the sexy Hooters Girls ;)

(Image source: http://www.sporttruck.com/pinups..._16.html)

;P *salivating*

They look so sexy that even the mediocre "KFC-quality chicken wings" taste so heavenly!

...and of course, I love the colourful wall decorations at the restaurant

This pic was taken at the Hooters outlet @ Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu

Some pics of the food:)

My favourite is the "Mahi fish fillet" - which is only available at the Hooters outlet in Honolulu

What I like most about Hooters - no matter which restaurant you go to, the girls are very nice and friendly :-) With me in this pic is Brianna

Over the years, the issue of Hooter Girls have attracted a great deal of controversy - criticisms from extreme feminists

(Image source: http://www.ebcak.com/archives/399)

Well, so what if Hooters Girls are for decoration?;)

I enjoy looking, & I'm not even a guy or a bi! ;P

There are also many guys out there who are for decoration, lol - like David Beckham, Andy Roddick, the Calvin Klein models

(Image source: http://euroross.blogspot.com/200...ive.html)

Well, so what if Hooters girls or 'guys' are for decoration? ;p

It just makes life more interesting!:)


Website: http://www.hooters.com/

Umeke Market & Deli, Honolulu

Umeke Market Deli is my favourite place for yummy organic food :)
The food's so good that I went there at least 5 times!

My favourites: Tofu lasagna, spinach casserole, turkey meatloaf & "Naked" natural fruit juice ;p

(Yes, it's 100% natural! Preservative free. Unlike "Simply Squeezed" - the organic impostor)

For those of you who wonder what Umeke means, it is the Hawaiian word for "calabash". It literally can be translated to mean "wooden bowl". In ancient times, Hawaiians used the umekes for medicinal purposes as well as for cooking. Nowadays, umekes are often given as gifts or awards in both cultural and business gatherings. Umekes are also used for keeping favorite items (e.g. small keepsakes and treasures).

The deli section at Umeke, filled with dozens of salads and side dishes

Preservative-free pomegranate & blueberry juice

Trying out the yummy Free-range Chicken Curry Salad

(Cotton shirt by Arcadia, Sunglasses by Elle)

Clockwise, from top left: (1) Free-range Chicken Curry Salad, Squash & Butternut Casserole, Turkey Meatloaf

Clockwise, from top left: (1) Turkey Meatloaf, (2) Spinach Ricotta Casserole, and (3) Grilled Veggie Lasagna

Parking space for "bicycles" :)

Umeke Market is located along the Kalanianaole Highway (nearby Kahala Mall).
Address: 4400 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu

Plenty of parking spaces for cars too!

Website: http://www.umekemarket.com/

Umeke Market and Deli is a family owned and operated business by husband and wife team, Daryl and Michelle Yamaguchi and sister, Debbie Yamaguchi. The Yamaguchi family has had long-standing roots in the Hawaii food industry, as far back and the mid 40's. Their grandparents operated the "E.S. Yamaguchi Family Market" in the old Farmer's market building in Kakaako.

Daryl and Debbie Yamaguchi opened the Kaimuki Health Market in 1997 and have grown and renamed the business and added Michelle's expertise in the kitchen as a mainstay of their deli. Michelle has created many tasty and delicious menu items, including her own recipe for her tantalizing "veggie burger", the ever so popular Turkey Focaccia Sandwich, Chicken Adobo and Veggie Foccacia Sandwich.

Articles about Umeke Market & Deli:

http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/maincourse_article/fresh_natural_plate_lunches_on_bishop_street/

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8193/108/

I didn't know PINEAPPLE ice-creams exist! ;) *yum*

My new-found love :) - Dole Plantation's pineapple ice-cream

Light, fluffy
& not too sweet (unlike fruit sorbets. I'm not a fan of sweet sorbets)

it's virtually fat-free
Be prepared for a long queue!
(but it's worth it nonetheless :) )
When I was there, I saw at least 5 other tourist buses!

(Swimwear by Blush!. Lip gloss by Estee Lauder)

A nice patio for visitors to enjoy the cool breeze while sampling fragrant pineapple ice-creams

About Dole Pineapple Plantation

(Source: Wikipedia)

Dole was founded in 1851 in Hawaii as Hawaiian Pineapple Company by James Dole, who opened his first pineapple plantation in the central plateau of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Today the company does business in over 90 countries and takes in upwards of $5.3 billion in annual revenue. It is owned by billionaire David H. Murdock.

Colourful plants along the driveway

Eucalyptus trees...

A map/directory located outside the main building

A stall selling home-grown fruits and veges- paw-paws (papayas), pineapples, sweet potatoes, etc

A souvenir shop where you can get nicely-packaged Hawaiian snacks - Macadamia nuts, sugar-free chocolates, preserved pienapples, amngoes, & coconuts, pineapple ice-cream (of course!), organic honey, cereals, fridge magnets... etc

"Coconut Macadamia Nut" ice-cream; heavenly combination! :)

One of my favourite ice-cream flavours :-)
well, because it's so unusual!
who'd have thought that macadamia & coconut would make such a smashing combo?
after all, I've always associated macadamia nuts with wasabi, chilli, garlic ...& other salty flavours

It's a local Hawaiian brand known as Dave's Gourmet Hawaiian Ice-Cream.
unfortuately, the company does not currently have a website for online shopping...
but it's a must-try if you're in Hawaii

Macadamia Nut Crusted Prawns @ Blue Water Grill, Koko Marina Center

The Blue Water Grill (located in Koko Marina Center, Honolulu) is a great place for al-fresco dining:-). Fresh air, good food and a nice view by the river side ;-)

Macadamia Nut Crusted Prawns with Thai Chilli-Coconut Salad

I really liked the purple color stuff. I was told that it's Okinawan sweet potato:)

A view of the "Diamond Head" mountain

"Diamond Head is Oahu's largest tuff cone formed over 100,000 years ago by an active bubbling volcano.

Nineteenth century British sailors nicknamed the crater Diamond Head when they mistook the calcite crystals for diamonds.

A well-graded trail leads you up the 760-feet summit to a World War II bunker with a bird's eye view of Honolulu."

(Source: http://www.virtualtourist.com/)

Website: www.kokomarinacenter.com

Hawaii Loa Ridge : most beautiful place in Oahu:)

Planning for a vacation in Hawaii?;-) Instead of staying in Waikiki (which is very much like Phuket- crowded), try renting a place in Hawaii Loa Ridge, nearby Aina Haina. It's definitely the most panoramic place in the whole island of Oahu - hilly, and just a short distance from the seaside

Hawaii Loa Ridge is located on the southern coast of Oahu, east of Diamond Head and considered one of Oahu's premier residential gated communities. Hawaii Loa Ridge hosts approx. 500 custom single family homes.

Hawaii Loa Ridge is set in the foothills of the Ko'olau Mountains rising from sea level to an elevation of just over 1000 feet. Homes in Hawaii Loa Ridge offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean; Diamond Head and Koko Head craters.

Top left: the Diamond Head

A view of the Diamond Head from Pu'uikena Drive

The Hawaii Loa Ridge neighborhood is one of the most exclusive areas on the island of Oahu and has always been a showcase for Hawaii's finest custom home builders. Hawaii Loa Ridge amenities include private roads with controlled access, a park with picnic stations, tennis courts, a community building, 24 hour mobile security, maintained common landscape areas, and a professionally managed homeowners association.

Pu'uikeena Drive, over looking the Kawaikui Beach Park

University of Hawaii, Manoa (Honolulu)

UH (Manoa) is one of the must-visit places in Honolulu :-) It's one of the most beautiful uni campuses I've ever seen. To all backpackers - good news! There's free internet access in the "Hamilton Library" of UH (There are 3 libraries at the campus)

Here are some pics of the campus:-)

Hina O Na Lani Sculpture

On the Campus Road side (map) of Campus Center you find a very interesting sculpture. This sculpture is named "Hina O Na Lani", which means Mother of the Universe in Hawaiian. It was created by UH Art Department graduate Gregory Clurman.

"Hina O Na Lani" is a signifier of "fertility"

sculptures, sculptures & sculptures in every nook and corner :)

student residential units/dorms

one of the large theatres/auditoriums

a 'cooking' area - outdoor-kitchen, sort of

large trees :)

colourful birds at the field in front of the campus :)

If you sit on teh ground/read a book, they'll come up to you

tropical plants :)