100% Pure Adrenaline...

Surfing's a source, that's what it is. Apparently, so Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze told me once.

I've already found a place to get lessons and I'm going to learn! Last time we ate too much, didn't have enough time (code for I chickened out...). But this time I'm all over it!

Now all I have to go is get over my fear of drowning, fear of sharks, feel of getting my face wet and fear of how loud it gets when the waves crash around of you... ;)

So what do we want to do in Hawaii?

It's 6 months until we go... should I be blogging yet? Hell yes. I can't stop thinking about it!! In fact, we both keep talking about it and asking each other about all the things we want to do while we're there. So here's goes... James' list of things to do in Hawaii...

1. The Beach.

I'm not one to spend an entire day at the beach and just the beach, but I feel like I didn't take full advantage of all the beaches Hawaii had to offer last time. Particularly the ocean actually. We spend a fair bit of time exploring the different beaches around the island but I didn't go into the ocean that much.

I used to think I had a healthy respect of the ocean's awesome power but the more time I spend near it the more I understand that it's a respect made from nothing but TOTAL FEAR. I think I'm terrified of it. I love looking at it, but I get a bit anxious in the most tranquil of waters. In fact, just floating around a few meters from the beach in still waters I have to stop myself from freaking out. Did I see Jaws too early? Did I see too many dead bodies being pulled out of the water in Lost? Who knows...

Check out these photos from our last trip to O'ahu... the first shot is me creeping up on the ocean, maybe I can will it to behave...

This second shot is me crapping myself as a wave TALLER THAN ME crashes on the beach just a few feet away from me... LATER!!

So, here's my list of things I want to do as far as the beach and the ocean go:

i. Go to the beach! Seek them out, on both O'ahu and Kauai.

ii. Throw myself into the ocean at the first opportunity, every time. JUST DO IT!

iii. Boogie boarding - looks so much fun!

iv. Man up and take surfing lesson. Surfing is a source, dude.

v. Watch the sun go down sitting on the beach, any beach, more than once.

2. Eat and Drink...!

Ohhhh momma. There is some good eating and treating in Hawaii!! Seafood, steak, cocktails, bakeries, frozen-yoghurt stands, fresh fruit, soul food, asian food, traditional island food...

i. Lose the 20 lbs I'm going to gain on honeymoon before we go on honeymoon.

ii. Mancakes.

That's right, you heard me. Not pancakes, mancakes. Anyone watch Man vs. Food?

This guy goes around the United States searching for the ultimate junk food and the ultimate food challenges. In Hawaii the guy took on a 4 lb pankcake challenge at this joint called Mac 24/7 in Waikiki. I've wanted to do it ever since I saw the show and Ruthie fancies a crack at it too!! Let's do it...

iii. Side Street Inn

This place is a tacky, fairly run downing looking dive bar in the back alleys of downtown Honolulu but the food is awesome. Soul food at its best and what's more all of the island's top chefs go there for snacks and beers after they close their restaurants for the night. We went last time... I want more...

iv. Helena's Hawaiian Food - more local eating.
vi. Nobu - apparently a second restaurant has opened up in Waikiki - I want in!
vii. Sip champagne on the terrace of the Westin Waikiki - right on the beach, live music, shaded by palm trees. Heaven with bubbles!
viii. Brunch. It's my favourite meal of the day. I love getting up and going out, finding somewhere full of atmosphere with some kind of view if possible to eat some breakfast and start my day. We found several places last time. I want to find the others!!
ix. Hell, we'll be in Hawaii, I won't complain where we are so long as it's not McDonalds. Ruthie, do you hear me?! ;)
x. Uncle BoBo's BBQ!

I could on but I've got some work I need to be getting on to...

3. Activities.

So many to think of!!

i. Zip-lining through the trees and national park on Kauai.

ii. Learning to surf - again, this time I need to MAN UP!

iii. Mini-submarines!

iv. Snorkeling. See previous point on me being a wimp. Man up James!!

v. Talking a few runs along the beach in the morning, or as the sun is going down.

vi. Macadamia Nut Farm on O'ahu. We did it last time but it was so good that I want to go back!

There's much more I'm sure... will be back with updates as soon as I think of them!!

Countdown... 173 days... WOOHOO!!

Honeymoon. Decision time... Where to? Aloha!!

That's right! We're going back to where it all began... Well, sort of. It all began in New York City on Feb 5th 2010 when one gorgeous Ruthie Baker walked into Forge in Tribeca and my mouth hit the floor...

But just a few weeks later in the middle of March we were headed on vacation to Honolulu where we would spend a week on O'ahu together. It was a trip that we'll never forget. It was also one from which we came back knowing we had both found the person we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with.

It was such a great trip that we even blogged about it every day while we were there. If you're interested, here it is! http://oahuhawaiiadventure.blogspot.com

With our wedding in August of this fast approaching and the planning well in hand we thought we had better start thinking the best part (ok, second best part! ;) - our honeymoon! But where do we go on honeymoon after a trip like the one we took last year?!

Italy? Greece? Morocco? The Maldives maybe? California and the Pacific Coastal Highway?

We couldn't decide, no where seemed to get us really excited and enthusiastic even though all the places we listed off were ones we really want to visit one day. Then one evening we reminisced about our time in Hawaii and I think the penny dropped for us both - let's go back! This time we're going for two weeks - seven days on O'ahu and seven days on Kauai. We can't wait!!

Hawaii here we come...