5 Fave Friday Dream Vacations

  

Ok this week’s 5 fave Friday list is……favorite places that I dream about going. We all have those moments when we stare out the window and just want to transport to someplace else. Here is my list:

5.) Greece. I am a huge history buff and going somewhere that is steeped in history and the setting for such great mythological stories just gets my juices going. I also LOVE Greek food. Gyros, pasta, lamb, olives MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. The only thing I don’t much care for is ouzo (I just don’t like l the black licorice taste). I feel kind of bad because I really kind of mash up the Mediterranean countries but if pressed to pick one to visit it would probably be that one. Sadly at the time of this blog post they are in the midst of a huge economic crisis. Then again so is the rest of the globe, pass the spanakopita.

Yep they land right over a beach

4.) Sint/Saint Maartin/Martin. This island in the eastern Caribbean has both Dutch and French influences because both countries have shared the island for a long time. It is pretty, white beaches look like someone sprinkled baby powder by the water and, again, it just feels like they have great history. Only one problem was I visited on a cruise ship so there was just a wave of tourists that flooded the town. Also check out the rum and guavaberry liquor distilleries. They give out fruity tasting samples.

3.) Vietnam. This place has always seemed so very exotic and a truly ancient place where it wouldn’t be out of the norm to see Indiana Jones step out of a Pho restaurant. A blend of Asian and French melted together to create a culture uniquely their own. A few years ago I had heard that there was a tour company that started up there for accessible travels through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (complete with modified scooters capable of taking on a wheelchair. Sounds amazingly cool.

2.) Australia. Who doesn’t dream about going there? It has what can be best described as an old wests feel when you venture out to the outback. Some great natural monuments (Uluru, and the Great Barrier Reef) that  lay inside or just off the coast. Very cool architecture in the city and a great vibe as most of their cities have modernized for past Olympic Games, and other international events. It seems like a different world from where I live.

1.) Hawaii. This is a jewel in the Pacific. The different islands offer just about everything you can think of in activities. There are literally miles and miles of sandy warm beaches. Hiking, star gazing, sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving, clubbing, shopping, farmers markets, and food. You can be a tourist and visit Pearl Harbor to pay your respects. You can go to Kauai and get away from the massive sprawl of Honolulu. You can even see an active volcano eject molten rock, or go experience a luau. In short this is the place I would like to be most of the time.

Honorable mention:

*Panama Canal. One of the biggest modern marvels of the world. How could you not want to see a river/lake complex that cuts across the land and goes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean?

5 Fav Friday

I started trying to do this once before and it just made me sad for not traveling. I am going to buck up and try it again, because I can always come up with 5 favorites. This week 5 favorite places I have eaten (or dreamed of eating) on vacation right after I have gotten off the plane. This is not the best food, nor is it the fanciest. We have all gotten off the airplane ravenous and because airline food is just nasty we have grabbed a quick bite. Here are mine:

5. Ivar's Seafood - Seattle Tacoma International Airport. Simply put it has something other than Pizza, Burgers, or mall Mexican or Chinese. This place has been making food since 1938 and was on a Frommers best list. We usually fly in at night around dinner (or a bit later) so I go get a bowl of clam chowder, and my son will eat anything that he can dip (fish and chips with Tatar sauce applies).

4. Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill located in Disney's California Adventure was one of those places that we discovered after a long foodless flight. We were going to go to one of the nicer eateries but the lines were to long, and really the last thing my wife and I wanted to do was sit inside. (Forgot to mention that we came from rainy Seattle to mid 60's Anaheim and were treated to the first sun we had seen in a while). Not the best Mexican food (rates about on par with Qdoba Mexican Grill), but the first time we went there it just hit the spot. Plus the food is very kid friendly and it is outside so the birds can get a meal off of what your kiddo drops. If you are looking for another alternative Taste Pilots Grill in DCA is also worth a shot (burgers, ribs, fries...) or if you happen to be in Disneyland try Cafe Orleans where some of the Blue Bayou food can be found to go. Really I do not work for Disney, I just like going there and having fun.

3. Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, at the airport in Orlando (huh, imagine that). OK this could be the jet lag talking but my wife and I took the red eye and got to Orlando as a jump off for a cruise. I do not think either of us had been that tired and hungry in a long time. We had a very nice bellman take our bags and gently guide us to their restaurant where we were served a very delightful breakfast of fruit, waffles, and eggs (and coffee for me). Then the same bellman came back to get us as our room was done several hours early and he said we looked like we needed sleep. Fantastic service!!

2.) The Rio Buffet- Las Vegas, Nevada. This was the first meal we had right after my then fiance and I got settled in to our room. We were in Vegas to get married and or best person (who had to Vegas many times) treated us to the Rio. It was good and there was (as promised) tons of different things to gorge yourself on. We had far superior food at the Bellagio buffet but the Rio will always have a special place in my heart.


That leads to numero Uno!!

1.) Tropical Taco in beautiful Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii. I have sang this song on other posts but this is the best fish taco I have eaten. I am in an area that has really good Mexican food and this little taco stand just blows the doors off them all. It could be the fresh caught fish, or the hand made guacamole, or the fact that they make it to order. Maybe it is the simplicity of it all. This would be one of the things I would ask for in my last meal.

So now that I have told you my faves. Tell me some of yours bu leaving a comment.

Amazing delights of Paradise

As you might have gathered from some of my past blogs, when I am on vacation I like to try the local restaurants. My trip to Kauai was no different. We went all over the island trying some old favorites, and some new places recommended by fellow travelers and locals. I find that if you want the really good places try what the locals like, and also look for the hole in the walls that have no parking spaces. This can mean that there are some good things to be found.....or that it has really bad service.

Bad food or mediocre service wasn't something that I had to worry about on this trip. Whether it was the delicious fish taco that I had at Tropical Taco in Hanalei, or the fancy meal I had at Keoki's Paradise. The food was always fresh and tasty, and the atmosphere was family friendly and ready to assist us in any way. We never got any trouble for being the couple with the wheelchair and the toddler. In fact we opted to get a sitter one night and go to Kieko's Paradise only to see that they welcomed guests with kids (although at the prices I am not sure I would ever take a toddler there).

Let me give a run down of my favorite places for dine in or take out from this and my last trip.

South Island:

Bubba's Burgers is a local institution that serves some very good burgers. The Kapaa one we ate at had a no frills seating area, and a counter that overlooked the street so we could watch the tourist and locals shop and go about the day. Lets just say a good burger and people watching made this a nice place to go, especially is you have a pick eater.

Poipu Tropical Burgers is a family style restaurant that serves breakfast lunch and dinner. This is the type of place that my wife, son, and I could find something we truly wanted to eat. We went there for brunch, and dinner. They have great pancakes, good eggs, and nice crispy bacon. I also had the fish and chips there and can say for a place that has a little of everything on their menu it they were pretty good. The service is what makes this place nice. They had a place ready for us by the window, and the crayons and graham crackers were at the ready for my hungry toddler. It can be difficult to find parking at the Poipu Shopping Center where it is located so make sure you add some extra time.

And since I am on the topic of the Poipu Shopping Center, we ate at two other places there (Pukadog, and Papalani Gelato)

Pukadog specializes in hot dogs with exotic toppings such as mango, pineapples, and other types of relish (traditional toppings are there as well). You basically get to customize your own Polish or Veggie dog. It wasn't my favorite place but my son liked the veggie dog with mango salsa (it is very sweet with just a hint of salty from the hot dog.

Panalini Gelato was a nice treat. If you have never had gelato Hawaii is a good place to try it. It is a creamy Italian ice cream with some unique flavors. They did a respectable job and the staff was very friendly. I guess I just preferred the shave ice at Pono Hale Family Restaurant.

Keoki's Paradise is a more upscale restaurant great for taking that special someone on a nice date. If you get there before 5 you can have an opportunity to take advantage of half portions and chef specials. I had a petite fillet Mignon and lobster with a nice salad and yummy ice cream pie to split with my wife. Cap that with a few good drinks and it made the splurge for the babysitter that much more worth it.

North Island:

Tropical Taco I will not lie to you. This is the reason we traveled to the north shore of Kauai. They have the best fish tacos I have ever had. Fresh caught, fresh cooked, simple ingredients make this something I crave even when I am off island. My son isn't a big fish eater so he had a fantastic bean burrito which was the size of his head and which he made short work of. It is also nice to walk around Hanalei afterwards because you just never know what you will find there. Cap off the experience with shave ice and you can hit the beach satisfied.

West side:

This is where we ate the most and is the mid point between Hanalei/Princeville in the north, and Poipu/Koloa/Port Allen in the south.

Brick Oven Pizza has two locations (Kapaa, and Kalehio). We ate at the one in Kapaa which was clean friendly, and didn't balk at the wheelchair and toddler as we came through the door. They greeted my son with a dough ball to play with and had no problems with our pizza choice (mushroom and Portuguese sausage). It was delicious, really some of the best I have had. If you are looking for a place were you can catch a game (several big screen TVs showing different sports), get a good drink, and be family friendly. You would be hard pressed to get a better place.

Mema Thai Chinese Cuisine, first I will say that this wasn't bad food. I think that they keep the spiciness down because this place does a ton of tourist business (take out mostly). I live in an area that has really great Asian food so when I say this is pretty good food it means something. Just make sure that you ask for a little extra spice, and try the pineapple fried rice YUM!!

Ono Family Restaurant. Big portions of good fresh food make this family style place a must if you are in the area. The topper is they have a shave ice booth just outside that has the BEST shave ice on the island (i mean it there was a vote).

Eggberts  This is a standard for us as a breakfast and lunch restaurant. It is located in the Coconut Market Place and is what I look for in a restaurant. Cheap and Cheerful. It is kid friendly has tons of choices on the menu and you do not have to be dress up. Just don't go in there and ask for a fruit plate. This is a classic breakfast joint and they want you to enjoy yourself with their excellent fair. Try the banana pancakes with coconut syrup. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

I will add more places on to this post so if you are going to Kauai check in every now and again for my reviews.

5 Fave Friday-Top Hotels

These are five of the best hotels that we have stayed at.....so far.

5. Orlando Airport Hilton- You can sum this up with two words...excellent service. Every staff member here just exuded a level of friendliness and competence that you seldom see in a busy property like this.

4. Paris Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, NV- This is a sentimental favorite as I got married here. The grounds were great and we have a ton of gorgeous pictures. If you are in Vegas check it out.

3. Hotel Monaco Portland Oregon- Great location, friendly staff, beautiful room. Located near lots of cool restaurants, clubs, shops and for my wife Powells City of Books.

2. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel Anaheim, CA- True this could be summed up as another Disney attraction. However I have stayed here several times and it is truly a relaxing experience with some elegant touches that will appease everyone in your family.

1. The Inn at the Market Seattle, WA-A recent find. We have only stayed here once but it made a huge impression on us. It is steps from the world famous Pikes Place Market. Minutes away from the waterfront and right were everything is happening (Seattle Art Museum, Benaroya Hall, Washington Convention Center, Pioneer Square). The Staff was helpful, and courteous without being phony. The rooms were clean, maneuverable, and pretty. We plan on making the trek back to this little gem in the near future.


This was a very difficult post because I have had many great experiences in hotels of various levels and price ranges. If you have any hotels that you would like to bring to my attention let me know in the comments section.