I don't know how I get so lucky, but last weekend in Whistler I was blessed with the best snow that my K2 Phat Luv skis have ever floated over.
I decided to fly out to visit my friend Samantha, a buddy of mine from Flight School, who is a Growler pilot in Anacortes, WA. She had the excellent suggestion of taking a couple of days and skiing in Whistler, and I didn't want to miss the chance to ski in one of the most famous resorts in the world.
So we braved the 6 hour drive from Anacortes, WA to Whistler on Friday night to Saturday morning. On the drive up to Whistler, while I was mostly passed out sleeping in the back, heavy snowfall made our drive a little hairy. However, when we got to the top of the resort, the snowfalls results were wonderfully apparent.
However, despite the fantastic snow, it was pretty chilly. The lifts, which are super swift, froze my face. I had to by a legit Balaclava at the mountain shop before I thought my forehead was going to explode with red frostbite. I wasn't going to sacrifice my face for a weekend, though the skiing kind of made it worth it.
I'm not talking about indie famous, they're on the road to be Top 40, "No Doubt" famous.
The Givers destroyed their show at The Music Hall of Willasmburg last night, sending hard core New Yorkers into a flurry of dance moves to their poppy music.
I call out "No Doubt," not because their music sounds anything like the Orange County Ska-fusion masters, but their raw energy, good looking band members (esp. a beautiful woman), has the features that is a record exec's cash money dream. But more than that, they're building an incredible fan base with their aggressive tour schedule in curated locations all over the world.
I was standing next to a girl in the audience who was visibly obsessed.
She first heard the album in June, and had never seen the band before. We were singing along to the songs, and one moment she exclaimed:
"You don't understand! This is a privilege for us to be here!"
I'll say it again, this band is going to be B-I-G.
The band hails from Lafayette, Louisiana. I saw them for the first time at Oyafestivalen in Oslo in August. (Check out that performance here.) They have grown in the months of performing, including CMJ showcases and a heavy trip touring Europe. Each song has evolved, and I can easily say this was a very different show from what I saw in August. Seeing them again was totally worth it.
What pumps their music is their fantastic energy along with their catch tunes. Their fans are ridiculously devoted, and while I was recording "Ceiling Plankton," the passionate girl next to me whacked the camera out of my hand. I don't blame her. I was just as ecstatic. You may hear me singing along to my favorite track on the album.
What's even more amazing is that girl standing next to me was inspired to jump up on stage and dance with the band. They rewarded her zeal with a tambourine. I hope she was also making out with a Giver by the end of the night. :-)
Above all, they have musicianship and range that I was not expecting. For their encore they played "101 tint" (I have no idea if that's correct) a song that didn't make their album but could be some sort of "B-side" in the future. I chatted with the keyboardist, Nick, after the show and he said that it was a song that they put together when they first formed the band.
Hello Black Sabbath richness. I love what double drum can do. I hope that they keep up this direction.
Check it out:
UPDATE: Thanks to a lovely commenter it's "Wanna Want it." I was obviously a little hard of hearing post the show.
Also, Tiffany, the vocalist/drummer/ukelele player, will easily become a new Nylon magazine favorite. In front of her drum set were a group of 10 guys begging for her phone number. I just smiled.
Like I said. These guys are going to be big. I brought a friend, Ting, who was a bit skeptical about liking them. She missed two buses back to New Jersey to finish out the show and talk to the band. They were that good.
I can't wait to see what will happen when they hook up with another producer who can take their sound and musicianship to the next level. Maybe Rick Rubin should clear his schedule. hehehe.
They're on a busy tour schedule through the southeast then to Austrailia. I hope you can catch them!
I decided to book myself an extra night at the Westin in Princeville to give myself another full day on the island. I booked a car, and had no plan on how to start my day. Due to my east-coast jetlag, I woke up by myself at 6:30 a.m., and I lay there in the black night thinking about what I should do.
Then it hit me, I should go watch the sunrise.
7:15 a.m. Early morning walk at Tunnels Beach
I called quickly and tried to get my car out of valet, and drove like a madwoman to the beach. Unfortunately by the time I got to the tunnels beach on the west side of the island, the sun had already risen. But I still was able to take advantage of the gorgeous light of the quiet beach.
The Tunnels Beach at Dawn's Early light.
I missed the sunrise, but I was able to take a quiet walk on the beautiful beach, and even pet some great dogs who were being walked by their owner. It was a great zen-like way to start the morning.
10:30 a.m. Wet Cave After breakfast and my last shower of the day, I headed back west. There were some sights I hadn't seen yet, including this "wet cave" near the Tunnels beach head.
Wet Cave near the tunnels
It was pretty and I just played around with the light. I thought it looked like something a sea creature or alien would come out of. And since I was so pale, I thought I should impersonate one:
I'm an alien!
11:00 a.m. Kalala Hike
I still had tons of time to kill, so I thought I'd do a hiking trail. I magically found a parking spot at the beginning of the trail, and began my trek.
The trail has multiple lengths and extends 12 miles at it's longest point and ends at a beach. On the way there's a waterfall and a ton of great points to look at the shore.
The path was super slippery, and pretty steep at some points. But it was beautiful and I spent a good two and a half hours trudging through the mud, wind and rain along the beautiful path.
Embarrassingly, I didn't get very far. The mud really slowed me down. But it also could be that I looked ridiculous with my socks pulled over my jeans and I didn't want to keep walking like this in public. :-)
1:30 p.m. Snorkeling at Tunnels Beach
I was challenged by my friend to go snorkeling with turtles, and I heard the Tunnels Beach was the best shot I had at meeting some.
The best thing is that he water in Kauai is crystal clear.
Clear water of tunnels beach
So I dove into the water after my hike to clean off, and refresh myself. Conveniently the beach is located 50m away from the beginning of the train.
Unfortunately, all I met were cute fish. No turtles. But I spent a good hour swimming staring and frolicking. The tide was low so I couldn't go too far out without getting cut up by the rocks. Next time I'll judge it better so I can get a better swim going.
3:00 p.m. - Lunch at Mediterranean Grill
Right off of the little road that led to the Tunnels is a restaurant area with a spa, cafe and other goodies. I decided to grub at The Mediterranean Gourmet,
5 Kuhio Highway Haena, HI 96714 (808) 826-9875
I started out with the Ginger and Gilligan cocktail, which was muddled goodness with lemonade and cucumber. It was refreshing and light, perfect for a late afternoon relaxant.
Ginger & Gilligan cocktail
I was starving after my activities, so I got a cup of the soup and the fish of the day. Which was a local fish, that I don't remember the name of. The waffle fries slew me though. They were perfectly crispy and delicious.
Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Fish of the day sandwich
4:00 p.m. Chasing Rainbows
After my lunch, I was instructed that if I wanted to see the sunset on Kauai, I would have to head to the south west side of the island at Poipu or Waimea, which was a two hour drive from where I was. I had the time so I started the drive, and was rewarded by these amazing rainbow moments.
Rainbow meets the road
Double Rainbow!
5:15 p.m. Sunset at Port Allen
Sunset at Port Allen
Yes it was totally worth the two hour drive. I was able to find a nice beach near the Inter-Island Helicopters airfield, or Port Allen Airport.
It was an idyllic way to say good-bye to my last daytime on Kauai.
Here's a video of the gorgeous setting:
7:00 p.m. Dinner at Port Allen Sunset Grill
4353 Waialo Rd Ste 7A Eleele, HI96705
So I'll admit it. Radio advertising may still work. I recognized this place from a radio advertisement, and I was like shoot...how bad could it be? It was delicious, especially the New England Clam chowder. It was sizzling hot, and had a very savory taste to it instead of cream. I could taste a touch of asian spice in the soup, and I bet a bowl of Saimin from here would be delicious. If you're on the southern end of the island...take a visit.
Mixed Seafood Salad
Delicious New England Clam Chowder
9:00 p.m. Off to the airport
This is the end of my Hawaii adventure. I got to the airport early and headed back to LA for the holidays. It was a fantastic day, and hope I can replicate some of the activities again.
My sister booked us an amazing week at the St. Regis in Princeville, Kauai. I don't think I've ever stayed at such a beautiful place in natural scenery.
The St. Regis is located at the north end of Kauai right on a beautiful beach and near Hanalei Bay. Every room in the facility has an ocean-front view, and the beach is right out of the hotel, and a beautiful pool area and lawn chairs border the sand.
Here's a nice little panoramic shot of the amazing-ness.
My sister booked us these ridiculous digs as part of a Starwood Point promotion to utilize time at one of the amazing "resort" properties.
It was SUCH a great thing she did for us. The St. Regis is located in a prime area of land, and designed so that no room has a bad view. All rooms faced the beautiful, unobstructed ocean. Just look at the simple skyline of Kauai. It's a little bit of disconnected paradise.
The St. Regis as seen from the West Shore
My mom described it as a "dream come true" to stay at a hotel of this caliber that was in such a beautiful location. Just check out how happy she looks.
