The Life of the Nomads

2 months ago

@Xinevdv

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Terminal 6

Jul 29 2026

On our way to the airport to start seeing the world through different eyes. Going to Hawaii first to visit the island of Oahu and to spend some time with Auntie Nona. Since our flight arrives late, we will just crash at Waikiki Malia. We liked the Amsterdam one and I’m hoping that this one will be just as nice. 😊

Good night, folks!

Nothing like 405 traffic!

We made it through baggage check in, security and to the gate fairly unscathed! That’s definitely a first for me! Haha!! \240Usually Pop has something metal on him and he has to go back through the x-ray or his bottle is full of water. I’m not complaining at all. The lessons he taught me at the airport has been valuable. I learned patience and wearing no metal on my person at any time!

Our flight (AS809) does not start boarding until 17.15 and flight leaves at 1800. We will arrive at 2053hrs. Not too bad. That’s only like 5.53pm in LA time. Plenty of time to pick up a car, check into hotel, drop off bags and find some grub! Oh the pleasure of Hawaiian food! Can’t wait!

See you all on the other side of the Pacific Ocean 🌊

Made it to Waikiki Malia

What we have here on the Westside…

This is our transportation- BIG RED!

What we left in the valley

We arrived around 9ish m (Hawaii time) - I think and still had to pick up suitcases and get our transportation for the week

@Xinevdv

92-618 Akaula St, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA

Jul 30 2026

We were all over the place yesterday so here is a small sample of what we did or ate…

Fried rice with egg

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - Halo Halo

The Poké bowl above is another discovery from the trip with Pop. I have no idea why we did not share with him but it was a recommendation from Toty and my most fave TB (travel buddy), tried it and we ALSO recommend it. It’s acceptable (per loco standard) but it’s good and cheap! Where else can you get a FRESH poke bowl for less than $10?? It’s $8 for 1 pick and $10 for 2 different fish choices??

Foodland parking lot

Regular moco loco

Moco loco short ribs

Shimazu Store

This was a place that Cynthia and I found on our trip in December 2025 called Shimazu Store. Another great recommendation.

It is family owned but the flavours are unlike any I have tried before. Then again, it was Cynch who recommended I sample Hawaiian shaved ice. So I have nothing to compare to. \240In my defense, I would prefer to support mom pop locally.

Coconut dream

This is actually a special cafe we found when we took Pop to Hawaii in August 2024. I would HIGHLY recommend Cafe Kalawe to anyone who asks.

Its a little off the beaten path and more of a “Loco” only place but the prices are sooooo good and the plates are plentiful. If you’re ever on the island… give them a whirl. It will be worth your slight detour.

Tropical Fruit

Fabric Mart

@Xinevdv

Waikiki Malia

Jul 30 2026

This what it looks like at 6am

Woke up at 4.30 local time

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Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park

Jul 30 2026

I was testing my zoom option on my camera. Not too shabby

Heading into the park area

Our view going to Tantalus Lookout

You can see how clear a day it is her. You can see Diamond Head

Aloha Tantalus! I shall miss you

This is not the first time we have been

@Xinevdv

Starbucks Coffee Company

Jul 31 2026

Clare still doing work for the last day so we are here at starbies so she can use the outlets.

Probably hit some shops locally because Friday traffic will be merciless

Sunrise over Auntie Paz’s fiancé’s house

Funny story but Auntie Nona’s neighbor is in love with Auntie Paz and keeps asking her to marry him but he’s like 20 years older than she and she’s not into him and he knows but he asks all the time.

These are Auntie’s latest residents - Cluck Norris, Hennifer Aniston, Hennessy and another one I can’t remember.

We have to find something to eat soon so this will be a difficult task. To Cesar and me, it’s a no brainer! Poke bowls! … Boe on the other hand will probably find musubis from 7-11! Haha

Figuring out what to do today. Have no clue except to stay on this side of the island today. Tomorrow we have to leave early in the morning to hit the other side of the island and go to Polynesian culture centre and then to Byodo-in Temple at the cemetery. All on the “udder” side of the island

@Xinevdv

Loco Moco Drive Inn

Jul 31 2026

Loco Moco Drive In

The Aunties introduced us to this place last Christmas season and it was sooooo good so we’re trying it again.

Last time, I tried the garlic fish 🐟 and it was definitely worth returning to. We shall see if it’s still the same.

Garlic (butter) fish

Mochiko chicken

Katsu chicken

@Xinevdv

adidas Outlet Store Waipahu

Aug 01 2026

Finally found my vacation shoes. Unfortunately, with all the packing we had done, I lost my shoes in storage. I was heartbroken!! I got them months ago and packed them for this trip but thank goodness they had it on clearance at the outlets near Auntie. Phew!

They also happen to have Pop’s shop here too. At least I know that he’s still with us wherever we roam! ♥️

@Xinevdv

McDonald's

Aug 01 2026

Ballsy chicken

Going to pay homage our ancestors by ringing the bell at Byodo-In Temple.

Had to stop for breakfast first because my sister told me to hit ONE McD’s in Hawaii because of special menu. So we are waiting for the temple to open here

@Xinevdv

Don Don Donki - Kapolei

Aug 01 2026

We stayed in the Kapolei side of town because I was afraid to get stuck in the H1 traffic. Been there and done that ONCE and not going to repeat that mistake!

We went to…Loco Moco Drive Inn that is not a drive in, but I shared that yesterday.

Found at Walmart

Then to fabric mart and afterwards to the outlets for travel shoes.

Found at Foodland

Found at Target

Dinner at Auntie’s is the best!!

@Xinevdv

Byodo-In Temple

Aug 01 2026

After breakfast we rushed off across the street to Valley of the Temples to see Byodo-In Temple.

We stopped at the gift shop and there was a fortune bowl in front of the register so for curiosity… we decided to see what was in it… Clare did not think that hers was good enough… so she decided to leave hers behind to ward off bad luck.

If you did not like fortune, you leave it here^

We made it.

When I was here in August 2024 with my usual Wandering Quartet… Pop was talking to a groundsman and he advised Pop to go to the top off the hill in back of the cemetery grounds… so we did.

We found this crypt and that was how Pop got the idea for his own stone.

Photo taken 19 December 2025

The little bird that could …. ^

Pop’s bench

When Cynthia and I visited last year, we saw this cute little bird all puffed up to stay warm. It looked like Pop with his layers of clothing + scarf… we both thought that the bird was Pop.

We asked the little bird, “is that you Pop?” and the bird hopped off the bench and stared at us! Then we asked the bird… “okay, if that is you Pop, everyone wants to know who your favourite daughter is…”

The little bird, immediately hopped to me and stopped and then proceeded to hop towards Cynthia too! The little bird, stayed with Cynthia for the same about of time that it stayed with me. You cannot tell us otherwise, but we are convinced that the little bird was Pop!

Goodbye, Bypdo-In… until next time

View from the Manolo Crypt

@Xinevdv

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden

Aug 01 2026

On our way to “nowhere in particular” … we saw a sign for the botanical garden and decided to let fate take the wheel…

Since I drove… not as easy taking pictures as usual

Pulled over to the vista point

@Xinevdv

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Aug 01 2026

Next stop for a historian, Punch Bowl National Cemetery…

View from cemetery

Description of what’s inside below

@Xinevdv

Itchy Butt

Aug 01 2026

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Foodland Dillingham

Aug 01 2026

The kids ate and fell asleep so I snuck over to Foodland on Dillingham for lunch too.

Next time I should stop here

@Xinevdv

Mālama Market

Aug 02 2026

Ted’s Pies (Haupia - chocolate + coconut cream)

Tako Poké

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Ala Moana Center

Aug 02 2026

I don’t know what makes this “Hawaiian”. Is it brown? Is it made of coconut or pineapple??

It’s Pip’s store! The HERPES store! Haha

Liliha bakery inside Macy’s …

We hit 100% of the Don Quixote’s in Oahu! Yippee!!

There is one Don Pen not pictured and that is the pearl city one. It was crazy hectic today so no pic of him.

@Xinevdv

Aloha Stadium

Aug 02 2026

We went to the swap meet with Auntie, Dina and Noe.

@Xinevdv

92-618 Akaula St, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA

Aug 02 2026

We went to the mall to look for this one particular outfit from Citadine that I saw on IG. She has the cutest clothes!!

I got some cute outfits but that will be posted for another day 😊

Then we found this Taqueria El Ranchero for something quick to eat. My birria tacos were actually pretty good! I wonder if they are real Mexicans in the kitchen.

The man behind the mall name

My new hat 😊🥰

@Xinevdv

Island Vintage Coffee and Wine Bar Kapolei

Aug 03 2026

Then we stopped for merienda at Island Vintage Coffee and Wine Bar for shaved ice …

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Dole Plantation

Aug 03 2026

We thought it would be cool to do the free thing at Dole Plantstion because we could not get advanced tickets for the tour. So we only hit the gift shop! 🤫🤣

@Xinevdv

North Shore

Aug 03 2026

We thought it would be cool to check out north shore (Hale’iwa) to see what is up there. Cute tourist town and not as crowded as one would assume.

@Xinevdv

Kuni Restaurant and Catering

Aug 03 2026

The aunties brought cynch and me here in December last year and I wanted the kids to try it too.

@Xinevdv

92-618 Akaula St, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA

Aug 03 2026

Woke up early this morning to snap a pic of the sunrise

@Xinevdv

Mana Musubi

Aug 03 2026

Boe told Cesar that we were going for musubi and we found this place. It was good but it was more onigiri and they were sold out of spam musubi.

@Xinevdv

Marukai

Aug 03 2026

We were told by auntie and dina that there is still ONE Marukai remaining and it was close to where we were going… no pix inside so you only get the sign 🤪

@Xinevdv

Creations By You / CBY Sparkle

Aug 03 2026

Dina and Noe were doing this cool project and sent us here to get supplies to make our own. May have to go back tomorrow! Haha

@Xinevdv

2730 Kaimuki Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA

Aug 03 2026

I needed an art store so Dina sent me here and …

Check out this cute bag this lady had!!

@Xinevdv

Ala Moana Center

Aug 03 2026

Clare needed something from target and I was meeting up with Julia from Citadine to pick up a handmade outfit… this below are some cute shops I found along the way