Pipeline--and the World's Best Bodyboarders

I loved this homemade sign at the Pipeline Pro Bodysurfing Contest!! This event is the first of eight competitions around the world. The riders will compete in Australia, Mexico, Chile, Portugal, Reunion Island and the Canary Islands.
That sounds like a lot of fun! Doesn't it?

I Think it's a Little Too Big!

Every surfing contest has t-shirts and the Pipeline Pro is selling them to support the International Bodyboarding Association. Blake, on the right, travels the circuit and promotes the event and one of his job is right here in this tent. Barney is a bodyboarding coach from New South Wales in Australia and was lending a hand while he was in Hawaii on vacation. Both of these gentlemen were good sports, very talkative, and gave me lots of information which I am passing on to you! You can find out more at: www.ibaworldtour.com

At the Ready

Rick Williams, a veteran North Shore Lifeguard, was overseeing the beach the day of the Pipeline Pro. He was just getting ready to go out for a quick surf on his break. That's his friend, Harry, visiting from Thailand.
Did you notice the glassy waves in the background. It was a perfect day for surfing!

The Innovator and his Wife, Krista

Eppo is known all over the world as one of the best bodyboarders ever! He's the creator of three manuevers--the Double Roll, the ARS--air, roll spin, and the Backflip!
When he's not competing in the "Legends" category at the Pipeline Pro, he's home on the Sunshine Coast of Australia running his surf shop---the Bodyboard Shop. See what it's like: www.bodyboardshop.com

Eppo, Up Close and Personal

One of the best things about living on the North Shore is making new friends from around the globe. Most surfers have traveled since they were young-----going on surf safaris everywhere there are waves. They are used to being in new places and getting acquainted with the locals. And----I'm one of the locals, and as you know, I love to talk and make new friends! This is the perfect place for me!

.....And Down on the Beach

It's always "safety first" everywhere I travel. The lifeguards keep this board in front of their tower in case someone gets into trouble.
This is a "longboard" and great for paddling out to make rescues. During contests the event coordinators hire their own water safety patrol, but the lifeguards are always there "just in case".

Surf Stars of the Future

This little tide pool forms at Pipeline several times a years. See the dads encouraging their children to rides waves and feel comfortable in the water. What fun!! And, now remember, it's February!
That's the contest taking place in the background.

Camping Out for the Day

This is just one of many tents pitched at the Pipeline. It's a great way for friends to find you and join in the fun. It's also a great way to be protected from the strong rays of the sun.

The Rules and Regulations

All the bodyboarders at the Pipeline Pro must follow the IBA guidelines otherwise there may be a disqualification, and that wouldn't be good!

Do You Think Red is My Color?

After the Pipeline Pro finished for the day, the bodysurfers took to the waves. To know who is who in each heat, the competitors wear colored caps! That tall fellow next to me is reputed to be the best bodysurfer in the world! Mark Cunningham is a former North Shore lifeguard and has had lots of practice riding waves with his body. I'm sure he feels right at home bodysurfing the "Pipe".

All Decked Out

Matt, from the Big Island of Hawaii, flew into Honolulu International and drove to the North Shore just to compete in the Pipeline Bodysurfing Contest. He sure is "stylin'" in that shortie wetsuit with his cool fins. I think he looks better in the red cap than I did. Do you think so too?
Those are his friends in the background cheering him on.
It was fun to spend the day on the beach at the most famous wave in the world, the Banzai Pipeline, watching the best bodyboarders and bodysurfers from around the globe!
See if you can fit this adventure into your plans and join me next year, same wave, same time!

When in Baltimore.......

I love the East Coast port city of Baltimore, Maryland. There is so much to do, so much to see, so much history. One of my favorite stops is the Lexington Market. It started in 1782 which makes it almost 230 years old! I'm on the inside of the market ready to eat a few crab cakes!

The Best Crab Cakes in Town

Faidley's is "IT" for crab cakes at the Lexington Market. Nancy Devine's grandfather started this establishment and here she is, generations later, makin' crab cakes using a special delicious recipe-----mostly big chunks of Cheaspeake Bay crabs! You must visit this historic market if you are ever traveling near Baltimore.

Look for this Sign

To find out more about the historic Lexington Market and eat "first place" crab cakes, go to this website: www.lexingtonmarket.com

See the City from the Harbor

Baltimore is famous for its big port called the Inner Harbor. When you come and visit, make sure you take in a Oriole's baseball game at Camden Yards and sightsee from a watertaxi. It's cheap and fun! I picked up the boat at Fells Point, an old shipbuilding part of Baltimore. Captain Homan and Michael, his assistant, gave me lots of interesting info as we toured. Did you know the Dutch "rounded" the outside corners of their buildings because they thought evil spirits wouldn't be able to hide there? Now that's an interesting fact, don't you think?

While in the Water Taxi

This is just one of the sights you'll see as you tour the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. This ship is the Constellation, a sloop of war and the last "sail only" ship built by the U.S. Navy. She was designed and constructed in 1854, but never had much of a chance to show off as steamships were being built and they were taking over the seas. The Constellation is one of the many historic ships of Baltimore. Learn more at www.historicships.org

Saying GoodBye to Baltimore

So......if you are ever on the East Coast and want to explore the history of the United States, Baltimore City is one of the first places to start. Fly into Baltimore-Washington International, take the time to do a little research before you travel there and you'll be amazed at what you'll learn. I suggest beginning at Ft. McHenry, the birthplace of the "Star Spangled Banner". Then head an hour south, and you'll be in the Nation's Captiol, Washington, D.C.

Alvin and the Chipmunks---North Shore

Yes, it's another movie being filmed in my neighborhood. This time the location was in Waimea Valley. (They also shot footage at the Turtle Bay Resort).
Follow me in...........

Transporation is a Big Deal

Well, when you make a movie, there are a lot of people who need to get around. Being transported in a van is one of the best ways to move actors, set designers, make-up artists, directors, producers, grips, stylists, costume designers, and, for this film,
PUPPETS.
It was raining when they were filming so that's why there is mud splattered on the bottom of the van!
(You can see the back of this vehicle heading into Waimea Valley in the previous photo.)

Home Away from Home

Luckily Waimea Valley is big! There was a lot of space in which to house the trailers which housed everyone who was important on the set. There was a trailer for the director, the office, each actor, etc., etc., etc.

Feeding an Army

One of the best things about being on a movie set is the food. Everyone is treated to gourmet dishes by the catering company.
Tony's was serving 200 people a day!! Yikes, that's a big job.

Follow Me this Way...........

Well, because it was raining and because I might be intruding, I didn't get too close to the set. So......if you want to see more, you'll just have to see the movie. Usually it takes at least six months after all the filming before the film is released. Editing is a big job which takes a long, long time. Look for "Alvin and the Chipmunks---Chipwrecked" at a theater near you.

Not Just for Makin' Movies

Waimea Valley is one of the most beautiful places on Oahu, in my opinion, and it's a world class botanical garden, too.
Bring a swimsuit and take a dip in the pool below the Falls.
You can visit anytime you are on the North Shore. To find out more go to: www.waimeavalley.net
And remember, if you're in the neighborhood, visit me at the Haleiwa Farmers' Market on Sunday mornings. I'm at the Keiki Korner!

Kung Hee Fat Choy!! Happy New Year!!

The first day of the Chinese New Year. I celebrated with a trip to Chinatown in Honolulu several days before to get ready for the big event. This calendar is determined by the moon's cycle---it's a "lunar" calendar. Each year of the twelve year cycle is represented by an animal and, as you can see, it's the Year of the Rabbit.

Guarding the Gate

These are Foo Dogs. They stand at the entry to homes and businesses and protect the owners. There are always two---a male and a female. They looked scary, but were very friendly!

Special Food for a Special Day

The Chinese people around the world get ready for the lunar new year by buying a new set of clothes, preparing special food, visiting friends and sharing the Lion Dance Parade with music and fireworks. If you live near a big city, find out when the celebrations are in your local Chinatown. Just google it. (Those almond cookies are my favorite!)

Or How About Buying a Lei?

One of the best things about Chinatown in Honolulu is the lei shops. It's a great place to buy one----lots of variety and they're very reasonable and right on the way to the airport. The tradition of giving a necklace of flowers is one of the many reasons I love living in Hawaii! Mimi's in the background stringing leis----she recognized me from last year and greeted me with a warm smile and aloha.

Did Someone Say, "Shopping"?

That's Jan holiding the beautiful Chinese tea pot. She and Mom are best friends who love to shop together so checking out the merchandise in the Bo Wah Trading Company was right up their alleys. Did you notice the giant wok on the floor? That's the "skillet" in which the Chinese people stir fry vegetables and meat for their suppers.

And Should You Need Some Medicine

I'm in a Chinese herb shop. It's like a drug store and all those little boxes contain leaves, twigs, snake skeletons, berries, and so much more. It's the Chinese way. If you get sick, you head to Chinatown to see the herbalist so he can make you better.

There's Always Something to Buy

Chinatown in Honolulu is a great place to shop all year long, not just for the Chinese New Year. Make sure you stop in if you are visiting or just need some fresh fruit or veggies or leis or flowers or fish or shrimp or whatever those things I'm standing on and lots more!
Kung Hee Fat Choy!!