Our first stop in Hilo was Two Ladies' Kitchen. They are famous for their homemade mochi and manju. Mochi is a very popular food around New Years so this place was packed and they also mentioned that they were not taking any custom orders so whatever you saw you could buy. If you didn't see it on the counter it wasn't for sale.
A simple sign lets people know they've arrived
The variety pack (Mike already took and ate his)
Ted sampling a sweet potato mochi
After we grabbed our omiyage to take home to the grandparents we proceeded to Ken's Pancake House. It's a Hilo landmark that reminds me of Hilo's version of Zippy's. The food's okay but it's popular because of their many menu selections and they're the only place open for 24 hours for miles around.
We met up with Nalani (who was one of the bridesmaids in Keao's wedding party) since she was in Hilo town to take her dad to the doctor. It's always fun coming to the Big Island because we get to see people that we don't normally see.
We met up with Nalani (who was one of the bridesmaids in Keao's wedding party) since she was in Hilo town to take her dad to the doctor. It's always fun coming to the Big Island because we get to see people that we don't normally see.
Here's almost half of our wedding party (sans John-John who is taking the picture)
After lunch we headed up to Ted's parent's house in Honomu. Ted's parents retired to the Big Island some 6 or 7 years ago, but it seems like they're busier now than they were when they were both working! They have become farmers and own a nice chunk of land up in Honomu. They took us up to the farm and showed us what they've accomplished. Let me tell you, they accomplished quite a bit. Ted's dad, Uncle Kenji, kept pointing here and there and saying, "Aunty Faith and I put this up...took us two days (or a month or however long)". And he wasn't just pointing at small stuff. He was pointing at walls and warehouses! I know their plan is to eventually move to the farm as he is currently designing their home right now.
Ted with his parents, check out the view they'll have from their house!
This is the building Ted's parents put up...took about a month
Here's Ted by the stream that runs through the farm
Of course, I had to get into the farming lifestyle so they let me help around the place (and by help around the place I mean sit on some farm-type equipment).
Nothing runs like a Deere...too bad I couldn't take it for a spin
They did let me drive this 4x4 golf cart on steroids
It's just too bad I can't hear you
Even though we did get to putz around the place, most of our time there was spent feeding the spiders. Ted and Mike would catch grasshoppers to feed them and then use chopsticks to put them in the webs. I must say it is amazing to see how quickly the spiders can wrap up its prey. I was marveling about this my wife (who is from the Big Island) and all she could respond with was *sigh* "You city boys...". Little does she know I'm really from the country. I'm just pretending to be impressed by the spiders (from a very safe distance).
Can you see the huge spider in the upper left corner?
1 comment:
That spider video was super cool. The spiders in our bathroom are so sluggish in comparison...I think living on Oahu has made them lazy.
Post a Comment