In doing research for the trip, we quickly learned that travel insurance is recommended and decided that it would be a necessary cost.  Luckily we got hooked up with World Nomads, which is a provider of travel insurance for organizations like Lonely Planet.  We were a bit skeptical at first but liked their converage and really felt good about the way they communicate- it means a lot to us.  Here is an example of how they describe their coverage:

If you are wildlife-watching in the extremes of Alaska and are attacked by a polar bear, are you covered? It depends. You see, if the bear attacks you while you were watching them as a part of a wildlife safari or trekking, then YES we would cover you (assuming the bear didn't catch you of course), but if you were chasing the bear having had a beer too many the night before and you thought it would be a laugh, er, then NO we wouldn't.

We're happy to have World Nomads as a TwinF sponsor for our travel insurance and, judging from our experience so far, we recommend them to others. We should also disclose that we are also a World Nomads affiliate, meaning that if we point potential customers to World Nomads, we can make a small commission.

Sachi's brother Mark, a super-gadget-geek, is taking care of our dog and house and has hooked up the perfect solution to allow us to get our Amos fix while on the road.  It's a video web cam focused on his bed that we can call "call" into using Skype 2.0.  Only one person at a time can use it, so we can't expose the feed.

We can even hear sound along with the video and if there were speakers, we could talk to him, but we figure that might drive him crazy.  Mark has been using it to watch Amos' movements during the day (he's a sneaky dog).

Mark, can you comment on the set up in terms of what people need to do something similar themselves?  Thanks!

I think we're both pretty jet lagged, which seems to be giving us headaches.  I'm not sure that we'll be partying too much tonight, and I'm not sure we'll even make it to midnight.  Midnight will be 5am in the time zone we're used to, though we're committed to getting on schedule.

To help, Sachi's mom is putting together some homemade sushi and some jook, which is a chinese chicken and rice gruel (comfort food).  Some where along the way, I started calling it "gak", which is now a family joke. 

I'm sure it's no suprise, but in Hawaii, New Years is all about firecrackers. We've already heard a bunch of people lighting the traditional 10,000 firecrackers, which welcomes the good luck for the year.  You have to have a permit to have 5000 firecrackers that costs $25 and does not include the firecrackers. 

I was amazed by this story today.  A hawaiian guy got in the water with a 17 ft. great white shark. That buggah is big. Here is one of the photos:

Photo by Juan Oliphant  

I'm a little more knowledgeable about the islands as of today.  We went to the Bishop Museum, which is all about Hawaiian and Polynesian history, along with a Science Adventure Center.  The museum was in need of a little maintenance, but was well done. I wasn't impressed with the Adventure Center, which is new and more for kids.

            Fake Eruption                                Real Shark Tooth Sword
 

Happy New Years!  See you in 2006

3 time zones down, 2 to go, originally uploaded by LeeLeFever_TwinF.

We're in LAX about to head to Honolulu and I'm wishIng our last moments in the continental US were not spent here. I have no luv for LAX at the moment. This is somehow my first time here.



I fully expect to look like idiots and be confused abroad and I'm sure we will waste the time of locals who know what is going on, but I don't expect it here at home.



First, in order to change concourses, we had to exit security, cross 2 parking garages and go back thru it to make a connection - I'm glad we weren't running late.



Then, in the security line a grown, computer owning, blackberry carrying man was absolutely confounded by the standard security process. Yes, remove shoes, yes, remove jacket, yes, computer out of the bag. I know I will be that person, but it got to me today.



I had no idea, but in LA, sunglasses must improve vision, even indoors and on planes. Apparently Von Zipper glasses work best.



On the bright side, we're leaving behind the winter cold and heading for home cooked teriyaki in lovely Hawaii.



Much Aloha!

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Chicago Bulls, originally uploaded by LeeLeFever_TwinF.

I'm with my bro and nephews Casey and Josh. With cat like prowess we just moved from the upper deck to the 10th row. The Bobcats are up by 9. :)

Merry Xmas, originally uploaded by LeeLeFever_TwinF.

We just wanted to say a quick hello and Merry Xmas from Kernersville, North Carolina, or as us locals might say KernersVegas, North Cakalacky.



We're going to have some fat to work off and we still have 5 days here and a week with Sachi's folks. Fatty boombalatty.

We're in mid-holiday tour in Kernersville, NC, and similar to most families around this time, our tummies are full. Usually after a week with either of our families we fly home with a few extra pounds and a vow to eat less and healthier in the coming weeks.

This time we have almost four weeks of visiting friends and both families which most definitely includes many great dishes and large meals. Will we start the vow in New Zealand this time?

I think I'm taking Lee with me on a long walk around the Koi ponds today. I can already smell the sweet aroma of pecan pie in the kitchen - one of Lee's favorites. Have a wonderful Christmas day...