O, Paradis!
3 July 2006
Nicole and I feel much better this morning. Last night we ate dinner at Roy's in Hawaii Kai. We went Waimanolo way, instead of going on the Pali, which took us by a sacred spot on the island. This spot of which I speak is of course the Robin's Nest, or the so called Robin Master's Estate from Television's Magnum P.I.
Anyway, dinner at Roy's was delicious, despite the fact that we are recovering from our quick stomach illness. We started off with a delicious Spanish Sparkling White and a wonderful Waimanalo Micro Greens salad. I had an amazing pan seared Ahi and we shared a delicious "Strawberry Shortcake Deconstructed". It was a wonderful end to the day.
Nicole and I began today grateful for regular and healthy bodily functions, in light of our succinct bout with Mr. Montezuma and his infamous and unfortunate need for revenge. We both did our requisite vocal warm-ups and worked on some arias and our selections for Micah and Nami's wedding on Sunday. Next it was off to Kamehameha Schools in Kalihi for a rehearsal with the organist for the wedding. For those of you that aren't familiar with Kamehameha Schools, it was founded by Bernice Pauahi Bishop in the latter half of the 19th Century to serve the educational needs of the islands' indigenous population. The campus is perched on an overlook with amazing vistas from Diamond Head to Ewa Beach. We met Nami at Uncle Bruce and Auntie Charmain's house on the Kamehameha campus (Auntie Charmain works for the school) and got to say hello to Noah, the new High School grad. Nami took us up to the Music Building to meet the accompanist. Unfortunately, the accompanist had an emergency on the other side of the island, so there was no rehearsal. It was, however, a good excuse to visit with the impending bride and talk with Auntie Charmain and Noah.
Then it was back to Ala Moana to pick up a tart pan at William Sonoma. You see, this is the exciting lifestyle that constantly surrounds us as Opera singers. After that, we headed over to Kaimana's, our favorite beach. It is technically part of Waikiki, but beause it is on the Diamond Head side of the old War Memorial Natatorium (incidentally, the very same swimming pool where Duke Kahanamoku came to prominence as a world-class swimmer), it is mostly a local hang out. We soaked up some sun and read our books. Nicole is reading a historical novel about Catherine of Aragon and I am reading Paris: The Biography of a City by Colin Jones. They just torched Joan of Arc!
After our sun-soaking session, we headed to one of our favorite spots on the whole island, Waiola Shave Ice on Kapahulu St. Waiola Shave Ice, in my opinion, is far superior to any I have ever had, including the more famous Matsumoto's on the North Shore. Their ice is so fine and their syrups and flavorings are delicious. This is NOT your mainland "snow cone" with its coarse ice chunks and fructose-laden generic flavorings. I hade a large with vanilla ice cream and azuki beans on the bottom and Mango and Lychee syrup with Sweet Li Hing Mui sauce on the top. DELICIOUS!
Our next item on the agenda was a trip back over the Pali and a short stop at Safeway to get some molasses for some molasses ginger cookies that Nicole was making for our dinner at Uncle Johnny and Auntie Paula Wong's house in Kailua. Nicole has been very busy baking for that and for our big 4th of July blow out at Uncle Ned and Auntie Kamaile's house in A'eia tomorrow. She has made two apple pies, a lemon-raspberry tart and a delicious looking and smelling blueberry pie. She is an amazing baker!
Uncle Johnny and Auntie Paula are such wonderful people. Nicole and I had our Hawaii wedding reception in their back yard in 2004. Aunty Paula prepared a delicious Chinese chicken salad (Chinese chicken salad is one of my favorites, and her's is the best I have ever had), Uncle Johnny prepared an amazing beef tomato and a mouth-watering baked uhu, a delicious, buttery fish that was garnished with ginger, onions and various yummies. Dessert was Nicole's molasses ginger cookies and some San Franciso's own Bud's Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream. It was a great way to finish the meal. Then, Uncle Johnny brought out a trio of Scotches to sample as an aperitif. MacCallan 12 year single malt, Laphroaig 15 year single malt and a deliciously smoky 16 year single malt Islay scotch of which the name escapes me. It was a delightful evening.
Nicole and I feel much better this morning. Last night we ate dinner at Roy's in Hawaii Kai. We went Waimanolo way, instead of going on the Pali, which took us by a sacred spot on the island. This spot of which I speak is of course the Robin's Nest, or the so called Robin Master's Estate from Television's Magnum P.I.
Anyway, dinner at Roy's was delicious, despite the fact that we are recovering from our quick stomach illness. We started off with a delicious Spanish Sparkling White and a wonderful Waimanalo Micro Greens salad. I had an amazing pan seared Ahi and we shared a delicious "Strawberry Shortcake Deconstructed". It was a wonderful end to the day.Nicole and I began today grateful for regular and healthy bodily functions, in light of our succinct bout with Mr. Montezuma and his infamous and unfortunate need for revenge. We both did our requisite vocal warm-ups and worked on some arias and our selections for Micah and Nami's wedding on Sunday. Next it was off to Kamehameha Schools in Kalihi for a rehearsal with the organist for the wedding. For those of you that aren't familiar with Kamehameha Schools, it was founded by Bernice Pauahi Bishop in the latter half of the 19th Century to serve the educational needs of the islands' indigenous population. The campus is perched on an overlook with amazing vistas from Diamond Head to Ewa Beach. We met Nami at Uncle Bruce and Auntie Charmain's house on the Kamehameha campus (Auntie Charmain works for the school) and got to say hello to Noah, the new High School grad. Nami took us up to the Music Building to meet the accompanist. Unfortunately, the accompanist had an emergency on the other side of the island, so there was no rehearsal. It was, however, a good excuse to visit with the impending bride and talk with Auntie Charmain and Noah.
Then it was back to Ala Moana to pick up a tart pan at William Sonoma. You see, this is the exciting lifestyle that constantly surrounds us as Opera singers. After that, we headed over to Kaimana's, our favorite beach. It is technically part of Waikiki, but beause it is on the Diamond Head side of the old War Memorial Natatorium (incidentally, the very same swimming pool where Duke Kahanamoku came to prominence as a world-class swimmer), it is mostly a local hang out. We soaked up some sun and read our books. Nicole is reading a historical novel about Catherine of Aragon and I am reading Paris: The Biography of a City by Colin Jones. They just torched Joan of Arc!
After our sun-soaking session, we headed to one of our favorite spots on the whole island, Waiola Shave Ice on Kapahulu St. Waiola Shave Ice, in my opinion, is far superior to any I have ever had, including the more famous Matsumoto's on the North Shore. Their ice is so fine and their syrups and flavorings are delicious. This is NOT your mainland "snow cone" with its coarse ice chunks and fructose-laden generic flavorings. I hade a large with vanilla ice cream and azuki beans on the bottom and Mango and Lychee syrup with Sweet Li Hing Mui sauce on the top. DELICIOUS!
Our next item on the agenda was a trip back over the Pali and a short stop at Safeway to get some molasses for some molasses ginger cookies that Nicole was making for our dinner at Uncle Johnny and Auntie Paula Wong's house in Kailua. Nicole has been very busy baking for that and for our big 4th of July blow out at Uncle Ned and Auntie Kamaile's house in A'eia tomorrow. She has made two apple pies, a lemon-raspberry tart and a delicious looking and smelling blueberry pie. She is an amazing baker!
Uncle Johnny and Auntie Paula are such wonderful people. Nicole and I had our Hawaii wedding reception in their back yard in 2004. Aunty Paula prepared a delicious Chinese chicken salad (Chinese chicken salad is one of my favorites, and her's is the best I have ever had), Uncle Johnny prepared an amazing beef tomato and a mouth-watering baked uhu, a delicious, buttery fish that was garnished with ginger, onions and various yummies. Dessert was Nicole's molasses ginger cookies and some San Franciso's own Bud's Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream. It was a great way to finish the meal. Then, Uncle Johnny brought out a trio of Scotches to sample as an aperitif. MacCallan 12 year single malt, Laphroaig 15 year single malt and a deliciously smoky 16 year single malt Islay scotch of which the name escapes me. It was a delightful evening.
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