Rule no 1: Remember sharks likes murky water.

Strange feeling when I woke up this morning. The village was almost empty. Everyone waiting for a storm that didn't come. Thought I'd go for a surf, but realized it wasn't a great idea...

The hurricane that became a storm that became a rainy day

So the story goes like this; when I arrived to the island everyone were preparing for a hurricane. Then the hurricane evaporated into a storm and the storm turned into heavy rain. So all in all everyone is happy for the rain now - you can imagine what it would be like if you own a house on the beach having a hurricane approaching - Simon who owns the Surfboardhouse is releaved for sure!

Letter to my followers

Dear friends,

Sometimes I feel a little bit lonely traveling by myself, blogging in front of a squared computer, on the other side of the earth...please help me out. Maybe you have suggestions of places to go, things to do, people to meet...don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here.

:) / Åsa

The Hanalei Surfboardhouse

I'm staying a block from the beach in The Hanalei Surfboardhouse now, which is amazing! I'm in 'The Cowgirlroom' which has some mad "cowgirl" decor with funny posters on the walls, flowery sofas, wooden interior see www.hanaleisurfboardhouse.com. Simon Potts, who's the owner, is a former record company executive from England who thinks he has retired, but really, he built this place and he's running it with a passion.

Old surfboards surround the house and it's truly original. Added to that it's clean and well thought through, including private garden with grill, a fully equipped kitchen, sunscreen and beachbags in the bathroom. It's a must-go if you're going to Kauai, but book well ahead - it's only two rooms...more pics coming up during the day.

Address: 5459 Weke Rd
Location: Hanalei Bay, the North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii
Phone: +1808 826 9825
Web site: www.hanaleisurfboardhouse.com
Room Information: 2 units
Prices: $195 per night (Plus 11.42% Hawaii Tax and a $65 cleaning fee)
Credit Cards: Not accepted
In Room Amenities: TV, DVD, CD, kitchenette, fridge, coffeemaker, free high-speed Internet connection

The Coconut Experience

Marc Beebee's 6-yearold son Kawai just gave me a coconut...

Still no hurricane...

After a solid 7 hours sleep, I woke up this morning with a cat outside the tent - seems to be the theme of this trip. This one is called 'Star' and she doesn't have a blog. She cuddled up with me and after a while I was ready to meet all the spiders outside. Marc already checked the surf, and unfortunately the sea was flat. I guess it's the silence before the storm. The last hurricane - Iniki - that hit Kauai was devastating, it caused around $1.8 billion (1992) in damage and six deaths. This one seems to evaporate though, so hopefully we're 'just' in for a storm. So...instead of surfing I've been blogging all day!

Kauai - Hanalei Bay

Having a tasty ahi tuna burger with a guava smoothie at Hanalei Dolphin in Hanalei Bay.

Hanalei Bay

Spent the day in Hanalei Bay and met up with Marc who's gonna teach me how to surf tomorrow (if the hurricane doesn't hit the island). He's got a really cool house in the djungle, and tonite I'm camping outside his place in a tent (with wireless internet connection!) to get up early for the surf. It's eleven in the evening, grasshoppers singing, the rain making the air humid and it's pitchblack. Can't wait until tomorrow! Nite.

At last I'm back!

I haven't been in Kauai since I was 18 and worked as a poolguard at Hanalei Bay Resort. Ever since then I wanted to go back, but didn't have the time or the money. So, to be here today is almost surreal! I got up 5 this morning and took the flight from LA, five and a half hours later I was picked up at the airport by my friend Julian. What I didn't know is that it's a hurricane approaching the island right now. So this might have been the last day of sun on my Hawaiian visit...so we tried to do as much as we could today - hiking in the djungle, swimming in waterfalls and later in the ocean. I'm nacked now after one hour of sleep last night, so I'll see you tomorrow if I'm not blown away.

The Great Hairday

I went out for dinner the other night with Lori Guidroz and met her friend Jonathan Gale - they're the best colorist and hairdresser in LA. When Jonathan heard about my trip around the world he got really interested, and we started to talk. After a couple of minutes he says 'Can I do your hair?' I didn't get to answer before Lori saved me from embarassement by replying 'Oh Johnny, she can't afford you' (since I can't spend like $ 5000 on getting my hair done). He quickly replied that he wanted to to it as a treat when I was here in LA. And Lori already offered to cut it. I couldn't believe what I heard! They've got clients like Ben Stiller, Orlando Bloom and such...and me. They decided to give me this before I left LA, since they believe in good old fairytales like Cinderella. I never had such good treatment in my life - and yes, I do feel like a princess now!