Surfboard is the new Wakeboard

Someone asked about the wakeboard experience I had after we did the skydiving in California. So here it is, note that it's a surfboard - not a wakeboard funnily enough! So it means that the board isn't strapped to my feet, which makes it more similar to wavesurfing than snowboarding, if that makes any sense? It's more pics earlier on the blog too; Surf & Wakeboarding

Lesson I: "How to not carry a surfboard"

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Ok. So I know it looks like peanuts getting this board on your head, right? Nooo! It's heavy as a rock. It's like lifting a boat or something. Totally different from a normal surfboard. The guys in the water are like "Is this for REAL?!?" Any of you that had this experience...?



Lesson II: How to stand up on a board without falling off

Well...since there are no waves to practice the famous pipeline tricks in, I gave it a try with the paddle surf again in Haena Beach on the north shore. It's quite hard to keep the balance when it's windy, but good fun! Definately getting up early tomorrow morning to do this again.

Music: AK von Malmborg 'Silverblonde' www.myspace.com/akvonmalmborg

Terry Lilley

I just ran into the legendary shark filmmaker and marine biologist Terry Lilley at his mariene laboratory and bedroom on wheels (his car...), and he told me how he spends his time on the beach. He's a true hero. :)

Terry is a part of SOS - Save Our Seas - which is an international Hawaii based non-profit organization, utilizing education and research to preserve, protect and restore the world’s oceans for future generations. Check his website here: www.saveourseas.org

Kauai - Camping & Friends

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It's been poring rain again, so I've just been planning ahead, sorting through e-mail, pictures and film material. Here's some pics from the last few days, when I camped at Marc's veranda and his kids Kawai and Sariah + some spiders. Their house is beautifully located at the riverside, just after Hanalei ends.

In general, the north shore is the place to visit if you're going to Kauai. It might be a bit rainy, but usually it's only short showers and the rest of the time it's sunny, lush and gorgeous. The surf is better on the south side summertime, but the best surf is on the north shore wintertime. Go hiking in the nature reserve at the Na Pali Coast, or canoe if you prefere, snorkle at Tunnels beach and hang out at the bars and restaurants in Hanalei. It's as close to paradise you can get - no poisonous snakes or dangerous animals (well, above the sea...), not much traffic and a very private and quiet over all feeling. This is my favourite place on the earth! :)

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!