Hawaii 2019 Day 14: Family Reunion on Kauai

We had an early flight from Honolulu to Lihue. Caroline, Jose and Grace arrived on Kauai when we were on Oahu. Jordan, Liz and Mahea arrived on Kauai the day before us.

Makai was so happy to see his cousins, Grace and Mahea! Kathy hand-made plumeria leis and each of the kids got one.

Shortly after we arrived, Caroline, Jose, Grace, and Kathy went to pick up our relatives who were flying in from Korea! Kathy is the oldest sister. Her middle sister is Young Ok and her sister’s husband is Wi Do. Kathy’s youngest sister is Gum Ok. Kathy’s youngest brother is Sang Myoung and his wife is Youngmi.

 While they were at the airport, Jordan and George were golfing. Dallas, Liz, Mahea, Makai and I went and checked into our rental house. We got a place that was literally a walk through a yard from the family house. It was the historic Ishihara house, which was owned by the family that started the Ishihara Market. I heard that this house was originally in another location, but was moved up the hill quite some time ago.

We stayed at the house with Jordan’s family and Caroline’s family. So 9 people in a 3 bedroom house. It was not too bad, except that there was only one bathroom.

The house was really pretty and the views of the valley all the way to the ocean were AH MAHZ ING.

That night we had a pretty low-key barbecue, just to get to all see each other again and get to know each other. Dallas had not seen his Korean relatives since the 80s, which means that Liz, the kids, Jose, and I had never met them before. It was fun! One aunty kicked George off the grill. He was making bulgogi and she took over :).

Everyone enjoying the barbecue! Dallas, Caroline, Wi Do, Young Ok, Gum Ok, Liz, Youngmi, Sang Myoung.

Kathy’s brother-in-law brought soju from Korea and was really after me to drink it. It was terrible but every time I tried to abandon it, he’s hold it up like and say “soju!” There was a huge language barrier, but they knew a little English and Kathy translated a lot for us. As for the soju, I finally mixed it with POG to get it down! From Korea, they also brought us so many gifts! Hats, necklaces for the girls (Kathy translated that owl is good luck), bracelets and ginseng candy for the guys, and money for the kids (we put Makai’s in his college fund). So so generous!

Kathy and her sisters enjoying the view at the Ishihara House.

Piko Street Kitchen Food Truck

 I came out of Orange Theory and was walking home, past the MiCA towers, when I passed the Piko Street Kitchen food truck. I quick called Dallas and then ordered us a few things to try. I got the sampler, which included one lemongrass chicken taco, one bulgogi ribeye slider and one Chinese 5 spice pork belly bao. The guy working in the truck taking the orders (the owner?) also told me that the Everything Bowl was sort of like bibimbap, so I got that too. It included kimchi fried rice, lemongrass chicken, bulgogi ribeye, Chinese 5 spice pork belly, teriyaki tofu, veggies, and an egg.

We enjoyed sampling everything off the menu and all of the food was decent. We’re not big fans of the towers, but if they want to keep sponsoring delicious food trucks, I’m ok with that.

A Couple More Weeks in Boston

I travelled to Boston for work a bit more the last couple weeks (see previous photos). My projects have changed, so these are my final Boston photos.. for now!


One week I stayed at the W Hotel. This was my view. See the protestors?


I liked this hotel because it was pretty and modern and had Bliss Spa products in the bathroom. Also, the walk to work was really interesting, going through the Theater District and Chinatown.


Emperors Garden Restaurant in Chinatown.


Paramount Theater in the Theater District.


I also liked this hotel because there were many restaurants to pick from very close by. Tantric was an Indian restaurant across the street that I tried. Really good.


I noticed that every restaurant had an allergy warning on the menus. I wonder what brought this on. Even Dunkin Donuts had it.


Some road construction at night.


One thing that sucked about my stay at the W, and this was not their fault, but there was a huge power outage in the city. We didn’t have power for about 7 hours.


Even though it wasn’t their fault, the W Hotel sent everyone a note apologizing for the inconvenience. Also, when I checked in at the W they asked why I was there and I said work. Later on that night the guy that checked me in sent me a hand-written note with two free drink tickets for the W’s lounge so I could try to “escape from work” a little bit. Pretty cool.


I saw this around the corner from my office – Textile District.


One of my Chicago coworkers who travels to Boston often clued me into the food trucks that park a few blocks from the office every single day.


I really enjoyed the Momogoose food truck, which served Southeast Asian food. This is their menu.


Combo A with bulgogi. It looked more like a beef stew, but was very good. I got this a second time the following week and the meat was more like grilled strips like you’d expect from bulgogi.


I love this stuff. Sebastian’s Cafe is in my office building and sold it, so I had a lot of it.


Steinway – I liked this sign


It was in the 70s one day so I walked through Boston Common on the way back to the hotel. Gorgeous.


Another time I stayed at the Westin on the Waterfront. I’ve stayed at the waterfront before so I was a little bit familiar with the area.


The walk to work from the waterfront is a little bit of a hike, but I liked the exercise. On the walk home I’d take a longer way and walk along the harborwalk.


The harborwalk goes by many fishing piers, seafood restaurants, and places to buy fresh seafood.


Barking Crab looked like a popular restaurant, but I didn’t try it. I had something else in mind.


A T station on the harborwalk.


You could take the water taxi from the harborfront to the airport or Faneuil Hall.


I had dinner at Yankee Lobster, a place I’d tried a few years earlier and liked. I also sent Dallas here when he was staying at the waterfront a few months ago.


One other night I walked down the Boston Fish Pier to go to a place called No Name. I still remembered the delicious broiled scallops I had there a few years ago and wanted to get more!


Back by work, this was a T stop by South Station. Very modern. It contrasted a lot to the classic architecture of the train station (behind).


A lunch spot I like – Hot Tomatoes.


One of my coworkers who also was traveling from Chicago has a friend in Boston who told him Charcarero has the best sandwich he ever ate in his life. I don’t know if I’d go that far, but it was a really great sandwich!


My office is on Summer Street. I guess this area used to be the center of wool trade.