KIRIN CHUI-HI

Strange carbonated sake with lemon juice. Nevertheless enjoying it in Tokyo.

My $650 Photo Story

OK, so good to be home! The entire trip was overall really nice and full of different experiences but let me finish updating everyone on the $500 photo - now worth $650.00.

As one can see from the photo posted, it's just a shot of a stage at an empty , small, amusement park, not far from our hotel, on the side of the street.

As we were making our way to the Familia Sagrata, and just 5 minutes from the hotel, we came upon this area and I stepped off the sidewalk to take this photo. At the same time, a man approached Zakka and my Mom on the sidewalk asking for directions. I went over there and he was first speaking in Spanish then English. He said he is Italian and was trying to find his way to somewhere. Of course we told tim we are not from there and did not know where he was trying to go. In the mean time, 2 men appeared out of nowhere, flashed some sort of badge and told us in english that they were undercover narcotic officers and sort of guided us back into the Amusement ground. First they told us that there are lots of drug dealers and users in the area, be careful, don't carry anything flashy however he wanted us to show him our passports and how much money we were carrying. At that point, the only thing that flashed through my brain was National Geographic Locked Up Abroad scenario, and of course being only the first day in Barcelona, we were totally jet lagged and can hardly comprehend what's happening. Also we are law abiding citizens, so I took out my passport, showed it to him and my money. They checked everyone's passports and money and gave everything back. At this time, the man asking for direction was mumbling on about how he was only carrying a couple of $20 bills (of course later on we thought it was strange an Italian was carrying US $). Then they gave us the speech of being careful in Barcelona, blah, blah, blah and let us go.

As I walked up the hill, suddenly I turned and asked everyone to check all their money. Luckily Zakka and my Mom (who was the smartest, because she left everything in the hotel, only carried a little) were OK, but they took $500 and 100 Euro from me! That's $650!!! They gave me back $11.00

At this point, we ran down the hill and saw a policeman in uniform so we approached him and told him what happened. He wanted us to go to the station and fill out some forms, but we knew that was pointless. He told us that policemen should all be in uniform (however they told us they were undercover) and these people are just after money, and will probably go away if we did not show them our money - not so fast - because after my uncle and cousin came down to meet us the next day from London, they told us so many stories how their friends actually got physically beaten and their money stolen that way.

Now in hindsight, the person asking for direction was part of the gang and we were the marks. And as he was talking about his money, our eye all went that way, and I'm sure that's when they took the bulk of my money. Because up to that point, my eyes were on my passport and money as they were holding them. Can you believe this?! Yes we were very careful about pick pockets, etc, but never thought I actually handed them the money. Wait, this was not the only incident - there's one more the following day - but you have to stayed tuned - will update again.

Needless to say, that was a huge eye opener to Barcelona. So for those who are thinking about going there - think again. Almost everyone we know now who's being there, something happened to them or someone they know.

So that photo is worth some $$$

Sagrada Familia

Well, after I've been conned $650.00, we had to continue our walk up the hill to the famous Sagrada Familia. What a site. But because it's always in a constant state of construction, the cranes really were an eye sore. The original, older side was far more interesting than the new, modern side.

My $500 Barcelona Photo

Story to follow, stay tuned.

Yellowtail's New Spot with Makoto & Sayumi

Dropped off my little boy this afternoon with Makoto and Sayumi. He is also on vacation for 3 weeks from us!

My Favorite Won Ton

Wor Won Ton at Duk Kee in Kaimuki. Yummy.

Goo Bear and Friends

I sent my Goo Bear and Friends today to the custom Yoka Bear Show by DKE Toys. Isn't he something!

Mai Tai

Ocean Club HIFF Party

Apple Crumb The Counter Burger

Ajumma won!

Ajumma Are You Krazy? won Video On Demand Award at HIFF!

Governor's Reception

Governor Lingle, Chuck Boller, Rick Kinsel and the honored film makers.

Meet the Film Makers

I was expecting food but this was it.

Ajumma

Premier night for Ajumma at HIFF. Wonderful pre screening party by Brent Anbe - our wonderful director - and the short film was the BEST! Great job everyone. Here is a photo of the entire cast of Ajumma.

Q'orianka Kilcher as Princess Ka'iulani

Q'orianka Kilcher

HIFF Halekulani Event

Yellowtail's Annual Checkup

He is doing so well - 41 grams - all wrapped up for his check up and a pedicure!

Noku

The dog at our shoot this afternoon - look at his unusual eye.

Good to Grill

Out of the Bat Cave

Raining Night

Day in the studio

Blooming Rose

Tweetup

My first time at Tweetup, this time hosted by Good to Grill - wonderful food, people and event. These are die hard twitterers. Many good prices given away and can't believe it, I won a 4 night stay at Las Vegas Hilton! Now I just have to get over there! Thank you Nadine for the invite.

Oh why the shot of these big cups - the only cups we can find to enjoy our wine with. It can probably hold the entire bottle content.

New Shorter Cut

Hey it's all good - I still have hair!

Vintage Collectible Show

Yellowtail's 1st Birthday!

We can't believe it's been a year since my little Yellowtail came into our life - he is quite a grown up big boy now and we enjoy him each and every day. We celebrated his day with a delicious peach cake.

New Miao Tote

Canoes on the road.