When we moved into an actual house 10 days ago we had to leave our matresses behind, I've been sleeping on an air matress with the missus and K on the floor with my sleeping bag. No furniture. The kitchen is well stocked thanks to some fore thought on J's part.
We went to Smith's Trading Co. yesterday to look for whatever we could find. This place is great, it's just a big warehouse filled with mattresses and stoves and chairs and all manner of things from hotels. When hotels upgrade their furniture the upgrade ALL of it, somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 rooms. That's 200 beds, chairs, mini fridges, tables and TVs. Sure they're scuffed from years of people not caring about them but they still work just fine and they're a steal compared to buying new.
We scored 3 chairs, 4 tables and 2 mattresses. It's a really nice upgrade from an air mattress to a king. Now our house looks like a hotel room. No room service though :/
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Moving again
We found a house with a month to month lease and I've been working on getting the right money to the right person but that right person isn't making it terribly easy.
He told me to send a check for the deposit and 1st month's rent. I asked him who should I make it out to and where should I send it. He didn't respond but all his emails have a link to the realty company at the bottom so I checked their site.
I sent the check to the company at their address. A few days alter I find he doesn't actually want the check sent there. He wants it sent to this new address. Fine, canceled original check for $25 fee and cut a new one to the new address this time with $14 fee for express mail to guarantee next day delivery. A few hours after that's done he writes me that the check needs to be made out directly to him, not the company.
Three checks have been mailed so far. None of them valid.
It's Friday, we're supposed to move in on Sunday.
It doesn't help that he lives on another island or that he went on vacation for a week while he was waiting for the check.
He told me to send a check for the deposit and 1st month's rent. I asked him who should I make it out to and where should I send it. He didn't respond but all his emails have a link to the realty company at the bottom so I checked their site.
I sent the check to the company at their address. A few days alter I find he doesn't actually want the check sent there. He wants it sent to this new address. Fine, canceled original check for $25 fee and cut a new one to the new address this time with $14 fee for express mail to guarantee next day delivery. A few hours after that's done he writes me that the check needs to be made out directly to him, not the company.
Three checks have been mailed so far. None of them valid.
It's Friday, we're supposed to move in on Sunday.
It doesn't help that he lives on another island or that he went on vacation for a week while he was waiting for the check.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Surfing
There are a brazillian websites devoted to the best beaches in Hawaii. I'm just starting to learn to boogie board and I've found two beaches that have the waves for it near Hilo. First is Richardson's Beach and the second is Honoli'i. Richardson's is the most well rounded of any of the beaches I've been to. It has snorkeling, wading, sun bathing, a grill, showers, and waves for body boarders. Even has a small beach for kids to play in. If you're in a group with mixed interests regarding a beach, Richardson's is the place to go.
The only down side to body boarding at Richardson's is that in the middle of the wave break there are a few big rocks. During high tide you can only see them as a wave goes past. There's intimidating and you don't want to get caught on a wave headed towards them. It happened to J and I and it was pretty scary stuff. We made it with only a few scrapes.
Honoli'i is a famous beach for surfing. It's about the only thing you can do there, the beach is mall and full of rocks. The surf is outstanding. It's perhaps not the best place to learn to surf as there is always a crowd and the waves can get pretty big if you don't know what you're doing (like me).
Both beaches are within biking distance of Hilo.
The only down side to body boarding at Richardson's is that in the middle of the wave break there are a few big rocks. During high tide you can only see them as a wave goes past. There's intimidating and you don't want to get caught on a wave headed towards them. It happened to J and I and it was pretty scary stuff. We made it with only a few scrapes.
Honoli'i is a famous beach for surfing. It's about the only thing you can do there, the beach is mall and full of rocks. The surf is outstanding. It's perhaps not the best place to learn to surf as there is always a crowd and the waves can get pretty big if you don't know what you're doing (like me).
Both beaches are within biking distance of Hilo.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
We'd Like To Thank Our Sponsors
So I, at least, got a lot of information off the internet before hopping on out here. I just wanted to share a few of the sites that were particularly helpful or encouraging to me.
Aloha Friends' move-to-hawaii guide - very helpful
KonaWeb - very helpful
theStateOfHawaii.com - a little helpful
Aloha Friends' move-to-hawaii guide - very helpful
KonaWeb - very helpful
theStateOfHawaii.com - a little helpful
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Foodening
There are a number of places to get groceries in Hilo. We started shopping at the KTA but now I shop at the Sac n Save because they're a full size market with cheaper prices and they're a couple blocks closer. Sac n Save also has one of those handy loyalty cards which can knock of %30 of the prices sometimes.
A couple of days ago we finally found the local fish market, Suisan. It sells fish caught by local fisherpersons. If you're not too picky about the cut of fish you can find some very cheap steaks. We got two Mahi steaks for about $8.
There's the Hilo Farmer's Market on the corner of Kam Ave and Mamo Ave. You can find grapefruits as big as your noggin, sushi made with spam, and 6 papayas for $1.
A couple of days ago we finally found the local fish market, Suisan. It sells fish caught by local fisherpersons. If you're not too picky about the cut of fish you can find some very cheap steaks. We got two Mahi steaks for about $8.
There's the Hilo Farmer's Market on the corner of Kam Ave and Mamo Ave. You can find grapefruits as big as your noggin, sushi made with spam, and 6 papayas for $1.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
recycled bicycles
This is about finding a bike in Hilo.
I highly recommend Da Kine Bike Shop. The owner is on vacation right now and the guy that's been working there in his off hours, John, has just been incredible. K and I bought bikes for $250 with a 30 day warranty. My bike had a few problems which were unforeseeable until I started riding, and I wreck my gear. From computers, clothes and my body, I destroy everything. So this bike. Anyway, John fixed my bike and told me some maintenance tips for the future. The guy is outstanding.
I highly recommend Da Kine Bike Shop. The owner is on vacation right now and the guy that's been working there in his off hours, John, has just been incredible. K and I bought bikes for $250 with a 30 day warranty. My bike had a few problems which were unforeseeable until I started riding, and I wreck my gear. From computers, clothes and my body, I destroy everything. So this bike. Anyway, John fixed my bike and told me some maintenance tips for the future. The guy is outstanding.
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