what’s going on? there have been so many natural disasters recently. it’s a weird feeling for me because i’ve actually been to all these places. it kind of makes me think…..

this is the Ambacang Hotel in Padang, Indonesia before the earthquake. it’s so weird because i passed by there twice this year. this is a hotel where a lot of surfers stay right before or after a mentawai boat trip….

and this is the Ambacang Hotel now. sad. i heard that yesterday there were trapped hotel guests still texting their relatives saying that they are trapped under the rubble. i hope they can find them soon…. there were a few surfers staying there but got away safely….

then this is the Salani Resort in Samoa where i stayed before. that bungalow was kinsan’s and my room. i heard that there is no Salani Resort anymore. the tsunami completely wiped out the whole resort…. sad….

this was the aftermath in samoa. i don’t even want to think what would happen if a tsunami hits hawaii. i get the chills.
**all i can say is to live a happy life. i don’t think any one of the thousands that died in these natural disasters ever thought that’s the way their lives will end….
**and last, somebody asked me if i will ever go to samoa or the mentawai’s again. the answer is yes. i love to travel and know that these are the risks. certain things in life you just can’t predict and if you think about it, no where in the world is safe. if it’s your time, it’s your time no matter where you are. so take a vacation, travel, and enjoy life….

@ Kewalo’s…. Hawaii Saiko!!!!

good morning. 10:15am and i had the best sleep i’ve had so far this year. i think i over slept because my eyes still can’t open. gosh, nothing beats your own bed. well, i’m looking at the waves now and it looks pretty fun. chest high with light off-shore winds. 30 guys are at bowls, 80 or so at the park. it’s sunday so shikataganai. i’ll probably go jump in kewalo’s and surf with my nephews. or should i go back to sleep? umm… both sounds good… anyway, have a great day!!!
recently, hundreds of people died in the tsunami in samoa, thousands in the earthquake in indonesia, and hundreds in the floods in the philippines. these are all natural disasters that can’t be helped. if your at the wrong place at the wrong time, it’s your time to go. but the thing that is bothering me recently is the poor japanese girl that got raped and killed in bali by the fake policeman. could that have been prevented? maybe so. first of all, coming home at 2:30am in bali isn’t safe, especially for women. bali isn’t as safe as people think. i wouldn’t advise any woman or women to go out partying at night in third world countries. i’ve heard too many stories of robberies, rapes, and drugging by someone puting something into your drink. if something happens in these countries, you just have to pick up the pieces and go back home with a lifetime scar. the police? no, they won’t come. and if they do, they won’t do anything. traveling is fun but you always have to be very careful. japanese are really trusting people and everybody knows that. that’s why the bad people try to take advantage of that….
so here are some tips for women traveling to third world countries.
1. don’t go out at night.
2. stay at a respected hotel with 24 hour security.
3. never travel alone.
4. never trust anyone, including policemen.
5. never accept a free drink. and watch out for people slipping drugs into your drink.


i took this photo outside of a club in bali a few years ago. you walk in and will find hundreds of people cramped into a dark club, drinks everywhere, girls everywhere, and guys just waiting for the right chance. yeah, the balinese people are the nicest people. it’s the outsiders that come in from other islands in indonesia that take advantage of tourists. i’ve seen it before and it’s not pretty. i think i told this story before but 10 years ago as i was making my way back to my hotel in kuta late at night by myself, this transvestite came out of nowhere and wanted some of me. i said “no way” but he didn’t want to take no for an answer. i ran my fastest and he was right behind me trying to take me down with his purse. i got away but keep on thinking “what if he caught me?” i don’t even want to think what would have happened…..
the the bottom line is: travel safe and be very careful. don’t trust anybody. not even policemen or taxi drivers. they are the worst. stick together and go back to your hotel early. and always watch around you. i’m not saying not to go to bali because that kind of thing can happen anywhere in the world. travel safe!!!