Keane Li

My Travel ABCs

keane — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:59:12 +0000

Never one to ignore peer pressure, I’ve compiled a list of my travel ABCs below, as requested by superstar blogger Suki.

A – Age you went on your first international trip: 4-years-old, Hong Kong. Must have been wild because I don’t remember it at all.
B – Best (foreign) beer you’ve had and where: All the best foreign beers I’ve had were in San Francisco (thank you, Toronado, La Trappe, City Beer Store). For the sake of this exercise, I’ll say a nice cold Estrella Damm while overlooking Barcelona.
C – Cuisine (favorite): Sushi and Mediterranean cuisine. When they invent a falafel sushi roll, I will have tasted God.
D – Destinations – favorite, least favorite, and why: Venice is unlike anything I’ve seen before. I love the architecture, the canals, testing my Italian with gruff Venetian bus drivers… It’s a mixed tapestry of wonder.
E – Event you experienced abroad that made you say “wow”: There are a lot of cats in Turkey.

F – Favorite mode of transportation: I love walking because you get to know every little bit of a city while toning your buttocks. I also love trains.
G – Greatest feeling while traveling: Freedom and finally finding a restroom when you really need one.
H – Hottest place you’ve traveled to: Thailand. It was so hot I swear I could see the heat.
I – Incredible service you’ve experienced and where: I’m always amazed by staff members on cruise ships. They really love their jobs and it shows.
J – Journey that took the longest: Traveling from Virginia Beach to New Orleans. A misread train ticket had me staying at a hotel overnight in Greensboro. Also: Driving from San Francisco to Las Vegas. So boring. Never again.
K – Keepsakes from your travels: A friend in Rome gave me some delicious pasta and chocolate from a gourmet shop near the Vatican. It’s the best dried pasta I’ve ever had in my life. I just finished it and now I am of the sad.
L – Let-down sight, why and where: Universal Studios Hollywood. Don’t ever go there immediately after Disneyland unless it’s still 1995.
M – Moment where you fell in love with travel: Don’t be silly.
N – Nicest hotel you’ve stayed in: A five-star hotel in Beijing. The bed was huge and I was small and life was good. I recall watching Scream 2 from my room. Less nice.
O – Obsession – what are you obsessed with taking pictures of while traveling and why: Alleyways and people. I also have plenty of shots of graffiti and street art. You get a taste of local culture, politics and humor with street art.

P – Passport stamps – how many and where from: Last one was in Amsterdam. I’ll leave it at that.
Q – Quirkiest attraction you’ve visited and where: The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose. Not far but definitely weird.
R – Recommended sight, event, or experience: Traveling can start the second you step out the door. Find your passion and follow it. Doesn’t matter where.
S – Splurge – something you have no problem forking over money for while traveling: Dinner with friends. A fancy dinner makes a great memory.
T – Touristy thing you’ve done: Arabian Nights in Florida. It’s like a Middle Eastern version of Medieval Times, and together they form the chicken dinner equivalent of the Crusades.
U – Unforgettable travel memory: A request for gay sex in a New York City hotel lobby restroom. It occurs.
V – Visas – how many and for where: I usually use American Express. Kidding! Mastercard.

W – Wine – best glass of wine while traveling and where: It was during the last night of a three-week Mediterranean trip with my family and our family friends from Hawaii. I picked some cheap bottles of wine in a Barcelona grocery shop and we sat in the hotel room drinking it. It was profound because these were the people who raised me as a child, and this was perhaps the first time we hung out as equals.
X – eXcellent view and from where: Staring up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. No photography. No talking. So beautiful.
Y – Years spent traveling: The word “home” still has two meanings for me.
Z – Zealous sports fans and where: When I was checking into a hostel in New York City, the staff member asked where I had just come from. Boston. “You’re not a Red Sox fan are you?” Fearing for my life, I said no.

Thanks for the tag, Suki!

Would love to learn more about the ABCs of the following travelers:

Frolic & Detour – @inlucesco
Foodie International – @foodieintl
Italian Notes – @italiannotes
The Pines of Rome – @thepinesofrome

Becoming a Travel Writer

San Francisco’s Heart of the City Farmers’ Market, City Hall and Civic Center

keane — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:23:05 +0000

I recently wrote a post for the Gogobot Blog entitled, “The Best of San Francisco’s Lower Tenderloin,” where I highlighted my favorite places in the lower half of the TL. I spent the day wandering through the neighborhood, capturing photos for the article and associated guide. Many of the pictures, particularly those of the scenery and the beautiful Heart of the City Farmers’ Market, were unused, so I’m sharing them now.

Here are a few of my favorites.

For the complete collection, visit my San Francisco Civic Center and Heart of the City Farmers’ Market photoset on Flickr or view them in the slideshow here:

The Other Side of the Postcard – Street Art in Venice

keane — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:05:55 +0000

There’s only so much of a place you can get from a postcard. Those little glossy tidbits usually display Photoshopped representations of the “best” of a city. Rarely will you get the daily life or quiet alleys that really exude the soul of a locale.

When I traveled through the Mediterranean, I kept my eye out for street art in each city. What I got was a flavor of the local community, spoken via graffiti and street signs: politics, subversion, apartments for rent and just general mischief. I’ve included, below, my collection of street art photos from Venice. I’ll post shots from other cities—including Athens, Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome and more—as time goes on.

For the complete collection, visit my Street Art in Venice photoset on Flickr or view them in the slideshow here:

The Beautiful Honolulu Academy of Arts in Photos

keane — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:13:04 +0000

Few museums are as peaceful as the Honolulu Academy of Arts. On days of reflection like today (read: too many parties last night), I like to mentally revisit the time spent there, wandering through the courtyards and diving deep into its collection of fine art. It may not compete with the Met or even the Legion of Honor, but it’s beautiful and impressive in its own right. It’s ironic that a place so quiet can instill so much energy inside.

Exploring Classical Art at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor

keane — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:18:11 +0000

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor consistently ranks as my favorite museum in San Francisco. Up in the hills at the far west end of the city, it offers dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay. The architecture of the museum, with its striking courtyard and Rodin’s The Thinker, inspires photographs almost as much as the artwork inside.

Currently on exhibition is Pissarro’s People, an examination of the individuals that inspired French impressionist Camille Pissarro. I particularly liked his depictions of the marketplace. To describe his paintings as “bustling” feels odd, though accurate.

Finally, San Francisco is offered a chance to gaze upon Bernini’s Medusa, on loan from the Musei Capitolini in Rome. What makes this piece particularly unique is how he depicted her as sad and in pain, rather than utilizing the usual monstrous images others would.

For the complete collection, visit my The Legion of Honor – Bernini’s Medusa, Classical Art and Sunset Views photoset on Flickr or view them in the slideshow here:

Exploring Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii

keane — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:16:29 +0000

I recently visited Disney’s new Aulani Resort in Ko Olina, located in a beachside community thirty minutes west of Honolulu. I had been coming to this beach since it first opened when I was a kid, back when the water was absolutely clear and didn’t even sting your eyes when you opened them. The addition of the Aulani Resort definitely makes this area more happening. Free parking is virtually non-existent, though the crowds aren’t anywhere near Waikiki levels. With a lazy river, water playground and a snorkel pool with tropical fish, there’s plenty here to keep kids and adults occupied. And while the Disney presence is existent, it’s not overly expressed.

Good show, Disney.

For the complete collection, visit my Disney’s Aulani at Ko Olina photoset on Flickr or view them in the slideshow here:

Exploring the Big Island – Must-see spots in and around Hilo

The Best Hostels in New York City

keane — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:49:49 +0000

During a party on New Year’s Day, a friend asked if I had any recommendations on hostels in New York City, given I had spent some time there during a backpacking trip down the East Coast several years back. While I had an enjoyable time at the Hostelling International, I couldn’t really comment on the other hostels in the area.

I checked out the New York hostels listed on Hostelworld.com, a search engine I had used extensively for researching my upcoming trip to Rome. I was amazed to see so many great hostels listed (and very happy to see that the HI I stayed in was ranked #2).

Here are the results for highest-rated NYC hostels, according to Hostelworld.com reviewers, with average prices per night:

1.) Urban Oasis, 5 W 31st St., $50

FROM THE REVIEWS: Located in the center of Manhattan. Private rooms with shared bathrooms. Bright and clean. Nice lounge area and friendly staff.

2.) Hostelling International, 891 Amsterdam Ave., $38

FROM THE REVIEWS (AND ME): Competent staff and nice lounge area. Cafe located in lobby. Two blocks from the Subway and right next to Central Park. Rooms accommodate 6-12 people; exciting (for better or worse). Good facilities.

3.) American Dream Hostel, 168 East 24th St., $62.50

FROM THE REVIEWS: Clean and cozy rooms. Sink and TV in each room are a great convenience. Delicious breakfast. Near the Subway and a short walk from Union Square. Great service. Private rooms available for $82.50.

4.) The New York Loft Hostel, 249 Varet St. (Brooklyn), $28

FROM THE REVIEWS: Nicely renovated loft building. Voted #5 hostel in the US in 2010. Close to the Subway in hipster Brooklyn. Private rooms available starting from $40 with shared or private restrooms.

5.) Broadway Hotel n Hostel, 230 West 101 St., $44

FROM THE REVIEWS: Clean rooms and bathrooms. Two blocks away from the Subway and close to Central Park. Private rooms except for dorms available for two female travelers. Private bathrooms available too.

Disclaimer, yo: This is a post sponsored by the fine folks at Hostelworld.com, who only asked that I check out their service again. All opinions, however irrelevant, are my own, and thus apologies for errors come straight from me.

A Tribute to New York City

The Beauty of Honolulu International Airport

keane — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:12:14 +0000

I spent the past ten years of my life arriving and departing “home” with Honolulu International Airport. The most difficult time I had leaving Oahu was during the end of my first winter break of my first year in college. Having to leave family and familiarity was particularly hard, but the gardens in HNL served as a mild comfort.

While HNL may not be the most updated of airports, it exudes a quiet elegance that I hope these photos can demonstrate.

For the complete collection, visit my Honolulu International Airport photoset on Flickr or view them in the slideshow here:

Christmas in Paradise – The Honolulu City Lights

keane — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:57:26 +0000

Merry Christmas! Here are a few photos I took during the past week exhibiting what Honolulu looks like during the holidays…

For the complete collection, visit my Christmas in Paradise – Honolulu City Lights photoset on Flickr or view them in the slideshow here:

Exploring the Big Island – Must-see spots in and around Hilo

keane — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:40:39 +0000

It’s surprising that though I grew up on Oahu, it wasn’t until last Friday that I took my first trip to the Big Island. My expectations were met, as the island is as beautiful as popular media makes it sound. It is the land of Pele, the vengeful goddess of lava and lightning (not to be mistaken with the soccer player), and the birthplace of King Kamehameha I, the great uniter of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In other words, it is the archetypal capital of the islands.

If you arrive at Hilo Airport (ITO) early in the morning like me, you owe it to yourself to grab a bite at Ken’s House of Pancakes, a 24-hour diner serving up local favorites with friendly service. I like how we got the smirk and approving smile when we added kimchi to the Portuguese sausage omelet. (This is Hawaii, after all.) Their great selection of local pancakes come up lilikoi, guava and coconut syrups. Nom.

After a hearty breakfast and lots of coffee, I spent an hour wandering downtown Hilo, a small collection of stores and businesses along two main streets. Hilo Bay could be seen across a major roadway separating me from the water. The Hilo Farmers Market was one of the only businesses open at the time, a friendly place where I acquired no fewer than nine local papayas for only $2.

For a pre-hike snack, we stopped by Big Island Candies for some free samples of their delicious Hawaiian shortbread cookies and desserts. The place is inviting, with friendly people and a clean bathroom, and you get a chance to see their factory staff at work. Each cookie is individually hand-dipped into chocolate. Correspondingly, their gift boxes are quite expensive.

As noontime approached, we visited the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I had high hopes of seeing brilliant red magma, however this wish would not be fulfilled as the areas close to lava were sectioned off for safety. I did get the opportunity to see endless fields of volcanic rock, inhale dangerous sulfur dioxide, explore the Thurston Lava Tube and gaze upon the magnificence of the Kilauea Caldera.

The view of Kilauea from the vantage point at Jagger Museum affects much like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls: nature punches you in the face with expansiveness. The area is simply as big as it is barren. It’s easy to understand why the early Hawaiians thought of Pele as an angry goddess, as her pet volcanoes seem to cause devastation all around. The area resembled a backdrop from a post-apocalyptic film. Serving as a contrast to the lush vegetation we had just visited, I quickly realized the volcano’s primal relationship with life and death.

Or maybe all the sulfur was making me dizzy…

In the afternoon, we drove up to the Akaka Falls State Park. The $5 parking fee was easily avoided by parking outside the gates only a few feet away. The entrance fee of $1/person was well worth the beautiful walking loop of streams, beautiful bamboo and waterfalls. Akaka Falls itself rises as high as 422 feet, providing a grand conclusion to the casual hike.

Concluding the day was a dinner at Hilo Bay Cafe, a surprisingly good restaurant located in a strip mall between Ross and Walmart. They use local ingredients and have a great drink menu from cocktails to local and craft beers. Mehana Brewing’s Hawaii Nui Hapa Brown Ale was the perfect end to the day.

The Big Island is rightly nicknamed, as it takes over two hours to cross from one side of Hawaii to the other (from Hilo to Kailua-Kona). As we landed at Hilo Airport and only had a day to spend, we were unfortunately unable to make it out to Kona or Waimea (for visits to the Kona Brewing Company and Merriman’s Restaurant, respectively). If I ever find myself back out on Hawaii, I’ll surely make an effort to visit these towns.

For more photos, view my complete set of photos from the Big Island or watch the slideshow here: