Favorites, 2010 (Part 2, Scenes)

The more I pored over my photos from 2010, the more I realized that my most memorable scene photos often involve the following: animals (especially dogs), clothing and motor vehicles, strangely enough. Anyway, here are a few of my favorites form the past year …

"B19" is the name of the adorably cute—and lazy—Hawaiian monk seal that we encountered during a kayaking and snorkeling adventure on Hawaii’s Big Island, near the Captain Cook Monument.

I love the lava-rock beaches that you find on the Big Island. They might not be ideal for sunbathing but they’re certainly beautiful to admire.

Same goes for this fragrant gardenia bloom that I found on the Big Island.

Sunset at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Just-caught mahimahi that I spotted during a stroll in Lahaina, Maui

Hanging ukuleles, also in Lahaina

Two of many motorbikes I’d photograph this year, first in Lahaina …

… Then in Melaka, Malaysia. I couldn’t get over the brightly colored walls.

The Royal Hawaiian is just one of those hotels that makes you feel instantly transported to another time and era. I especially loved this glossy hallway.

Jasmine from the North Shore Cattle Co.—so lovable

More scenic shots from the North Shore Cattle Co. I loved how red the dirt was.

Hanging work clothes from Twin Bridge Farms on Oahu’s North Shore

A chic dress from one of the numerous boutiques that line Haji Lane in Singapore.

Birds swooped right above our heads during a visit to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach, Calif.

This old-school typewriter reminded me of the one that my mom used to teach me how to type.

Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge & Gallery in Costa Rica was simply stunning for a lodge in the middle of the rainforest. Can you believe this is the gallery/lobby area?

During an early (very early) morning quetzal-spotting excursion, a group of horses unexpectedly ran past us on the same dirt road that we were standing on.

Also in Costa Rica, I got to see hummingbirds up close at Trogon Lodge …

… As well as meet the lodge’s resident canine.

Arenal Volcano was simply breathtaking to see, both at night …

… And in the morning.

The cat rescue center at The Springs Resort in Costa Rica was home to some ferocious …

… And playful cats.

The High Line in New York City’s Meatpacking District was a highlight.

I loved nothing more than to kick off my flip flops and lounge in my personal hammock during a press trip to Cozumel in Mexico.

Likewise, this cat felt the same way, albeit in the comfort of a wooden bench, along Singapore’s Haji Lane.

During a nighttime bum boat ride along the Singapore River, I snapped this shot of the brand-new Marina Bay Sands. Sort of resembles a spaceship, no?

Later, during my stay at the Marina Bay Sands, I took in its amazing Sands SkyPark with a view of the city.

No matter where I go, I always find that Chinatown is filled with colorful scenes, from crimson-red lanterns …

… to tchotchkes.

It was actually difficult to spot graffiti in Singapore (big surprise, huh?) so I loved finding this one in an alleyway near Haji Lane.

Singapore’s Boat Quay at night

I loved that this chandelier, from the lobby of Singapore’s Wanderlust hotel, was made with actual vintage Campari bottles.

Melaka is particularly known for its outlandish buggies—and their equally eccentric styles. This one was outfitted with Barbie dolls.

Melaka is also home to rundown, but still standing, fortresses, like this one.

And where else but at Changi International Airport can you waste time in the airport’s very own butterfly garden?

Next up, favorite foods from 2010 …

Favorites, 2010 (Part 1, People)

Looking back on all of the travel experiences that I’ve had this past year, it was difficult to just choose a few photos or memories that stood out as my favorites. So, I decided to break them up into favorite categories, from the people I’ve met along the way and the scenes I’ve captured, to the many (many) foods I ate and the friends I got to share my travels with.

When you travel, you never know whom you’re going to meet—which could be a really good thing or, in some cases, a not-so-good-thing. Lucky for me, I’ve encountered some truly amazing people this past year. For me, each one reminds me of some of the best experiences and stories I’ve had this year …

Take, for instance, Leo from Skyline Eco Tours in Kaanapali, Maui. The man saved my life—well, sort of. When I got “stuck” on the sixth zipline run, Leo bravely came to my rescue, which involved a rather embarrassing straddling maneuver that I wish not to reenact anytime soon. Oh well, to Leo, I am eternally grateful even if I was utterly mortified for the rest of my zipline tour that day.

I had the luck of meeting Mary and Kevin during a Westin Maui Resort & Spa luau. It was clear to all of us at our table that they possessed a honeymooners’ glow but it was only after talking to them that we found out about their remarkable love story—falling in love years ago in high school only to part ways for years and then find each other once again after facing some challenges—and tragedies—along the way. Seeing them so happy that night, dancing just after the rain had fallen, was truly memorable.

Bruce Shimabukuro gave us an impromptu ukulele performance one morning while strolling through the lobby of the Sheraton Waikiki.

During that same press trip, I witnessed a moving art dedication ceremony in honor of Iolani Luahine, one of Hawaii’s most revered and respected hula masters. This was a photo I snapped of Danny Kiaha and Leimomi Mo’okini Lum during the ceremony as they blessed John Charlot’s charcoal portrait of Iolani Luahine which now hangs in the Royal Hawaiian’s lobby.

We got a taste of fresh-from-the-earth asparagus during a tour of various North Shore farms on Oahu.

And on our last day of that trip, thanks to Candice, we feasted at the Kapiolani Community College Farmer’s Market …

... And we weren’t alone.

Just the day before, we saw the same little boy hanging out on the farm at the North Shore Cattle Co.

… Along with meeting the employees who worked at Twin Bridge Farms, purveyors of that delicious asparagus …

… And lots of potatoes.

In Costa Rica, I visited the preserved home of Dr. Alexander Skutch at Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary. It was amazing to see how much reverence and respect that the folks at Los Cusingos still had for Dr. Skutch and his beloved wife.

I totally fell for the amazing handicrafts from this family of artisans in Costa Rica, too.

And how could I forget Valentin, the dog with a heart-shaped mark on his back, and his equally adorable owner?

I also saw lots of cute kids with dancing talent, first in Costa Rica…

… And then in Melaka, Malaysia.

Like a kid, I played in the mud, as did one of my fellow travel journalists in Costa Rica.

And we also made the best of a rocky and rainy cruise to nowhere thanks to the high spirits of my fellow travelers.

I loved our short, unplanned visit to the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple in Singapore’s Little India…

… Along with stumbling onto one of the few shops that sells curry by the kilo…

… And later walking into the bustling commotion of the covered wet market in Singapore’s Chinatown.

In Geylang, also in Singapore, I loved sharing a meal of durian with my fellow travel journalists, even if they didn’t wind up loving durian so much.

They did, however, love Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

And I have a feeling this little boy was a little in love with my camera—or my food—during lunch at Rumah Makan Minang in Singapore.

Also feeling the love was this rock-star senior citizen, performing at the Chinatown Night Market in Melaka, Malaysia.

Last but not least, one of my favorite encounters this year was with Abdul Rahim Haji Hashim (shown here with my cousin Christina) at Villa Sentosa in Melaka, Malaysia. Not only is the man an excellent historian and tour guide but he can also analyze your handwriting—and he’s eerily exact in his assessments, too.

Next up, my favorite scenes from 2010 …