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How’s Gardnerville Goran? Are you still loving it?
I bought 40 acre parcel just outside of Gardnerville. Planning to build little cabin with kids there.
What do you think Goran? Are planing to stay there? Or are you planing to move eventually. Or is this a really place you call home?
I'm talking new towels EVERY morning
I remember a time the health department would shut them down if a Motel 6 didn't give you fresh Towels every day.
Yes I agree! Let's hope it won't be ruined by that. I like zoning on my property. 1 Single family home residence per 20 acres :)
Yes that's correct. Lots of guns there. Virtually no crime at all.
Yes that's correct. Lots of guns there. Virtually no crime at all.
Would Goran go back again? More than likely. I actually did look at 3 properties with an agent while I was on Oahu. The real estate prices are extremely high. We're talking 1 bedroom condos being listed for over $500,000. I can't help but think it might be worth it though to own a piece of property in an area that is literally built for relaxation and recreation. I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time, and it's a feeling that I definitely want to experience again.
I'm surprised they don't have trannies in grass skirts trying to kiss every male that steps off the plane and put a lay around their neck made out of plastic dildos.
Oh I'm thinking about Key West.
Going to be honest and am genuinely not trying to be a dick. A little underwhelmed by the photos. Have plans to do Hawaii when SW gets their route going. You've actually made me concerned about those plans now. Sounds like there's stuff to do, but there always is in any tourist destination.
The photo with the bus and those high rises reminds me of a tropical Soviet Union. 1 and 3 don't seem any better then a Miami or Panhandle of FL with 6 hours of less travel for me. And yes, before the troll train comes out, I know it's only 5 photos. And yes, I appreciate Goran taking the time to post this. Seriously.
Any reason you didn't do a house (VRBO, AirBnB, etc)? The 2nd to last photo is the stuff I like. Great views, less people. I've always found the house to be a better value, albeit I haven't rented one in Hawaii, so maybe it's different there and I know you kind of said fuck it for this trip and maybe a hotel was easier. No issue either way, just wondering.
Maybe the Big Island for you
Of course Waikiki still has its selling points
Just FYI, I don’t know if you got over to the east side of Oahu, north of Waianae. Most tourists don’t go there because the road dead ends and also it’s considered the rough neighborhood.
I think the rough aspect is overblown and I’ve lived in way more dangerous parts of Los Angeles. It’s where I’d live if I moved to Hawaii as it’s more relaxed and less crowded. And
Any reason you didn't do a house (VRBO, AirBnB, etc)?
Of course Waikiki still has its selling points
My wife had two requirements, had to have views of Waikiki, and short walking distance to Waikiki sand. Waikiki is pretty much dominated by large hotels on the sand.
Maybe the Big Island for you
I spent two weeks there and decided to kind of go all out. Back in the day, I'd be okay with getting some dingy studio in some run down motel on Ala Moana. This time, with a little bit more change in the pockets, I decided to get a Hilton Penthouse right on the water. The views did not disappoint. Service was top notch. I'm talking new towels EVERY morning, macaroons on the pillows, and a toilet scrubbed clean and shiny. I have no complaints.
Walking around Honolulu, I notice a lot has changed. While the city is unquestionable nestled in the bosom of one of the most beautiful areas on the planet, it's undeniably become a city where there are haves, and have nots. Spending time at the International Market, you get to see the one of the biggest Saks Fifth Avenue stores I've seen outside of New York, yet mere 50 yards away, homeless are sitting in a circle, eating discarded food from the trash can, on the streets asking for spare change. It's not as bad as Anchorage, Alaska which I visited last year where you could clearly see the social fabric of Anchorage scarring the city. The blight wasn't obvious, more "under the table" if that makes sense. It just felt weird walking into a store selling $2,500 purses, then walking out and seeing a group of people snacking on half eaten rice bowls.
That being said, the water during my trip was amazing. I'm talking about warm enough to bathe in. I've spent time at the best beaches in the world, from Malibu, to Ko Samui, but Waikiki was just so warm, clean, and inviting. I spent hours a day swimming, enough that my shoulders were sore after 2-3 days. I even did some snorkeling around the island, and the fish are totally not scared of you. You can swim within feet of them, and they'll swim around you like you were another fish. Awesome. I did get burned the first couple of days. Apparently you should re-apply sun block every hour or so, not apply once and then swim for 3 hours. So as a result, Goran is sporting a decent island tan now.
I rented a nice SUV (Chevy Tahoe), and drove around the island seeing as many places as possible. One thing you'll notice about Oahu is that even though the temps are in the 80-90 degree range, you're not suffering. The reason is because the constant pleasant trade winds wash away the sweat, and you're never suffering or dripping wet from sweat. Still I'd recommend shorts and short sleeves. We explored North Shore, which is kind of like a country/farming area of Oahu. Got to eat Giovanni's Garlic Shrimp (of Food network fame), and it was worth the drive. The island is roughly 30-35 miles across, and honestly, with light traffic, you can drive around the entire island in less than 3 hours. One thing you'll notice is the really artificially low freeway speed limits, we're talking 50 MPH on the main highways. But part of that is because the freeways are very poorly designed. The on ramps don't seamlessly flow into traffic, it's more like short abrupt ramps that have you screaming for your life hoping some huge semi doesn't cream you as your enter the freeway.
That being said, driving around the island is undeniably scenic.
I went on a few boat cruises, ATV guided tours, and even did some attempted surfing (I caught MAYBE 1 wave out of 20). I can see the appeal of Hawaii as a family vacation spot. There is so much to do, the weather, for the most part, is always pleasant, and the people are friendly. I didn't experience the outright "Haole" hostility, maybe because my wife isn't white, but people were super friendly. So that was nice.
I did a lot of eating. One thing you'll notice is the seafood at every restaurant is fresh as fresh can be, I guess they have no excuse. My favorite place ended up being a place called Marukame Udon. It's a place that sells Japanese type udon noodles, and you pick tempura to put on top of your noodles. The price point is decent (under $12), and you get a good meal for the price. That being said, Oahu isn't cheap, and expect to pay 30-40% more for everyday food items (cans of coke, bags of chips, etc). Everything is afterall, shipped to the islands.
Would Goran go back again? More than likely. I actually did look at 3 properties with an agent while I was on Oahu. The real estate prices are extremely high. We're talking 1 bedroom condos being listed for over $500,000. I can't help but think it might be worth it though to own a piece of property in an area that is literally built for relaxation and recreation. I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time, and it's a feeling that I definitely want to experience again.