Brrr, It's gotten cold around here!

New definition of cold for me: below 85 degrees.

It has been a pretty damn hot summer here in the east coast. Actually, the entire country has been really hot this summer. I know here, in the mid-Atlantic between Philly and NY we had the hottest July on record. The average temperature of the month (averaged between daytime highs and nighttime lows) was 91 degrees F.

This has me a little nervous about Hawaii next week. There temperatures are an eternal 80-85. I'm nervous that I'm going to be cold. Yes I know I sound like an absolute psychopath, but I'm dead serious.

The past few days have been warmer than the average for this time of the year, but honestly 85 never felt so cold. And 75 percent humidity just about makes my skin crack and lips/mucosa membrane bleed.

And Brasil, pfff, that's going to seem like a frozen hell when I arrive in Sao Paulo in Brazilian winter in two years.

My plea: Help me thicken my blood, it's thinner than anything at this point.

PS: Sorry for not posting in a while!

Two weeks till I get the hell outta here!

THANK GOD!

I'm leaving and going to Hawaii in less than two weeks. This is going to be amazing.

The nice breezes, the millions of Japanese tourists, and the mai tais. Too bad I'm not legal.

But anyway, I've been to Hawaii a handful of times before and freakin' love the place. Its very Jurassic Park meets Japan. We are weird so we'll be in Waikiki for 2 days, then we fly to Kauai for 6 days then jet back to O'ahu for another 7. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

For those of you who are planning on going to Hawaii, make sure to stay at these hotels, these are my favorites..

In Waikiki the best options (were we will stay) are the Moana/Royal Hawaiiian and the Hilton Hawaiian Village. They are very different from each other, but both absolutely fantastic. Moana/Royal Hawaiian are both right on Kalakaua Avenue, the Oscar Friere or Garcia D'avila of Honolulu (and consequently right on the beach.) They have great access to everything. The Hawaiian village, while not far from anything, is a little more removed but still within walking distance to Kalakaua. That being said, they have everything you need inside the resort including luxury retailers, awesome Japanese restaurants, and POOLS galore.

In Kauai, stay @ The Saint Regis Princeville. That's our choice. It's a stunning location looking out onto the famous "Bali Hi" view, complete with over 100 cascading waterfalls that flow down the steep cliffs. It is just spectacular, no words to describe it. Google it, It's wonderful.

In Maui (were not going this time...boohoo...but it's actually my least favorite island), stay at the Four Seasons. It's to die for.

On the big island, there is nowhere better than the Hilton Waikaloa Village. It's gigantic, has a man made canal system with boats that transport you from section to section of the resort. If you feel like getting air conditioning while traveling to your room, no problem, they have a electric tram system that takes you there too. They have over 1,000,000 restaurants and bars to chose from, plus POOLS POOLS POOLS and BEACHES BEACHES BEACHES. Just watch out for the sea snakes, which pack a lethal punch (saw a couple in the lagoon and almost stepped on one...that would have ended badly.)

Only drawback with Hawaii is the ridiculous flying time. I mean, Brasil is closer to my house than Hawaii! It will be a long 12 hour flight for sure!

Going to Hawaii only makes me more excited to see Brasil, because the natural beauty that Hawaii has drew me in. I know Brasil has the same natural beauty, but Brasil has the people that melt your heart like Paula Dean melts 45 sticks of butter in her mashed potatoes, while in Hawaii people are largely the same as here.

Brasileiros are the best! Love all of you!

I will update later,

Beijos,
Alex

What Not To Do On A Safari

Very good tip for all of you who are going to do it one day. DON’T follow an elephant very closely.

Church On A High Mountain

This tiny church is located in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia near the city of Chiatura. The church is sitting on pillar of rock that is on a jagged cliff that is 130 ft. in the air. To climb on the top you need to take an old rusty ladder. The cliff that the church is sitting on has been eroded by weather for nearly fourteen centuries.

The Worlds Greatest Gypsum Cave

Take a dive with us into the world’s greatest gypsum cave. Located near Orda village, Ordynskaya Cave is the most extended underwater cave in Russia.

Crab Hunting In Brazil

People do the most unusual jobs in order to make their living. For example, this 39-year-old Brazilian fisherman Jose Benedito spends his days crawling in the mud surrounding mangrove roots on the coast of Para State and hunting for crabs. His job can’t be called a “dream job”, that’s for sure.



Every day, from morning till night, he searches for crabs.



Jose smokes a homemade cigarette to keep away the mosquitos.



The legal season for crab hunting ended at the end of January, so it’s now more difficult than ever to complete his daily task.









Jose’s everyday harvest is around 150 crabs. He sells it for $11 per 100 along a nearby highway. It’s his main source of income for his family.

The Stunning Meera House

Sentose Isand is a tad fancier thanks to a beautiful Meera house created by Guz Architects. The house illustrates how to make the most of space by utilizing two solid walls on each side for privacy while providing access to an ocean view and greenery.