Araxi ~ Whistler

Araxi is almost a restaurant that doesn't need introduction. Located in the Whistler Village, Araxi is one of best known fine dining restaurants in Whistler and, as of 2011, has won Vancouver Magazine's Gold Award for Best Whistler Restaurant 10 times in a row. Araxi has released its own cookbook and has won critical acclaim for using local ingredients and fashioning them into wonderful new dishes. This particular meal especially holds a particular sentimentality for me, because when I made the reservation for two at Araxi, boyfriend and I were celebrating our two year anniversary. 

I've been lucky enough to have a tradition of going to Araxi ever since I was little. However, the restaurant has certainly changed quite considerably since my initial meal there. Araxi has been remodeled several times with the addition of a large bar area, oyster bar, and an expansion and modernization of the dining area. The main color schemes have stayed the same: rich dark browns, contrasted with custard yellows, and mirrored surfaces. Since it was Christmas, the entire restaurant was decked out in Christmas lights and pine wreathes. It made for a wonderfully sumptuous holiday setting for both the eyes and the palette. 

Boyfriend and I wanted to go "all out" for our second anniversary, especially because we only see other twice a year. Long distance relationships are terrible, but the silver lining to this grey long distance relationship cloud is that we have a larger budget for our date. Since we only go on like two a year. I get to spend half a year planning for an awesome night. =) Optimism! 

Although there was a tasting menu, specially made for Christmas, my boyfriend and I opted to create our own menu by individually ordering appetizers, mains, drinks, and desserts. Overall, the meal was wholly enjoyable, well paced, delicious and fun. Although Araxi is listed as a fine dining restaurant and its price point only bolsters the fine dining vibe, I feel that the atmosphere is much more casual. Often in fine dining restaurants there's a sort of sharp, mechanical, efficiency that come along with Michelin Stars and awards. In Whistler, the waitstaff are courteous, uniformed, and polite, but at the same time the atmosphere of Araxi has more of the casual hustle and bustle.

One thing that especially caught my boyfriend's attention was the oyster bar and the selection of oysters. So fresh and lovely! A must try if you dine at Araxi.  

Eating at Araxi is like getting a hug from a classy, old friend. You get the fine dining experience without feeling boxed in or awkward. I'll be honest. I really like it here. The menu is expansive and covers appetizers, meats, seafood, and pastas. I always have a very difficult time deciding what I'm going to eat when I dine here. I'm a glutton....I want everything. Well, I'm sure you'll get the picture after you see pictures of the meal. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but I hope you enjoy!

Travel Tips and Outfits from Waikiki

I'm a chronic over packer. It's been one of my overarching life goals to tame the raging "Boy Scout" in me that shouts "Always be prepared!" After all, when going away for a week, one does not need a completely different ensemble for everyday. At least...the ones that pay for luggage handling costs. It's expensive to travel now! I'm sure we've all seen pictures of celebrities with trunks upon trunks of clothes and accessories all ready to be loaded onto their private jets.

Driving Up From the Seattle Airport

In all honesty, I would rather put that money somewhere else...either towards admissions to a museum, souvenirs, or possibly even....more clothes? Hahaha. Well what I want to do with you guys it to share some of my new "packing rules" for a more streamlined and efficient me. 

Oscar has been here since the first time I came to Hawaii at 4. Sorry for the petrified look as well, he just squawked really loudly!

Golden Rules!

1. Always leave room in your suitcase just in case. Even if you swore you weren't going to buy anything this trip, who knows? The extra space will come in handy. 
2. When packing, roll your clothes! It saves more space than folding. =) 
3. When you start packing make sure you put your heaviest and bulkiest things on the bottom of your suitcase. That way you know how much wiggle room you have when you transfer your essential items in. 
4. Don't be afraid to re-wear items of clothing! I re-wear my jeans often. In fact, I often bring more tops than bottoms. 
5. Make "smart" choices, don't pack dry-clean only everything. >< You never know when life is going to have those "OOOPS STAIN" moments.
6. Make sure to bring pragmatic toiletries. Instead of having three palettes of eye shadow, think about nail clippers, tweezers, bandaids, and Neosporin.  
7. Pack for about half your trip! For example, if you're gone for a week, pack for about four days. I always also bring a "classy" piece that can be dressed up or dressed down. You never know when you're going out for a fancy dinner! Be prepared! (Uh oh....the boy scout me came back. =__=) 
8. One of those important, but often forgotten rules, is to understand the luggage restrictions the airline that you're flying imposes on its passengers. 

Anyway, I'm sure these "rules" will shift and change as I gain more travel experience. You should also feel free to comment whatever packing rules or tips of your own. I'm always eager to learn from other people! I think travel should definitely be stress free. Sometimes there are factors that you can't control, i.e. delayed flights, lost luggage, fluid restrictions, baggage fees, etc. etc., but you might as well make the factors you can control stress free and easy. So start with your luggage. =D That way your perfectly packed luggage will be your island of peace in the sea of travel rage some people experience.

Nothing special, really. I think that in general I like pretty simple things. >< My style is pretty streamlined. I hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading. Happy travels!

+Love

Thoughts From Places: Waikiki

Some weeks ago in October, when my midterms had abated and seasonal depression had set in, my lovely mom and dad decided to take me on a spur of the moment trip to Hawaii...more specifically Waikiki. What lovely parents right? I'm blessed. =) My family and I have a long history of going to Hawaii, but I haven't been in over a decade. 

Surprisingly, not much has changed. Somehow Waikiki managed to stay almost exactly as how I remember it ten years ago, save a couple of renovations and a couple of new outlet malls, and is still incredibly fun and kitsch at the same time. Waikiki is still filled with salmon pinks, bold flower prints, bright blues, brilliant sunsets, and tanned tourists. I still half expect to see the original cast of Hawaii Five-0 to bust through a wall or run down the street. As with many locales, Waikiki seems to be a city that has been suspended in time...instead of the distant past Waikiki chose to solidly lodge itself in the 70s. 

I think to many individuals, Hawaii is a unique place where indigenous and foreign cultures meet, mingle, and create new things. The indigenous Polynesian culture blends with the foreign seaborne cultures brought in by Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and American immigrants and is most clearly reflected in the cuisine, the people, and perhaps, the infamous "Aloha Spirit." In the Chinatown in Hawaii the street signs are written in both Chinese and English, not a completely alien sight to me...but I think the Hawaiian street name juxtaposed with the traditional Chinese characters was a double take worthy. =)  

To be honest, I don't really have much to say about Waikiki. I love the island and I've been coming here ever since I was a baby. In some aspects, the words Hawaii and Waikiki automatically mean happiness, relaxation and a good time. Getting over a decade of feelings into a single blog post is a bit difficult. Then again, maybe I'm not as articulate as I thought. The atmosphere is certainly touristy, but the absolute level of touristy-ness depends on where you go. You can still find pockets of untouched Hawaii. Personally, I find something endearing about the kitsch. 

I'm still wowed by the character, charisma the beauty the main island of Oahu holds. Coming to Waikiki is always a refreshing and rejuvenating experience when psychologically or physically stressed. The stunning vistas, the warm beaches, and the friendly people always make this particular city absolutely wonderful to visit. The following pictures are just some miscellaneous ones that I liked that didn't fit in anywhere else. =) I hope you enjoy them! 

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Thank you for reading!