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Oh, the places I want to go — in 2013

by on January 13, 2013 in Adventures

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Every January I wait for it, the New York Times’ list of places to visit.

It’s a quick list of cities around the world that are worth traveling to, and I often browse the list during the year as my little escape from deadlines and weekly staff meetings.

Every year I try to pick at least one place on the list to visit. Last year I went to two — Tokyo and Costa Rica. (Space — and yes, it made the list — was out of my price range.)

So this year’s list was just released and on it are 46 must-visit destinations around the globe.

A few standouts that I’m considering: Nicaragua (great surf), Amsterdam (a friend lives there), Singapore and Bangkok (they’ve been on my short list for years), New Zealand (Hawaiian Airlines is starting its route there this year), Washington D.C. (during spring break), and Ireland (just because).

Already been to No. 16 — the Big Island — I can cross that off my list.

Look over the list.

Any fantasy trips you’re taking right now?

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Today’s Happy Shot

by on January 5, 2013 in Adventures, Happy Shots

We’re in Kona this weekend, working on a magazine story and visiting family.

My story took me to North Kohala, where we stumbled upon this little fruit stand. Four tangerines (or lemons or limes) for $1. Honor system. This made me happy. :)

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#CatTravels: Quick jaunt to Hilo

by on December 14, 2012 in Adventures, Food

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Wednesday — 12/12/12 — was a momentous day.

This date won’t happen for another century.

So why not get married?

That’s what my cousin did in Hilo — and our family jumped on a plane and spent 48 hours there.

I’ve always loved Hilo, back when I was majoring in geology and going on weekend field trips to the volcano. I loved the overcast skies, the rain — and the better-than-you’d-think food you can find everywhere.

So whenever I get a chance, I go back — with my list of the usual places to visit. Two Ladies Kitchen for mochi? Check. Low International Food for Rainbow Bread? Check. KTA Superstores — just because? Check.

So here’s what our family did — in between going to a wedding — while in Hilo:

Hello, Hilo

Hello, Hilo
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I've been coming to Hilo for most of my life — and despite the gloomy weather and persistent rain — I've always loved this sleepy little town on the Big Island.

Follow my food and travel adventures on Twitter @thedailydish and on Instagram @catherinetoth.

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Holy apple pie!

Holy apple pie!

by on January 10, 2012 in Adventures, Food

I heard there was a bakery on the Big Island that made the best ever apple pie.

It was called Holy’s Bakery — and no one seemed to have a street address for it.

We knew it was in Kapaau on the Kohala Coast, about 60 miles from downtown Kona. We knew you could buy the frozen pies at the local KTA Superstore. But we knew the bakery makes more than just apple pies. (In fact, we got a request to bring back a fresh loaf of cinnamon bread.)

So I Googled the bakery and found a phone number.

“Hi, what time are you open tomorrow?” I asked the friendly woman who answered the phone.

“What time you want to come?”

“Well, we wanted to get there as early as possible.”

“OK, just come by and toot your horn. I live next door. I come out.”

And that was it.

So we set out at 7 a.m. on Saturday to see the bakery we had heard so much about.

Holy Bakery Road

Holy Bakery Road
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Holy's Bakery is located in the middle of Kapaau, right on Holy Bakery Road. No doubt named for the bakery.

Holy’s Bakery, Holy Bakery Road, behind the Nambu Building off Akoni Pule Highway in Kapaau on the Big Island’s Kohala coast. Phone:(808) 889-6865

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Have dogs, will travel to Kona

Have dogs, will travel to Kona

by on January 9, 2012 in Adventures

It sounded like a bad idea.

We wanted to see if our dogs, Sunny and Indy, could travel. So we booked our flight to Kona to visit family — and made reservations for the dogs, too.

It was the first time either of us had traveled with pets, dogs or otherwise, and we weren’t sure what we’d be in for.

First off, it costs more. On Hawaiian Airlines, we paid an extra $35 per dog each way. So that amounted to $140 for both dogs, both ways. Which wasn’t too bad.

Then, you have to figure out a way to get them into enclosed bags and under the seat in front of you.

Two words: Rescue Remedy. This totally safe and natural anti-anxiety treatment literally saved our trip.

And it was quite a trip.

Though we were only in Kona for two nights, we managed to tour an ukulele shop, kayak in Kealakekua Bay and drive to the end of the road in Pololu Valley.

And all with the dogs.

Here’s what our trip looked like:

Checking in

Checking in
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It was our first time taking our dogs with us to Kona — and we had no idea what to expect. We were just glad our pooches didn't mind being in these carry-on bags.



Find out where I got this slice of buttery apple pie on the Big Island in tomorrow’s blog

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