I think I have found a new home away from home at the Outrigger Hotel in Waikiki. I traveled down to the Islands last week to attend the [re]Think Hawaii conference. This place is so amazingly comfortable, with every amenity a Geek could hope for! The bed was comfy, the view was gorgeous and there were giant frogs in the lobby!

[Re]Think: Hawaii is an event aimed at connecting a diverse group of entrepreneurs who likely would never have met. Many of the speakers traveled together on the recent GeeksOnAPlane tour and come from the technology sector, the entertainment industry, the food arenas and the social good scene. They have diverse passions and interests, but that deep passion is what brings them together. They define themselves by the ideas they share and the impact they wish to make – and not the business cards they carry.

Staying in Hawaii for any reason is something that is hard to describe. The atmosphere is definitely like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It’s so incredibly beautiful everywhere you look. The people of this state are open and friendly almost to a fault. Tourists and conference attendees alike are welcomed and treated with respect at every turn.

Being here for an event such as [Re]Think: Hawaii is again indescribable. You are surrounded by a culture that is so different than what you’re used to while you’re immersing yourself in the conversations that are such a part of your normal daily routine. Making connections is the name of the game at any type of conference, and this one is no different. However, I believe that when you’re conversing in such a relaxed atmosphere, you tend to let your guard down more. It’s easier to make honest connections here, due to the surroundings.

Thanks so much to my friends at Hawaii Vacations (and especially Bruce!!) for my travel! This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Hawaii Morning

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This is the most amazing iPhone App you could ever imagine. When you run it, the App simulates standing on a beach, with your feet buried in the sand. It’s so real, it’s almost scary!

For only $99.00, you too can pretend you’re standing on the sand, right in the comfort of your own office. After all, we know that no Indoorsman would ever venture out, right?

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Son of a Beach

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Do you like to travel? Where’s your favorite place to visit, and what is so wonderful about it? Lily, James and Sam all wrote in from Maine, listing their favorite places to visit, things you must not miss if you go there! My assistant Kat is engaged to Mike, another of our chat ops. Mike grew up in Maine as well, and as happy to contribute to this list with the others. Kat and Mike are staying in Indiana for now, until her daughter finishes Hgh School. After that, they plan to live in Maine, since Kat is in love with the place.

Here is a comprehensive list, made from all the suggestions received by Lily, James, Sam, Mike and Kat:

• Old Fort Western – Old Fort Western, built in 1754 and a National Historic Landmark, is America’s oldest surviving wooden fort – a reminder of the great contest between cultures that dominated New England life 250 years ago.
• Bush Compound – This vacation home in Kennebunkport is where former President Bush and his family stayed often.
• L.L. Bean – L.L. Bean is a large sporting goods and clothing store, founded right here in Maine. The outlet is fantastic, and even full of lots of memorabilia.
• Isamax Whoopie Snack Shop – This place is so famous and yummy, it’s been featured on Oprah! A Whoopie pie is two small round cakes (flavor of your choosing) filled with cream (again, your choice on flavor). They are simply YUM.
• York Beach and Old Orchard Beach – Both beaches offer far more than just sand and shoreline. They both offer a variety of attractions, including bowling alleys, arcades and more.
• Acadia National Park – Acadia is an absolutely gorgeous place, with beautiful mountains, tons of hiking, biking and snowmobile trails, and even offers carriage rides.
• Bar Harbor – Bar Harbor is a hot vacation spot for many people every year. There are a ton of stores and shops, beaches, excellent restaurant, and so many things to see. The locals are very open and friendly, making your visit more fun and relaxing.
• Desert of Maine – This place is an odd phenomenon, considering the rest of Maine is such a green state. In 1797 the Tuttle family moved to the 300 acre farm that once covered the Desert of Maine where they successfully raised crops of potatoes and hay for several years. Failure to rotate crops thereafter, combined with massive land – clearing and overgrazing resulted in severe soil eroison that exposed this hidden Desert. As the spreading sand grew uncontrollable, the Tuttles surrendered, leaving the Desert to it’s destiny.
• West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and the Portland Head Light – Both are gorgeous lighthouses, and both are rich in history. No trip to Maine would be complete without taking the time to check out these lighthouses, and just soak in the amazing views nearby.
• Sugarloaf – This is the place to go if you enjoy outdoor sporting in winter. It has the best skiing, snowmobiling and snowboarding in the state.
• Fort Knox – This fort is made out of granite, and was manned during the Civil War. The newly constructed Penobscot Narrows Bridge boasts an observation tower, rising 420’ above sea level, which may only be accessed through the Fort. The observation tower provides a breathtaking view of the Penobscot River Valley, and is the only observatory like it in the Western Hemisphere!
• Drive the Golden Road – The Golden Road runs from the town of Millinocket all the way to the Canadian border bisecting Maine’s remote forest lands. Named after the wealth in timber the road carries, it also offers breathtaking views of Mount Katahdin and wildlife viewing opportunities along its course.
• Stephen King’s Home – Mike once met and interviewed this famous author, who hails from the state of Maine. Mr. King has donated much time and money to the city of Bangor over the years, including building a park and community pool for residents.

If you’re from Maine, or have visited there, let us know what other places should have made this list! Why do you love to visit them, what’s fun about them, and why would we want to put them on our places to see?

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Top 10 Things to Do in Maine

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We can always count on some excellent tips from regular chat room member Bowler4Ever. This list is no exception. Here are some tips to make your next trip to the beach fun and safe.

• Bring a lot of cash, a DEBIT OR GIFT card(s), and plenty of quarters for the arcades and the parking meters! If you don’t, then the change machines are always nearby when you need a couple bucks in change. Be sure to use $1 or $5 bills, as most machines only take those bills.
• Bring sunblock, preferably anything over SPF 30. There are some sunblocks that have as much as SPF 60-70! Ensure that the sunblock takes care of UVA and UVB rays! If not, then you can get badly burned or even INFECTED!
• Bring some friends! You can’t go to the beach alone as it gets pretty boring after awhile! Bring some friends (and a portable grill!) to join you on the trip. You’ll have much more fun with other people (plus, you never know if they’ll pitch in for you if you’re short on something!)
• Bring coupons and vouchers! You never know what you can find in a coupon booklet or vacation pamphlets! Take a peek through them to find a good restaurant, free mini-golf games, or even a discount at the water slides! More money for you is always a good thing!
• Bring the cameras! You’ve got to memorialize your fun somehow. Digital cameras and video camcorders are the best cameras to bring for ease of use and to get them uploaded to websites such as Flickr. If you just want to show family, a disposable camera will do just fine.

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Do You Like Going to the Beach?