I am convinced that there are no sunsets more beautiful than the ones I see when I’m in Hawaii.

I was on the Islands last week for the [re]Think Hawaii conference, courtesy of the folks at Hawaii-Aloha.

Even though I was busy with various conference activities and social meetups… I still took time to stop and appreciate the absolute beauty everywhere around me. In Hawaii, you don’t have to look far to find it.

[awsbullet:hawaii sunset decor print]

Hawaii Sunset

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

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

I took this short clip while riding in a car during my recent trip to Hawaii. The day was a little overcast and even kind of foggy. However, it was still just absolutely beautiful there – both the scenery and the weather itself. Living in Seattle, I’m used to clouds and rain… and even prefer them to the sunshine!

What’s your favorite type of weather? Where have you traveled to that had your perfect type? Leave me a follow-up comment here on the blog and let us know! Or, you can leave a video response of your own on the YouTube channel!

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LIOWHJ3npcU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LIOWHJ3npcU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://chris.pirillo.com/">Chris</a> | <a href="http://live.pirillo.com/">Live Tech Support</a> | <a href="http://media.pirillo.com/">Video Help</a> | <a href="http://feeds.pirillo.com/ChrisPirilloShow">Add to iTunes</a>

Hawaii Weather is Beautiful (Even Without the Sun!)

This is my third trip to Hawaii, but it feels like the first time.

I’m staying at the Sheraton Waikiki (thanks to @alohabruce and @starwoodhawaii). Before heading downstairs to get my morning coffee, I decided to record this quick video – with the full intention of recording a higher definition clip later. Unfortunately, the lens doesn’t do the scenery justice.

Not only are the islands beautiful, but the people are as well. Here’s a slideshow from last night’s tweetup at @tikisgrill (thanks to Michael for allowing it to happen, Ryan for taking and uploading the photos, and Traci for being such a wonderful hostess):

Isn’t Hawaii Beautiful?

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

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?

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xnrhITLsLAE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xnrhITLsLAE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://chris.pirillo.com/">Chris</a> | <a href="http://live.pirillo.com/">Live Tech Support</a> | <a href="http://media.pirillo.com/">Video Help</a> | <a href="http://feeds.pirillo.com/ChrisPirilloShow">Add to iTunes</a>

Top 10 Things to Do in Maine

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

Ponzi and I are on a Hawaii Cruise this week. We both truly love to go on a cruise. We love it because it’s so flexible. You can be leisurely or adventurous. You can go enjoy things on the Mainlands or on the ship itself… and return to your room with ease. Here are some tips we came up with to help you enjoy your next cruise.

• Dine late or early if you can. If you go during peak hours, it’s going to be insanely busy on the ship. On this particular cruise, if you dine late you don’t pay the normal rate. You can find specials that they normally won’t have.
• Casual vs Formal: There’s usually a formal night in most restraunts on the cruise. They require you to dress up, and I’m just not comfortable with that. Be prepared, and bring at least one dressy outfit with you. Check to see how the particular cruise you are going on handles dining before you sign up.
• Book excursions early. The whole idea of cruises is to go many different places. Booking early guarantees that you get the trips and times you want. We’ve learned over time not to over-book. We’re taking things nice and casual this time. In the past we’ve over-booked… and it made things hectic.
• If you can, get a room with a view! Rooms on the interior are cheaper, yes. However, if you’re going to go… save the extra money to get a room with a deck with an amazing view. It’s definitely worth the extra expenditure. We eat our breakfast on our private patio, while watching the ocean.
• I’m not wearing the band on my wrist because I need it… I wanted to show you. It’s a band that sends out electrical pulses at timed intervals that will keep you from being seasick. If you know you may suffer from motion sickness, you should think about picking one of these up. The power and settings are adjustable. If you don’t want one of these, at least pick up some Dramamine or motion-sickness patches. Even if you normally don’t get motion sickness symptoms, it’s still a good idea to be prepared with the Dramamine.

FirstRSS ERROR: "http://shop.tagjag.com/products/cruise+ship" NOT FOUND!

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YoLrbXvc7CM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YoLrbXvc7CM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://chris.pirillo.com/">Chris</a> | <a href="http://live.pirillo.com/">Live Tech Support</a> | <a href="http://media.pirillo.com/">Video Help</a> | <a href="http://feeds.pirillo.com/ChrisPirilloShow">Add to iTunes</a>

Cruise Tips