For My Friends

Update from Austin after a little break.

2009-12-06T02:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

A quick update for all who care for it.
I have made it back to the mainland after 9 months of living in Hawaii in Februar 2009.
Unfortunately I could not go against some of my convictions that I have in aviation and continue my career here in this beautiful state. Nothing I want to share, since I seem to be alone with my opinion about certain things in aviation.

I made it back to Florida and started flying for a small flight school but had to leave due to lack of students shortly after that.

I decided to move back to Los Angeles and rented a truck. On my way through the country I stopped in Austin, TX following a tip of a friend of mine from Germany.
It only took me two hours riding around on my bicycle to decide to stay for a while.

Soooo..... here I am, working as a motorcycle mechanic for a small shop in Austin. Before I arranged the job, I made sure that there are no operators or flight schools I could actually work for as a pilot. Result... none.

As life is somewhat funny... just a couple of days after I arrived, I was trying to help somebody with some car trouble. We got to talk for quite a while and a couple of days later, he called me and told me that somebody he knows is looking for a pilot.

I am now on stand by for this corporate flying position and if things work out, I should be back in the air by January.

That's it for now... hope ya'll are having a enjoyable time during the holidays.

Take care

Olli

Teaching and helping means loving...

2008-09-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody,

Don't give up to ask others for help. Be blunt.
Without outside help nobody on this planet can make it far.
For the rest of my life now, I will work towards one goal and that is to get into a position to be able to help others and to enable them to help others too then. I am a teacher and I will always be a teacher... We all are teachers if you really look at it right. There are always people who need help to be taught to become better at something. That is the opposite of hate and selfish materialistic lives. Teaching means giving and enabling others loving others.

Less words... more pictures

2008-06-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of becoming a man of less words....... and more pictures ;-))

posting pictures here is a pain........ since the interface is slow and only allows to post a couple of pictures at a time........ sooooooo..... I just put them on picasa

Hope you have a great summer.......

http://picasaweb.google.com/oliverhanisch

I got 1.5 hp on this thing......

2008-05-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

This is my main transportation on the island. It feels like you are on a permanent vacation ;-)

Update Hawaii... für Deutsch bitte runter fahren..

2008-05-20T02:09:00.000-07:00

I had my first day of work. I cannot believe that I am back to the janitor / ground instructor / office do everything man function........ but, I do love the fact, that I have a chance to get back into a cockpit again. This is what I wanted. This is what I will get. One more time doing the, "do whatever it takes thing" and then I am done..... I am tired. I even have to look for a second job so I don't go under...... it's do or die again....

So, for everybody who envied me too early. I do live in paradise, but it's a tough one again..... just like Silver State was a paradise..... but a tough one too.

I will make it.... and I am truly happy and grateful to everybody who has given me a chance and supports me.

I will prevail, and once I come out on top... I will help everybody who needs help and shows me their passion and desire to prevail against all odds.

Take care my friends.

Hi Ihr,

ich habe heute meinen ersten Arbeitstag auf Oahu in Honolulu gehabt, nachdem ich für zwei Tage auf der Big Island war zum administrativen Training.

Ich bin sehr froh, wieder eine Chance zu haben meine Kariere fortzusetzen. Ich habe mal wieder wie ein Verrückter alle Register ziehen müssen um hier diesen Job zu bekommen.
Ich bin sehr müde und erschöpft was es angeht immer wieder aus der Asche aufsteigen zu müssen..... wird langsam mal Zeit, dass ich nicht mehr am Hungertuch nagen muss.
Ich muss jetzt schon wieder von ganz unten anfangen und bin buchstäblich schon wieder der Putzmann hier. So wie damals bei Silver State Helikopters.

Aber ich werde diesen Sommer noch wieder ins Cockpit kommen und wieder fliegen.
Ich habe zwar noch keine Ahnung wie ich das alles mal wieder schaffen soll, aber ich habe ja keine andere Wahl.

Ich werde mir noch einen zweiten Job suchen müssen für den Anfang bis ich wieder fliege, denn sie zahlen mir nicht genug jetzt am Anfang.

Ich habe jetzt heute Abend leider eine kleine Lebensmittelvergiftung gehabt. Fühle mich super schwach, aber das wird schon wieder. Mensch, dass kommt aber auch immer im blödsten Moment.

Hawaii ist super schön. Es ist ein echtes Paradies. Ich werde morgen ein paar Bilder ins Netz stellen für Euch.

So, ich muss mich jetzt hinlegen, denn ich habe Bauchschmerzen.... uff...

Ich hoffe Euch geht es gut, und dass der Sommer für Euch super schön wird. Ich wäre ja diesen Jahre endlich mal wieder nach Deutschland gekommen um Urlaub zu machen. Aber leider ist meine Firma ja leider kaputt gegangen.

Bis später mit den Bildern

Olli

Into The Wild.....

2008-05-12T00:52:00.000-07:00

Hey, I just finished watching "Into The Wild" !

Wow, it reminded me a little bit of my 40,000 miles travels in my beat up cars and motor home through the states in 1992 and the following winters. Well, I am still searching for the ultimate freedom I guess.

If you haven't seen it, rent it. It's pretty powerful.

I came to the conclusion that "happiness is only real if shared", when I locked myself into my apartment in LA and isolated myself completely from any social contact for 6 months. I had to feel it, how it feels... I had to. It is the most horrible feeling you can feel. It is worse than hunger. You have to have felt both, to know what you are talking about, if you want to talk about.

Well, my move is going well. I sold everything I own, except my CFI stuff, my clothes and a box that weighs about 200lbs.

I have, after I subtract everything 200 $ to my name to start over in Hawaii. Thank you R... you see how much your contribution helped.... (a former student of mine made an amazing contribution of $ 500 to my endeavor) Mhh... it'll be interesting. I cannot wait to be really free one day. For right now, flying helicopters over the islands of Hawaii will do it. Thank you folks for taking interest in my life.

Remember "happiness is only real when shared".... I do know that it's kind of hard to share happiness with me, I do know that.... I am working on it.

I attached a couple of pictures from one of my last rides and the actual last ride on my green Bandit.

Love

and keep me posted

Olli

Just a couple of under the nose shots

Man, look at those air inlets..

Well, I have school written all over me, don't I...

My old neighborhood.. snief..

What are you looking at.... ???

It is done...

2008-05-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

Für den Deutschen Teil einfach ein wenig runter fahren......

Hi everyone! Time for a quick update.

I have been fasting for 9 days now. I feel great. I had joint pain from eating to much sugar and protein and carbs... well, just the usual, and it is all gone. Fasting can heal cancer, if you didn't know. I feel light and crisp. If you want to try it, educate yourself first. There are a couple of things you have to consider, or it will not be a good experience.

So, in a nutshell, I am sold out, packed and ready to continue the olli flying saga.... what a trip. I am so ready to learn new ways and work for my new boss.

And of course to embrace the Hawaiian lifestyle. This morning I walked down to the beach and and saw at least 20 dolphins swimming in a couple of groups. I looked up and thought to myself, we (city slickers) are so detached from nature, that we have no idea anymore what is really important in life. I am looking forward to live a live in Hawaii that is more retached (I just invented that word) to nature.

Anyway, my moving sale went well, I am rich, and nothing can stop me. I will post plenty of pictures in the future of my flying adventures and hope that all of you will do the same for me. I really want to know about your lives. Please don't be lazy to keep me informed, I am dead honest, I want to know about it.

Isn't that the essence of life? To interact with each other and help each other?

Love

Olli

Hallo Ihr Lieben ! Zeit für ein kurzes Update.

Ich habe jetzt für 9 Tage gefastet. I fühle mich grossartig. I hatte Gelenkschmerzen von zu viel Zucker, Eiweiss und Kohlenhydrate... na ja, das Übliche halt, essen, und sie sind verschwunden. Fasten kann Krebs heilen, falls Ihr es nicht wusstet. Ich fühle mich leicht und knackig... um der englischen Übersetzung hier gerecht zu werden. Wenn Ihr es ausprobieren wollt, solltet Ihr Euch aber vorher ein wenig mehr informieren. Da sind ein paar Dinge zu beachten, sonst wird es ehr ein unangenehmes Erlebnis.

So, im kurzen Überblick, ich habe ausverkauft, habe gepackt und fertig die "Olli Flug Sage" weiter fortzuführen... was für ein weg das bisher war. Ich bin so bereit neue Wege zu erlernen und für meinen neuen Chef zu arbeiten. Und natürlich den Hawaiinischen Lebensstiel zu begrüssen.

Heute morgen bin ich runter zum Strand gegangen und habe mindestens 20 Delphine gesehen, die in ein paar Gruppen vor der Küste rum geschwommen sind. Ich habe noch oben geschaut und dachte so zu mir selbst, dass wir (Stadt Ratten) so was von der Natur abgetrennt sind, dass wir wirklich nicht mehr wissen was wichtig ist im Leben. Ich freue mich auf ein Leben in Hawaii, das wieder mehr verbunden ist mit der Natur.

So, mein Umzugsausverkauf ist super verlaufen, Ich bin reich und nichts kann mich mehr stoppen. I werde viele Bilder hier in meinen Blog reinstellen von meinen Flugabenteuern, und hoffe, dass Ihr das selbe auch für mich tuen werdet. Ich möchte wirklich auch von Euren Leben Berichte lesen. Bitte seid nicht faul mich auch auf dem Laufenden zu halten, ehrlich, ich will von Euch hören.

Ist das nicht die Essenz im Leben? Miteinander sich auszutauschen und sich gegenseitig zu helfen?

Love

Olli

I will be flying in Hawaii... yeahhh...

2008-04-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

For the blog... first English and then German

Hey you all...

I wanted to tell you that I got a job offer from Mauna Loa Helicopters after all.

It is not official yet, that is why I waited a little longer to tell you these great news.

It looks like they changed their mind after they initially told me "no".

Well, I actually didn't let go of it and kept on sending them arguments why they should hire me.

And of course the unsolicited references I got from you guys in response to my "open letter to the situation" must have helped tremendously.

Thank you very much for those.

So, now for all my instructor colleagues...

just that you know, this position is not a normal flying position. It is.... ahhhh.... you guessed it, a combined ground/flight.... well, office.. not janitor ;-) position.

You all know how much I like to teach. And honestly, I don't really care for the big ass helicopters.... I love the R22s and R44s, and as far as I am concerned I will fly them until I am old and grey.

So, since I know how many of you love to teach ground.... especially WEATHER... ;-) I don't think you should be too mad about me.

This job again is not about the hours, it is about loving to teach people to fly and wanting to be an instructor. And that is me!

And of course I am going to network for you with the tour helicopter companies out here, as soon as I get to know them better. It always helps to have somebody local as a contact person.

As always, I will keep you informed about anything new.

I would appreciate it if you would do the same.

Ciao

Olli

Hallo Ihr Lieben,

ich wollte Euch nur schnell mitteilen, dass ich ein Jobangebot von Mauna Loa Helikopters auf Hawaii nun doch bekommen habe. Es ist aber noch nicht offiziell.

Sie hatten mir erst "nein" gesagt, aber haben dann Ihre Meinung geändert.

Ich hatte Ihnen aber auch wirklich ein wenig zugesetzt mit emails, die denen Erklärten, dass Sie keinen besseren Fluglehrer finden werden, und dass Sie eine einmalige Gelegenheit verpassen wenn Sie mich nicht anheuern.

Ich hatte allerdings auch ein paar Referenzen von meinen Studenten bekommen als Antwort zu meinem "offenen Brief zu der Situation", ohne dass ich Sie darum überhaupt gebeten hatte,

Diese Referenzen haben bestimmt was ausgemacht, denn es stand in manchen, dass ich einen sehr grossen Einfluss als Lehrer auf Sie hatte, und Sie mich als einen der besten Lehrer einschätzen den Sie jemals hatten..... uhhhh... was für Komplimente.

Der Rest der email oben in Englisch ist mehr für meine Pilotenkollegen, die natürlich jetzt alles sehr neidisch sein werden. Ich habe Sie halt beruhigt mit der Tatsache, dass es halt keine "nur Fliegen" Position ist, sondern halt auch ground school / office Arbeit damit verbunden ist.

Das ist mir sowieso viel lieber als den ganzen Tag zu fliegen.

Die meisten Piloten sind meistens mehr um Ihre Flugstunden besorgt als um den gesamten Job. Ich aber nicht.

Ich liebe es Menschen das Fliegen beizubringen. Es ist eines der schönsten Erlebnisse zu sehen wie ein anderer Träumer plötzlich auch seine Flügel kriegt und etwas was so schwer zu erlernen ist dann auch beherrscht.

Ausserdem liebe ich die Robinson Helikopter R22 und R44. I habe nichts dagegen keine grossen Helikopter zu fliegen bis ich alt und grau bin. Die meisten meiner Kollegen können es nicht abwarten bis Sie endlich die dicken Bienen fliegen...... Sie sagen, dass die Moskitos, die ich fliege, doch keine richtigen Helikopter sind.

Das lustige daran ist allerdings, dass der R22 Helikopter der schwerste zu fliegende Helikopter auf der Welt ist. Viel schwerer als jeder andere inklusive die dicken Blackhawks.

Das ist ja gerade das geile daran... das Ding ist wie ein Sportwagen im Vergleich zu den Trucks, die sich dort oben auch tummeln.

Einen R22 muss man fliegen wie ein Motorrad der Lüfte. Man kriegt keine Pause. Jede Sekunde muss man was checken. Das ist ein Arbeitspensum beim Fliegen wie in einem Kampfjet. Das einzige, was fehlt ist der speed.... so ein Mist aber auch..... na ja, dafür mache ich später dann halt noch meine anderen Lizenzen um den Speedtrieb zu befriedigen.....;-))

Oh, sorry, ich bin jetzt total abgedriftet ins Schwärmen übers Helikopterfliegen.

Und dann habe ich natürlich angeboten für meine früheren Kollegen hier mit den Helikopter Tour Firmen einen guten Kontakt aufzubauen damit Sie vielleicht mal eine Chance haben hier auch zu fliegen.

So, wie immer werde ich Euch auf dem Laufenden halten.

Ich würde mich freuen, wenn Ihr das selbe für mich tuen würdet.

Ciao

Olli

Blogging in Enlish and German now...

2008-04-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

No news career wise.... I am bored of talking about it anyway.

Please check out what I needed to tell you below.

Keine Neuigkeiten kariere mässig, ich bin sowieso gelangweilt darüber zu reden.

Guckt Euch lieber mal an was ich Euch unbedingt zu erzählen habe.

Deutsch ist gleich da drunter. Bitte runter scrollen....

English part:
Hi my dear friends !

From now on, I am going to write my emails in two languages and will try to keep them short.

Did you know that sharks have an essential role for the ecological balance in our oceans? Did you know that "sharkfinning" (shark get their finns cut off) is a million dollar business and is going on all over the world?

I just had my first dive with sharks in Hawaii. You have to experience that, or it is kind of hard to grasp how incredibly fascinating sharks are.

I just bought the movie "Sharkwater". It is a real eye opener.

The politicians of this world have to be forced to end any kind of justification of illegal million dollar businesses.

This movie explains that there is no one officially in charge of protecting animals like sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, seals, or any other species or the eco-system that is endangered beyond the 12 nautical miles range where there is no law.

Just like slavery was eradicated through the pressure of the public, after they have been made aware of this injustice for decades by individuals like Matin Luther King,
we have to make the public aware over the coming decades of things that must not be allowed to proceed like they do right now.

Watch this movie and make up your decide for yourself. Your children would like to have a place of their own where things are somewhat still intact, don't they?

http://www.sharkwater.com/

Hallo meine Freunde !
von nun an versuche ich meine mails sehr kurz zu halten und in zwei Sprachen zu schreiben.

Wusstet Ihr, das Haie sehr wichtig sind für das Gleichgewicht im Meer? Wusstet Ihr, dass auf der ganzen Welt den Haifischen die Finnen abgeschnitten werden für ein Millionengeschäft?

Ich bin ja jetzt gerade erst auf Hawaii das erste mal mit Haien getaucht. Das muss man mal erlebt haben, ansonsten ist es schwer zu begreifen wie unglaublich faszinierend diese Tiere sind.

Ich habe gerade den Film "Sharkwater" gekauft. Er ist echt augenöffnend.

Die Politiker dieser Welt müssen gezwungen werden endlich Schluss zu machen mit jeder Art von Rechtfertigung von illegalen Millionen Geschäften.

Diese Film erklärt ganz gut, dass es niemanden gibt, der sich offiziell um den Schutz von den Tieren, sei es Haie, Schildkröten, Delphine, oder Robben, oder, oder, oder.... das ganze Ökosystem dort draussen halt jenseits der 12 nautischen Meilen wo es keine Gesetzte gibt kümmert.

Genauso wie Slavenhandel durch den Druck von der Bevölkerung ausgerottet wurde, nachdem die Bevölkerung von einer paar Individuen wie Martin Luther King auf das Unrecht über mehrere Jahrzehnte hin aufmerksam gemacht wurde,
müssen wir jetzt über die nächsten Jahrzehnte die Bevölkerung auf der ganzen Welt aufmerksam machen, dass verschiedene Dinge einfach so nicht mehr ablaufen dürfen wie sie ablaufen.

Schaut euch den Film an und entscheidet selbst. Eure Kinder wollen doch auch noch eine Welt haben in der alles einigermassen funktioniert.

http://www.sharkwater.com/

One definition of a friend...

2008-04-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am sorry to have made you all so concerned about me.

Wow, it is amazing how many of you actually show a lot of empathy and want to help. I love it. You guys and girls out there rock.

I just wanted to tell you that you don't have to worry about me.

Writing this stuff down in the open letter was long overdue, since it is important to let things out. That's what I did..... try it sometimes, it feels good and is important to find closure with certain unpleasant things in life.

And if you do, send it to me too so I can reflect on it.

This is actually what some of you did. They told me their stuff and I reflected on it. Made me feel a whole lot better.

I am actually happy and appreciative about my life. I feel blessed for all the good things that I have.

On a very positive note, I am in awe, how many people I can consider my friends. Well, some may say that it is impossible to have so many friends.

Well, look at it like this.

If I look at my list of people I met over the past 4 years through silver state, I can truly say, that even with the ones I didn't connect to as much as to others, that I wouldn't hesitate to call them for help any time. And the best part is, that I am convinced that most of them wouldn't actually mind offering help.

Now that is at least one definition of a friend or isn't it. It is about what you decide in the moment to do for another person.

By the way, if any of you need my help, I will always try to give you everything I can give you.

I got great responses from all of you. It's amazing how much passion and love is out there. Thank you

Your friend

Olli

Addendum to the open letter..

2008-04-23T06:53:00.000-07:00

Oh, just that you know.... besides that I am really pissed off at what's going on in my life right now.......

funny enough, I know.... and I mean it... I know that I will be back in the air within the next 6 months.... isn't that weird?

My mother told me once that she was shocked that when I was a little boy, I said to her... "and even if only my head is left in a wheelchair, I will never give up".

What a powerful statement of me huh....

so, cut my arms off, sever my torso....... well now..... don't forget the wheelchair you cruel folks ;-)

I am just adding this so that you don't think I am going to take flying lessons from a bridge soon.

By the way, I slowly but surely get all of you off your buds and actually write your own updates to me.... hey, it's work to keep your friends in the loop, isn't it?

Sincerely

Your crazy German

Olli

Open letter about the situation....

2008-04-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

It is up and down right now. I am pretty sure that you remember how it is when you don't have money anymore and things are just tightening up.

I know that I am not the only person suffering right now, but I think I lost more than others... at least from my perspective.

If the Hawaii deal would have worked, I would have probably have something at least similar to be looking forward to than I had with Silver State.

For the last 9 years I have been working on one goal and one goal only, and that was to become a good teacher and pilot. And it happened that I became one for Silver State Helicopters. At the time, the best helicopter school in the world in my opinion.

It took me 5 years to find it... well, I actually had to wait for it to exist, because by the time I wanted to transition from Stunts to Flying, SSH didn't even exist.

I lived for this and only this......

I did what ever I had to do.... to become part of that operation...

but, the fact that it was all for nothing, is something that I find myself having great trouble with.

I don't want to work for just anybody in this industry. I don't want to work for people I cannot trust.

That's why I was proud to work for Silver State, for Jerry, for Michael and Yvette and Reed and Travis.

I was proud to work with hundreds of individuals who shared the same dream. The dream of a better life, the dream of flight.

I am exhausted and depressed that all my work has not paid off to be part of something extraordinary anymore.

I am so close to just throw everything away. My spirit is broken... although don't worry, I am working on a new one an even better one... I ain't a quitter, that's for sure.

Ever since my bankruptcy in 2003, I have not been late on a single bill. I have a perfect payment history. I wanted to make things right again in my life.

But now, I am deeper in financial shit than ever....

It took me 5 years to get my credit score up again.

Another 5 years and I would actually qualify for decent loans etc.... to be able to buy and maintain, for example, something as simple as a good car, so the ones I can buy would actually stop falling off my ass around every corner I take ;-)

But no, I am facing shit again..... I am sick and tired of it. No health insurance, credit score plummeting, and the next late payment is just around the corner.

Friends who are willing to help me will eventually run out of patience with me.

I did everything right.... I did everything I could.

This was the first time in my life that I refused to except that I couldn't fulfill my dreams just because I don't have the money.

I had no boundaries, I wanted to get a chance to show how I can work and show how much I could contribute and be part of something so great.

it was easy this time.... since I knew why and what I did it for. A company never seen in the history of helicopters. A company that actually gave a real opportunity to the ones who where willing to seize it. An honest, fair deal to get more than you could ever bargain for as a helicopter pilot.

This deal began to turn sour at the end of 2006. That's where they changed the student contracts.

That's where Jerry sold his company out to a false and fraudulent concept in my opinion.

This time it was a no brainer to go all out..... to go for broke again.

It was easy to work 80 hours a week, to be on my knees scrubbing the floor and being happy about it.

Since this time, I was already on the other side of the fence... the side of the fence where the helicopters were ;-)

Ok, now I can say it... after ground school when everybody had left, I actually sat in the helicopters and flew them around the hangar. I remember doing this with the race cars in the shop I worked for when I was an aspiring race car driver back in Germany.

And yes... I made the sound of them while dry flying them.... I knew you would ask that. ;-)

Even if I wouldn't have gotten a chance to fly for another 3 years, I would have still cleaned the offices and hangar floors and took out the darn trash..... Sweeping that hangar floor cost me my back that's for sure....

I did what ever it took to make this happen.

I am not willing to do whatever it takes anymore.

Going out to Hawaii was necessary, since I didn't want to have to tell myself that I didn't do everything I can to be part of their operation.

But other than that.... as far as I am concerned..

Silver State was my everything... my family, my home, my protection... my pride.

This has all been taken away from me and from us all....

Sincerely

Olli

Hawaii update and more pictures of it..

2008-04-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

My dear friends,

My trip to Hawaii was amazing but to no avail in terms of getting back into the cockpit of an aircraft.

Although I really felt that I had a real interview considering that they don't hire from the outside.

I was surprised that the school didn't even call me back to tell me that they don't want to hire me right now.... but... well... what can I say.

I found this out by calling them after I couldn't wait any longer.

The funny thing is.. when I arrived at the school the manager told me that they just lost two pilots who moved on, and that one was injured in a bicycle accident.

I saw all three helicopters on the ground with the covers on.

That's it from my side. I sent out a bunch more resumes and will see what happens.

As to more Hawaii pictures.... ? I don't have the time to post them here with comments... But I put them on the google server.

http://picasaweb.google.com/oliverhanisch

Off to do the dirty deed of job hunting again....

Till next time

Adios

Olli

Back from Hawaii

2008-04-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

I am back in Neptune Beach Florida.. my little paradise at the beach.

So far I didn't hear anything back from the companies I am seeking employment with.

Hawaii is beautiful. The water is clear and blue, the air is clean, the people are nice... the prices are... ahhhhhhhhhhh...

I cannot wait to hear from those companies and get things moving again.

Enjoy the pictures I took.....

I always hated it when people told me where they went and threw all those names of the places they went around, but I have no clue where, what, how.... etc. and I have to spend hours of google time to really be part of their experience. That's why I did that googling for you.

Hawaii 101:

To start you out... the state of Hawaii consist of a total of 7 islands.

Click here to see maps of all the islands

The biggest islands are:

Two smaller ones are

Molokai

which is the elongated one right between Oahu and Maui and the little one below it is

Lanai

And one private island.

The little one all the way west below Kauai is Niihau which is a private island owned by Keith Robinson and Bruce Robinson. How appropriate the name Robinson for an island owner.

The most populated island is Oahu with the big cities Honululu and Waikiki

This is where I went. It's a good place to start to explore the islands.

Check out a map of Oahu here:

map of Oahu

I like the stamp I found

My friend Svenja, who was my host and tour guide and wind surf instructor during my stay in Hawaii,

picked me up from the airport and gave me a traditional hawaiian welcome with a Lei.

The traditional Hawaiian Flower Lei (click here to learn about the tradition)

Speaking of wind surf instructor... this is how Svenja surfs.

and it what she surfs....

Before you say anything... try windsurfing and then we talk again.

There is no photographic proof, but I did manage to actually surf. With the wind and against the wind. I got an A from her..... huh... yes... Svenja... was that right? An A just for being able to also come back to the beach.. huh??

In the middle is the Koko Crater, the horse shoe shaped bay to the upper left of it is Haunaunma Bay and to the right of it is Hawaii Kai Town Center (click to see the map)

Diamond Head is to the furthest south point of Oahu (click to see the map)

Parts of Pearl Harbor. The island to the upper left I believe is "Ford Island" Naval Airstation where the USS Arizona was moored click here for map

Ala Wai boat harbor, this is from where we started our SCUBA dive trips and one Friday afternoon sunset sailing event.

I am pretty sure that you know Robby Naish. This is his family's store on Oahu.

View over Hawaii Kai from Koko Head

View from Koko Head. To get up there you have to climb 1050 stairs. This is the real stair climber. Check out this video

Sunset Beach on the "North Shore". The North Shore is the famous surf spot. I am standing on "Sunset Beach" which is one beach up north from "Banzai Pipeline" Ehukai Beach.

This is the place where you can see scenes like this in the winter time:

Svenja took me around the whole island... and took that shot at the east coast.

Ok, I have to go now.... I'll post a couple of more pictures of Hawaii soon... good bye for now.

Aloha and Mahalo

Hawaii here I come....

2008-04-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Honululu this Tuesday just before 12pm.

Wow, what a paradise. I am a sucker for tropical climate anyway... so, don't look for me in Alaska ;-)

We went for a hike into the mountains... it almost looked like one of the thousand hikes I have done in Los Angeles. Once you are up, you are getting rewarded with an awesome view onto the beach and ocean... wow.

Well, we checked out the beach that was chosen by my friend (ex pro windsurfer) to teach me windsurfing. Photographic proof that I did manage to learn windsurfing will be provided on request later on.... I am almost sure that I will be able to do a beach start without drawing too much laughter, but once up... I cannot turn around.. so look for me somewhere in Australia in a couple of weeks.

Ok....

I just came back from my first SCUBA dive. Oh my god. We dove down to a ship wreck at 90 feet. I saw a sting ray and a beautiful sea turtle. I cannot wait to go again. Diving is addictive.

I could scream loud... that's how lucky I feel to get to do this.

I love the whole world right now !!!

Stay tuned....

The Cali Gang....

2008-03-29T02:42:00.000-07:00

Right after I arrived in California, I went down to the beach and started crying.....

Now you know why I need to go to the gym more ;-)

Ok, from left to right... Age unknown - 43 - 41 - 46 - 36.

Man, staying in shape and getting old is hard work.... I am obviously a little behind the power curve.

While we where climbing the rope at Santa Monica beach there where at least 7 R22 and R44 cruising the beach behind us.

Out of my way.... I need to work out..... darn...

Olli

My first blog to all my friends

2008-03-29T01:37:00.000-07:00

My update:

For everybody, I haven't kept in touch with...

Through unbelievable help from my friends as well as unbelievable hard work (my back will hurt eternally) , I was able to have an unparalleled, amazing run of adventures in my life.

It enabled me to live out four big loves of my life.

Racing - Stunts - Emergency Medicine - Flying aircraft.

Trying to become a helicopter pilot against all odds has pretty much consumed my life for the last 9 years. (I started in 1999 while still being a stuntman).

I am eternally thankful to a handfull of individuals, who at the time I met them weren't even my friends, helped me beyond any imaginable measures and became my friends through their heroic risk taking efforts to help somebody like me.

I will always stay in your debt and don't really know how to thank you enough. The only thing I can think of on how to thank you is to offer you a friendship that follows this principle:

"Friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies"

So, let me know when you have one to move and I will be there, no questions ask ;-))

Unfortunately, my company I was practically married to for the last 4 years, went out of business at the beginning of February and left all of my colleagues and myself high and dry with no jobs, no health insurance and in most cases a lot of debt and shattered dreams. Not to speak of all of our students who are stranded and have nothing to show for but debt.

I am currently in back in Los Angeles to see a couple of friends. It turns out to be quite a task. So please, don't rip my head off if I didn't call you and made lunch or dinner plans.

Believe it or not, but I am on my way to Hawaii for the first time in my life. I've been wanting to visit the islands for about 10 years now.

Don't ask me how I could manage to do this all right now. I am sometimes a really lucky boy. I am not rich, but lucky.. mhh..

Besides enjoying of course to be turning back time by going back to my roots here in LA, I am also trying to network to become a working pilot again soon.

Wish me luck and that I win the lottery. Hey, you better... I am known for giving money to my friends who need it, so my wealth is your wealth.

stay tuned if you care for more updates on what's going on in my life... and please, I am curious what's going on in your life as well... so shoot me an email and pour your heart out.

Olli