Going home

Things I will miss about Hawaii:

- pineapple punch
- drinks with dark rum
- sitting on the deck in the morning with coffee and a book
- our lizard
- wearing my skirts and my new blue wrap
- driving with Rachel
- someone coming in while I'm out, to do the housework
- sunset on the beach
- sitting in the hot tub and watching the palm trees


Today I actually got up before seven, so as to get more time... We packed our stuff slowly, went for a last wistful walk on the beach, then checked out.

Our plans were to go to the Aquarium and then have supper before our flight, for some reason we thought that would fill our day. The aquarium was fun, sharks and turtles and we took lots of close-up blurry fish pictures. Of course, we were done there by 12:30... not really suppertime. So, the Sugar Museum, which was a bit old-people-ish, the Bailey House Museum which was more interesting, and the Iou Valley, where they filmed a bit of Jurassic Park. Now we're waiting for a plane...

almost over

It is Thursday. Tomorrow we go home. Yesterday, as I was sitting on the deck with my book, listening to the waves and the birds, I realized that I was completely relaxed.

Rachel and I have both found that we tend to tire of 'activities' quickly...

The luau was a lot of fun. The dancers seemed oddly jubilant, barely suppressing laughter, and we caught their mood. Food was hot and fresh, pig and chicken and lots of fruit.

The sun has gone down. We built a sand igloo on the beach, and took pictures of it before the waves could wash it away. It's been a good trip, a fun experience and an excellent time with Rachel.

When I was on the phone with Ian the other day, dolphins were swimming by in the ocean, outside the window.

Tuesday

Yesterday we did drive to Makena, and saw the lava fields. I had imagined a smooth surface, but the lava was all chunky. The road was frighteningly narrow, and there were a few too many cars for the circumstances. We found a beach, Big Beach, where the waves were crashing, and Rachel filled her swimsuit with sand. I always find that I'm nervous about our stuff, that someone will wander by and steal our sweaty shoes and damp towels. I'm forever chcking for room key, wallet, rental car keys.

We've been listening to the soundtrack to Mamma Mia, endlessly, and singing along. I think it will probably now always take me back to road-tripping with Rachel, and palm trees, and winding roads.

Today we went up to Haleakala, the volcano, Rachel was brave and suppressed her fears. Steep switchback roads up through beautiful countryside, views down 10,00 feet and I can see why they would think the gods lived up there, on the roof of the world. Apparently sunrise is the time to be up there, but I can't see myself doing those roads in the dark, somehow. Tomorrow, a luau.

Mother's day

Lanai and Molokai have their heads in the clouds this morning. I've got wet hair and coffee, and Rachel is burrowed under the covers, promising to get up by eight so we can go snorkeling. (One L or two in snorkelling? that was the biggest question yesterday).

I fell asleep at 9PM last night, and I'm up now, 7:30. I dreamt a lot. I can feel my brain reorganizing. I don't even really want to read.

Yesterday we walked along the beach to Lahaina. Rachel said to me, is this what you do, just walk? But she swam back, and I walked alongside. Today a catamaran is booked, to take us out. Miguel, whom I talked to last night, is jealous.

Snork

Snorkeling was awesome, I'd forgotten the feeling of floating gently above the fish, and the clicking sound the water makes in your ears. I'm more sunburnt, and tired, but it was totally worth it. At one point, I looked down, and a big brown turtle, the size of a large manhole cover, was swimming below me, looking around. I also saw some eels, and a couple of rays swimming together, like underwater bats. Tomorrow we're going on a road trip to Makena, I think.