More Maui Moments

The Byodo-In Temple on Oahu is a replica of a Japanese Temple from, I think, the 12th Century. I love the mist coming off the mountains in Hawaii.



The Samoan presentation at the Polynesian Cultural Center was hilarious! And I was impressed by how quickly he made fire and coconut milk.



Tandem Parasailing with my sister.



Canoe Pageant was fun but very hot.



A temporary ink tattoo from Fiji. It would have lasted longer if it hadn't rained a half hour later and then heated up again so I was sweating.



On one of the hikes during our road to Hana my brother and I found a patch of bamboo.



Finally after 4 days in Hawaii I got Lei'd! Took long enough.

Maui Pictures

Here are a few pictures I took in Maui.











Why am I not on a beach right now watching the sun set?

Missing Maui

I had a wonderful time, despite things not turning out like I had planned, not that they ever do, but my expectations of traveling with my brother and sister were a bit off. We argue and fight when we are at home hanging out, what made me think traveling would be any different?

My idea of traveling and having a vacation is getting up around seven am, going out and seeing the sights, interacting with the people, experiencing their culture and way of life, fun activities like hiking and snorkeling, seeing nature and the beach, and a bit of shopping. I like to keep a journal and have quiet time in nature to write and sketch.

My sister's idea of a vacation: sleeping in till ten, laying out, spa treatments, lots of shopping, relaxing in the hotel room.

My brother's way of vacationing: sleeping in till 8 or 9, taking hundreds of nature pictures, doing many activities I like to do-but at a MUCH slower pace, eating good food, eating good food, eating good food.

But even with our different styles we still had fun. Ate lots of good food, played at the beach, went snorkeling and parasailing, saw Ulalena and Ha: the Breath of Life, had a Hawaiian luau and feast, saw the Polynesian Cultural Center and Pearl Harbor, kissed and got kissed by a dolphin, and spent more than I probably should have.

When I returned to work, a friend asked what my favorite part of the trip was. Is it sad to say it was not being at work? All I want to do is relax, travel the world, and write. Is that too much to ask for?

"Look me in the eyes . . . ."

... And tell me the truth, or tell me you do or don't love me. Those are the usual endings to that sentence. People use it all the time in movies and books, most often in regards to love. Someone will tell the person they love to look them in the eyes and say they don't love them back. Inevitably they will be told no, for reasons of great noble sacrifice, sometimes. More often than not the 'no' comes from fear. Regardless, why do they keep asking "look me in the eyes . . ." and expect to have some magical ability to know the truth? Or, every time they believe what they are told, also probably out of fear, that their 'worst fear' is coming true. I am fascinated by this. Apparently I need to work on my ability to read eyes in order to better understand why it is used so much.