Farmer-tanned, wide-eyed tourists
We must have looked like quite a duo of farmer-tanned, wide-eyed tourists, now transformed into flowery lei donned tourists. We lugged our cheap suitcases to the proper sunny curb spot for the rental car then crammed the luggage into the tiny back of a convertible (great idea to get a convertible, don’t you think?).
With windows down as far as they would go, we were off to our adventure with our sunscreen-slathered, sunglass-donned faces. In our open-air ride, we braced against the hair-whipping sweet wind and direct sun. Down the block, at the first traffic light, hats and sunglasses were adjusted accordingly.
The drive was delightfully luscious to our skin, eyes, and noses. Peeks of the ocean waves and sandy beaches, the large palm trees leaned and swayed in the breeze, tempting cell phone camera pics. We could clearly recognize the mark of God’s amazing creation and it became indelible within both of us. I can’t adequately explain, but we both felt so right, for the first time in our lives. Not that we found it, but that it found us.
Our Messy but Perfect Move to Maui
Mistakes Will be Made
Our motto? If you need something done… figure it out and do it yourself. Problem-solvers from the start- and we haven’t seen the checkered flag yet. Admittedly, within peripheral vision, we noticed but ignored an abundance of flapping yellow caution flags along the way. Then we have the persistent, sticky irritation of being endlessly short on funds- to say the least. This means the creativity level needed to be bumped up a notch, then another notch or two. Thus, begins our messy, but perfect move to paradise.
Our dream/vision/quest began with a Kauai vacation…
Entirely arranged by extended family. Understatement: Vacations had not ever been a priority in our lives. We were busy raising kids and working on our construction business (does that sound familiar? Busy gets in the way, right?). Always the project at hand had been our focus. Trips were rare and a Hawaiian vacation wasn’t on the To-Do list, however, “pre-arranged” for us by an incredibly thoughtful family, for which we are eternally grateful. Perhaps we looked somewhat frayed around the edges?
First, I’ve gotta say, Hawaiian Airlines has the theme nailed down. We stepped across the airplane threshold and were instantly transported directly to Hawaii. The hypnotic strumming music, a meal with plenty of papayas, orange, and guava juice (POG) served with a pineapple/ coconut cookie by friendly flight attendants wearing colorful flowered uniforms and one bloom casually attached behind an ear. The holiday atmosphere makes for a plane full of happy vacationers. Even the briefcase travelers, clearly headed for business reasons, seemed more laid-back once they were seated. Are we there yet?
Five short hours later, a light floral fragrance mixed with warm air wafted throughout the open-air airport. We changed our shoes to our stiff new flip-flops then grabbed our meager bags off the slow and squealing turnstile. Happy little birds with itty-bitty beaks, chirped and flitted freely among the rafters, then swooped down to peck at a tiny something on the concrete floor. As a distant ukulele strummed in the background, we were welcomed with “Aloha” smiles, and lei necklaces (pre-arranged by our hosts). It cannot get better than this… really.
Farmer-tanned, wide-eyed tourists
We must have looked like quite a duo of farmer-tanned, wide-eyed tourists, now transformed into flowery lei donned tourists. We lugged our cheap suitcases to the proper sunny curb spot for the rental car then crammed the luggage into the tiny back of a convertible (great idea to get a convertible, don’t you think?).
With windows down as far as they would go, we were off to our adventure with our sunscreen-slathered, sunglass-donned faces. In our open-air ride, we braced against the hair-whipping sweet wind and direct sun. Down the block, at the first traffic light, hats and sunglasses were adjusted accordingly.
The drive was delightfully luscious to our skin, eyes, and noses. Peeks of the ocean waves and sandy beaches, the large palm trees leaned and swayed in the breeze, tempting cell phone camera pics. We could clearly recognize the mark of God’s amazing creation and it became indelible within both of us. I can’t adequately explain, but we both felt so right, for the first time in our lives. Not that we found it, but that it found us.
