The Pacific Ocean: Maui's playground

It didn’t take long to get moving in Maui. Andrew and Stephen, two comical brothers from my homestay, kidnapped me and took me to the North Shore, where the wind and waves were choice. Within 24 hours, I had already invaded the ocean with surf and paddleboards. Later that afternoon, Andrew took me out past the miles of sugar cane fields to Twin Falls. There, we went on an incredible hike through the rainforest that led to a giant cave, natural pools, and a series of steep waterfalls (that we jumped off). The “forest,” as they call it, was like a free tropical farmer’s market. It didn’t take much more than a leap or some tree shake action to pluck fresh papaya, guava, apple bananas, passionfruit (lily coy), mangoes, or avocados from the sheltering branches. No kidding, this place really is paradise!


The next couple of days I spent weaving into the Davis family schedule. I accompanied Lisa in an intense hilly power walk with their two giant pawed dogs Ben and Bear (or black dog as they also call him) as well as lent a hand in daily errands. I tagged along and witnessed some insane downhill longboard racing with Andrew on the windy mountain roads. I caught a beautiful Saturday sunset overlooking the valley and captured a wide-eyed view of an infamous Hawaiian rainbow. Hal and Lisa (the parents) took me on a snorkeling adventure as well as a coastal tour of some of the most picturesque beaches. I also spent an hour or so creating a pastel masterpiece of the mountainside view of their island bungalow to later give them as a thank you gift.
I’m sure I’m missing a bunch here, however I’m going to have to get back to you all later, because the power just went out and I’m going to need to use the little bit of light from this laptop to lead me to bed.

Sweet Sugar Cane Dreams,
J.man

Mahalo!

9-16-10

All I can live and breathe is WOW. I’ve had a wild ride merely in the process of getting to my destination (which I still haven’t arrived at yet). Just picture me, currently sprawled out on Honolulu’s groovy groomed carpet waiting for my final flight of the day to Maui, just dreaming of the minute in which I can sprint into the Pacific Ocean and flop around like a five year old. And further on: surf, hike, learn to paddleboard, jump of cliffs, drink a mai tai, do whatever it takes to live like a local! I’ve had my ultimate roadtrip but now I’m keen to lay low for a while; in ONE place that is.

The past 30 or so hours Cam and I have been living and lugging our overstuffed suitcases, camping in airports, and weaving through the labyrinths of terminals. Last night we crashed in an overlooked wing of the Phoenix airport and were awoken on occasion to an industrial vacuum and the second to an army crawling bum that camouflaged himself in the shadows under the same set of benches we had set up camp. Creepy, I know. For the records, we moved not long after all the company.

This morning, I split up with Cam and hopped on an 8am flight to Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Hayes, on the other hand, ran off to Los Angeles to prepare for his long awaited flight home to New Zealand. So, I AM HERE…but not quite there exactly, if that makes any sense. Jailed in the airport for 30 more minutes awaiting my interisland flight. From then on, Lynn’s good friend Lisa will be picking me up and babysitting me for four days. Cannot wait! It is almost my human nature to stray from tourist attractions and destinations. As perfect sometimes works out; I’ll be spoiled from the start.

Anways, I want to talk about this one native I happened to bump into as I was minding my own business in the security line. He is known by the name ‘Easy Ed’. Full name of course is Edward Nordstrom. Not a name you come across very often, so I found it a cinch to remember. This man was a character I tell ya: referring back to past flight experiences and his retired life. Ironically, we were booked on the same flight, although he was going to use his corporate status to squeeze on an earlier one. By the time we arrived at gate 50, he had revealed his title as the unofficial ambassador of Maui as well as his love of herb. There on, explained that he is one of the only legal marijuana growers on the island. Interesting fellow, I tell ya. Bumping into Easy Ed was a great welcoming to the island; however I was relieved when they announced the final call to his VIP Maui departure. He left me his number on the island, a chocolate chip chewy bar, a copy of the local Maui newspaper, and finally two little sample baggies from his garden. Hahahah
The End. Good story eh?

Catch you in a bit,
Jill

road trip journals will be up sometime soon here... goin to continue onto Hawaii for now