This summer in Hawaii, I island-hopped with my friend Tammy: Maui, the Big Island, and Oahu. Despite being a rather nervous flyer who is very much aware of the safety statistics for airlines and aircraft, I prefer flying in the smaller planes such as those employed by the discount island-hopping airlines. Go figure, I know; it makes no rational sense, only emotional sense inside me. The flight from Maui to the Big Island in this plane, the smallest we flew in, was amazing. Tammy and I sat in row one, right behind the pilot--a woman, by the way, with a blonde ponytail!
In further recounting of my summer vacation in Hawaii, though, no chronological or geographically meaningful structure remains intact. So, listed below, in no particular order whatsoever, are the highlights, the moments that made memories:
- All, and I mean all, beaches are public. It doesn't matter how snazzy the resort or upscale the home hugging the beach, the beach itself has public access. And Hawaiian beaches do carry significant weight in the setting of planetary beach standards!
- There are chickens in the yard, even in suburbia! There are also "feral" chickens Tammy and I concluded. "Feral"--but not in an "ew" or scary way--only because chickens will emerge impromptu, so to speak, along a roadside far away from any yard or human habitation.
- Hawaii has the best fish tacos ever! Fish taco connoisseurs, Tammy and I sampled pert near on a daily basis. No fish taco remained un-devoured in any circumstance, but we ultimately ranked the ones at the Hard Rock Cafe--in both Lahaina (Maui) and Honolulu--as the best.
- Continuing with the subject of island cuisine, let me also mention banana bread...as in roadside fruit stand banana bread. YUM! Long-time family recipes play a role here and a few attain mythical status.
- Hawaii has lots of very cool churches, ones totally worthy of "in the dell."
- The Road to Hana: On my first trip to Hawaii, we only made it half-way to Hana, via the renowned road to Hana, before our time frame necessitated that we turn back. On this trip, though, we ultimately arrived in Hana, an atmospheric little town on the east coast of Maui. The lay of the land along the road to Hana is indeed breathtaking for virtually the entire journey.
- Island volcanoes generally array themselves in clouds. We saw nary a top of one during our visit, only abundant evidence of their powers of creation and distinctive designing of the landscape.
- For a Hawaiian city, I choose Hilo.
Other random details mingling in my Hawaii recollections include (1) the fact that my hair and nails perform at a much higher standard in Hawaii. I believe my physiology embraces the Hawaiian climate--yes, even the humidity. (2) I have become entangled in the TV drama NCIS. Totally Tammy's fault and the multiple nights we spent watching NCIS marathons on a channel regularly incorporated into various hotels' TV repertoire. (3) I am also now fettered to the series (books only at this point) Game of Thrones. Totally my fault. Curious about all the hoopla surrounding the series, I brought the first book to Hawaii in my stash for beach reading. Alas, I have since purchased the second book, A Clash of Kings, and the third book, I suspect, resides in my immediate future.
Hawaii commenced my summer vacation in grand style. The rest of it has unfolded rather gloriously as well.
1 comment:
But did you try the Spam Musubi. It's surprisingly good.
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