Take me back.. back again..

Here it is 3pm on a Saturday. It’s chilly so chilly in fact I’m wearing a beanie, the clouds are gloomy and grey and there is not a sceric of Hawaii in sight. The depression, of holidayitis is real. The kids are in the distance pulling every toy out of their places a mere distraction of sandy beaches, sun, adventure and excitement. It’s our life. It’s my life. It’s normality and that’s perfectly okay.

I’m taking time out to reflect on Hawaii. Laura and I’s adventure. My perspective, my thoughts. Let’s lay it all out, here and now.

We arrived at the airport and there was not a sense of hurry, it was a really slow and steady pace. What were we experiencing, it was in fact what we had come to know as Hawaii time. When things just happen when it happens because when on holidays slow and steady is just fine.

Laura and I were.. not really slow and steady types of people. Consider us as wanting to explore and experience everything we could with as much time as we had possible but still enjoy relaxing opportunities, which we undoubtedly did. Fitting us much in, in a day was what we were all about.

Laura has given a great breakdown day by day (if you have not had a chance to read her blogs by all means please go check them out after reading mine), and we covered a lot of ground and I mean a lot.

You could say we did the real touristy stuff, kualoa ranch, hanuama bay, hikes like diamond head crater and Koko head trail. Surfing, Waikiki beach, snorkeling, eating, drinking, Street walking, shipping, more eating and drinking and lots of people watching. I loved it all. I’d go back tomorrow and do it all again.

Hawaii is one of those places that you go back to. I’ve heard for such a long from people with responses like ” I’m going back for X time next month/year” and I can understand why.

So your reading asking but why Trent! It’s like the vibe, it is relaxed and has this amazing feel. The people and the scenery and the places really make it what it is. It’s know as the place of the gods or the homeland and I can appreciate those meanings. It has this aloha spirit – Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect.

There was such juxtaposition in Hawaii. From the cultures polarising each other, the rich and wealthy to the poor and there was plenty of that, ages of all, varying food cuisines, beach v mountains and so much more. The diversity was amazing and I think for me I love that. So many differences makes things so exciting, so much to learn, so much culture to live and breathe and explore. So much people watching with all this diversity.

Let’s talk food…. Okay maybe not so much talking… If you love food you will love this place. When I travel I want to experience all different types of food. Like some of my family who go to Bali and want schnitty and chips.. like come on you have travelled across continents and you want schnitty and chips with gravy. For me this just will never stand. Time and place people. Like at my home local pub yes thanks.

So okay off my soap box.. you must try all different type of foods and challenge your pallette. From the usual Americanism chains to poke, seafood, Japanese and of course local Hawaii flare. When in another country. Eat some local food. I’m a street food type of person. Get to the north shore and get amongst the food trucks.

People watching – now this is an art. Wikipedia quotes it as “People watching or crowd watching is the act of observing people and their interactions, usually without their knowledge. It involves picking up on idiosyncrasies to try to guess at another person’s story. This includes speech in action, relationship interactions, body language, expressions, clothing and activities. Wikipedia” Laura and I love doing this, chilling at the beach people watching is our time for relaxing.

Like my visit to Paris. The locals insisted that this was part of life with a red wine and a cigarette in hand. People sat and watched as the cafes seating all faced the street. There is something rather intriguing about this art that on the outset appears creepy but really it is a natural part of like especially for an observer like ones self. I would hazard a guess an enjoyment for many.

It’s all sounding positive right. So it brings me back to the title. Back again.. many have before me. Many will after me – revisit that is. Will I ?

Yes there are the negatives, the homelessness, the dollar factor but really, Gosh Sydney has a homelessness issue and so has many countries I’ve visited. Third World places like PNG have worst problems then us and I still enjoyed it there. Let’s look at some perspective.

What are your thoughts ? Did you have the same opinion or not?

Will I or won’t I. Yes if the opportunity presented, I’d go back. Probably to explore Maui or the big island this time. But we have done it, we are looking for our next adventures. Canada, an African safari – the future is bright.