Aloha, Lunatics!
This year, I gifted myself a trip to Hawai’i to celebrate my 50th birthday. Like, what?? I know, I know, I know! I don’t look a day over 50! Hah!
I have been waiting for many years, probably since I was a kid, to visit Hawai’i. I always thought about what it was and felt, but what I experienced was not what I was expecting. You know, in the good old days of Fantasy Island and Hawai’i 5-0, I mean… the real good stuff. So, here is what happened to me.
I fell in love in Hawai’i. With Hawai’i. And the sunsets…
I spent eight days visiting O’Ahu and Big Island. The first four days, I was in the Honolulu and Waikiki areas, hiked Diamond Head, went to a Luau and visited North Shore too. I spent the next four days on Big Island around the Kailua-Kona area.
What I got from both experiences was impressive, starting with the sunsets. Now, I have seen sunsets from Rincón, Puerto Rico, from Clearwater and Sanibel island in Florida, from Huntington Beach, California, and from the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
I have never seen anything as magickal as the sunsets I saw from Honolulu and from Kailua Kona in Hawai’i. The Creator did not shy away from putting in all the colors and all the energy into the sunsets in Hawai’i.
I fell in love. Just sitting there, looking at the water and looking at the sun come down. For me, at least, it’s just proof that the universe is perfect.
Then Big Island Happened
I flew from Honolulu to the Kailua-Kona airport looking out my window. As we got closer to landing, I kept wondering “OMFG!! Whyyy in the world would I leave Honolulu to come to a rock!!?” In my opinion, all I saw from my window was just a rock with very little green. I was so wrong.
The moment I landed, I felt the energy of Mother Earth being alive. It was pulsating through my feet and into my heart. And it may sound a little romantic or a little ethereal, but it is a thing! You have to be there to experience that magic.
I had booked a helicopter ride to fly over the Volcanoes National Park for the next day, Sunday, September 3rd. I was expecting to see this huge, majestic mountain or structure that had erupted several times over the last millennia. It wasn’t like that. The elevation of the volcano was a gradual lift to the sky. So, I wasn’t as overwhelmed as I thought I’d be.
I drove about an hour and 15 minutes or so eastbound to Hilo to get on my helicopter ride. The whole drive was just so peaceful. There were very little cars, which had me a little concerned because I did not see a stop anywhere. I don’t recall seeing a gas station, or a rest stop, or a hospital or anything in between from Kona to Hilo, so I was a little concerned driving by myself.
Hilo was a heartwarming environment. It was super charming.
Once we left in the helicopter, I just could not speak. I did not say one word throughout the whole flight. All the other passengers were asking questions, I was just taking everything in from the moment we lifted. We looked at the coasts over Hilo, the houses, the farms, the waterfalls and then there it was, the first volcano. Most people would probably look at it as a big hole on the ground, but for me, again it was feeling the energy and the vibe from the air.
We continued flying overlooking a panoramic view from left to right and straight ahead. Then the second volcano made her appearance. It was unbelievable. No lava, no eruptions, but there was a little steam popping here and there.
I was so speechless. Which is even more surprising!
And while all of that was great, what did me in, what really did me in…
It was the people.
It was the way I was treated from the minute I arrived at the airport in Boston. Everyone I encountered at the airline was so sweet, kind, and caring. I needed that. They were always smiling, always going above and beyond what I’m used to getting here in the cold Northeast. I was even surprised I was in Boston getting this treatment. And don’t get me wrong, I think Boston is alright, but this was a different experience altogether.
Once I got to both O’Ahu and Big Island, that treatment did not change. I was treated so kindly by everyone regardless of who they were or who I am. I assume that it has to do with the fact that I’m a Latina traveling solo and they’re probably more used to seeing U.S. Americans, Europeans, and Japanese tourists than someone like me. So they went well above their way, and for whatever reason it was, I am so grateful.
I will go back to Hawaii, that is a promise to myself. I am in love. There is something in my heart that pumps differently.
I found that there are also many similarities between Hawai’i and Puerto Rico, which is my true homeland. At the same time, there is a special vibe and energy in Hawai’i that I cannot even find back home. And don’t get me wrong, home is home. Puerto Rico is home. Hawai’i is so different though. So, if you ever get a chance, put Hawaii on your bucket list. You will not regret that decision. I hope this information gives you some insight as to why you should go.
Until next time, please remember to continue living life and traveling lightly ever after!!
Mahalo (Thank you) for reading.
