One week ago we were visiting a beautiful Hawaiian beach with Corm... I really believed by now I would have written a long and detailed account of our week on the Island.
It felt like forever before we switched from California time (we are three hours later here than in Hawaii) and now we can't seem to shake Island time. I put the boys to bed by 9 p.m. and they were still reading and giggling at 11:30 p.m. I conclude that next time we should stay longer. Don't try to follow my reasoning; there is none.
Our trip was great. We did and saw a lot. And we saw a lot, but it already sold, so I guess we are no closer to moving. We went to Volcanoes National Park and stayed at a great B&B, and we hiked through Thurston Lava Tube. It was a pleasant and very easy trail, and I apologize to Max, because he wanted to do the hike a second time, but somehow he got vetoed. We should have indulged him. We did indulge him with a day at his favorite Kona beach, where we swam and saw many sea turtles. And we played at the boy's favorite park. I got my special request filled when we drove the Kohala Mountain Road. It is stunning.
This is where William first learned how to swim.
Did you see the picture with James and Deanne? Our good friends made their Hawaii reservations months ago, and we got our act together to join them. Sharing a favorite place with friends is fun. This was their first visit to the Big Island. They knew from earlier trips to other islands that beautiful beach days and great sights were in store for us all. Geoff and I revisited many places we had not seen in years. It really is a big island; we kept thinking of more and more sights to see, which we didn't actually get around to seeing, so I guess we have to return.
Vacations for a family of 6 are a balancing act, a feat of coordination and patience, and probably not even possible without a home-base, washer and dryer, mini-van and the generous aloha of Tutu and Grampa Corm. Mahalo. Mahalo. Mahalo. That's many thanks in Hawaiian, and it should be repeated many times. I suspect they are more than happy to open their beautiful new home to their cherished grandchildren, and the rest of us (family joke), but they do a lot of extras that make our stay most special. We never land on the Island without a leis greeting, which is a romantic and fragrant touch. We never have to shuttle to a motel, or eat out every night. We always get the kama'aina hospitality. If we came home tired or turned around huli-huli style, it's only because we had so much fun having fun.
He lani ke keiki, he milimili na ka makua... the child is a chief to be loved by the parents.
1 comment:
Thank you Natalie. That was nice. We loved having you guys. Next time I'll take the right days off work.
Aloha, Ruth.
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