re-entry.
March 3, 2008
I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since I posted. I returned from the islands last week and hit the ground running (and snow-shoeing!) and am trying to hold on to the calmness I felt being near the ocean. It was just what I needed. I feel renewed and re-energized despite feeling a little overwhelmed with re-entry into working-life.
Hawaii was a lot of things. A refuge from a long, cold winter. Sun and warmth on my skin. Nothing but shorts and skirts and tank tops and swim suits. Color on my face. Lush, GREEN life everywhere. Snorkeling for the first time–OH MY–I stuck my head under water for only a split second and saw a huge, beautiful silvery blue speckled fish and jumped up out of the water laughing hysterically for 5 minutes. The folks around me begged to hear what I saw, but I was laughing too hard to say and knew it wouldn’t make any sense to them anyway. We hiked thru rain forests with GIANT-sized philodendron climbing Dr. Seus-like trees. I met and fell in love with Brazillian Cardinals and monster tree roots and albatross … oh, the albatross! And I saw my first whale…I jumped up and down from the beach shouting with joy (of course EVERYONE stopped to watch) as it appeared and disappeared in the waves, once even showing it’s belly. I was in awe. After 5 minutes, Patrick broke the news that it was only a boat, not a whale, but my eyes never saw a boat and will forever remember the whale’s glory. (I did see an actual tail of a whale, too, the next day, and will have that image imprinted in my mind for eternity.)
I could go on and on…some of the best people-watching I’ve done in a long time + Thai food + fresh pineapple + rambutans (which are great fruit to juggle by the way) + spotting the blue and white Dharma Initiative VW vans from LOST! + roosters roaming EVERYWHERE + loads of visual inspiration, and a lot of fun, family time.
This being my first, real “vacation” in many years (not including weekend roadtrips), I decided I’m not as much a “vacationer” as I am a traveler and backpacker. Living in a place long enough to “be” there. If we ever go back to Kauai though, we definitely would plan to backpack for several days on the Na Pali Coast from the North. The two pics above are from the first couple miles of that trail. That would be my recommendation!
Here’s a few more pictures…I also uploaded a bunch here. Enjoy. Hope you’re all well!
eucalyptus tree bark
the “mini-grand canyon” of Kauai
coconut ‘business’ card at a funky artist’s house
view of the Na Pali Coast from the south
a Rooster-Crossing
j+p in oahu
11 Responses to “re-entry.”
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© 2012 jenny sue kostecki-shaw · coloredsock@mac.com · 575 586 1726
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March 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Welcome back, my travelling friend!!! I am so happy to see and read about your Kauai trip. It is such a magical island! I know you just got back to blogland, but you’ve been tagged!! 7 things – favorite books, places to visit, whatever.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I am happy to see your smile grow even bigger after your one month vacation. congratulations for adding to your life, one of those wonderful moments that life has to offer.I am happy for both of your smiles. And I loved those pictures. I have read a lot about the biodiversity of hawaiian island. And i liked how you imagined those animals flying in the sky with the clouds.I liked that picture of ,i don’t know ,may be some floating plants,the most. That is a nice blend of colors.
And one more thing, i liked both of your shirts.
Lastly,thank you for sharing.It is nice that you apparently took us there. And i hope that you get this sort of time often in your life. I hope you get to see those wonders of nature that makes your existence even more meaningful and inspiring. Afterall nature is what is yours. explore and explore until and you’ll find something heavenly.
love
Surya
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Oh that was eucalyptus bark. but are they that floatingin water!
March 4th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Whoa! Those beautiful photos. Looks like, sounds like heaven. Love that bark photo and your floating animals – hee hee, those are great. Hawaii looks otherworldly in the best possible way.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Welcome back miss J! I’m so happy you had such a grand time! Sounds amazing!
And that eucalyptus bark is unreal!
Hope to catch up with you soon, after things settle down a bit for you. :)
xo
March 4th, 2008 at 8:06 am
lucky you to have a month in Hawaii (and to come back to snowshoeing…)i hiked the whole Kalalau trail on the Na Pali coast a decade ago and it was incredible (though i got locked in a little outhouse along the way maybe at milepost 7 in the jungle…but am here to tell about it…) Kauai is the best Hawaii has to offer I’m convinced. so nice to see your photos, love the one with the animals in the clouds!
welcome back…
March 4th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Amazing photos — thanks for the penned cloud images, too! Sounds like such a rejeuvenating vacation.
I had the same experience the first time I went snorkeling. I put my head down and there were a zillion fish all around me that I had been completely unaware of, and I yanked my head out and screamed. I think everyone thought I had been bitten by a shark, but I was just shrieking with laughter. All these different worlds surrounding us!
March 4th, 2008 at 11:24 am
hey friends, it’s fun to hear from all of you. i was actually only gone for 17 days, but it sorta felt like a month.
salmonpoetry–YES, the Kalalau trail. everyone must do this hike. it is STUNNING. and take note on that malfunctioning outhouse!
it was just like that–snorkeling–i just LOVE when i laugh so hard and can’t stop. i wish i could do that more, but that’s what makes it so special. TRUE surprises.
i’ll post 7 somethings soon…hmmm.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
welcome back jen!
i enjoyed reading about hawaii and your sighting of the whale. the pict of eucalyptus bark looks like a painting. what amazing colours!
March 5th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Love the coconut business card! These are beutiful – wow – art will follow someday…roosters walking everywhere!
March 8th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Yay! You’re back!
Such a fun, happy post about your trip. Your enthusiasm is contageous (I have this feeling people tell you that a lot :-) It truly does sound like Dr. Seusland – and what could be better than that?!
PS. Thank you for your kind comment on my final blog post. I will be here in your comments often!