Hawaii Travelogue - I

I have been thinking to post my Hawaii trip experience for a long time now. Today, I have overcome my laziness and here I am writing my first ever travelogue. I intend to divide the travelogue into each of the days I spent in the beautiful Hawaiian islands.

Our travel to Hawaii was planned more than a month ahead, so that we could get good deals in air tickets and hotels. We googled for the best places to visit for a 4 day 4 night vacation. Since this was our first time visiting the islands, we were in an exploratory mood rather than a luxurious, relaxing one. We also read that the best time to visit is in the month of May since it is an off-season in Hawaii. But I wouldn't think so. There were lots and lots of people in Honolulu where we stayed for 4 nights. The city was always buzzing with tourists.

Now, let me just tell you the geography of Hawaii. Hawaii state consists of six islands- Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Big Island, Maui. Of these, Oahu is the most advanced with modern luxuries but preserving the inherent beautiful nature in it. Honolulu is in the island of Oahu.

On Friday evening, we landed in Honolulu.Before landing, we need to fill up a Hawaii state agriculture department form. This is a way to ensure that people do not get plants/animals which are not indigenous to Hawaii. One of our flight attendants said that there are no snakes in Hawaii and just last week they had arrested a person who was trying to smuggle in snakes from the mainland. I was surprised as well as relieved when I heard there were no snakes. Relieved because, we could go hiking to forests without getting to worry about the snakes!!

ALOHA - Welcome to Hawaii.

The warm, moist but gentle evening breeze of Honolulu welcomed us... The sweet, subtle fragrance of primavera flowers on our lei welcomed us..They also conveyed to us "Mahalo" (Thankyou in Hawaiian) for visiting.

Most of the hotels in Honolulu area are in Waikiki, close to the famous Waikiki beach. There is a bus shuttle, $9 per person, from the airport to the hotels, which takes atleast 45 min to reach Waikiki. We reached Aqua Aloha Surf Hotel for our night stay. Though 6 hr flight from LA was a pleasant one, but the time lag made us weary and tired. Hawaii time is 3 hrs behind the Pacific Time.

Waikiki beach was a small walk from our hotel and we enjoyed the twilight in Waikiki, appreciating the cool breeze and the lights along the beach. Since it was a Friday night, the beach side hotels had an array of music and dance performances from the local artists wearing costumes in authentic Hawaiian prints. We enjoyed the performances along the beach side, with the sun slowly setting and the Hawaiian music blending with the sound of ocean waves.



We had planned a day trip to the Big Island next day morning, so we retired for the day after our dinner. Both of us were eagerly looking forward for our 4 days in Hawaii.

This post is continued in Hawaii Travelogue-II.

A Star is Born

I am always amazed by the different aspects of life especially how life is created. Starting from a single cell, it takes different forms during its course and then finally comes into this world bringing its aura to many others lives. My friend recently delivered a baby girl and she was named Arya. Looking at her picture today, I was thinking about the past few months when she was in her mother's womb oblivious of the world outside - its colors, aromas, intricacies and what not. But surely she would have been enjoying her little world of her own. And on 26th June 2007, she burst out into this outside world to start her journey like all of us. I wish my friend heartiest congratulations and lots of love to her bundle of joy, Arya.

How to plant your Garden

I got these instructions from my cousin and I thought it was very thoughful one. So, here are the instructions.

First, you Come to the garden alone,while the dew is still on the roses....

FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING,

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS "Peace" :
1. Peace of mind
2.Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH "Squash":
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness


PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE "Let us":
1. Lettuce be faithful
2 Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another


NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS "Turn up":
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another



TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME "Time":
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.