O'ahu

Sorry for my lateness fellow readers! After I spent a little over five weeks on the Big Island I spent my last week in Hawaii on O'ahu. I survived the immense tropical humidity thanks to tropical storms and depressions that were thousands of miles away. My most magical moment(s) on the island was getting to see these big and beautiful sea turtles swimming in the turquoise waters and resting on the beach and riding waves and popping their heads out of the water. There is something about sea turtles that is really comforting and they seem like such peaceful and kind beings, I feel lucky to have gotten to see so many of them! I drove down one of the most stunning roads, which was on the east side of the island. I stopped to take as many photos as I could and I still can't believe I didn't drive off into the ocean, which you could have done pretty easily. One of my favorite shows, Lost (may it RIP), was filmed on O'ahu and it was really fun to go to spots where they filmed and being able to see parts of the island that I probably wouldn't have known about otherwise. One unfortunate stupid mistake by me was going paddle boarding with my phone (I know,  believe me I've been kicking myself ever since).  I've carried my phone with me numerous times while paddle boarding and been fine, until this incident when a big gust of wind came to knock me over. As I was nearing my fate all I could think about was MY PHONE that was in MY SHORTS POCKET and that it was absolutely, positively, going to get drenched, a cell phone ocean enima if you will. My cell phone got very, very wet. I tried drying it out in rice for a few days which seemed to help but it wasn't able to get a charge. I went to Apple in Waikiki and ended up trading in for a new replacement phone which was a very expensive gift I gave myself. Believe me, I have learned my lesson. Before I had my phone incident I'll always remember my pinch me moment paddle barding with a sea turtle and seeing a dog swimming in the water, leading its owner while they were on their board.

I stayed on the North Shore and the south east side of the island and loved seeing the waves crash on the shore line. Even though the waves aren't as big now as in the winter months, it was still mesmerizing watching them gain momentum and reach there peak. There is something really meditative and calming about being by the ocean, especially on the islands. I also had some amazing food, the best Thai food of my life and an out-of-this-world raw passion fruit pie. I would fly back just for another piece of that pie. O'ahu, like the Big Island, is breathtaking and a place that will always stay with me. I had an incredible six weeks and still can't believe how lucky I am to have had this experience. I'm so grateful and repeatedly saying thank you, thank you, thank you. Mahalo O'ahu, until next time...

What I'll Miss

I've been off the Big Island now since Friday morning and there is a lot that I miss already from my 5 weeks. I miss the spectacular view of the ocean from the farm, the sound of the frogs at night and the waterfall that would be the soundtrack to my day and lull me to sleep. I miss the great big sky and on a clear night how many thousands of twinkly stars and shooting stars I would see. I miss the simplicity of life when you are working on a farm and the joy of seeing something you helped grow to fruition. I'm going to miss my time with Drean and Pam and my fellow wwoofer who have all been great teachers for me with whom I've learned a lot from. I'm going to miss being able to say 'I'm currently living in Hawaii!'.  I'm going to miss all the waterfalls and living Aloha. I'm going to miss so much more but I know that this experience, like all travel experiences, will stay with me forever. You have to leave a place in order to come back and I can't wait to be reunited again with the Big Island. Until next time you big beautiful island you.....

Three more days

Three more days. I have three more days until I leave my home for the past five weeks on the Big Island for O'ahu and bid farewell to my time on the farm. This past week has been one of some firsts and embracing as much of the Big Island as I can muster. But first, a look at the day in the life of a wwoofer. I work Monday through Friday generally from 8:30-1:30, doing everything from planting various vegetables/microgreens in the greenhouse, weeding, fertilizing, composting, putting in a greenhouse irrigation system, tearing down unwanted invasive species in the jungle, farming maintenance, building a foundation for a cabin addition, planting avocado trees, working at the Food Share (like a farmer's market of sorts), and learning a great deal about organic farming/gardening and helping Drean build his future community garden. I've really enjoyed my time here and it's been therapeutic getting my hands in the earth, helping plants grow and seeing the progress.  It usually rains here at least once a day but the past week has been fairly dry and hotter than normal. The trade winds off the ocean can bring immense joy and relief on those sun pounding days and you are reminded of the very little things that make all the difference, especially when you are sweating all over your body.

Last weekend I rented a car and drove to the Kona side of the island to spend some time at Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Park, which translates to "Place of Refuge".  Back hundreds of years ago when the first Hawiian's came to the island if they had broken a law they were often punished by death. If these Hawaiians were able to make it to this special place they believed that their gods wanted them to live and they were forgiven for their sins.  Walking around I could feel the peaceful and forgiving energy and it was a special place to visit. I also loved seeing these beautiful wooden carved statues or ""ki'i" which are considered to have a lot of mana or power around this area. When I was there they were celebrating the Hawaiian Culture Festival which had many traditional Hawaiian games, crafts, food, and a Hula performance! I made a flower crown lei and a bracelet which came out pretty good if I do say so myself, with the help of some native Hawaiian wahines. One major first that happened over the weekend was being in an earthquake. I shot out of bed around 10:45 pm thinking, what the fuck is happening? It took my brain a few moments to realize that the reason why my bed, dresser and table were shaking fairly violently was due to an earthquake. It only lasted around 30 seconds but was an incredible force to be woken by. I then quickly googled "earthquake Big Island?" and it came up as a 4.8 which was then upgraded the next morning to a 5.2. Once I knew nobody got hurt and there was no damage I then felt better thinking that it was a pretty awesome moment to experience.

The next day as I was driving back I stopped at Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling which is a Buddhist Temple and one that the Dalai Lama visited back in 1994. The Buddhist Temple is in Wood Valley, which is a small village off the main highway. On the way I passed by Ka'u Coffee Plantations (which is by far the best coffee I've ever had, sorry Kona Coffee, try some if you can!). Past coffee heaven I reached the Nechung Temple which is tucked away on a slight hill and exudes such peacefulness and grace. I loved spending time in the meditation temple and walking around and admiring all the buddhas and buddhist prayer flags that were moving with the gentlest of breezes. I'd love to come back here and stay overnight especially to enjoy the daily prayer and meditation with the Venerable Lobzang Toldan "Tiapala" who lives here full time.

Another first I had last weekend was..... hitch hiking. Now before you get all worried and concerned and "that isn't safe!" thinking, know that I was thinking this too for weeks and I obviously survived and lived to tell the tale. Hitch hiking is something I didn't think I would ever do because it probably isn't the best way to get around but in Hawaii it's legal and is quite safe, especially on the Big Island. I feel being a social worker I can read people pretty well and if I didn't feel right about someone who pulled over I wasn't going to get in their car. I had dropped my car off at the airport and had a 20 mile trek back to the farm and figured why not? Let me give it a go! Though I was a bit nervous to try the whole sticking out my thumb on the side of the road thing, it was actually kind of fun and thrilling and I got to meet new and kind people I wouldn't have otherwise. Now I probably won't do it again before I leave Hawaii but I am glad I did it... and that it went as well as it did. I think it was in my favor that I was a young woman and I was alone, I didn't have to wait that long in between for someone to pull over. Maybe I'm a pro now, who knows?! Here are my photos from last week!