I'll never be able to really exlpain...

It's Tuesday, 4:30 my time and I've just come back to the ship. These past 48 hours have been the most amazingly serendipitous moments of my life, and believe you me I have the sunburn to prove it. Hopefully this does it justice, however I feel like no one will ever understand these days accept for those who were with me. But, here goes.

We docked in Hilo, Hawaii early Monday morning and my friends Dave and Andrea and I (along with everyone else on the ship ahaha) went up to the top deck to watch it happen and to watch the sunrise. It was gorgeous, deep purple and orange. I got to call Mom and let her know that I was on land and I think she passed the message on. After we were all cleared for customs Dave, Andrea, Brittany, Claire and I walked into town…4 miles into town. We were unaware. So by that time we had been up since five and were in desperate need for coffee. We followed our noses and found the first place open; Bay Front Kava Java Shop. My friend Heather, Molly and Helen were just up ahead and joined us. Dave went to open the door but it was locked! The owner was in there making coffee and saw how pathetically desperate we were opened the door for us! He had his cute dog name Rufio…Rufie for short, laugh it up…in the shop with him. He was such a caring and compassionate person and told us all about the island, where to go, what to do, what NOT to do. But what I’ll always remember him for is his Kava, or what the locals call Awa (Ah-vah). It is a drink from the root of the Awa tree which is mixed with water and is supposed to clear your mind and locals have it in their coffee sometimes. We all climbed onto the bar stools and the owner (Dave) filled an enormous coconut bowl full of Awa for us and gave us all coconut bowls to drink out of. We sacrificed to the land by sprinkling some of the drink to the ground, and sacrificed to our ancestors by sprinkling some over our shoulders. Then we had to clap once, chug and clap twice when we were done. All of a sudden our mouths and throats went numb and we were all laughing and just felt so good. While we were all talking Dave made us some coffee, iced for me! Because he opened his shop up early for us, Rufie was neglected and did not get his morning walk. So we all took him around town and it was hilarious. People would come up and pet him yelling “Rufiooo! Where’s Dave!?” We quickly had to explain when we saw fellow SASers around town that we did not adopt a dog within the first hour on land. We got kicked out of the farmers market because he peed on the fruit stand (hahaha) but I got a great dress, and a beautiful opal bracelet. Once we returned Ruifo (3 hours later) and had walked around downtown Dave had been talking all about this place, Café 100 that all of his friends recommended. Let me tell you, the strangest combination of food I have ever eaten. I got a Super Loco Moco which consisted of white rice and gravy with meatloaf on top and fried egg on top of that. On the side; potato macaroni salad and fried spam. DELICOUS! While at lunch we decided to rent a car so we called a taxi whose drivers name was Theresa. She gave us directions to go to the hot springs in Puna which she said we just had to go to while we had a car. She drove us to the airport where we strolled right up to National and rented a white Chevy minivan which we christened “Bertha.” Well, we followed her directions and the hot springs were nowhere to be found. However we did stumble upon a field of dried lava cliffs on the ocean shore. It was a crazy scene-jagged black rocks with water crashing right up to it-tons of pics to be uploaded! Still trying to find the hot springs we stopped and asked for directions. This is where we met Oyen, a half Japanese local who has a degree in meditative studies, Daniel, from Manhattan, and Manny who is, and I quote “living in Hawaii for the people, coconuts, ganja, music and money.” They told us the hot springs were where the homeless bathe and quickly directed us to follow them and the spirits of the island to the Mermaid Pond-a totally secretive spot for locals only-and an Olympic sized natural infinity pool. We followed their car and the scenery quickly turned into something similar to the Congo. Signs everywhere said “Kuma! (Danger) Hawaiin burial sight” The road turned to more of a grass pass and then the three pulled over their car and we pulled behind them. Everyone looked around and I could tell they were uncomfortable. Here we are, in the jungle of Hawaii with three strangers. I just wanted to swim! Manny pointed to the path, gave us a Hawaiian wave and disappeared with the others into the forest. We waited about 10 minutes weighing the pros and cons…to see a natural pool and hang with locals? Orrrr possibly die in Hawaii before we make it to any other continent besides North America. Then, thankfully three female locals emerged from the path and yelled to us, “It’s great! The waters so warm!” That was it, I told the group they could pick me up later or come with me now. We all got out and tip toed to the path which was brimming with colorful flowers, one which I picked up on the way back and am pressing. We finally got down to the end of the path and we see the three hippies we had met fully clothed in their cars earlier, buck naked cannon balling into this huge natural pool. We wave, they don’t seem to be embarrassed and we stripped down to our bathing suits and carefully climbed the rocks around to get in. The water was so warm it was unbelievable. Some of the rocks acted as seats so we all formed a circle and began talking. Come to find out, Oyen knows Katrina’s friend Shawna, Daniel grew up in Jamaica Queens, and Manny is an amazing bongoist! We talked and laughed for hours and made three great friends all the while waves were crashing up against the pool replenishing the pool. Now by this time you probably think we’re all crazy for following these people and I’m sure mom is just imagining me in other countries but it really was one of those moments where you just felt like you were exactly where you were supposed to be at that time. Serendipity. We all exchanged numbers and come to find out Manny will be in India playing in a huge reggae music festival while we’re there and we’ll be meeting up with him. The drive back, we had the windows down and music blaring and everyone was speechless. Matt had texted me telling us to come to a local bar, Margarita Village, right across from the peer so we all showered and got ready in 30 minutes and I wore my new dress and jewelry from the farmers market. Usually a local gay bar..haha Matt…Margarita Village had now turned in to a huge dance party of SASers. Almost half the ship was there and they were so swamped Matt even poured some beers for them! The owners name was Sheryl, she also bartended, and the regular bartenders name was Spencer. I also made friends with Sheryl’s Mom who introduced herself as, Mom and would not tell me her real name. While chatting with her I turned into a makeshift bouncer making sure people didn’t bring drinks out when they went to smoke. At this bar, there was a drink called a Grenade. A drink with two shot glasses in them, one long and thin (the grenades pin) the other regular sized. You are supposed to shot the pin and then drink the grenade before it ‘explodes.’ Disgusting but great! I ended the night with two more friends (Sheryl and Mom) some bouncing and bartending skills and great memories and pictures. Serendipity.

Today I woke up to a text from my friend Aly inviting me to go to Akaka Falls with her and a few others. I quickly got dressed and threw on my suit and we grabbed a cab there. It was the most breathtaking site that words can not describe, but I did take pictures! We were dropped off down town where we saw signs for paddle boarding, which is where you balance on a surf board and paddle around. We had our suits, so we walked right in! Serendipity. The place is owned by a father and operated by his son and nephew. I was awful at it and kept falling but it was great. Sadly, I had remembered to put sunscreen on my face, shoulders and chest that morning…but it was not mine and not waterproof. So every time I fell, the sun block came off. But the new sun block I had put on before we went out worked wonders!! So my stomach and legs are just the color I left them in CT, but my chest, shoulders and face are what the Crayola Company surely would name Sebastian the lobster. The boys took us to places around the island where we could jump off of (course I loved that) and three hours later they drove us back to the ship where I now sit waiting for everyone to get back on so we can head to Honolulu.

I wouldn’t have had my trip around the world start any other way, and I can’t even believe this is the beginning. Like I said these past two days were so amazing, just retelling them isn’t half as good. I’ll never forget it and I got most of it on tape. I love you all, and wish I could tell these stories better but the pictures will help and you’ll see the video when I get home. I get my computer tomorrow so I’m hoping to have a family Skype session at 7pm their time. I can’t wait to see your welcoming faces. Love you all bigger than the sky <3 b