A Hawaiian dream II

Turquoise, green, blue... The colours dreams must be made of, perhaps. To the lighthouse, the one with a shiny, red roof. Mouthwatering shrimp scampi from the world famous Giovanni's shrimp truck. "Eat like a local" they say, and we sure stuck to it. Beautiful coconut-bamboo wind chimes, their music so very different from the tinkle of the metallic chimes. 'Enchanted Banyan', the shade under which many a story is told and many a future foretold. Beads again. The omnipresent hula, be it the dance or the dolls. The Ko'olau mountains, fascinating and forever fog-masked. Guarding the windward side of the island, they stand like green giants rising from the blue ocean. The Byodo-In temple framed by the misty mountains. The ever striking red pagodas matched perfectly by an echoing calm. Feisty heliconias at the temple gate. The remains of the day.

A Hawaiian dream I

There have been so many magical moments during our recent trip to Hawaii. Moments that still throb in our thoughts and some others a little faded from the demanding monotony of life, but very much alive. That this will be our last vacation in this country before we bundle up our memories and head homeward, perhaps added that extra something to it. Always playing at the back of my mind like an old, haunting melody, the bittersweet realization made me cling to the eight precious days with a strange greed. And then, nothing like the overwhelming vastness of the ocean to get a little contemplative, eh?!

My most favourite frame from the clutter of some twelve hundred odd pictures. One could perhaps sit on these rocky shores forever, watch the waves unfurl and soak in nature's compelling quietude. An eternal moment. Stumpy trees, stray volcanic formations jutting out of the breathtaking blue ocean like ruffled, brown birds; there just couldn't be more drama to a landscape. One of the many drives to Oahu's enchanting North Shore. Haleiwa, the little paradise for surfers and shaved ice lovers. Its tiny markets chocked with native-made handicrafts and trinkets. The dainty plumeria embracing all in its delicate perfume. The omnipresent hibiscus; yellow, orange, pink and red. Petaled messengers of tropical nostalgia. The floral hair clips, a must have for every girl in the island. A scenic drive along the eastern coast of the island. A preoccupied white pigeon greets us on the balcony after a long, exciting day.