I Left My Heart In Molokai

When people talk of Hawaii, they rarely talk about the island of Molokai. But for anyone looking for quiet solitude and a place to getaway from the hustle and bustle of the world, Molokai is THE PLACE. My first visit to Molokai was in 2017. I know it's a shame it has taken me this long to visit this island.

 

A deserted beach we found in Molokai.

Kepi found this heart shaped rock and gave it to me.

We left it there so that someone will see it too.

Our footprints - just us at the beach that day.

Perhaps it was all about great timing. However, for the beaches we've visited, we reveled in our found solitude. In the evenings, our lovely walks were accompanied by the purring crickets attracting their mates and the chorus of frogs croaking loudly nearby.

Linking:

Through My Lens

Travel Photo Souvenir

Travel Tuesday

View from Diamond Head

From the archives, I took this photo on my fourth hike going up Diamond Head in O'ahu. This view awaits when you reach the top.

This is my entry for Skywatch Friday.

Holei Sea Arch

From the archives, this was taken when we were hiking at the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

It's been a stressful start of the week, but I'm glad our board meeting will be over soon (tomorrow). I am looking forward to some personal time off even if there'll be no travel involved. Staying at home with the furries will be a welcome change to this work-at-home routine.

My entry to Wordless Wednesday, Travel Tuesday, and My Corner of the World.

Skies at Ala Moana Park

From the archives, took this photo when I went home to O'ahu in 2018. My dad, brother and I spent the afternoon walking and watching the boats float by Ala Wai Canal close to Ala Moana Park. It so happened that we were blessed with beautiful skies on our walk home.

This is my entry for Wordless Wednesday and Skywatch Friday.

Skywatch at Kalaupapa Peninsula

King Kamehameha V banished all those afflicted with Hansen's disease (Leprosy) to this isolated Kalaupapa peninsula in Molokai. This is where Father Damien came, served and lived in the settlement until he also contracted and succumbed to the disease.

 

This is my entry for Skywatch Friday.

Missing the Islands

I am missing the islands today, and I've been feeling low because of work.

I took this photo when I visited the Big Island.

This is my entry for My Corner of the World and Wordless Wednesdays.

Skywatch at Papakolea Beach

Green Sand Beach or Papakolea Beach or Mahana Beach, Big Island, Hawaii

I Love Hilo!

I have to write a blog entry while I'm here in Hilo.

Our experience here has been nothing but wonderful - from our cozy apartment that has everything we needed, waking up to the sound of waves crashing to shore, the birds and coquis lulling us to sleep at night, to the aloof tabby cat that visits us in the mornings and evenings.

For some time I've been yearning to find a reason to smile again, and it was here that I felt that deep, pure state of joy. I'm referring to that type of happiness that exudes when: you're with someone you love, you fall sleep to the relaxing sound of birds and frogs, and you wake up to the tapping of rain on the windows and rooftop.  Our experience on this island taught us that it is the immaterial, simple, beautiful, natural things that radiate true bliss.

I told Kepi I'd love to visit again even if this is my fourth time visiting the Big Island.

Here's cute Mr. Kitty Aloof.

We certainly had our fill of Malasadas and other pastries at the Punalu'u Bake Shop.

We saw exotic flowers just like this Red Torch Ginger.

Tomorrow we will be flying to the island of Molokai. Our stay in Hilo has certainly made us temporarily forget what we will be dealing with in the next few months.

Tonight, we sleep while the coquis sing their heart out.

Linking this post with Our World Tuesday and Wordless Wednesdays.

Maui's Hana Highway

I think that visiting Maui is incomplete if you have not driven through and survived Hana Highway. Here, you'll experience one lane bridges, sharp and tight turns and nervous inducing rocky cliffs. Setting aside the gripping part of the adventure, you'll be amazed that every turn through this lustrous green forests and mountains leads you to spectacular views, hidden waterfalls, unexpected dead ends and sometimes you feel the thrill that you're going to drive off straight to the blue and beautiful Pacific.

Highway 36 is one of the most famous highways in the country, but most know it by a different name: the Road to Hana. The trip is 52 miles of winding roads with 1-lane bridges, hairpin turns and stunning landscapes of rocky cliffs, plunging waterfalls and rolling valleys. The ride takes about 3 hours, but you'll want the whole day to linger. (Source here.)

Put on your seat belts and let's take a drive to Hana Highway!

Colors Of Maui

If given the chance, I'd LOVE to visit Maui again. I'd like to drive through the winding, treacherous and breathtaking Hana Highway, breathe in the dewy mountain air and the seaweed scented ocean breeze. 

Also, I can't forget the spectacular display of flowers and their bursting colors. And talk about Rainbows, check this photo I took while ascending Haleakala Volcano.

 This was just the beginning of the journey of colors - Hana Highway.

  Driving through Hana Highway, our first visit was at the Garden of Eden. This is the Banana greeting that welcomes you at the entrance.

  Starfruit

L-R: Cup of Gold, Anthurium, Starfruit and Birds of Paradise

Tropical flowers offer a feast of colors.

Breathtaking views. Recognize one of them from the movie Jurassic Park?

Also, if you visit this place, you'll get to meet Pepper, the resident dog at the Garden of Eden.

LP: Malaya (Free)

 

Sa Waimea Beach, Hawaii, parang may hinihintay sila...

(At Waimea Beach, Hawaii, everyone's  standing still and waiting for something...)

Ano kaya ang hinihintay nila? (What are they waiting for?)

Talon! (Jump!)

Kung sila'y tumatalon at nasa himpapawid, kitang-kita ko ang kanilang kalayaan. Kalayaan na lumipad at magpakasaya kahit sa ilang segundo man lang. Ako ay naiinggit dahil sa isang aplastic anemic na tulad ko, hindi ito puwede dahil kung may mangyari sa akin na trauma sa tubig o sa mga bato bato sa paligid, ay maaari ko itong ikamatay. Tulad nila, ako'y naghihintay na gumaling at makawala sa aking hawla. At sana sa susunod, ako ay malayang tatalon sa bato na ito.

When I see them jump off this rock, I see their joy and excitement. They relish their air time even if it lasts only for a few seconds. I envy them because for someone with aplastic anemia like me, a jump like this could be fatal. I am still waiting to jump. I am waiting to be free and be healed of this disease. I dream of being free from this cage and maybe next time, I'll be the one jumping off from this rock.

Maui's Kuka'emoku

Let's take a break from my Finland travel posts and fly back to my home islands, Hawaii. Lately, the thoughts of home have been really making me homesick and going through a rough time in the health aspect makes me miss the warmth of home instead of the needles and cold, impersonal clinic visits that is my reality for now. Hopefully, after this post, I'll feel the warmth of Hawaii - even if it's just in my thoughts.

Visiting the Iao Needle was something I've been wanting to do for the longest time, but it was only last year that this dream came to fruition. I was home in O'ahu for the holidays, so Kepi and I decided to visit the island of Maui for two days. Of course, two days weren't enough, even a month is not even enough to explore or enjoy the beaches of Maui. Maui is so beautiful and has so many things to offer. From beautiful beaches, whale watching, picturesque volcano and breathtaking scenery. You name it, Maui's got it.

So here starts my adventure to see the Iao Needle...

It was a rainy start, but it soon cleared out as the day progressed.

A tunnel in Maui.

A morning glimpse of the Pacific after the rain.

The view as we descended to the Iao Valley - the morning mist hasn't departed yet or will it ever.

Kuka'emoku measures at 2,250 feet and is the phallic stone of Kanaloa, Hawaiian god of the ocean. During the warfare period between the islands, this was used as a lookout for warriors

According to the park brochure, "Kuka'emoku is an erosional remnant. It is at the end of a ridge comprised of a denser dike stone. The softer rock around the dike stone was eroded by streams and waterfalls."

Here's a rest place near Kuka'emoku. A great place to relax while the cold mist blankets your whole being and lands kisses on your face

As we were driving away from Kuka'emoku, I happen to see this park at the base of the mountain so we decided to check it out.

From the park, you can watch the mist hover and disappear over the mountains. It was a dramatic scene how nature rules out here.

The park featured Korean, Japanese, Filipino and Chinese gardens.

And yes, Jose Rizal, the Philippine National Hero.

The Filipino house complete with a Koi pond.

A bust of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen.

Japanese garden

Flower and raindrops.