One Way Ticket

(Well keep going east till we’re home)

Another time, travel experience and “it’s so green“

We departed Guam around 7 AM Tuesday, April 7 and arrived in Honolulu about 6 PM Monday, April 6. Crossing the international dateline creates a situation in the mind which “does not compute“. At least we had gotten wind of that prior to booking our hotel and flight to the big island, Hawaii.

We began this journey departing North America and landing in the Azores. Our response at looking at the island the first time and again this last November was “it’s so green“. And the Azores are truly verdant, but where we are now is even more lush, more green and more flowered. But, we really cannot compare these two places as November is not the time of year for flowering plants in the Azores, whereas here on the big island, Hawaii, it is lush and colorful year-round.

We feel we are being given a Garden of Eden experience and that our expulsion from this place of Paradise (the name of the subdivision) will come to an end in a few days. It is unsettling to hear of events happening back “home “. We know we are returning to Eau Claire, but will it feel like being back home? Comments on our blog site warn us of culture shock which I know can be real as I experienced this when I returned to the US after living in Germany for six years.

So the task is to live in the moment. Enjoy visiting here with friends. Live daily with gratitude and anticipate hopefully and lovingly reconnecting with those we cherish. Tonight’s Chalice Circle discussion is on the topic of joy.

The driveway our rental home. The next 8 photos are of the grounds at our ‘home’
Yes, this is really a tree trunk. it’s a rainbow eucalyptus.
Where did all this lava come from?
We were lucky to see this erupting volcano.

5 responses to “Another time, travel experience and “it’s so green“”

  1. Avatar
    Anonymous

    You’re getting closer! OH how I love Hawaii!!! What a beautiful place to rent.

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  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    We had two wonderful family vacations on Oahu and the big island. So verdant and then there’s the ocean…thankful for the times spent there.

    Enjoy the Hawaiian coffee…my favorite!

    Becky

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  3. Avatar
    Anonymous

    What a beautiful spot! That was a brilliant idea to stop there and decompress a bit before coming all the way home. Yes there will be a bit of a culture shock as it was everytime you went someplace different. I’ve always made an effort to decide how I want to keep the ways the trip changed me. It’s easier to get back into your old routine than you might think and I think it’s important to think through what you want to take away from the trip and work out how to integrate that into your life here. After visiting Haiti where safe water is so precious, I never run the water while I brush my teeth anymore. Everytime I shut it off, I some meaningful memory from that trip flashes into mind. Brushing my teeth takes me back. Who knew? I wish for you a similar way to keep fresh how it impacted you. Safe travels home! Peggy D

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  4. Avatar
    Anonymous

    The spring flowers will soon be here – much more delicate but joyous still.

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  5. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I love the big island; the two sides of it are so different. We like Hilo better than Kona because it seemed less commercial. Good to know you’ll soon be back, but it is really different, almost unbelievable because of the Trump/Musk destruction of our government and our relationships with other countries. Difficult to watch. But good resistance is arising. Be good to see you, Virginia

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