Mother/Daughter Day Aloha Style

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Today, Rio and I rented a car to explore the island while Lois and Skye opted for a beach day ???No matter what any of us did, time spent between a mother and her daughter is priceless. We all deserved a day like today.

We began with a mad search for a rental car which seemed to be sold out almost everywhere in Waikiki. Lucky us - if we could only start the thing. It was a keyless, hybrid Ford Focus that seemed to have a personality of its own. Fortunately I recognized it was a hybrid, unlike the time in Ireland and 3 days into the rental I thought the car stalled at a stoplight!

Rio was my navigator and she did a great job. Ultimately we ended up driving around almost the entire island. We didn’t have a worry in the world.

Our drive was mellow and felt rich and full of “wows” and “I can’t believe how beautifuls” With every turn there was beauty. We stopped when and where we wanted to and the day seemed to glide with ease.

We went to the town of Haleiwa to begin our coastal journey. This is where we passed the shrimp trucks and for a brief moment I considered non vegetarianing. I didn’t do it, but I seriously thought about it.

The north shore is unlike any coast I’ve seen. It was a cross between Ireland and Northern California with a tinge of the Caribbean. We allowed the ocean to dictate our day and stopped whenever we felt the pull to look deeper into what we were seeing. That’s the thing for me about Hawaii. There are layers everywhere. I keep going back to wishing I painted and just might consider it when returning to the mainland.

We saw familiar things that we saw the day before as we cruised the beautiful rocky coast filled with pine trees and palm trees, luscious flowers, and turquoise water as far as the eye could see.

We stopped at turtle beach, which was full of turtle worshipers and only two turtles.

I took Rio to Pipeline to see the famous beach where surf contests are performed. I remember with such clarity standing on that very beach 35 yrs ago. How beautiful life was then and now.

We stopped at Lanikai Beach and enjoyed a short walk in the sand that felt like silk.

Traveling on the 83, one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the world, we stopped at the blowhole and took more amazing photos.

We spent 7 1/2 hrs out and about on the island, exploring the north shore. Those hours together felt sacred - we talked openly and endlessly. There were moments when the two of us could hardly handle the beauty in front of us. There were quiet times, when it felt so emotional as we were enveloped in island vibes. An understood silence between us.

I would have to say that this is one of the best days Rio and I have ever spent together.

We made it back into Waikiki by 8:00 pm where we reconnected with Lois and Skye and went to The Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. Everything felt right. As we walked back to our hotel we stopped at The Sky Lounge and went up to the top floor for our final view. It reminded me a lot of a NYC rooftop bar.

Waikiki has wonderful energy in the evening and we were too happy to be sad about leaving tomorrow.

We had to pack as we were leaving at 7am to take another cruise around the island, savoring the beauty of it all to the very end...Packing, what a chore. We could barely close our suitcases. Filled to the brim with happiness!

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Comments

[Ann]

I'm so enjoying your trip!!
I'm so enjoying your trip! The photos you are capturing are gorgeous... and I love your blue dress in photo #20... do they still call those "mumus?" :-)

[Kgordon]

We’ve had an AMAZING trip!