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Published: February 17th 2015
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I awoke very early today, and walked to the veranda overlooking the The Kahala’s lagoon and pool. It was very quiet in the hotel, and I was alone. A glorious sunrise began to unfold, and wouldn’t you know, I didn’t have my camera. However, I believe that the image has settled in my mind and won’t be leaving for a long time.
Deke awoke not feeling well again. He needed to sleep so I went to breakfast alone. It was rather busy for 7:30 in the morning.
I took a cab to Diamond Head, an inactive volcano. According to the brochure, the name “Diamond Head” is a misnomer. British sailors mistook calcite crystals on the volcano for diamonds—hence the name which has stuck. It is known to the Hawaiians as “Leahi.”
It was very crowded on the trail to the summit, probably because it was President’s Day and a lot of people had the day off. Along the trail, I heard a very young Japanese American boy discussing his theory on how the progression of time could be slowed. A man, probably his father, was engaged in a lively conversation with the boy regarding the topic. I suppose
that he was likely in some sort of program for gifted children. I heard another child crying because she could not run up the trail, only walk. This was very funny to me, as the trail was very steep. I heard a man in front of me laboring to breathe, and he seemed to be in pretty good shape.
There is a tunnel the hikers have to pass through; it was very narrow, and had traffic going both ways. It felt a little bit claustrophobic, and I was glad to be out of the tunnel, but a little dismayed that I had to go through it twice.
It was quite a hot hike, but I felt a sense of accomplishment for having reached the summit, and it was a well-needed counterpoint to the easy life near the pool and beach.
After I returned, Deke and I headed to our beloved tiki cabana, and this time the service was excellent; this was because Deke slipped a little something to one of the servers; she came over regularly to see if we needed anything. The beach was very busy again today, and was a lively place. It seemed that
there were an inordinate about of beautiful women.
I walked into the Pacific with the goal to swim; however, it was colder than I thought it would be, so I simply waded along slowly. It was a peaceful wade, despite all of the buzzing activity around me.
Deke felt well enough to go to afternoon tea—one of my favorite things to do anywhere. It was nice to have tea with a Hawaiian twist; we were out on the veranda overlooking the pool and dolphin enclosure with a view of the beach. Additionally, one pastry was infused with mango and another with papaya—how I savored the moment.
Deke had originally booked us to stay ten days, but he has been having some health problems, so we will be staying for seven days instead. Though I have so enjoyed this vacation, I wish that my Deke felt better. As I have mentioned before, treasure your health on vacation, it is the most precious thing you have while travelling—maybe even more important than money.
I retired early, as I was exhausted. I keep waking up before dawn, which is a treat, but it sends me to bed early.
Aloha,
Monique
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Oahu
We are really enjoying your trip to Hawaii. I'm glad you got out for a hike. I enjoyed the conversations you over heard. Great stuff. And...and the joys of ending up at the Tiki cabana.