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END OF THIS LANE
Thursday Mar. 26, 2015
Refocusing, refocusing, rejuvenating …
Dozed, read, cramped leg-space, got head-clunked with a plastic truck.
One-year old’s toy, tossed from behind (strong little guy, as precociously normal as my grandson Alex) whose aghast apologetic mom gasped “I only took my eye off him for a second”.
Belly-laughter.
At 35,000 ft. .
Welcome good medicine.
Broke tension.
As does natural beauty surrounding. Anywhere.
Accentuated here. Feels like I’ve come home.
Needing, taking breaks; so much preparation perspiration, easy to wonder if it is worth all that getting ready fussing …
Undoubtedly.
We all need vacations, re-charge time, re-inflate or re-make ourselves time.
Possible to do this at home, simply by closing drapes, imagining fantastic places, letting minds explore treasure-island like imagery – paradise, warm breezes, happy faces everywhere (though nosy people peeking in windows are a universal truth). Oddly I don’t mind 8,000 people peeking in on my life daily, but having nosy neighbor tourists (or was that the owner?) do it when I have so carefully picked an obscure place boggles …
This, is ‘as advertised’, Spartan studio. Clean, adequate, quiet. Off beaten paths.
Everything I need, though its location is not what I thought.
When booking I saw so many pictures/location maps I admit putting this chosen place in a different location in my brain.
Perfect for my purpose, perfect for two weeks of mind cleansing.
Quiet spot, end of this lane.
Only people who live at the end of this street or stay in these four units . Only my nosy tourist neighbours next door have disturbed me in any way. Oh well, they didn’t hit me with their toys … not yet.
Mark Kolke
P.S.: I went to bed at 1:00AM Maui time (4 times zones away: that’s 5AM Calgary time) … thought briefly about writing this column, then thought better of it. The trip was fine, though I have plenty of negative karma for Air Canada’s new cheap-azz Rouge operation. Rubbed me wrong. Nice plane load of passengers, coming to paradise – many I talked with for their first visit, keen for guidance on what to see. My easy answer after listing my favourites was “see it all”. I’ve visited Paia before but never explored here much – that is my plan this trip, off the heavy/busy tourist mecca of Kihie/Wailea. My morning rituals altered by need to get sleep, unpack and organize – and morning would evaporate soon …my drive for scenery, sustenance and coffee. Arriving late last night did not afford an opportunity to grocery shop; the early breakfast and coffee opportunity was at Charley’s Restaurant and Saloon. I recommend loco moco. Server Juliet – friendly and efficient. Seems only/best early place for breakfast in Paia. Then grocery shopping at Mana Foods (OMG – organic me), what an experience. Fed, shopped, unloaded and coffee on, and writing, all before 9AM Maui-time.
column written/ published Paia, Maui, HI
morning walk: 17C/63F, intermittent rain bursts overnight, very breezy, fantastic – and now sunny. I walked Hookipa Lookout, overlooking surfers paddling to their waves at 7:00AM, a large dog, Bouvier I suspect, alone on that beach below barking his loudest, yet unheard by his owner. Spectacular sights, surf and that dog/
Reader feedback:
TAKE TODAY FOR INSTANCE
Have a great holiday, DB, Calgary, AB
Welcome to Hawaii Mark. Our family has been at Mauna Lani (on the Big Island) since last Friday. Lotsa whales. I'll wave in your direction from Hapuna Beach tomorrow morning. Keep an eye out., AK, Calgary, AB
Hi Mark – Hope you have a great time in Hawaii! Let’s catch up when you get back, MK, Calgary, AB
I KNOW WHAT YOU WILL SAY
Well, I do hope you dream of waves lapping against the sandy beaches and taste the awesome seafood as you wake. This is becoming a well deserved habit and I don't have to wish you great fun as I know you will have fun in abundance. GW, Bon Wier, Tx.
Aloha .. he comes home Thursday!, BR, Calgary, AB
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