At the Hawaiian Luau we attended, peacocks strolled the grounds strutting their stuff, posing for the cameras and shaking their remarkable feathers at us.
When I look at these creatures, I'm reminded of God's amazing eye for color, His remarkable creativity and His sense of humor.
This is my friend "J" holding my hands, giving me instructions. Later, she told me that the guy standing off to the side is asking, "How's she doing? Is she getting it?" She said she smiled and told him that I was doing great.
I was so scared.
Snorkeling is so surreal, especially for someone who can't swim. It took quite a while for me to get my brain to accept the fact that I was able to breath under water. With the mask on, I would stick my face in the water, hold my breath, and then, in a panic, yank my head out gasping for air. "J" would pat my arm and tell me that it would be okay. Finally, when I began to think upon the 23rd Psalm, I began to relax.
Gently, "J" guided me to where I needed to be, into deeper waters. And there I found tranquility. Bluer than blue water, jagged pieces of dark coral and fish so unique with their polka-dots, zig-zagged patterns and rainbow hues, it felt as though I entered into a valley of peace and beauty.
Since arriving here several things have taken me by surprise:
* The majestic depth, power and sound of the ocean.
* The incredible warmth of the sun, even though it's April.
* Life takes its time here. No one is in a hurry.
* A subtle seduction sneaks up on you and one morning you wake up, seriously contemplating how you might be able to move your family here.
And this took me by surprise almost more than anything else...
Chickens. Lots and lots of free-roaming roosters, hens and baby chicks.
Apparently, many years ago these beautiful roosters were bought to Kauai from Indonesia. At some point, the population began to multiply in great numbers and during the Island's last hurricane, the chickens got loose. Now they are all over the place, walking on the beach, strolling through parking lots, in backyards. They are like our squirrels (complete with road kill and all).
The roosters are absolutely beautiful and there seems to be more of them than the hens. I was told that they are not endangered and you could grab one to fry up if you wanted, but no one does that.
Our view from the dining room.
Our view from the back porch.
Aloha, friends.
I'm on vacation in Kauai with four girlfriends! I'm still in disbelief.
I took this picture of the gorgeous NaPali coastline which can be seen only by boat or helicopter. Guess how I saw it? Yes, a real helicopter and I was in the front seat! And it was the strangest thing. I'm terrified of deep water and flying on an airplane, but for some reason I was so relaxed and calm. It was exhilarating.
I'll post more soon.
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