aloha

Aloha from Hawaii!

Today’s blog comes to you from a hotel room on the Big Island, after a good night’s sleep. 

Which came from after getting up at three in the morning … after a non-night of sleep.

Which made the good sleep even sweeter.

(I find that the basics on traveling are even important than usual: restful sleep, plenty of water, remembering to eat healthy food.)

I haven’t been to Hawaii in about ten years, but I’ve always liked how I feel here. The air is warm, the water is warm, and it’s all just so COMFORTABLE. As far as I know, it never gets too hot or too cold. The coffee is awesome.

And it’s just so, so pretty. Yellow birds in plumeria trees. Dark lava rocks and hibiscus flowers. Astonishing sunsets, all sherbet colored, broken up by layers of clouds and framed by palm trees swaying in the trade winds.

Even though I was pretty sleepy (or perhaps because of it), I went in the pool yesterday. I can remember a time when I wouldn’t go in because I didn’t want to put on a bathing suit or compare myself to others. Now, I don’t care. (Or I don’t care as much.) So, I discovered that the pool was a glorious temperature and the Mai Tais (we had drink tickets!) were surprisingly good. The pool is resort-style, with decorative rocks and a bar and rows of chairs and umbrellas. Then we went in the ocean, and it was about the same temperature. Glorious.

The point of me saying that wasn’t to recruit you to come here or to inspire jealousy, but simply to say that vacations are necessary. With the COVID restrictions, we haven’t really been anywhere (like most people) in a very long time. And taking a break from my routine—while keeping some routines in place such as writing—is good for the soul.

Happy travels.