Vacation, all I ever wanted
should have been more specific
Hi Friend,
A few months ago, when it stared getting colder, a trip to Hawaii with my boyfriend to celebrate his birthday, seemed ideal. I pictured myself stepping off the plane on a warm (but not too hot or too humid) day, with the sweet smell of jasmine wafting through the air as I’m greeted with a flower lei and a cold glass of pineapple juice. In this fantasy, I effortlessly glide around from beach, to water, to laughing over delicious meals, to drinks with cocktail umbrellas, to drifting off to sleep in a state of sun-kissed bliss.
Cue record scratch sound.
We landed in the afternoon and it was hot. Dry hot. Nary a lei or cold beverage in sight. I will spare you the rental car story (suffice to say, never booking with a company that rhymes with “shifty” again.) After grabbing a few groceries to tide us over, we head to the house rental, described as “away from the hustle and bustle,” which now I understand to mean a 70 minute trip on the single lane highway. The directions lead us down a precarious switchback road, culminating at the driveway from hell - steep incline with a hairpin left turn that feels like we’re about to kiss the car deposit, and gravity, goodbye. Then it’s up a flight of stairs, which does reveal an incredibly beautiful view, but at this point, I’m questioning every decision that led us to this place.
Well, we just made it through the worst of it, right? Sure, but that was before we knew about the two days of severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and 70 mph wind gusts that were headed our way.
Then the power went out. Naturally.
The electric company estimated it could be out for two days. TWO DAYS?! We did briefly panic. There was talk of rationing. A flurry of Lord of the Flies jokes. Some frantic searches for tsunami warnings. But then, just as we were about to go head to head for the trail mix, the power came back on.
We were treated to a very dramatic sunset after that. Also, a slew of mosquitos.
By our fourth day, the sun had returned, and I enjoyed some quality time on the lanai with the resident geckos.
We made it to the Volcanic National Park (arriving just as the fog rolled in and the temperature dropped to 58 degrees). On our last full day we drove to a little beach park and I went snorkeling, only to realize that my phone was still in my pocket after 45 minutes in the water. (Was able to dry it out, and it’s mostly fine now). All in all, not as easy and relaxing as I had hoped.
I’m a bit embarrassed to be grumbling about a Hawaiian holiday. Though perhaps I should be more concerned with my unrealistic tropical vacation expectations. Lessons learned: read the rental listings more carefully (and possibly between the lines as well), get a waterproof phone case, and be your own cocktail umbrella.
Hope you’re having a lovely day.
xo
Tanya
I went to hawaii and thought,”this is the most beautiful sunset i have ever seen!” It happened the next day and the next day. Did you think to yourself,”this is the most beautiful thunderstorm i have ever seen!” Just wondering.
You just never know! At least some of the time was pleasant. We were in Kauai last year and the 94 degree nights with no A/C was not very fun. But we had some good meals and oh, the scenery!