Travel and Photography
My Travel Musings
Kauai
FEATURED
It never occurred to me that it would work. A family reunion/vacation over the holidays. Not possible without major damage. But no one asked my opinion, and I found myself being carries along to a tantalizing holiday week in paradise.
Jackie left Paris early in December, caught her breath with us in LA, and then flew to the Big Island to explore the volcanoes. Rick and family flew directly, also wanting to spend time of the big Island. Michelle and her brood came in for Christmas, and with minimal hiccups, we all ended up on Kauai’s south shore, spitting distance from Brennecke’s Beach on Kauai’s south shore.
Of course it was chaos! Families are like that. But for me, it was also relaxing. I just did what I was asked, and made some space for myself. I started mornings quietly at sunrise on the community beach at Brennecke’s. I did my morning pages, meditation and hung for just a bit with the locals.
We settled. Got our feet on the ground, and used to the rhythm of the island. It was a tourist rhythm, yes, but it was decidedly more relaxed that being at home, even when work did not intrude. A day, maybe two, slipped by, and I started to relax. Over the holidays. Who knew?
Community Luau
Parties are a big part of life here, even for tourists. I was a little skeptical of a “tourist” luau, but I went along to get along, and , damn!, it was fun. The pig was just finishing its afternoon’s roast as we arrived and it almost was ready for plating. And I was ready for a little pulled pork.
I could see the roast pig as the center-point for the community feast. I’m suspicious that the Hawaiians did not have Memphis BBQ sauce for their pork, or even catsup, but we enjoyed an array of meats, sauces from the States, local fruits and even a little poi for the brave or foolish. And then came the dancing…
All in all, a pretty good time…
Hiking Waimea
Some days were not so laidback. With three pods of family–each with inquiring, self-motivated kids–some discipline was required. One such days was the days set aside to hike Waimea Canyon.
We got ourselves organized and headed off towards the canyons. We drove along the shoreline, turned north and soon enough the canyon started to open up until we looked back at a vast, empty crevise, but an archpeligo of volcanic islands, lost in an non-extant sea.
The canyon, with its many peaks and valleys, splash colors everywhere, greens, reds and browns.
By the canyons bones, lava from 5 millions years ago, washed by water falling hundreds of feet, leaves patterns in the sharp rock.
The canyon changes shapes as you walk, sometimes a solid wall, other times a open vista. From some angles, the Waimea Falls are visible.
Unlike Grand Canyon with its desaturated colors and baked feeling, this canyon is alive with color, texture and breath. How inviting.
The trade winds and the rain nourish the thought that you are enveloped in green.
HELLO THERE!
Bennett Root is a photographer and writer who has been able to develop his craft over twenty some years of traveling throughout the United States and frequently in Europe and Asia. Most recently, Root has served as Executive Vice President for the North American Travel Journalists Association and staff writer and photographer for TravelWorld International Magazine.
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