The beautiful Maui, with its sandy beaches, rocky cliffs,swaying palm trees,dense mountains, glorious sunrises and magical sunsets. Maui, with the refreshing breezes that kiss your face gently, the rolling waves that take you to serenity, the amazing skies that look so open and blessed,and the beautiful sun that's only purpose seems to be to rise and set over the island painting beautiful masterpieces over the Pacific Ocean and the distant horizons. I've been living here for six months!
Since we got here on February, I woke up to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore,I would hear the birds humming happy melodies as they fly by my open window that is admitting cool breezes filled with beach scents. I would get up early some days and watch the sun rise, replacing the glittering black skies with hues that keep changing until the sky is wearing its blue garment. We would go upcountry to witness a magical sunset, as if we fear it might be the last beautiful one, when the sky is clear, and the orange purple twilight takes over,pushing the sun closer and closer to the ocean, until it is swallowed by the deep seas and the moon takes over, accompanied by little shimmering stars, to lighten up the Maui skies. We've spent hours hiking in Maui's lush rain forests, coastlines, rugged trails, volcano deserts and cloud forests. We've swam and snorkeled in the calm ocean, watching sea life goes by, sometimes we spotted turtles, sometimes dolphins, and sometimes we just had to be satisfied with colorful fishes.It's called paradise, and even though I've never seen the real one, I imagine there would be some resemblance. Then why is it that I am so ready to be out of here?
Island transplants refer to it as island fever, and for the lack of a better description, I'll stick to it. After months of living here, the Pacific Ocean feels like walls trapping me on small piece of land in the middle of no where. No matter how far I try to go inland, the walls catch up with me. When I hear the birds, I feel that they are teasing me because they have wings and can fly over the walls, while I am stuck here, even the fish, turtles and dolphins have the open ocean, while all I have is a piece of land that despite its decent size, still feels oh so small, I can drive around the island in one day. And despite its diverse natural wonders, it all looks the same to me now, if I can't see the ocean, I can hear it or smell it and thus sense its presence. Those of you who don't suffer from feeling like an island prisoner may laugh, and those who visited islands for a week or a month may think that I've gone mad, surrounded by beauty in every direction and yet all I can feel is stuck. I miss the long open roads where I can drive from state to state, I miss the open desert where I can see no end in sight, heck, even the Midwest plains that I usually get bored driving through, seem to be calling right now. I miss the convenience of living on the mainland, the proximity of things, the feeling that I am sharing a big piece of land with millions of people, the suspension of not knowing what lies ahead, the hustle and bustle of city life. I miss the Rockies, the rivers, the lakes, I miss hiking an unfamiliar terrain. Long story short, I am ready to be off the island! And good for me, I will be in less than one week.
I am grateful for the chance I've had to live on Maui for months at a time,multiple times, but just like a humpback whale, I have my seasons when it comes to loving life on Maui. I know I can never be happy living on an island full time, and I truly envy those who can, because in every sense, Maui is stunning.
I am very excited about our near (and far yet to be determined) future palns. I only have three more nights to work(Yeah!), and I am almost packed. We leave in six days, flying into Portland(Oregon that is), where we left one of the cars six months ago. We'll be spending five days there,visiting with friends, eating wonderful food, biking in Portland's many biking paths, enjoying the nature that is immersed in the green city, hiking some, visiting some landmarks, and maybe catching a concert or a show.From there, we'll be driving to Zion National Park to spend another five days gawking at God's hands at work.Leaving Zion with the ultimate destination of Jacksonville,Florida, we'll stop at few more national parks, visit families, and just enjoy the open roads that seem to have to end.
Comments (12)
Has it been six months already? You may have island fever but your description of the island on the first part of your write up is what travel brochures can be made of. It can lure anyone to the islands.
I want to have that problem... wishing here that I had the opportunity to live in Maui.
In any case, all the best to you and your husband as you move back to the mainland.
Posted by Eden | August 25, 2009 2:15 AM
Posted on August 25, 2009 02:15
Hi Candi, great post! Your description of Maui is beautiful and you really did a lot to enjoy everything it had to offer. But I can also see how the open road and great National wonders can call out to you as well.
I am very glad and thankful that you spent six months in Maui and shared its treasures with us.
Have a smooth and safe trip back to the mainland and enjoy what sounds like a fantastic road trip ahead of you back to Jacksonville. Hiking in the Zion sounds like fun!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | August 25, 2009 6:48 AM
Posted on August 25, 2009 06:48
It is hard to believe that it has been 6 months! Safe travels . . .
Posted by Jerry | August 25, 2009 5:48 PM
Posted on August 25, 2009 17:48
I loved your description of Maui! Wishing you & Bill all the best! I hope you come back to Hawaii again someday. Oahu next time! Looking forward to reading about your new adventures :)
Posted by girasoli | August 26, 2009 1:51 AM
Posted on August 26, 2009 01:51
It does seem like the time has just flown by! I can understand island fever even though I've never experienced it. I've read that some people get it in Venice too!
Looking forward to reading about your next adventures. Safe travels to you and Bill!
Posted by Annie | August 26, 2009 9:57 AM
Posted on August 26, 2009 09:57
Sorry, Candi, but I'm not clear -- are you leaving Maui permanently? Or just flying to Portland and then on through the U.S. for a vacation?
I've really enjoyed seeing Maui through your eyes, but I do understand your restlessness. No matter where I'm living, I get bored after a while and want to move on. (I wonder if I would feel that way in Italy......)
Anyway, safe travels! I'll be curious to hear more!
Posted by sandrac | August 26, 2009 3:10 PM
Posted on August 26, 2009 15:10
Eden, I do love Maui, and I do think it is a beautiful island, but unfortunately, I can't live here for a long time.
Kathy, we did enjoy our time here, and I am glad that you enjoyed what I shared about it with you.
Jerry, yes, can you believe it? The first five months flew by, the last one dragged for me:)
Girasoli, I was telling Bill,I would love to come to Oahu( after a while), I imagine island fever might be less of a problem, since it does in parts have the convenience of city life.
Annie, it made me wonder,but I can see how people may get island fever in Venice, although it was way less isolated than Maui.
Sandra,sorry I wasn't so clear. We cam to Maui for a six month assignment, and nit is over, so we are going back to the mainland. We are taking some time off before we head to our next destination for work.
I,too, get bored living and working in the same place after a while, I guess that is why I travel around for a living.
Posted by candi | August 26, 2009 5:00 PM
Posted on August 26, 2009 17:00
I have been wondering when you would be leaving Maui for your next adventure - enjoy your tripping through the national parks.
We have been to Mama's Fish House on each of our trips to Maui, sadly the last one is now almost 10 years ago. I think it is one of the most magical places where one can have a meal.
Posted by Marcia | August 26, 2009 6:56 PM
Posted on August 26, 2009 18:56
Candi-I haven't been on the blogs much lately, and had been wondering when you were leaving Maui and where you were heading to next. I understand your being ready to leave Maui-it's beautiful there, but I could never live there either. I sometimes feel the way you do here in Alaska, but at least we can drive a lot more. But I do miss being able to drive from state to state(well, you can here, but it takes forever!). Good luck in your next adventure, and have fun along the way-it sure sounds like you're going to.
Posted by Cindy Ruth | August 29, 2009 11:29 AM
Posted on August 29, 2009 11:29
Yes, I too was wondering when you would be leaving Maui. While I loved Maui, I know that I couldn't live there. Happy travels. I will look forward to hearing about your next destination.
Posted by sheri | August 31, 2009 8:21 PM
Posted on August 31, 2009 20:21
Dear Candi, I am just now backtracking to your older blog posts catching up on everyone's lives. The past 6 months have been a lovely adventure which you have so beautifully shared with all of us. For that I am so greatful. I've enjoyed all the photos of island beauty,the hikes, the meals, the fun. Where did the time go? Can't believe it is time to move on though when i read your thoughtful inner most feelings about island life I can understand. It's wonderful that you and Bill are so young and can have this luxury of experiencing life in different places. You should write a book! Good luck on your next adventure. Can't wait to be a part of your experience through this blog. Enjoy your time off.
Posted by Barb Cabot | September 1, 2009 7:21 AM
Posted on September 1, 2009 07:21
Wonderfully written! And the sad thing is, I understand exactly how you feel! I have been living on the island of St. Lucia since 2007. I am a native Texan. I don't get to leave till August 2010. I don't know how I'm going to wait that long! Any advice?
Posted by Sherri | April 26, 2010 12:49 PM
Posted on April 26, 2010 12:49