Day 4

The only day when we were not slaves of the alarm clock and it was a vacation day for the poor timekeeper. We really did not have much of an agenda for the day except drive around the worlds most beautiful drive and chill on the beach. And the day started with chilling walk down the beach where a early morning photographer clicked us with the morning sun lighting up our faces and boat in the background. There were quite a few others who were strolling and writing messages on the beach only to be washed by waves. But the kiddish enthusiasm could not be deterred by a bunch of hooligan waves. We did manage to catch the "complimentary continental breakfast". I would like to visit the continent where they have such a breakfast.

After doodling around on the beach we found our way on the map to Hana. We would like to claim the circuitous route by "design" and not any deficiencies in the navigation skills. If there were a road sign reading challenge, we would definitely flunk. By a faint chance we located a board hiding behind the lamp post traffic signal and some trees and once again we were back on track. In case you missed it we missed a few turns.

The 30 mile road definitely brought back memories of the deals gap trip and even more treachorous because most of the bridges were one lane while the road was technically two lane. Since most cars were compact size it was ok. I would love to see two trucks navigating around each other. There were several waterfalls and road side stalls and taco shops selling fresh banana nut bread, pearls, fruits.

When we reached the destination we realized the journey on the road to the destination was the main part. The town was hardly worth the few bytes on the web. We located a direction to a snack shop and we found a beach side and got down to stretch our legs. She said there was black sand beach around here and that we should take pictures for patel value. I look at her and look at the sand on the beach and look at her and say "Honey the sand is black here, this must be the black sand beach". Just because there was no big red neon sign these observations seem monumental.

We did find a restaurant / takeout place with stir fried chicken rice for lunch special and we ordered a top ramen noodle soup along with it. Sitting by the beach side benches with packed lunches/ baskets was a common sight and honey mooners were dime a dozen everywhere. But in Hana it looked more like a full family vacation package with kids and grandkids. As our order was ready the olfactory senses were alerted to a new kid in town and the taste buds had a party of the year. The chicken was prepared unusually well adn we had just seen the movie Ratatoille and the taste sensation explosion is an accurate desciption of the chicken.

After appeasing the stomach we headed back the same way and now the brake turn accelerate motions were becoming a second nature and the road to Hana was like a mini race course.

After a little while well a couple of hours of see sawing we took a much needed break to avoid feeling queasy and almost like being in a roller coaster or being on a sail boat in rough seas. After the road straightened out we found another excuse to park our behinds and the car in a beach front personal heavenly alcove complete with a view, surfers and park benches.

Message from the beach hippies inscribed on a bench

Live to love

Love to live

Unlike the angry messages like Marvin sucks or obscene ones this message was a welcome change even to a cynic.

Little kids big kids everyone was out there on the water trying to ride out the waves as much as they could. It was like being a predator at times. Wait and watch repeat cycle followed by instinct and catch the wave and follow through. From the expressions on the young ones fear and courage had no boundaries. The limitless energy and abundance of waves ran dry our patience to watch them. It was more an invitation for us to jump in and catch the waves ourselves and experience first hand the disheartenment of failing and excitement of the wait and exhilaration of cresting a wave. And as the wave picks one up everything slows in time and dream about it for years clearer than 50" HDTV.

It was time to head back to the room to freshen up and read the book till the sun came down.