Have you ever seen the famous photo of the Napali Coast ? You know, the iconic image of those lush mountains that you can put on your desktop at work and daydream about paradise. Well, seeing that image and its raw beauty definitely made an impression. I knew that one day I would discover the Hawaiian Islands for myself and see it with my own eyes. That time has finally come.
WARNING
If you don’t want to be teased, I suggest not to look at this majestic iconic photo below. Because from now on, there will then be a little seed growing in your head and you might be in trouble too !
After a contract in Television Production with Les petits tannants (The Quebec version of What would your kid do ?) I was ready for a change to step away from the media industry. I felt it was time to tap into my intuition more, which translated with less computer, pressure and fast pace to more traveling, connecting with others, playfulness and slowing down. This is what I am naturally drawn to.
Two days after my contract ended, I was already on a plane, saying goodbye to the Canadian winter. It was mid-November, gray and cold. I was a good trade in my opinion !
KAUA’I
Spontaneity starts at the airport itself! Arriving in paradise, I meet two charismatic spunky veterinarians from Santa Barbara. Our conversation while waiting for the slow airport shuttle, turned into a spontaneous invitation to spend some time with them in Hanalei Bay. Got to love the spontaneity of travel and trusting your gut feeling ! It was a great introduction to the Hawaiian Islands, being with people who come back year after year.
If you want to get spoil by the abundance of Mother Nature, this small and quiet island is the place to be. I don’t have to tell you that I finally saw the Napili Coast, a breathtaking view from the boat. It’s non-negotiably gorgeous ! I watched spinner dolphins show off, explored sea caves and enjoyed turtles resting at sunset. I hiked Waimea Canyon (called The Grand Canyon of Hawai’i), visited a family pineapple farm, volunteered at The National Tropical Botanical Garden, enjoyed fruit picking with a local ( showing me star fruit trees on a hike ! ) , …
I longed for more of Kaua’i, but when I got a call from a friend on Maui, I re-evaluated my travel plans. A friend who I met in Bimini years ago on a dive boat and now lives on Maui, asked if I could come to Maui earlier than planned to petsit his dog while he was on a last-minute trip to Socorro. I don’t have to tell you that having a place to stay, a fluffy companion, and a car to get around the island was pretty fortunate to make the beginning of my stay easier.
MAUI
Maui is where I spent most of my time, staying for just under 6 months. This destination and the people I met here hold a special place in my heart. Maui has a great balance of nature, community and things to do. Of course, it is not the vibrant city pace of Oahu, nor the unique lush jungle vibes of Kaua’i.
I met meaningful people on the island, some spontaneously through conversations, others through the app Couchsurfing or even through social media. Today, we have access to travel the world at our fingertips. The possibilities are endless. It’s up to us to take the initiatives and seize these opportunities.
STEPPING STONES
I met Stephanie, this lovely girl who works at an art gallery down in Lahaina. As it was a quiet evening at the gallery, we started chatting, topics flowing one after another, entertained by each other’s stories. At some point she thought of putting me in touch with her cousin, as he shared the same passion for the sea & the adventurous lifestyle. A few weeks later, he kindly invited me to join him for an afternoon sail on his small sailboat during whale season. Welcoming a complete stranger on board, that’s what I call pure Aloha! We sailed for half a day, spoiled by many humpback whales & calf sightings and stunning mountain views of Maui and Lana’i.
Connecting, networking, and keeping an open mind opens beautiful doors. It often has a snowball effect where one opportunity leads to another. I guess what I am trying to say is : For the traveler who thinks too much about sorting things out, things will fall into place on the journey itself. Action and movement over thought. I learn a lot being in motion and that’s what I want to pass on.
