Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii

After a quick layover in Honolulu we arrived to our home-away-from home, the garden isle of Kauai.  Ken’s aunt and uncle live on the island so over the years we’ve begun to think of it as our own.  We pulled into the driveway and were welcomed by hand-painted signs and balloons.  

What we didn’t expect was the surprise waiting at the front door: my mom, stepdad and our family friends the Showens!  They made a surprise appearance to welcome us home (and of course they’re also enjoying a tropical vacation).  We were elated to see our family!  We spent the last week in typical island fashion: lounging beach/poolside, drinking cocktails on the lanai, and plotting every possible scenario to extend our stay.  Special thanks to Margie and Myron for sharing their amazing guesthouse with us!

This blog has allowed us an opportunity to share our once-in-a-lifetime experience with you.  We hope you enjoyed the journey with us and perhaps it inspired you, gave you insight into another culture, or just made you laugh.

Thanks to everyone for their readership.  We love you and stay tuned!

Pahoa, Hawaii

After the big city edge of Honolulu (or as Shelley described it, “Tropical Los Angeles”), we made a beeline for the Big Island of Hawaii.  We hopped a quick 25 minute flight and somehow Ken charmed the car rental company into a free upgrade to a 4WD Jeep Wrangler.  We instantly got into the rural Hawaiian spirit and drove north to Waikoloa Beach, passing endless black lava fields on either side of the road.  Special thanks to Ken’s mom (Sheila) for putting us up at the luxurious Marriott Resort and Spa!  After backpacking through the third world we were overwhelmed by the opulence: yes, our bed had TEN pillows and an infinity pool awaited us (the world-wide status symbol for  expensive accommodations).  We enjoyed neon-pink sunsets over the swaying palm trees and drives into the village for cheap but amazingly tasty Mexican food. 

Getting into the island vibe we toured the north end of the island and ended up near the former sugar plantation turned hippy-enclave of Puna, about 15 minutes from Hilo.  Ken found a perfectly secluded cottage in the abundant fauna and flora filled east side.  We spent our time relaxing in the screened-in living room, falling asleep to croaking frogs, cooking meals (overdosing on coconut, pineapple, and macadamia nuts), taking ample outdoor showers, and reading (Ken’s been seduced by the Hunger Games, I’m deep into the world of Malcolm X).  Unfortunately, we found out the major volcano was not erupting so our plans couldn’t include seeing the red-hot surface lava hit the ocean.  Instead, we’ve decided to pull out the hammocks and acquaint ourselves with “island time.”  

Happy Mother's Day

She loves to:

unwind on the beaches of Maui with her family

spend time with her grandchildren in Calabasas

support her local temple by sponsoring musically-themed Shabbat services

workout with her trainer

take her family on tropical vacations

look glamourous, as always

She excels at:

baking the best challah bread french toast

managing and renovating properties 

keeping up to date on the latest apps and technologies

video Skyping on her iPad

detecting the best deals and using her powerful negotiation skills

developing her new love for viewing photography (by always complementing my pictures)

She doesn’t like:

winding roads or rocky boats

camping (unless it’s at the Marriott)

being too far away from her sons

She forgives me after I nearly burn the house down (20 years later)

She laughs at my jokes

She knows how to put her family first

She lights up around the high holidays

She is a sister to one, an aunt to two, a wife, a mother of two, and a friend to all

And out of all the mothers in the world, how did I manage to get the best one?

Love Ken

She loves to:

play in her garden and frolic in the flowers

be one with nature and search out heart-shaped rocks

wear anything in her favored color of blue

feed the birds but not the squirrels

dance til the wee hours on the beaches of Key West

bake cupcakes with her granddaughter

She excels at:

juggling six to eight “projects” at any one time

cooking a fabulous meal for 30+ people

painting, crocheting, decorating, and planning unrivaled weddings

expressing her unbounded creativity

playing the role of psychic and therapist

being a genuine friend and dreamer of the infinite

She doesn’t like:

coconut, beer, or avocados

mean-spirited, dishonest, or complaining people

swimming pools, guns, or losing at card games

She endures endless volleyball games

She cries if she sees me cry

She knows grandma’s secret recipe for noodles

She lights up when spring emerges from the darkness of winter

She is a sister to twelve, an aunt to hundreds, a wife, a mother of three, and a friend to all

And out of all the mothers in the world, how did I manage to get the best one?

Love Hillary

Christchurch, New Zealand

The devastation of last year’s earthquake was clearly apparent in Christchurch as it’s boarded-up downtown and deserted streets reminded us of the natural disaster at every street corner.  We shunned the GPS to the glove box, as it continued to direct us towards demolished buildings via closed roads.  The infrastructure revitalization was underway with construction crews dominating the cityscape - we can only express optimism that the city regains its vibrance in the next few years as structures and roads come back online. 

We elected instead to tour the “Alpine Pacific Triangle,” a scenic tourist driving route from Christchurch north along the ocean to Kaikoura, then westward through the mountains to Hanmer Springs, and finally back to Christchurch.  

Kaikoura, a small hamlet set on the eastern coast between the snow-capped mountains and the ocean, was residence for dolphins, whales, and seals.  The inland drive westward led us between mountains teeming with thousands, no tens of thousands, of sheep, cows, and llamas.  (And for context, Ken’s first electrocution occurred via electric fence trying to snatch the top picture in this post for me: what a great husband!)  

Hanmer Springs presented itself as a high-end spa/golf/ski destination, famed for its hot springs.  The swimming pools seemed a bit manufactured, so we instead took advantage of a nature hiking opportunity through towering trees.  

We rounded out the drive by returning to Christchurch, stopping at wineries along the way.  Our final day was consumed re-packing our worn backpacks, donating our accumulated campervan gear, and returning our faithful Big Green to its owner as we departed to the international airport.

What can be said about our tour of two idyllic islands?  We met new friends, witnessed magnificent scenery, lived in a campervan, all the while wandering to our hearts content in a land of endless national parks and amiable, rugby-loving Kiwis.  The humble country welcomed us with open arms as we lived out the final weeks of our international globe trotting.  It was a fitting transition to bring us back to the United States after ten months of gallivanting.  

We are eagerly anticipating our upcoming tropical adventure.. to be continued...