Hawai`i 2009: Day 22

This morning we awoke early - before 6am - and finished the last bits of packing and cleaning. It was hard to say goodbye to what had become our home for the last two weeks, but we left in good spirits.

We made one final stop (for this trip, anyway) to Sirius Coffee on our way to the airport so I could get my iced coffee fix. I wish more places in Seattle sold iced coffee. Other than Starbucks, it seems that most places only offer an iced americano (also good, but not the same thing).

After a quick check-in at the Hilo airport, I wandered around a bit. They are doing a lot of construction, and hopefully will be adding a few more restaurants/shops. I decided to wait until Honolulu to spend any money, and then retired to the sitting area and read my book, side by side with Dan.



The flight to Honolulu was very quick, less than 40 minutes and then we had three hours to spend in Honolulu. It was a perfectly clear day, and we welcomed the chance to linger a bit. We perused some shops, bought some magazines (and mac nut popcorn for the plane) before heading to Kona Brewing Company for some drinks and nachos. It's a comfortable space, even though it is now longer a Stinger Ray's. Service was great.



Our long flight home was pleasantly uneventful. I finished the novel I bought in Hilo on Thursday, called Simple Life. It is written by Big Island resident Mia King, and tells the story of a Manhattan family who relocates to Waimea. The wife, and protagonist, begins to unravel as her marriage (and world) falls out from under her when she realizes Paradise isn't all massages and pool-side cocktails. One chapter was missing, but I was able to fill in the blanks pretty well. It's a fast read, and offers some keen insight into facing one's own need to change in light of how others are impacted. The protagonist was not particularly likeable, but I think that was partly the point. The story showed how displacement can be a catalyst for positive change, and emotional repair.



Around 10pm, after seeing fireworks from the plane, we landed at Sea-Tac. It felt comforting to be back on our home turf, and the ease of catching a cab and the 70 degree heat helped with the transition to Mainland life.

Having adjusted to Island time, we were up past midnight catching up on TV and giving longer overdue affection to our cat (who seemed to miss us dearly).

This may have been our best trip to Hawai`i yet. But then, they just keep getting better. Soon it will be time to start planning the next one. We have now visited 4 of the main islands - Oahu, Kaua`i, Moloka`i and of course the Big Island. While Kaho`o lawe and Ni`ihau require special permission, Maui and Lana`i are open to us any time. On the flight home, we made a remaining to-do list for the Big Island, and I doubt it will be long before we return there. The 3 nights somewhere else before returning "home" worked out very well, and may work as a model for future trips. We shall see. For now, we'll unpack and revel in the joy of this glorious time we've had together in our favorite place--and hopefully keep the aloha alive to share with others back home.