Three Years Later...
Almost exactly three years ago, I hopped on a plane and headed to Europe for the year of my life. The world became my playground and I trekked through some of the most majestic places. Sometimes it seems like it was just yesterday. Other times it seems like it was ages ago. Either way, I look back on it with nostalgia, but I can't complain with the little slice of paradise I've settled into out here.
With my parents, about to leave for Berlin in 2006. As it turns out, on the exact three year anniversary of my departure to Europe, I got on a plane and jumped over to Kauai for a long weekend at Matty's resort with some old high school friends. I knew that Kauai was supposed to be the most breathtaking island of all, but seeing was believing.
To begin with, Matty's family's place was ridiculous. It was a horseshoe of luxury condominiums surrounding a stunning pool with water slides, canals, hot tubs, and waterfalls. There was also a nice tiki bar and grill that played live music in the evenings. And this was all right on the beach.
On Friday, we hit the road to catch some waves at Poipu Beach Park. There are parts of Oahu that still feel pretty country, but almost every square mile of Kauai was pretty remote. Poipu Beach was very nice, the water a similar blue to that you'd see at Makaha Beach or anywhere else on the Wainae Coast. We paddled out on our boogie boards to catch some waves, and they were breaking monstrously. They were also pretty sloppy, so none of us had all that much success. We played around in the water for a long time and then ended up heading back up to the resort to lay out at the pool for the rest of the afternoon.
The next day was absolutely epic. We rolled out of bed and headed north to the Na Pali Coast for a big hike. I had been looking forward to this for ages, and this would be the marquee day. The drive itself was incredible, as we cruised through what was literally Jurassic Park. It was like the Windward side of Oahu times 10. We hit the trail around noon, and the route would be a good one: a few miles along the Na Pali Coast trail to the first beach, and then up into the jungle to a large waterfall.
The first stretch was a little challenging but the views were out of this world. When we came around the first bend and could look all the way down the Na Pali Coast, I felt like I was studying abroad all over again. It's a tough feeling to describe, but it's a spiritual high that overtakes you. You just know that at that moment, you're part of something divine and infinitely powerful. Blue Grotto, Cinqueterre, Ponte Vecchio, Sahara Desert...these all brought along similar emotions. It was good to feel it once again.
Wide-eyed and awe-struck, we made our way along the steep ridges of the coast that overlooked the vast Pacific. We reached the first beach, a small slice of sand that was pounded by angry waves year round. Swimming in it wasn't even an option. We rested on the sand, cooled off in the adjacent lagoon, then cut upwards into the jungle along a clear stream.
Thick with trees and vegetation, this trail was rich with the smell of fresh guavas. I kept reaching for my camera trying to capture the sensation, because the that sweet smell itself was one of the major highlights of the hike. We pulled a few guavas off the trees above us and ate them as we hiked. The trail winded deeper into the forest along the river, with some soggy and slippery stretches. But hot, tired, and thirsty, we finally made it the the giant waterfall. The valley we were hiking through came to an abrupt end at the base of a cliff that towered several feet above us. Feathers of cold, pure rain water spilled down in what was probably one of the most spectacular waterfalls I'd ever seen. We jumped into the pool below it, which was refreshingly clean and chilly. I swam to the base of the waterfall and let the cold water tumble over my head. When I finally got out, I felt infinitely refreshed.
To begin with, Matty's family's place was ridiculous. It was a horseshoe of luxury condominiums surrounding a stunning pool with water slides, canals, hot tubs, and waterfalls. There was also a nice tiki bar and grill that played live music in the evenings. And this was all right on the beach.
On Friday, we hit the road to catch some waves at Poipu Beach Park. There are parts of Oahu that still feel pretty country, but almost every square mile of Kauai was pretty remote. Poipu Beach was very nice, the water a similar blue to that you'd see at Makaha Beach or anywhere else on the Wainae Coast. We paddled out on our boogie boards to catch some waves, and they were breaking monstrously. They were also pretty sloppy, so none of us had all that much success. We played around in the water for a long time and then ended up heading back up to the resort to lay out at the pool for the rest of the afternoon.
The next day was absolutely epic. We rolled out of bed and headed north to the Na Pali Coast for a big hike. I had been looking forward to this for ages, and this would be the marquee day. The drive itself was incredible, as we cruised through what was literally Jurassic Park. It was like the Windward side of Oahu times 10. We hit the trail around noon, and the route would be a good one: a few miles along the Na Pali Coast trail to the first beach, and then up into the jungle to a large waterfall.
The first stretch was a little challenging but the views were out of this world. When we came around the first bend and could look all the way down the Na Pali Coast, I felt like I was studying abroad all over again. It's a tough feeling to describe, but it's a spiritual high that overtakes you. You just know that at that moment, you're part of something divine and infinitely powerful. Blue Grotto, Cinqueterre, Ponte Vecchio, Sahara Desert...these all brought along similar emotions. It was good to feel it once again.
Wide-eyed and awe-struck, we made our way along the steep ridges of the coast that overlooked the vast Pacific. We reached the first beach, a small slice of sand that was pounded by angry waves year round. Swimming in it wasn't even an option. We rested on the sand, cooled off in the adjacent lagoon, then cut upwards into the jungle along a clear stream.
Thick with trees and vegetation, this trail was rich with the smell of fresh guavas. I kept reaching for my camera trying to capture the sensation, because the that sweet smell itself was one of the major highlights of the hike. We pulled a few guavas off the trees above us and ate them as we hiked. The trail winded deeper into the forest along the river, with some soggy and slippery stretches. But hot, tired, and thirsty, we finally made it the the giant waterfall. The valley we were hiking through came to an abrupt end at the base of a cliff that towered several feet above us. Feathers of cold, pure rain water spilled down in what was probably one of the most spectacular waterfalls I'd ever seen. We jumped into the pool below it, which was refreshingly clean and chilly. I swam to the base of the waterfall and let the cold water tumble over my head. When I finally got out, I felt infinitely refreshed.
We hauled on the way back, completing the route in half the time. On the way home, I thought about all the cool things I'd done in my life and decided that this was easily a top 5. This must have been God's way of smiling at me, reminding me of the great experiences I've had and the great ones that lie ahead.
Three years later, I still have the wanderlust. And the world is still my playground.
Three years later, I still have the wanderlust. And the world is still my playground.
posted by Daniel T at 1:10 AM
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