I finally made it through my semester.
I got straight As.
I can't hardly believe i made it. But that's always the way isn't it? we always make it through, somehow someway. life goes on.
and on.
and on.
So i made it through my semester and this trip to Hawaii was the only thing that was keeping me going in a way. I was so excited to be in a tropical region where i would be HOT and sweat all the time and float in a calm crystal blue ocean and fall asleep all day on the beach with a novel on the sarong next to me.
My soul brother Nate was having a hard time. He broke up with his fiancee and was in a shit storm of self destructive thoughts and was reaching out to me so in my perfectly predictable zani style... i invited him to come on my vacation.
I knew that he needed to get away from everything that was fucking with his mind and i was willing to share my paradise with him.
As much as we had a wonderful time and went on many incredible adventures, it was no longer MY trip and suddenly was ours and i found myself in moments of wondering why i always do this... reach out and try to rescue everyone. Why i am on this journey to become a nurse so i can literally reach out and rescue people.
But nevertheless - we went on what was now OUR trip and I arrived in a climate that was disappointingly perfect. It was mild. Not too hot and not too humid. I soon realized that's what they call it "peak season" over christmas, because its the coolest the temps get and people usually don't like it when its so hot you can't walk barefoot on blacktop... i do.
We started staying at my beautiful friend Moana's house - but Moana was in a new relationship and working her butt off and was not around very much and we were staying in her mom's massage room. Her mom was sweet and came out with us several times, but I didn't really feel comfortable staying there not having really known her ahead of time... Luckily on Christmas, my friend Kelsey's parents invited us to move to their property which is nearby and was totally out of the way and didn't feel like an imposition at all and seemed to be the best idea. We all still hung out and went on adventures all the time. Kelsey was on vacation too - visiting her family (and lucky lucky me) over the holidays. She is in business school on Oahu.
I met both Kelsey and Moana at Togat Nusa Retreat in the Mentwais when i was living out there and they came as surf goddess guests. We bonded straight away and spending time with them on Maui only made me love both of them even more. They are badasses like none other. I love them!
We dubbed the cottage "Lilikoi studios" and brought over all of Carl (Kelsey's man)'s drums and studio gear... We played jam band every night and would wake up looking out over Haiku and although it was pretty much always raining I came to love my little home in Haiku. I could walk down to the kombucha store and get mason jars filled of the nectar... And i wore rubber boots every day.
My second night there, Kelsey came in to the massage room at Moana's when i was lying in bed and decided that i didn't want to go out to this hippie rave they were wanting me to go to... Kelsey wasn't having any of it and forced me up and put galoshes on my feet - explaining that in Hawaii they are called "rubbah boots" - i dont know why i thought it was so funny, but i bought a pair the next day at walmart and wore them every day after that.
We ended up driving on the windiest roads of my life (later i found out was the road to Hana) and then back to a gathering that was happening on the solstice (12/21/2012) and end of the Mayan Calendar. Ram Daas was officiating this amazing party on the property that belonged to a guy named Blue Mountain.
We were in the giggliest, craziest state of mind, and stumbling upon drum circles and an octagon shrine filled with an orchestra and belly dancers and a giant crystal the size of a cow that a guy was hugging... well it was just all too much for us and our rubber boots. So Kelsey made the call and we charged it to the top of Haleakala Volcano to watch the sun rise over the day that was never going to come according to the Mayans. It was mind blowing and probably the funniest night of my entire life. Kelsey has a whole journal of all the funny things everyone said which was pretty much everything all night and into the next day.
This was just the beginning of the vibe of the trip! We went on constant adventures from midnight journeys to waterfalls and everything in between... We danced and ate and drank and drank and drank... We went camping in Hana and had a magical new years out there with some incredible people. I wrote two new songs and and painted some really cool paintings with the art supplied Nate bought. I managed to get some quiet alone time towards the end of the trip and ran into my cousin Bennet and his fiance Michelle on the touristy side of the island. All in all it was a truly magical three weeks and all i know is that i will definitely be back again!
I wrote a piece for the live like you're on vacation site and cited these as my top tips for travelling to Maui:
Best Beaches:
• Makenna - known as "big beach" this family favorite is a great spot to whale watch and sunbathe. You only have to scale the side of a rock to climb into the clothing-optional hippie drum circle vibe at "little beach"- Sundays at sunset things get groovy. *careful of the intense shorebreak. I saw a skim boarder break his neck! Ouch.
• Baldwin - on the windier north side of the island, you'll probably spot some amazing wind and kite surfers shredding the seas and if you're lucky, you might catch a couple sea turtles cruising too. Ho'okipa is just down the way.
• Hamoa - this Hana beach is awesome for surfing, family BBQ, or just having a beer with friends! A great place to spend the day, but bring your own food and snacks. You won't want to leave and come back!
Food/drink:
• Flatbread company - amazing pizza and killer ginger cocktails. It gets packed so get there early. (In Paia town)
• Haiku cannery fish taco stand - adjacent from the Haiku Grocery Store- this is the best fish taco on the island... hands down. 5 bucks. Huge plate. Use the tiger sauce!
• Maui kombucha - words can't express how much I love this place. 3 daily flavors that change throughout the day on tap. Lovingly referred to as "booch" - get a mason jar and refill daily. Don't forget to get your card punched and get your tenth booch free!
• Sports Page, Kihei - somehow this gypsy mermaid stumbled into a sports bar and found the meanest Bloody Mary of all time. I was not mad about that. After you're good and married, walk out front and catch a glorious Maui sunset!
• Charlie's- the fabulous, famous bar in Paia Town... Has the best bartenders ever and hosts live music on some nights, and if not, there are DJ's. Check the calendar I highly suggest it!
Sight seeing/stuff to do:
• Haleakala Volcano sunrise - get there at least an hour before first light so you have a parking spot and can marvel at the stars... Then watch the sun pour across this epic crater and tallest mountain in the world! (when measured from bottom to top) Do NOT miss this.
• Drive around the west side through Wailuku to Ka'anapali- weave around crazy windy dirt roads that will take your breath away and suddenly pop you out in fancy resort heaven. You'll really understand the island after that drive!
• Whale watching from Kihei- actually you can probably spot whales from anywhere on the south side... But I happened to see an epic humpback whale breach right in front of me from Kihei!
• Rainbow eucalyptus and bamboo forest - on the road the Hana, the "painted trees" are unbelievable. The bark peels back a different color every layer of bark. Well worth a stop!
• Camping in Hana - I was lucky enough to have friends that had a cabin in Hana where about 20 of us camped over New Year's Eve. It's the best vibe ever. No emails. No service, nothing but nature and great people. Word of the wise: it's not a question of IF it will rain, it's WHEN. (Hana is one of the wettest spots on earth.)
• Temple of peace - crystals and new age-y stuff in Haiku... Get your spiritual fix here. Talk to psychics and sit in meditation if that's your bag!
*** Carl Kemper is my good friend and the guy you want to know on maui... He's a badass "Adventure Consultant" - give him a call (808-281-9764) and he'll help you sort out anything you need! From rubber boots to a rental truck... From photography tours to secret locals-only vibe hiking journeys... to super exclusive hunting expeditions (if you're already licensed and know what's up)- you will be stoked you have his number. Trust me.
Tips:
1. Definitely rent a car- a beater truck if you can- you'll blend in more and don't have to worry about denting up a new one on the windy muddy roads.
2. Get rubber boots ASAP- Walmart or hardware stores... You'll be stoked you have them and its oh so fun to offroad through deep puddles just cuz you can :)
3. Pick up hitchhikers! Maybe even take them to coffee if they rule. Chances are they will, and you might get your world rocked!
4. Bring your camera, leave your laptop.
The gopro is a great choice- easy to carry, waterproof and pretty indestructible. You can even mount to your surfboard, hood of your car, etc. and timelapse like whoa.
5. Let go and surrender to the island vibe! Alooooooha!
**Most photos by Nate Siggard - www.natesiggard.com
