But, this time I'm on the beach.... literally. My wife and I are vacationing on the little slice of heaven known as Maui. If you have never been here, picture the Garden of Eden before the snake. If you have been here, remember that envy is not a positive emotion.
After another hectic year so far, we decided to reward ourselves with a serious break. The fact that this trip will burn through at least 2 years of vacation budget has not escaped out attention. So, we are hoping to make every single moment of every day count.
We have been here for 8 days, with 10 more to go. If you have noticed I'm a bit slower to respond to e-mails and blog comments, now you know why. Hawaii may be part of the U.S. but there are 2,500 miles of ocean between us and California, and a 6 hour time difference from the east coast.
I thought I'd share some pictures with you and maybe a few thoughts I have had while staring at surf and sand.
Blogger Bill Birnbaum suggested I take a look at any changes I have noticed in the almost 10 years since our last visit to the islands. Not surprisingly, both Maui and I have undergone some changes since we were last together in 2001. That's a great idea from Bill and will be the focus of a future post.
But for now, this is one of the parts of a satisfying retirement: planning, saving up, and filling the desire to return to a place that feels like a second home.
Fie on envy! Learn everything you can about yourself in that beautiful place and then let it fuel your writing here.
ReplyDeleteMore power to you. Keep on enjoying yourselves.
ReplyDeleteI can smell the surf. Looking forward to escaping the cold in march.
ReplyDeleteAloha Bob!
Your pictures give me hope I can get through! I do love retirement. It gives me the opportunity to do what needs to get done and then leave it all behind.
have a wonderful time and don't stay online like I did in Pensecola, Florida. I think Maui is beautiful but sorry to say, I prefer islands in the Caribbean, mainly because they have warmer waters, and I love to get away from the U.S. and eat local foods and feel immersed in a different culture. Everyone enjoys different places which makes the world wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAloha-just beautiful-hope you enjoy every moment. There is a time to concentrate on money,but this isn't it! Just relax and treasure this experience.
ReplyDeleteTo Nanace, Steve, Janette, Sonia, and Donna,
ReplyDeleteMahalo and Aloha.
It's been 25 years since my wife and I were in Hawaii and 45 since the Army sent me there to protect and serve at Ft Shafter. I still remember the fragrance in the air the first time I arrived. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteRalph,
ReplyDeleteThat fragrance is still here, as compelling as ever.