AWESOME!!
BREATHTAKING!!
SPLENDID!!
REMARKABLE!!
AWE-INSPIRING!!
TREMENDOUS!!
HUMBLING!!
Words cannot describe the sheer beauty of the Big Island. My four day stay was amazing; I have never had such an incredible vacation in such a short period. As I previously explained (Aloha!), the trip’s primary purpose was the wedding: A very beautiful and fun experience, and my first American wedding. Outdoors (quite shocking! very beautiful, at sunset :D), nondenominational Hawaiian ceremony with elements from Catholic and Jewish tradition, lots of dancing. My only disappointment: Unlike in the movies, the officer never said the famous line “If anyone objects to this union, talk now or…” Apparently, that line is only for the movies :p
Important data point: Time difference in Hawaii with my hometown is 12h. Just the opposite side of the globe! Sunrise in Hawaii happens when the sun sets in Spain. Technically speaking, I’ve already been in more remote places (Australia comes to mind), but the complete opposite of the globe and the fact that nighttime in Hawaii was daytime in Barcelona got me thinking on how different my life and future prospects is now vs some of my childhood friends. Like day and night.
The wedding was at an impressive resort, probably the best hotel I have ever stayed at, with superb location and architecture. The first time in my life that I miss the place when I get back home. After a couple of days at a hotel, I always long for my return, even when I was at other beautiful locations. Not this time, what a strange and slightly depressing feeling. I long for the hotel! I long for Hawai’i! A first for me!
Other than the wedding, I visited every major attraction in the Island. One of the more interesting particularities of the Island is the number of different climates in a 100×100 mile piece of land: Desert, Mediterranean, continental, alpine, subtropical, tropical rainforest… In the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a must see, an active volcano (Kilauea) is open for visit and one a mile away tropical forest grows wild. I also witnessed the entrance of lava into the sea, boiling huge amounts of sea water into steam. At night I saw the red glow of the lava in the steam.
Dear reader: Maybe you read my blog for tips on LBS admissions, maybe you want to know better a future classmate, or maybe you want some inspiring insights on business. But if you want to take just one thing with you from this blog, take this advice, 100% guaranteed:
Visit Hawai’i Big Island. You will want to stay forever!
Great holidays! I got my batteries recharged, now I am ready for my final sprint before I leave my job!
June 5th, 2006 at 10:02 am
Hey Patxi,
I fell in love with Hawaii too when I went there 5 or so years ago with my family!!! I’m a big beach person!!! I just love the island/beach/bohemian lifestyle!! Anyway, if you love the beach, you should definitely include the Philippines in your itinerary (OK, here I am again sounding so patriotic!!). But really, the Philippines has some of the nicest beaches in the world, some are even world-class in terms of facility and quality of service. Although it’s not as modern and as orderly and clean as Hawaii, it’s a nice place to visit especially if you want to just chill and enjoy the sun, sand and the sea!!
Oooh, your post and your postcard just makes me want to go back to Hawaii soon!!! See you in 2 months!!!
Ellen
February 21st, 2007 at 10:28 am
Patxi, I lived in Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga for a year once as a school teacher and know the beauty of the island life you’re alluding to. It is a tranquility beyond words. A new harmony that captures you and stays with you. No volcanoes in Tonga but great secluded little beaches and fine taro, coconut milk, yams, papaya and pineapples, mangoes and seafood. Ahhhhh.