Monday, March 2, 2020
Good evening,
After two long flights (5+ hours, 6+ hours), we have arrived on the big island of Hawaii. It’s a bit surreal. Coming off the airplane we walked into a open-air (with a roof) baggage claim area, then picked up our car across the street and were on our way. The scent of flowers was so distinctive when we walked into baggage claim – people had leis they were selling and wearing (for only $8, the price of a loaf of bread here!). I was surprised at how non-touristy everything seemed in comparison to what I’d heard. It was as if we had accidentally flown into the Kona airport from photographs 75 years ago instead of a modern airport, except that everything was in full color instead of black-and-white.
We made a quick stop at Safeway to pick up Reef-safe sunscreen and a leisurely drive along the coast to our AirBnB in Kealakekua for the night. The flowering trees and bushes alongside the road frequently gave way to enormous views of sea and sky, the sea glass-like in its blinding reflection of the light in late afternoon. We had to drive up and up a single-lane paved road to get to our AirBnB (in other words, we moved beyond the resorts we had been passing for a little while to a more authentic feeling part of the island). We passed a school, with kids practicing sports outside, and a colorful mural above the entrance to the building. The road narrowed, lined with palm treas and colorful mailboxes. When we turned in, we could hear roosters crowing and other, unfamiliar birds calling through the undergrowth. The sound of wind in the palm trees. Now we’re sitting on the porch of this place looking out into the garden where our hosts are growing multiple tropical fruits. Dave is approving time cards for work and occasionally leaning over to share a spoonful of fresh papaya.
We’re in position for the first sunset of the trip.
Sending peace,
Erin
