Full Moon Over Maui

 

 

Whenever I am fortunate to travel, I am always looking out for my beloved Luna. I feel her energy deeply, in very cell in my body. My soul resonates with her. She feels like home.  It is because of our connection, that I try to capture here from wherever destination I am. This full moon over Maui was especially beautiful. I am far from a professional photographer but I am happy with my results.

Mahalo Maui

                               

This past July, even as we are not yet out of the pandemic woods, I had the opportunity to travel to Maui to do a continuing education conference.  I was cautious optimistically when I registered in February that I might be able to actually attend, as vaccines were rolling out and things were looking brighter as far as the covid 19 pandemic was concerned. When I came up the CAV academy a year earlier  (https://cavacademy.com/), I thought, what better way to get valuable training, earn my required CE's, while being in one of my most favorite places on the planet? I had wanted the whole family to join me but luckily for Amara, Girl Scout sleep away resumed and it conflicted with the conference (GS is always the #1 summer activity for Amara). Don declined (I think he relished the idea of being alone in the house, after a year and a half of almost none stop togetherness!) He said he opted to hold down the fort and to pick up Amara after her two weeks at camp. That left me and Havana. Which was ideal. Amara and I did our first mom and daughter trip in early July to Seattle. This would allow Havana and I some time to Be together for our own adventure and form our own, new memories.

Before we set off on those adventures however, we settled in the Sheraton in Lahaina, in our lovely oceanfront room, where I attended the conference for my profession. It literally was picture perfect. The ocean waves, the turquoise waters and peaceful vibes allowed for us to relax and restore. I won't go into too much details about the conference here but I will say that it was like a tidal wave of long overdue, fresh air, to be surrounded by so many out of the box thinking, very diverse therapists. In my thirty years in the Mental Health profession (and really, I see myself as a healer not just the label of therapist), never had I been around such a large group of diverse healers. It was breathtaking at times. We got to know a few of those therapists and spent quality time together in the pool, at the beach, breaking bread and exploring new places. Havana and I were disappointed that we did not connect with other families as we had expected but the adults were warm, inviting and inclusive.  We even made a 6:30 am excursion to the swap meet, to do some shopping before our 9 am start time. I left the conference with some new knowledge (grief was one of the very important, very appropriate topics), some reminders and refreshers of more familiar topics and perhaps most important, the reminder how crucial it is for those who serve in the healing field to take time to nourish body, mind and soul. 

After the conference, we headed down to Kihei, where we picked up a rental car (actually, we had to try 4 cars over two days, as they were old, janky and not safe, but eventually we got one that worked and was safe enough) and checked into a sweet condo right across the ocean. We were able to cook meals (including a birthday dinner with one of our new therapist friends) and eat on the lanai, with spectacular sunsets. We swam in the pool and snorkeled in nearby beaches. We ate save ice at our favorite spot (http://peaceloveshaveice.com/) on multiple occasions and we set off for Hana, where we spent the night before making the drive back (that was the most amazing road trip). Hawaii was generous, loving, warm and restorative. In return, we were grateful, mindful and gave Pele a few gifts in return for her tremendous hospitality.  Mahalo Maui. Mahalo.

The Venus Pools near Hana was beyond breathtaking. Magical, sacred, powerful.

The girls & I stopped using basic sign when they were tots. But we still use this one express our hearts emotions. I felt much joy and love sharing such amazing adventures with my girl.

Havana enjoying the Venus pools.

The view from the condo in Kihei. I sat there at night and dreamed of never leaving.

We used the Shaka app on the road to Hana, which was a great guide. We stopped at some spectacular falls including a hike to one. The lush, green heart chakra energy filled us.

This view from our room.

Scenes from Seattle-2

 

Amara and I's time in Seattle was full of rich surprises and unexpected gems. We experienced remnants of the times before the white man came to present day remembers of continued racial injustice. We saw architectural feats including those from modern to day to those from one hundred years ago, which were feats for the times they were built (underground cities, stone sculptures.) We gazed on gallery art and street art, both equally moving and powerful. We learned that the original Starbucks in Pikes Market is not the original market but don't tell that to the hundreds of folks who line up outside. We stumbled upon a Korean basement grocery that supplied us with some familiar stables and some new edibles. We spent time on the peaceful waterfront, sharing a plate of fries, while we discussed how the port makes global trade so much easier than in times long behind us. We visited several tall buildings, our favorite being the 937 ft  Columbia Center (the tallest building in the city.) We ate fresh baked goods, drank Boba tea and walked and walked until our feet hurt so much that we had to take the light rail back to our Pioneer Square hotel. We discussed the discrepancies of where we stayed and the reality of life for those just one block West, where there were dozens of tents that housed the homeless.  

There were multiple occasions when Amara brought up how it would have been to visit the city with her Middle School peers. That she missed out on those experiences felt sad but at the same time, I felt deeply grateful that I could afford her the opportunity to see and be in the Pacific Northwest city that was calling to her. We left filled with many new memories, a broader knowledge of the cities history and a heart that was full with love and gratitude. 

This blog is random shots I took while in the city.