It might sound odd, but I was resistant to visiting Hawaii for a very long time. Even though my wife told me about the amazing weather, food, and unique natural beauty, it always seemed like a place to go after all the adventures in life were already had. But after our Taiwan/HK trip was cancelled due to the virus outbreak in Wuhan, we impulsively booked a week on the island of Maui.
Now back in NYC for a solid month, I look back and think how timely that decision was, and how terribly I misjudged Hawaii, and myself.
Until Maui, I had never really enjoyed raw foods. Sushi in particular was lost on me. But after trying some grocery store poke (wasabi ahi and pulled pork), it seemed the most natural thing to eat, and to crave.
In a pretty weird turn of events, as we drove back from a surreal sunset at Haleakala, I picked a small strip mall sushi restaurant for dinner….and ordered omakase. That was the first time I’ve chosen sushi, over any other kind of cuisine, in my life. Each piece was surprisingly (to me) delicious. Snappy, delicate, sweet, and satisfying. The value of good sushi might be obvious to some, but this was life changing for me.
Another area that changed during that week was my relationship with the ocean. I’ve never liked it. Not the brininess, the beach towns, or how little control there is while you’re in the water. But during this vacation, whether it was the calmness or clearness of the water, it felt much more approachable and alluring. I even put on a snorkel, swam around, and saw some fishes! I was gradually overcoming my fear of the water. And it felt tangible, like the fear melting away every time. Disclaimer: I still can’t effectively tread water.
On top of all these “accomplishments,” it was also the least packed itinerary we’ve ever planned. Other than hiking the Sliding Sands Trail at Haleakala National Park, all of our days were spent on the beach, or walking up and down the coast. After unplugging from Twitter, work, and any responsibilities at home, all I had to focus on was reading a book, taking a swim, trying out a hotel Peloton bike, and figuring out what flavor of shaved ice to order. Desires for material things disappeared. Stress melted away. I wanted for nothing, and was grateful for that level of bliss.
Looking back, especially now during the COVID-19 quarantine, I think about my emotions while on Maui. Totally aware of how lucky I am to experience the luxuries of travel, and to disconnect from responsibility, that joy rings even truer given how much change the world has gone through these past few months. That paradise of early March seems so far removed from the present day. I’m just sipping on those moments of joy in the past to stay calm during these more volatile times. Always staying grateful.