Monday, January 23, 2017

Animal rescues (or not) in paradise

If you are wondering why I haven't published a blog post in 12 days, here's why:

Every single member of our family has been struck down with the flu.  Since this thing lasts two whole days, and since we politely took turns getting sick so Mom and Dad wouldn't be sick at the same time as the kids, the flu has held us captive for two weeks.

This was a huge concern, not only because the flu sucks, but also because we were supposed to go on our long-planned vacation to Maui.

Alas, we did get on the airplane, with one member of our family still somewhat feverish (sorry, dear fellow passengers).

But we made it.  We're here in paradise.




None of us is feeling 100 percent, and poor Steve - the last one to fall - was sick in bed for two days.  We are coughing our way through various beaches and Banyan tree groves, but we are mending, and we are having fun, in between fits.

I've seen whales every single day so far, spouting off in the distance, tails slapping, massive bodies breaching in an explosion of spray.

Sea turtles can often be spotted in the waves, especially when jumping fish are present, because they want to get away from the turtles instead of being their dinner.

For two days, Maui got hit by an extreme windstorm, and what do I do, of course, but walk on the beach with the wind knocking me sideways.  My airy Gemini nature loves windy weather.  As I gusted along the sand, I saw this fellow:


I've never seen a sea turtle up close in the sand before, and although I am known as an animal whisperer at home, I had absolutely no clue what to do about this turtle.  I knew not to touch it and to give it space, but it was missing its back flipper and a part of the shell, and I wondered if a shark had taken a bite out of it.

I made some phone calls right there at the beach, frantically scribbling phone numbers into the sand, and finally got connected with the turtle rescue people.

I think it's unusual for turtles to be on the beach by themselves in the middle of the day, but after I texted them pictures, they recognized this dude and assured me that's just what he does.

I'm glad he seems to be okay, because he did look half dead.

Despite the blustery weather, we find pockets of sun and waves and are loving our beach time.





And the plants!  The plants!!!  I can't name a single one of them - they are all exotic and marvelous to me, lush, show-offy, dramatic, beautiful.

Today we went for a walk where signs warned about falling coconuts.  Since it was windy, I felt nervous about walking along and being kicked in the noggin by a falling coconut.







It's humbling to be in a place where I know nothing.  That prehistoric thing that got swept up on the beach?  The stranded or maybe not-stranded turtle?  Will I get a horrible rash if I use the plant on the side of the path as emergency toilet paper?

Anyway... I hope you are not feeling too jealous about us being in Maui.  Or do I say ON Maui, since it's an island?

We've been working so, so hard, and we got five free airplane tickets, so we planned this trip and dangled it in front of our noses for months while we busted our butts.

So let me show you some pictures to let you live vicariously through us, and I hope you are not too cold and miserable at home.

Aloha!








15 comments:

  1. Oh My Lord! I can just feel the trade winds! Lucky you! We have been to Hawaii many times and are actually contemplating retiring there (if we can only stop working, dag nabbit!) We like the Big Island for it's bigness and varied climates. Once we visited a botanical preserve and as we roamed we remarked to each other "Honey, we shrunk the adults!" Everything was so gigantic. We went around pointing "House plant! House plant!" Hawaii, for all its lushness, is remarkably unproductive food-wise. Maybe it's the young soil and too much rain (is that possible?). Anyway, thanks for sharing. I hope you all get better fast! Aloha nui loa!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it amazing how all the plants are so amazing and huge and lush?
      Wow, how amazing to think you guys are contemplating retiring there!!!

      Delete
  2. This is the best part of my morning, thank you for letting me be part of your journey. Coffee, Hawaii with Corina, I'm ready for the day now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chris, it would be even better if you could sit here with me on the porch, drinking coffee and listening to all the crazy sounds from the birds!
      Pet the goats for me, will ya?

      Delete
  3. Hi friends. Still snowy and chilly here, but much milder than before - it even got above freezing the other day! Saw Brenda and Alan at Mike's big retirement party (which was a blast!)and they said "all's well" and they are enjoying the critters. See you in February, right? xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christie, we are so bummed out that we had to miss Mike's retirement party!
      Glad it's warming up a little! That way, the house sitters don't have to haul water every day!
      Be back in February! Hugs!

      Delete
  4. Yes! So so so happy for you!
    (was the prehistoric thing the lobster?? And did you have to leave it there or could you munch it!??)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! A lobster! And no, we didn't eat it, we just found the shell. Trippy thing!

      Delete
  5. Corina- I am so happy for you and your family! Wow! what a journey to make to the island and your well deserved rest. :D
    So inspiring to know that your family was able to do this- makes it easier to dream a little for myself. :D Have a great time and thank you for sharing... These are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ich freue mich so für Euch,ein ganz tolles Erlebnis für Euch alle!Genießt die Zeit und sammelt viele Eindrücke (Und Kokosnüsse)!!
    Eine wunderschöne Zeit für Euch,immer Augen auf und nicht über die Schildkröten stolpern!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Mama,
      jetzt wird hoffentlich wieder jeder gesund, dann koennten wir wirklich spass haben!

      Delete
  7. Homesteading and vacations??
    Looks like you guys are having a good time and I assume everyone's doing ok by now.
    Paradise? I bet you'll find that when you get back home....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, paradise will await us at home. Just a lot, lot, lot colder than here...

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    2. Cold is good. Cold means the season for wool sweaters and socks. The season for crackling fireplaces, slower paces and introspection.

      Delete

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