This is reputed to be one of the best hikes in all of Hawaii. Unfortunately, we only had plans for a day hike, completing a third of the twenty-two mile out-and-back track. It usually requires camping at least one night but usually more. It’s a busy trail, the first two miles that is, as it takes the hiker to the beach in a challenging manner. Thereafter, we only noticed four other hikers as we climbed the very narrow and often muddy trail. The mud hinders one and detracts from the occasion but not sufficient to deter one. It is, as we have mentioned ad nauseum, a superb area. It would not be difficult to live on this ‘garden island’. New Jersey, Garden State, 'interesting'.
We arrived at the trailhead and noticed another great beach. What to do? We could not ignore such a wonderful opportunity. To hike or to the beach. That was the question. What was it to be? Let’s toss a coin, we decided; we shouldn’t be biased at all. Agreed! Tails we hike, was the parameter. Our editor tossed the coin and it landed—‘heads' it was. No good, we agreed, too much wind. After another two tosses of ‘heads’, we decided this was not working fairly. Besides, we thought, perhaps we should be at the casino instead because of the streak we were having. Whoa! Now that’s a place we really enjoy. The only activity we prefer than the action in the great casinos of Las Vegas is watching paint dry. Nevertheless, we have made a booking for a big gambling session—December 2035, just after Channukah. To be honest, it is tentative at this stage.
Back to the coin toss. We felt it was important not to favor any activity, particularly as we have done much hiking. ‘Got it,’ our editor announced. If the coin lands on its side, we stay at the beach otherwise, we hike. A very fair way of doing it, we decided. Given sufficient time and thought, our logic eventually surfaces.
A nice experience was eating guavas picked from the trees as we hiked. On the very narrow trail it did not make sense to seek the fruit by searching with the eyes as the drop-off was dangerous. Full concentration was essential. Instead, our other sense, the one of smell, detected the fragrance in the air, easily. It is a real treat to eat tasty fruit within moments of it being picked.
We enjoyed the hike immensely, notwithstanding the mud. We traveled past Princeville to undertake the experience. It is not just the special hiking areas that are beautiful. The island, especially the undeveloped areas, are exquisite. The vast tracts of sugarcane land, an abundance of trees and flowers, the ocean that gives off blues that almost make one ‘weak at the knees’; all combine with mountains to portray a projected paradise. Imagine what we could write if we had better skills and worked for the tourist agency.
We'll see you in Oahu, our Shavuot destination
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Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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