Mele Kalikimaka!!!!

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka!  It's a beautiful Christmas Eve day here on the Big Island.  I woke up to the smell of bacon and literally went running to the line!  Bacon isn't a common breakfast item here at Kalani Wellness Retreat, so it draws a crowd!  Here are a couple pics of what Christmas looks like in Hawaii.  This is the kitchen/lanai (dining porch) where I work and eat and currently live above!

As for where I left off last time, I was saying I would see where last Thursday would take me as I was off with no plans.  Well it rained most of the day, but warm rain doesn't stop adventure!  That afternoon myself, Amanda (a sweet volunteer that started with me) followed Chef Ted on a walk down to secret beach.  Ted is one of the kitchen chef's here.  He has a dry sense of humor and a long, slow, southern drawl which pulls off his humor perfectly!  His daughter is my age, so he's seen some life and can tell a great story.  If you need a laugh check out his blog.  cheftedswanderinandaponderin.blogspot.com/ 

I digress, Ted took Amanda and I up the road 2 miles explaining every volcanic rock flow, missionary cemetery and local house along the way.  Eventually we dove off the road and into the jungle, on a path you would never know was there unless someone showed you.  I guess that's why it's called Secret Beach.  Ted did forwarn us that we were going to wonder where this guy was taking us at first.  Once you get to the ocean, you crawl over some volcano rocks to get to this perfect cove filled with naturally made rock pools.  You sit in these pools while the waves crash against your rock walls and shoot sweet, salty ocean spray over you like a shower.  My apologies for no pictures put it was close to down pouring throughout this entire 4 hour excursion.  Once we were done playing around, we started our walk back.  A local Puna resident picked us up about 5 minutes in and we crawled into the back of his truck to hitch a ride back to Kalani.  Walking in the rain is nice, but that doesn't mean you turn down a ride! 


Friday I worked.  My buddy that was assigned to me when I first got here picked me up on her scooter during lunch and took me a mile in the opposite direction from Secret Beach to Kehena Beach.  It's a popular local clothing optional beach known for some strong waves, great views, weekend drum circles and very entertaining people watching.  My buddy wanted to show me this beach as I hadn't seen it yet.  So we hiked down and jumped in to cool off from the hot work day.  She did a quick black sand scrub, we got dressed again and we were back up to work with time to spare.  Now that is a lunch hour!

I went back to Kehena the next day after work with Ted and Amanda and hung out with some more volunteers that were there.  I got a little rocked swimming in the waves.  The current is really strong.  It reminded me to stay humble and grounded, especially when you are in the ocean!  Here are some pictures from the day. 

Yesterday I took the bus into Hilo with a fellow volunteer named India, from Portugal.  If you can get a ride, Hilo is less than an hour away.  We opted to ride the bus, which takes two hours, so we can see the little hidden areas of our part of the island.  It was a site for the ears and eyes as locals called "Puna-ticks" got on and off the bus.  The smells were a little funky at times, but with the National Lampoons X-mas Vacation theme song playing on the radio, and me surrounded by cousin Eddie's, I was happy and entertained.  We made it to downtown Hilo.  Here are some pics of the shopping and amazing flowers from the markets.  We had lunch and soaked up the 4G cell phone availability as cell reception here is few and far between.  Another volunteer drove into town and met up for lunch.  We shopped around and then hit up Walmart on our way out of town for some necessities.  A beach towel, straw sand mat, soft sided cooler and family size box of Cheez-it's were on my list!  Haha.  


This week I'm getting back in my yoga groove.  The retreat was closed down last week for a deep clean of the property, so classes were limited.  This week it's back to regular schedules. So I will be spending the rest of my X-mas Eve Morning in Hatha yoga class.  I work tomorrow afternoon.  With this place being a 24/7 operation, there is no "off" for anyone really over holidays unless you are out of town.  No one seems to really notice or care about having to work.  The attitudes are good and people are happy to be spending the days with friends whether you are working together or have off.  Tonight we have an intuitive white elephant gift giving.  I picked up a box a band aids while in town yesterday.  They have quotes on them like "No Pain, No Gain" and "Everybody Hurts".  I'm sure whoever gets them will enjoy it!  

Well I hope everyone has wonderful holidays and a happy new year!  Aloha until the next post!

My New Front Porch View

Aloha!  Here are a couple views from my new front porch!  This is the overlook across the street from the entrance to Kalani called The Point.  It's a beautiful view and a peaceful spot to get away.  Watching the waves hit the rocks can put you in a trance.  Like watching flames in a campfire.

Well, today is now day 6 for me here.  It's everything I wanted and more!  I got in late last Wednesday night.  Thursday was spent in orientations for the property and the kitchen where I work.  I did get down to the pool a bit too.  I also took a couple yoga classes in one of the 3 open aired studios here.  They were wonderful!

I worked Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  It's nice to be in a kitchen again.  I spoke with the manager and as I'll be staying until June (yes, it's official, extending until June), I'll be cross training into different kitchen trainer/lead roles.

Life is simple here.  People smile and are very grateful/appreciative.  Genuine thank you's (and hugs!) for work or conversation or anything really are constant.  I have met around 100 people in 6 days.  Ages 22-80.  There is an equal number of people of every age and all come with a story and a past.  It's so reassuring to be around so many stories that have brought all of us here together now.

No one carries around money.  You don't need to.  Everything you need from food, laundry to countless activities are at your fingertips and included in my volunteer role.  People trade services and talents for anything you may want.  Some volunteers make a little fun money by offering to clean, do your laundry, weed around your tent (if you're camping) as well as if you need to borrow a car or bike for a day.  So anything you need is here and if there is a price it's because it's a want and not a need.  And even the wants cost very little.

Here is a picture of my new Hale (pronounced Ha-le) meaning home in Hawaiian.  It's shaped like a piece of pie.  I sleep on the top bunk to the left.  It's stripped down right now as I'm doing laundry.  It's best to do laundry once a week, including bedding, to avoid any possible mildew or mold.  Most of my back wall is a screen letting the sweet rain forest air and sounds in at all time.  I have two roommates.  Both are very sweet and leave next month.  So I'll get new ones then.

Yesterday was the start of 3 days off now.  I went to my first bonfire drum circle at The Point.  It was pretty sweet!  Today I went to the town near by, Pahoa, with one of my roommates who borrowed a car.  We did a little shopping and had a coffee and some good conversation.  Tonight I'm taking the shuttle into town to a pub to get some local color and music for happy hour and then going to open mic night.  Thursday, I'm starting my day with an hour massage and then seeing where the day takes me.  I'm feeling so blessed to have the next 6 months here!

Well, there is no shortage of things to write about!  So I'll stop here for now.  I'll post more in a week or so!  Aloha and Happy Holidays!  Here's a pic of a little friend that sat next to me while I typed this!

It Began...

The video on the website said people choose to volunteer for 3 main reasons:

1. Some are really into yoga and they want to practice it everyday, maybe multiple times a day.

2. Some never set foot in a yoga studio.  They just want to spend an extended period of time in Hawaii in a low cost way.

3. Some are going through a transition in their life (grieving, divorce, job change etc...) and they want to take some time to step back and rejuvenate.

I wanted all 3.

So here I am, half a year later all packed up and ready to set out on my 3-6 month trip to Hawaii to volunteer at Kalani Oceanside Retreat.  www.kalani.com  The intention for this blog is to share my travel experiences and day to day with friends, family and anyone who is interested. I fly out on Dec. 10th! Posts to come after that! Aloha!