Battered Orange Suitcase
Mom is having a wonderful time on her MONTH LONG cruise from San Diego to Hawaii to Fanning Island to Rarotonga to Tahiti and back. She and David left a week ago, September 22nd. Yesterday she was in Maui, and drove the road to Hana – a harrowing road even now, from the sound of it. They stopped at Hana Ranch and continued on. She is waxing nostalgic on her Hawaiian background and having a marvelous time.
In keeping with the Hana theme, click here for an interesting history on Hana and the island. I remember doing the road to Hana, and continuing on – gasp – when rental cars weren’t supposed to go. You feel like you are the only one in the world, as you wind around the dirt roads and sharp turns. And then you come to this remote white church situated on a lonely bluff. This is Palapala Hoomau Congregational Church. Charles Lindbergh is buried here. I found the remoteness of the church slightly discomfiting, but the history emanates from the small whitewashed chapel that was built in 1857.
“A mile beyond Oheo, I found Palapala Hoomau Congregational Church, a whitewashed 1857 chapel with brass chandeliers and humble pews. It was a picture of peace and its simple cemetery a picture of grace. Some graves were piles of lava stones, some poured concrete; some were Christian, some Buddhist. A few honored beloved pets, some sprouted red hibiscus. One featured a granite plaque quoting Psalm 139: “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea.” Here Charles Lindbergh came to rest after his death in 1974.”
Mom checked in last night via telephone. Following are the highlights of the conversation (that I could get down on paper – in no particular order).
1. She loves the stewards on the ships who tidy the room and make little animals with the towels. Yesterdays, apparently, was a rabbit.
2. They are staying in a cabin on the SEVENTH LEVEL. SEVENTH LEVEL. With their own lounge!
3. Mom says the age of the average passenger is 80+. David says in their 40s. Hmmm.
4. They packed 6 bottles of wine for the trip. Plenty left.
5. She had never been to Hana Ranch (how is this possible?).
I will try to keep her postings current and will also include her itinerary link. More to follow…
Mahalo.
Les, Where do you find the time to do all this. There is so much MORE to tell you – all the way from snorkeling with my clothes on to falling down on the loose gravel while trying to approach a very shy horse. I did it – and I am hoping the picture comes out. Actually, I am hoping that all the pictures turn out – I have some beauts but first I have to learn how to put them on a computer. XXXMOMOOO