Made it!

Aloha!

I made it!

After flying over ocean for 5 hours and change being fed macadamia nuts and cookies, I made it to the surprisingly not so small island in the middle of the Pacific. I was wearing jeans and a light sweater (it was raining in Santa Cruz when I left) and nearly died as soon as I got off the plane. Bullets were sweat, and the open air airport (little tiki huts...seriously, that's it) were all the shelter in the lava field that we landed in.

I was lei'd 3 times...just saying... ;)

I was expecting to see Kelly Slater standing at the airport with two surfboards and a couple of Mai Thais (because he's Kelly Slater and can carry all of that), closely followed by Jack Johnson, however I suppose that will have to wait for another day...haha...

The Kona Airport is about 20 miles south of where I live, so we (Tracey and I) had a nice drive up through the lava fields to my turnoff and then a six mile drive toward Mauna Kea (which has a light dusting of snow on top) to Waikoloa Village, my new home away from home. My room smells like fresh flowers and one wall is covered in a sea shell collection and books.

Day one: arrival, initiation drink at one of the resorts with Tracey (where I saw my very first sea turtle basking in the sun) and a short hike and snorkel in the coral- it felt surreal. Fresh Mahi Mahi tacos (with a fish that was caught the hour before it was on my plate) and the sunset over the ocean.

That said, the homesickness did get to me quite a bit and looking back on it I am pretty sure I was just completely overwhelmed with the fact that every single little thing was new, right down to the birds that sing outside (Devin would be having a field day with these birds...no cheeseburger birds, sadly). I'm taking it a day at a time and just working through all of the new tasks at hand.

I SNORKELED WITH SEA TURTLES! I could not believe it! Not only did I see a sea turtle, but I saw four...I nearly squealed into my snorkel, and I may have for all I know...no shame...they were munching away on algae just hanging out...Crush and Squirt from Nemo totally fit the personalities of these guys...they are soooo mellow and definitely did not care that I was forgetting to breathe while watching them...which could have been awkward long term. While I was out I also saw a Hawaiian seahorse, which apparently is incredibly rare to see anymore. People that have lived here upwards of 30 years have said they have never seen one in the wild before...I feel honored to have seen one on day two, snorkel adventure two.

I have a little truck. Cruisin' around in a little white, stick shift pickup truck...look out world... I'm going exploring...loaned to me by my boss until I figure out what my situation is. (People out here have been so kind to me so far, I am so glad, however I am trying incredibly hard to be as kind and respectful as possible).

As for today, with the time difference still being 2 hours (Hawaiians do not do the daylight savings time thing), I am awake before the sun most times and am ready to start my day. I have my first company meeting tonight and I believe I will be starting work tomorrow. I am excited to get busy.

I just found out that my WFR (Wilderness First Responder) instructor, Mark, is teaching a course on the opposite side of the island. If I am not working tomorrow looks like I am taking a trip to find out where he is in a place called Volcano (how original). Maybe we can WFR people...hopefully not...that would be less than ideal.

The cheapest I have found gas is $4.52 a gallon...crikey!

No encounters with Spam thus far.

Hats are welcome and I have a big straw one that I wear everywhere already.

Although I am on the dry side of the island (upwards of 5-6in of rain a year), there are still random rainstorms. I got to watch a thunderstorm over the ocean a couple of days ago.

I am sure there are many things that I am forgetting, but good thing the web allows me to send more than just one email.

I'm alive and well. Craving some good ol' Santa Cruz breakfast right about now, but I'm doing great.

Until next time,

Aloha nui loa (much love),

Meggers