Aloha!

Day: 106
Km Travelled: 8,104.9 km 
Location: Honolulu, Hawai'i

January 9th 2018

Here I am, sitting in the plane, reflecting over the last few weeks.  I arrived in Canada on December 20th, after a hectic day at the Paris airport that almost resulted in me missing my flight.

Upon landing, I quickly discovered that all my hard-earned seasoned-traveller skills went right out the window when I ended up at the wrong train station in Montreal.  Luckily, everything worked out and I arrived safely home later that evening.  The very next day, I drove 5hrs to visit my family for the holidays.  Again, my travel skills did not seem to function in Canada as I realized I left a very important suitcase back home.  Fortunately, I have an extremely loving and hugely understanding father who was up for an 8+ hour road trip with his wayward daughter.  Oh boy!  What a start to this part of the journey. 

The next couple of weeks were fantastic, filled with loads of time with family and visits with close friends.  Everything I needed to re-energize before the start of part 2, the longest travel stretch of the adventure, with an unknown end date.  It was like being on vacation from my vacation.

Now, I was off to my next destination: Hawai’i!  It had long been on my travel bucket list and I was excited to start of the next leg of this journey in the Aloha State.  My travels will likely take me to Hawaii, Oceana, Southeast Asia and circle back to Europe before returning to work in September 2018.  Lots of exciting, terrifying, thrilling and wondrous things ahead!

But now I’m here. 8 hours into my flight to the Pacific.  While home, people often asked me how I felt about traveling on my own over the last few months.  I couldn’t adequately come up with a clear answer; how do you explain the rollercoaster of emotion that travel takes you on?  Maybe this will help to explain:

I’m sitting in my window seat, 14 hours of travel in.

Doubting self: Why are you doing this?  You were comfortable at home, surrounded by friends and family.

Optimistic self: It’s ok, you always feel this way at the start.  It’ll get better.

Doubting self: Well, if it doesn’t get better, you could always come home early, like in May or June.

Optimistic self:  It’ll get better.

Doubting self: Or maybe even March.

Optimistic self: Think of all the fun things you’ll do: whale watching, snorkeling, visiting volcanoes…

Doubting self: What about all the things that aren’t fun? Like constantly moving, sketchy rooms, never-ending planning…

Optimistic self: Think of the pineapples! And the Dole whips, Hawaiian ice, poke bowls…So much good food!

Doubting self: 8 months is a long time…

Optimistic self: And there’s Pearl Harbour, Maui, you’ve always wanted to go to Maui.

Optimistic self: And the shopping!  Even if you don’t have the money, think of the shopping!

Doubting self: You’re in Hawai’i for 3 weeks.

Optimistic self: You’re only  in Hawai’i for 3 weeks.

Optimistic self: You’re only in Hawai’i for 3 weeks!!? Clearly that isn’t enough time, you’d better extend your stay!

As you can see, travel induces a wide range of emotions and thoughts, often conflicting.  A very wise friend of mine lives by the appropriately themed motto ‘Ride the wave’ which is exactly what I plan to do, maybe even literally on this section of my travels.

As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I felt the sun warm my skin, the ocean breeze tussle my hair and the sweet Hawaiian fill my lungs.  Aloha Hawai’i, I’m ready for you! 

Even when my brain doubts that I have a traveller’s heart and a wandering spirit, my body is there to remind me: I’ve never suffered from jet lag.  It’s my super power, I suppose. I was staying a short walk away from the beach and took advantage of the last remaining sunlight hours to stroll along Waikiki Beach and dip my toes in the cool Pacific waters.  I think I’m going to like it here…

 Waikiki Beach The first of many Hawaiian sunsets I will experience, of that I am sure.