Valley of the Kings
Looking up at the 1200 foot waterfall, I was transported to another time, another place:
the Garden of Eden. Home to Hawaii's King Kamehameha the Great, Waipi'o Valley's verdant beauty is powerful enough to cleanse one's soul.
crystal clear water
cascades down the cliff wall
thunderous splash
spits out tiny pebbles
I am cleansed
The softness of the sand beneath my feet was suprising, since it is volcanic in nature. The crashing waves along the shore conjured images of Captain Cook and his crew arriving over 200 years ago. The natives thought he was a god.
fire in the belly
mountain explodes and bleeds
path of destruction
lava filled with minerals
nurture new life
While on horseback we saw tilapia jumping in the river. We picked and ate guava fruit right off the trees. Pink, sweet and juicy! Thoughts of leaving city life behind to live off the land swirled through my mind.
honey-creepers savor
sweetness of fruits and flowers
nectar from heaven
Java parrots join in
afternoon delight
After a picnic of barbecued pork on the beach,, we hopped back into the jeep for the rocky ride up the side of the mountain. At the top we took one last look at the lushness of the valley. I had traveled thousands of miles to get a taste of paradise. I was treated to a banquet.
carved by divine hands
valley fit for kings
sacred ground
shelter and nurturer of life
respect the gift
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Author Notes
Memories of our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii 32 years ago. That valley was so beautiful!
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