Where do I begin.

First, about yesterday.
We started out on the ferry to the tourist boat, and bought a one way ticket ( we seem to like doing that) to Dock #9 for the Royal Palace. Armed with a map and many warnings by the very nice, very concerned people at our hotel about not speaking to anyone about anything no matter what.....off we went. Within the first 5 minutes, William had struck up a conversation with a very nice Thai policeman, who told us that the Palace was closed until 1:30pm. Our hotel had neglected that part, and it was only 11:30. We showed him our trusty map, and he suggested 2 other places to go while waiting....
The Buddha museum, where the Happy Buddha is. And the turtles. About 300 turtles live in a pond next to the museum. You can feed them, and it is very good luck to do so. He also told us that that day, the Royal Lapidary would be open to the public, which does not happen very often, and that we could go take a tour and look at the gems that the Royal Family...(yeah yeah yeah...no royal jewels cracks here folks....) can wear. Then he helped us get a tuk tuk, with a driver named "Jim" and off we went.
Around the block. The tuk tuk died, and Jim needed a minute to fix it. While we were waiting, a man who was walking by helped Jim explain to us what he needed to do. The man, the Professor, stayed and chatted with us for about 15 minutes while the Tuk Tuk was fixed. He taught Thai history. Told us some more about the Lapidary, and it's special one day opening for the public was this day. Something like that. Tuk Tuk fixed, we went on our way. 
Jim was a speed demon. About as much as you can go on a tuk tuk, which is a special blend of rickshaw, golf cart and go cart. I am not sure my photos do it justice. Jim liked to drive on what we consider the correct side of the road, only problem was that in Bangkok, it is the wrong side of the road. Kind of a big deal for me because I was sitting on the right side.....
The Buddha museum was amazing. The turtles were as well. We struck up a conversation there with a man who came once a year to visit the 102 year old turtle, and his parents. (never did figure out if they were there in spirit, or he visited them somewhere else.). We fed the turtles bananas, using long sticks, and fed the gigantic catfish popcorn.
Then off to the Lapidary. Amazing. We stayed there a while, and made a purchase or 2, (not of the King's jewels, we stayed more in the price range of common people...) and after several hours of looking and choosing, we left. But not empty handed, or without a plan. Nik, our salesperson, got us a car, ( we sent Jim home, long long day....) and we went to dinner. AND had a plan for the next day, today, to pick us up at the hotel and actually go to the Palace, the reclining Buddha and the temple of Dawn. That, is another post.
We took the express (?) ferry back, with the young monks, tourists, families, everyone. Stopped many times, were scolded for standing in the wrong place, and marveled at the activity on the river at night.
It was only about 7:30, but I was exhausted. So off to bed, too tired to blog. I hope to post again tonight about today, it is only 4pm and we have had a really full day. Let's see how late I am out tonight....

Gonna figure out the pictures, and post.

Day 2 in Bangkok

First, let me say that I am on the Thai blogspot website, so if it looks odd to you, you should see how it looks to me!
We arrived late on the 17th. After leaving Maui at 6am on the 16th, getting to Oahu 39 minutes later, and then leaving on a 10 hour flight that left an hour late....only to wait in a really long line in Seoul...
One must go through a transit security station in Seoul. Never mind that we were on a flight out right away, and were late...as were many others, so we waited for them all.....
and then another 5 hour flight to Bangkok.
Arrived at the hotel, and what a lovely property it is!, and went to sleep. Exhaustion doesn't even start to describe it.
The next morning, we had breakfast and made the decision to each have our own rooms, and stay at this hotel until we leave Bangkok on the 28th. It is lovely, and thanks for American Express's website, not as expensive as one might think. Note to self. Even when in the property, check AMEX, and trip advisor for excellent rates. Even the hotel suggested we try. 
I left the hotel bound for Druk Air, also known as Royal Bhutan Airlines. I would finally book the last leg of my trip. Found it, booked it and left the building deciding to just walk. I had a map, and a general idea of the direction the cab had come from. Walked past some amazing looking street food....the smells were fabulous or really really bad. I also came across a guy with his feet in a fish pond. It was a fish pedi. I so wanted to do it, but the new tattoo on my leg had me thinking twice. Perhaps before I go. I did go into a massage "parlor" for an amazing foot massage. 
Thai massage is often done dry. It is a lot of pressure points, and as Nid, my masseuse said, "some pain is good". Yeah. The next day, today, I have bruises. Yep, black and blue marks where her thumbs were! All worth it.
I took a tuk tuk home. My toad's wild ride does not even compare!!!!
Went to a meeting, there were 14 of us, most from the UK, either ex-pats or tourists. One other person from the US, Hollywood!!!! Most going home, no one else doing the convention circuit.
I am exhausted.....today was insane, but I will post about it when I have the strength and awakeness to load the photos, and describe what we experienced. Needless to say, it is a huge adventure. And it is just beginning!!!

Been a while.....

It's been a while. I am staying in a place in Maui Meadows. No internet, just incredible views of both the ocean and Haleakala. I can do without internet. So I am in Paia, at a great place called the Paia Cafe, excellent organic salads, tasty coffee, superb people watching and, you guessed it, free wifi.
The kids left on Saturday. Quite bittersweet. I miss them. I also miss Jay and my dad. And, surprisingly for a cat person like me, my dogs. I have had a few rough patches of loneliness and the overwhelming "what the f*ck was I thinking", they pass, and my day goes on to be spectacular. Yesterday was all about humpbacks. William's birthday is Friday, so instead of dinner at Mama's we went out on Hawaiian Ocean Rafting. 
***Just a funny aside. I remember the name of the outfit because when we first went out with them, they give "boarding passes". Mine was the number 1 on one side and HOR on the other. Whore, I thought? How rude! Jacob and Len pointed out that it was Hawaiian Ocean rafting. *******
We went on the morning snorkel, and almost immediately saw whales breaching. Amazing. Then, off to the first snorkel spot. It was off Lanai in an area that is no longer used for tourists, but in 1986 when I was here with David, this is where we came. we snorkeled off shore, but I knew as they were telling us about the location that I had been here before. The snorkeling was amazing. All I could think was that I was so incredibly grateful for the ability to see. How many of us take sight for granted? The ability not only to see the coral and the fish and the rays of light coming from the sun into the water. And the whales! To see those stupendous creatures!!! Words just fall short. We also saw a Hawaiian Monk Sea Turtles, Spinner Dolphins and lots and lots of whales! Exhausted does not even come close.
No pictures, I was too busy looking to shoot pictures.
So the countdown has started. 3 1/2 days til the day we leave. What will I do with this fabulous life!

Feelings......

It is an emotional day today. Jacob and Len are leaving to go back to Missouri today. It is the end of our "vacation" and the beginning of my travel. William got here onto Maui yesterday, and the discussion of our travels has begun. I think we will compliment each other, if we do not kill each other first!
What is the emotion.....lots of letting go. Letting go of my kids, and the thought that I can control them. Letting go of Jay, this is not something I imagine we would have ever done. This is all me. Letting go of my desire/need/self imposed obligations to take "care" of my family. (read Jacob and Len). This is my adventure. Mine. Just me. Solo if I wanna be. Granted, there are several people I know I will be meeting up with, or meeting for the first time, alone is something I can chose to be or not.  This is me living without thought of what someone else would think. It is me taking risks, if I want to. Going to explore a specific place, if I want to. Staying in my hotel all day, if I want to. 
At the moment, all I want to do is cry. Is this surrender? Is this joy? Is this sadness? All I know is that it is. I miss my kids already. I miss them as little boys. And that, is something they are definitely not.

Just another day in paradise....

Another lovely day on Maui. Why do I not live here? A question I ponder every single day I spend here. At least a few times a day. Today I went a step further and talked to a friend of mine who has lived here over 40 years. He says I have a "way" about me that works well here. Is that that I am unassuming? I think I would be fine here. And I am determined, in this lifetime, to find that out. What do you think? 
Today we spent at big beach. It wasn't very big. Apparently there is a big swell on the north side, not much on the south. Almost flat. We sat and waited a while. Just to be sure there were no waves.....  Yep. None. So we left.
We are all quite comfortable in our little condo. I have found a few places I want to look at. Get an idea of floor plans so if some absolutely amazing place makes its way to me, I know what I am getting.
Wow....53 years old. And starting all over again.....
You are never too old to be young again.

Enough babble....hopefully some day soon, I will have something fascinating to say. This is all just practice as I maneuver the fine art of blogging. Blog. Who came up with that word, and what exactly does it mean?

whales, dolphins, sunsets, oh my.

We went to Lahaina today. Historically, not my favorite side of the island. It was the first place I came for my honeymoon with David in 1986. We stayed at the Ka'anipali Beach Hotel, we had a great time. It was our honeymoon....of course we had a good time. Since then, I have preferred not to visit this side. It is quite touristy, and I had more friends on the South side. But off we went, to check out the harbor, the banyon tree and maybe a beach. 
We were walking on the harbor and I saw a raft looking excursion for whale watches. Neither Jacob nor Len was at all excited about it, (our BWR trip last week was not so great), but I made the decision, we would go. What a great trip. Unfortunately, my camera was back at the condo, Len had his but will not share his pictures yet. 
We saw well over 50 spinner dolphins, and at least 6 whales. We spent a good deal of time with both, waiting for them to re-appear, talking story, and clapping at their antics. 
The best part was the smile on Len's face. I have been waiting days to see that.
We came back and went to finally get some sunset pictures. I think the boys know they are on short time...(BTW, we booked a snorkel trip on Hawaiian Ocean Rafting), and they are getting more assertive about what they want to do.

What a great day!

2012....the journey continues

January 1, 2012. For many people, this is a day of new beginnings. If you are like me, we know that a new beginning can be now.     or now.     or now.  You get the idea. In other words, why should the first day of a new calendar be any different than any other day of any other week of any other month. I digress..
I woke up this morning, finally feeling better...the antibiotics are working. I had a nasty thing. Never really tested for strep, the doc just assumed I had what the other 15 off islanders had. And as far as I can tell, she was right. I feel a lot better. Soaking on the beach in the sun was a good idea too.
So off I went on a 2 mile walk down the beach. It was good to me today. I found some great shells, good glass...I will have quite the collection. I wonder what the beaches in Thailand will bring?
But really, what I want to blog today is how I am feeling as a new year begins. My wish for this year  is that no one close to me dies. I know this is a big wish. And I know that no one "dies at me". A year free of fatal illness and death would be a nice break. I say that all I have left is my kids, not true. I have many friends who live with chronic illness. As I cannot make sure that no one I love leaves, I commit to enjoying every minute I have with those I love.
What am I going to do with my life? About 18 months ago, I was asked by a dear friend..."What are you going to do with your life?". That question has swirled in my head ever since. What am I going to do? What I would like to do is help other people, like me, navigate grief.  On my trip, I hope to learn about other cultures' view of grief. How do they treat their elders? Somehow, my college studies (I have a BA in Cultural Anthropology) and my life experience have brought me to a place where I can do my own "field studies". I would like to "practice" here on Maui, however, So Cal has one of the best grief support centers in the US. So, if I have to stay there a while to sell a house, I will have a purpose. A place to go , to heal, to learn, to share.

Not really a lot of complete sentences today. I just knew I needed to blog.
Hauoli Makahiki Hou!