It's the final leg of this journey halfway around the world. As the plane rises from the runway my eyes move easily across the turquoise waters, punctuated by frothy surf, over the golden beaches, over the skyline of Honolulu and to the lush green Pali Mountains. It's a sunny day with just a few white, puffy clouds dotting the clear blue sky and a great day to come home. Moving swiftly, we pass over the stark isles of Molokai and Lanai, skirt the lush mountain of Haleakula on the island of Maui, and finally descend onto the lava encased runway at Keahole Airport on the Kona side of the island of Hawaii. As we approached the island my eyes followed the island base of moonscape-like lava blend into lush forests which in turn became barren mountain tops rising to over 14,000 feet above the turquoise and blue ocean. Allowing these sights to pass over me reminds me of how wonderful it is to be home.
As I deplane I feel the light trade winds on my face and smile. Leaving the airport, I drive along Queen Kaahumanu Highway, turn up Hina Lani Street, departing the lava landscape and turning into the lush green forests of home. A couple of miles down Mamalahoa Highway, I turn up Keopu Mauka, move up the green slope of Hualalai Mountain, finally arriving at Chez Marquis Farm. While it's only a 15 minute drive from the airport, it's another world.
Before unloading my things, I opt for a stroll around the farm. It was great to see that the lemon trees were full of fruit, the limes were ready to pick, the figs were coming along nicely, and there were several new stalks of bananas. I was excited that the fennel I had planted before I began my trip had already broken ground. I was amazed at the new growth on many of the trees and at how the flowers had grown. The sweet smell of the Kahili ginger waffed across the field. Many Kana Lillies were blooming, the red being the most spectacular. The Blue Ginger flower was beautiful.
As I took stock of the farm and the work that was to be done, it occurred to me that this was my transition from traveler to farmer, from marquishungrybuddha to westhawaiifoodie. Well, it's time to get to work, time to work off a bit of the weight a brought home with me. I hope that you've enjoyed the log of my travels. I can assure you that there are many more trip to come. A hui hou.
As I deplane I feel the light trade winds on my face and smile. Leaving the airport, I drive along Queen Kaahumanu Highway, turn up Hina Lani Street, departing the lava landscape and turning into the lush green forests of home. A couple of miles down Mamalahoa Highway, I turn up Keopu Mauka, move up the green slope of Hualalai Mountain, finally arriving at Chez Marquis Farm. While it's only a 15 minute drive from the airport, it's another world.
Before unloading my things, I opt for a stroll around the farm. It was great to see that the lemon trees were full of fruit, the limes were ready to pick, the figs were coming along nicely, and there were several new stalks of bananas. I was excited that the fennel I had planted before I began my trip had already broken ground. I was amazed at the new growth on many of the trees and at how the flowers had grown. The sweet smell of the Kahili ginger waffed across the field. Many Kana Lillies were blooming, the red being the most spectacular. The Blue Ginger flower was beautiful.
As I took stock of the farm and the work that was to be done, it occurred to me that this was my transition from traveler to farmer, from marquishungrybuddha to westhawaiifoodie. Well, it's time to get to work, time to work off a bit of the weight a brought home with me. I hope that you've enjoyed the log of my travels. I can assure you that there are many more trip to come. A hui hou.
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