Aloha!

Sorry this post is late. For political reasons last week, India banned access to all blogs, which gives a me a good excuse for not posting. However, in all reality, I wouldn't have posted yet anyway. Things have been quite busy since I've been back, but they have been good. I am in an intensive Hindi class for these 2 weeks, so I've been gone alot. However, right now I am home and want to share with you about my incredible trip to Hawaii with my family!

Hawaii is definately the most beautiful place in the world (at least in my opinion), and is a stark contrast from where I currently live. The place was absolutely amazing! However, the greatest part of Hawaii was that my family was there. It was a great time to spend with them. We talked alot, laughed alot, ate alot, and just had alot of fun!

I traveled to Hawaii from Thailand and actually arrived 12 hours before they did. However, the fun began even before they arrived. I caught a taxi who happened to be driven by a Vienamese American lady who was just a fun, crazy person. I got to know her a bit that morning and later that night, she agreed to take me back to the airport to meet my family for a really cheap price. (She had another customer she was supposed to pick up at the same time) Of course, it required me to ride in the front seat and act like I was a driver in training while she stole leis for my family at the Four Season. In the process, I did get to meet all the valet parkers at the Four Seasons and they snuck food out to the car for me. It was really funny and I really like Cyndi alot.

My parents arrived with tears and hugs and it was great reunion. It was sort of like those you see in the movies, but not quite as dramatic :). Reunions are always good though. They are definately one of my "simple joys" (more on that in the next post).

From that point on, we had an entire week together, doing all the activies the island of Maui had to offer. We went to a traditional Hawaiin luau, which had an awesome buffet (food was something that I enjoyed throughout the week :). We of course did the beach stuff. Zack, Lori, and I learned to surf, which is now my current favorite sport! It really isn't as hard as it looks. Of course, we weren't surfing 8 foot waves or anything, but it still wasn't too hard. At first, I wiped out everytime, but with a little coaching, it got easier, and was alot of fun! One day Daddy and Zack played golf while Momma, Lori, and I shopped, which is always fun for us. We went snorkeling off the coast one day. I had never been snorkeling before and to be honest was a little skeptical at first. I didn't think it would be much fun, but I was very wrong. It was amazing! The water was so clear that you could see everything! It was very cool. We also just spent time on the beach and in the water.

The last full day we were there, we wented scooters and journeyed up the Road to Hanna. That was probably one of my favorite days. The Road to Hanna winds through mountains on the cliffs above the ocean, and it absolutely beautiful. The first part we drove through tropical rainforest near where Jurassic Park was filmed. It rained on us of course (hence the name rainforest) but it didn't matter. Then the road continued on to open fields overlooking the incredible Pacific. Words can't describe the beauty, nor can these pictures, but it was amazing.

All too quickly the week had to come to a close, and I had to make the 40 hour trip through 5 countries back to India. I am just so thankful for the week I had. I am thankful for the beauty of Maui, but most of all thankful for my family who met me there. Ya'll are the best and I love you bunches and bunches!