The Red Sands of Time

Aloha! Our first trip is to a well know island paradise. Hawaii!

Hawaii has a lot to offer, form killer surfing, to crystal blue waters, warm sunny beaches, and mixed drinks. However amidst all the Hollywood resorts and high rises, there is a small place in Maui known as Hana, which is the object of our attention.

When I asked a close friend, Mrs. Sheffield, over tea, "What is you favorite place you have traveled to, and what about this place holds such a special memory to you." to this she answered. "By far it has to be Red Sand beach in Hana Maui." at first I was curious. Hawaii is famous for its beaches, surfing, and relaxing atmosphere, and while I had assumed I had a decent image of the island. What she described to me was like something from an old 1800's Exploration novel, describing the mystical unknown, ancient, Eden and it is this image that I felt must be shared.

She spoke first of walking from one part of the island to Red Sand Beach, where one had to cross over ancient cooled lava rocks. The ocean had cut into this part of the island causing the waves to funnel up through parts of the rock creating great sea geysers which rocketed high into the air all about you on either side as you walked. Because of the sheer force these waves caused there were ropes tied off along the path for people to hold onto should they lose their balance.

Once across you came to Red Sand Beach, which gets its name from its blood red which surrounds a caldera. It is protected on all sides; the great red cliffs jutting up on either side of this crescent cove, and the rocks which lift it up just so like a gate to the ocean. This gate allows fish to swim in, yet keeps sharks and barracuda away, so all of Red Sand's visitors or inhabitants are friendly. "The fish are all friendly fish." she said. "No sharks, but all kinds of fish would swim in. Huge fish, like groupers. All of them totally unafraid." The water is a deep kool-aid blue, clear and calm as can be, with a temperature of 80 degrees or so. When snorkeling, "You could just float on your stomach and watch these myriad of fish swim under you. Some would even swim right up to your face." she described the residence of the caldera like giant puppy dogs with flippers an gills, some of the fish being the size of if not bigger than a dog itself.

Red Sand gets its trade mark color from the ancient volcano it once was a long time ago. The chemicals in the sand and in the earth caused it to almost "rust" to this unearthly color in what is appropriately described as "It would probably look like a blood stain from a satellite."

Red Sand Beach is found in Hana. While most of the property around it at the time was built up or owned by Hollywood's finest this place still remained intact, tucked away from the world. "At the time there was only a dirt road, which would wind through a forest, going up and down, winding back and forth like a snake." It would through a grove of Eucalyptus trees which are huge. The trees themselves look as though some one had painted them with streaks of pink, yellow, and green, yet they naturally are these colors. Rainbow trees by the way she described it, adorning this paradise.

Sadly now a days, the property between the walk of the island is now privately owned, and due to rock slides most of the way is cut off by foot. The only way to Red Sand is by boat if one can even go there now. Times have changed sense our tale, and while this maybe the feeling still remains. If you get a chance to visit Hawaii implore of this place and go see it for yourself. Why the gates to some parts maybe closed the magic will always remain.



(All photos were supplied form google. I do not claim ownership of them)






Hidden Hetalia!
For all you anime fans, and for everyone else, I present a fun game for you. Look closely at the picture, each of the countries will be placed somewhere in their homes, and you must figure out where they are, the answers will be posted in the next blog entry where more information on that place shall be revealed. So I give you your first puzzle.

Where is Italy today?

find out the answer next time as we continue our adventure to Italia!

"Not all who wander are lost"

For those who enjoy urban exploration of the international kind, or are just "travelers" such as myself, we often find ourselves caught up in what are known as tourist traps. They are everywhere and while not necessarily bad, they can be sometimes disheartening; especially if you desire the authentic or simple.

Unfortunately unless you are a well seasoned traveler, or know people who are; looking past the places that have been infected, or finding those that have not been tainted by the glitz of tourism can be difficult. This is where one must be open to the idea of no longer being a traveler, but becoming a "Wanderer" and step off the map into the unknown and local. There one can find treasures and stories that are more meaningful than any picture slouching with the Thinker, holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or any sort of corny pose in front of the Eiffel tower will ever be.

My most influential traveler once told me. "It is not necessarily what you see when you go some where but how you see it. A place can steal your heart and sweep you off your feet in the matter of a second that lasts a life time, and it might be nothing more than a concrete wall."

My mother told this to me, speaking of her visit to Berlin in 1989.

I am here to account these such places. This is not a blog about a simple place and where it is. But a blog about places around the world that touched people and why they are so memorable and magical, that you too may be able to experience such a feeling. After all what gives traveling its allure are the moments we got our breaths taken away and our souls captured. 

So come wander with me around the world, meet the countries and their well kept secrets that will forever remain in your imaginations and hearts, and perhaps you too will have an experience of your on someday. 

"Not all who wander are lost" JRR Tolkien