The Box - a single parent swaps West Yorkshire, England for Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

The box  literally that was the inspiration for Annaliese Morgan, a single parent from West Yorkshire, England to book three plane tickets to Hawaii for herself and two sons.  It is a big leap from life in the United Kingdom to life in Kihei, Maui.

The Box

by Annaliese Morgan

As I throw yet another burnt pan in the bin, hearing cheers of “It’s another world record!” from my boys, I think: “Is this really the epitome of me? Is being the worst cook on the planet my sole legacy?” I can feel something else bubbling and erupting, something way bigger than a boil-in-the-bag rice, something no one else seems to understand, but me.

I phone for the proverbial take away and then it happened. I opened ‘The Box’. The box is covered in maps of the world and brass clips. It stares at me every night and every morning from the corner of my bedroom, begging me to let myself in. But the old friends’ voices of fear, logic, and “Yeah we would all love to do that” usually prevent me from doing so. But not this time. This time I open it; the physical box, and the closed box in my mind. I remember thinking: “the time is now”.

… Welcome to the Seven Wonders of Annaliese World.

Hideout, waterfall and cave off t
he Hana Highway, Maui, Hawaii.

Hawaii, London (UK), Gran Canaria, Los Angeles (USA), Greece, Italy and Japan - each with my own reasons why I need to be there. Each with their own wonder to discover. Each with their own culture to be found, treasured and shared with the world at large. I realise why, until now, this epic journey has remained in the box and why the “I’ll do it one day, when I’m rich enough, know enough, when the boys are older, oh, and what about the dog?” has played over and over.

You see, I never made the decision to do this; it never dawned on me that everything else in my life that I have achieved, whether it’s writing books, passing exams, or learning to walk again, a decision was made to achieve the result I wanted.

The very next day I booked three tickets for me and my two boys to leave for Maui six weeks later. Part of me didn’t even realise I’d just begun the journey of the Seven Wonders of Annaliese World.

Six weeks later, it’s 3 AM and I’m waking my boys up with two suitcases, three flight bags and enough excitement from all of us to supply the national grid. I ditch the nerves and apprehension that is swirling, unsure whether it’s that or the excitement making me feel sick. With one last check of documents and one final pep talk to the boys about behaviour for the journey, their faces so alive… and we’re on our way to the airport, swapping West Yorkshire for Kihei, Maui.

Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree off the
Hana Highway, Maui, Hawaii

Fast forward a few weeks and Maui has changed my life, and I intend to be back there soon. Without fail, expect to spend some $ here, but every one of them is worth it. Many people who live here rent half their house out; a cheaper option for accommodation that creates needed income for the owners. We made lifelong friends with the couple who owned the house we stayed in, and it was a way better experience than a hotel. 9-5 life doesn’t seem to exist there - which I loved - most jobs, of course, being outdoor-orientated. The happiness, caring, and a slower pace of life is everywhere in the Aloha state. They even drive slowly - compared to where I am from at least! It’s not without its stresses of course; the cost of living, the problems of burning the sugar canes, the oceans and marine life are taking a hit amongst others.

There are cheaper options for food (which can start at 8$ just for a gallon of milk!). Some supermarkets offer discount cards if you sign up and give your phone number. Costco near Kahului airport (around a 20 minute drive from Kihei) is a cheaper and key place for groceries. There are many other cash saving tips, so don’t let the cost put you off visiting this island that cocoons you in its magic.

Granny's Beach, Lahania, Maui, Hawaii

I still have many places to discover and explore on this small island. It’s shaped like a woman - look at
a map of it - it’s staggering! But here are a few of my
memories. Paia was funky; more hippy than Kihei. Just beyond Paia is Hookipa beach, the windsurfing mecca and the place for Honu watch. (I was invited to this courtesy of the Hawaiian Wildlife Fund; awesome guys doing awesome work. Up to 40 Green Sea Turtles leave the ocean and bask on the beach every day around sunset - an incredible sight to (respectfully) watch.

The road to Hana hides many waterfalls that are not on the main tourist list. They’re outrageously beautiful, although the famous hairpin bends which run for miles and miles made me feel sick! Personally, I didn’t like driving it. Do not miss the Rainbow Eucalyptus trees whilst on this road either. The native flowers of Hawaii really are what you see in the pictures; you can stare at them for hours. The Lavender Farm near the Haleakala Volcano I fell in love with, as I did with their lavender tea and biscuits.

One of Annaliese's favorite beaches
Baldwin Beach Paia, Maui, Hawaii

The beaches are a stereotypical tropical paradise. Two of my favorites were Baldwin beach in Paia, and Big beach in Makena, also nicknamed breakback beach… The waves break right on the shore line, causing many spinal injuries every year to those who are not ocean-aware.

There are many more experiences and places for me to ramble over, but don’t take my word for it - go! Spend time with some of the nicest (and healthiest) people I’ve ever met in one of the most enchanting places I’ve been.

I was told by a wise lady, “The Hawaiian islands call to you, and bring you there, not the other way round". I would agree with that statement entirely.

~~~

Annaliese Morgan is a leading veterinary nurse turned professional writer. Authentic, inspirational and funny, Annaliese has led a challenging life, learning to walk after a serious accident, living as a single parent, and then sharing her astounding journey via her blog. Her passions include creativity, inspirational writing, and world travel - she is inspired by cultures and enjoys sharing her knowledge with her readers. Annaliese on G+



Editor:

What is in your travel box? Where do you dream of going? What changes have you always dreamed of making?  Do you have an adventure like Annaliese's to share? Please share your travel desires in the comments below.

"Keep Watching This Space"

From my travel journal while in Brazil Sunday October 23, 2005 at Copacabana Beach sitting at a table at QC-33.

Maisa and Jerome in 502 Barata Ribeiro,
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

My first moments without Maisa here in Rio. She has gone home to vote, visit her Mum, and pick up some things. She has been gone an hour and a bit and Rio is not as much fun with out her by my side. I've come back to the place we first sat at the beach and had a drink, I'm back here and having an Antarctica Beer watching the world go by, wishing I had brought my book. And, missing Maisa very much. We've had an amazing time. I have been here 48 hours and could not be happier. Maisa is amazing. Rio is interesting but not as intriguing or visually splendid as I expected. Though some of that is due to the weather. Still I am enjoying Rio but can now feel that this is due to Maisa's presence.

She is stunningly beautiful. As I sit here in the beach it is a struggle to find a girl even in Maisa's league. Sure there are attractive women here but none so sweetly alluring to my eye. Yet, in talking about her physical beauty you are only speaking of the smallest quantity of her beauty. It is the kindness of her heart, the clarity of her soul that holds my own heart fast. Maisa's visage is far more than I deserve but the warmth of her spirit is FAR far more than I deserve.

Yet, I am blessed to be in her presence. Blessed even more that in me she sees someone she can love. Thank you Lord. Please bless this relationship we have begun, and Lord keep Maisa safe. Let her feel the love I have for her, allow me to love her the rest of my days here on earth.

I just looked at the first page of this journal in the numbers and things Maisa left for me and it warmed my heart. Thank you Lord for Maisa.

This recap was written Sunday October 23, 2005 mid afternoon

Recapping the time since my departure from Denver at the beach sitting at a table at QC-33

Thursday 10/20/05

My plane left Denver for Houston on Thursday @ 4:30 PM . It was hard to leave Tannith there alone. I know she will be O.K. but still I miss her.

An uneventful trip to Houston with an hour layover before the flight to Sao Paulo. I was surprised to see an attractive woman come to my seat and join me. Cristina was a very pleasant travel companion. A very talkative and interesting young woman. Were I not going to meet one of the most lovely creatures on Earth, Maisa, she (Cristina) would surely have been a highlight of the trip. Cristina was going home after 13 years of living outside of Brazil. She had married an American, lived in Hungary, Canada, the US, now divorced (but still friendly with her ex), she was going home to re-find her life. We parted company in Sao Paulo.


Friday 10/21/05

Maisa walking along the beach in Ipanema

The flight was much delayed in Sao Paulo. And, while I had not been nervous before, now with the extra time I began to be a bit nervous. I imagined meeting Maisa for the first time in just a few minutes... well it turned into a 2+ hours delay and a change of planes.

The flight to Rio was less than 40 minutes, then a pass
through customs entry, grabbing my bag, a lucky pass through inspection and ... I rounded the corner... I had had some worry of being able to recognize Maisa. There was none ---- my eyes locked on her the moment I came round the corner. She was talking to a guy and I saw her smile light up---- our eyes met. The only obstacle to us now was a gauntlet of cab wranglers and money changers that lay between us.

We embraced ---- talked about things I can not recall. Maisa looked amazing! Tall, brown, beautifully feminine in blue jeans, an off white halter style blouse showing her figure off very well. Only a photo would come close to describing how lovely she looked. All I can say is that she looked so beautiful that I was a bit shocked.

I changed some money, we grabbed a cab (after many, many hugs and a few timid kisses). We fell into an embrace in the back of the taxi with Maisa putting her head onto my chest. What little awkwardness there was, melted away. We talked, cuddled, kissed. I tried not to watch the close proximity of the other cars and the swerving, lurching ride we were on.

The slightly distracting blend of the city outside and the death defying cab rid could not keep my mind from Maisa. I was transformed in those moments as we careened towards Copacabana.

The traffic slowed. The street narrowed,. Cars and people seemed everywhere but it is only in writing that I remember this... for I was seeing nothing but Maisa. We stopped on a narrow street a bit before the corner. We got out of the taxi --- I guess Maisa paid the taxi fare. I was in a trance but tried to mind my bags. A man from the street began to help steer us to a side entrance. "easier to get the bags in this way" Maisa said to me. --- We put everything into the elevator --- The fact is --- I do not remember it all.

Maisa's Lips - copyright Jerome Shaw 2005 / www.jeromeshaw.com

The bags were all in the room. The door was closed. The curtains were drawn. Of little else was I certain. I stood there with Maisa right in front of me. We looked into eachother's eyes. We smiled. We kissed. First softly then with great passion. Whatever worry, whatever feelings of shyness there once had been --- evaporated there under the ceiling fan of our small apartment. We began to undress each other...

I'll spare the details but only say Maisa promised me something she would do when we first met and she did not forget. We made love then and we have barely stopped since. It has been beautiful---- far more than I could have expected

The time since I arrived until now have been a blur. My eyes have been locked on Maisa. The outside world has existed only as theater for us to enjoy as we walked , drank , and ate. Save for a few moments this morning when through some poor communication on my part Maisa doubted my attraction to her (which is almost impossible to believe), we have had a perfect time. But, a real time now. I give you thanks for this lovely woman named Maisa and even greater thanks that she loves me and I love her.

Subject : A blog in progress not ready for posting ... keep watching this space 06/01/06

Originally Posted to MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/jeromeo617 Date: : May 8, 2006 5:13 PM

KEEP WATCHING THIS SPACE ...... SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN

Sunday October 23, 2005 mid afternoon