I do, however, "get" what she meant. Most of my friends, then and now, are not into corporate-owned timeshare lodging. And I didn't think I was either. But, damn, this place is beautiful and I feel great here!
We came on a family vacation a dozen or so (maybe 14 already???) years ago when our boys were in the throes of middle school (and puberty). It was a time when I was depressed on some days and overwhelmed on most, my husband was deep into a career that had become more frustrating by the year, and our house was undergoing a major remodel. You could say we were ripe for the picking when we showed up to the timeshare presentation on the 12th floor of the oceanfront condo complex, plied with macadamia nut cookies and icy glasses of guava juice.
Plus, they were pretty "low pressure". The place sells itself. You either fall in love or you don't, cuz the next person will. We did. We have NEVER bought anything without considerable research, pro and con lists, a lot of stewing and soul searching....and multiple readings of Consumer Reports. But this time we signed on the dotted line within 24 hours. And laughed about it! And never regretted it.
This has become an annual respite from the rain and gray of the Pacific Northwest where we live. I love that when we check in, the staff says, "Welcome Home!" Ahhh..... When the boys were younger it was a family time of adventures that they and my husband loved -- boogie boarding, surfing, strenuous hikes, helicopter rides, zip lines, snorkeling, scuba diving, even a round of golf now and then. In high school we let them each bring friends along, and I hope they remember that fondly. I felt quite generous about it, truth be told, because it did get a little crowded at times. But fun too.
When they went off to college, Hub and I started coming alone. At first we missed the boys terribly and spent considerable time reminiscing about our family vacations. But eventually those memories were replaced by our own, as a twosome, here on a different kind of vacation. And when Hub retired, we began to stay for two weeks instead of one. Then we really started to feel like we were "home" here. There was time to "see and do" and time to "be" all in the course of one long stay.
Last year we had the opportunity to stay for three weeks. Son-Two joined us for the last 5 days. At 24 he noted that the average age during that week was about 65 (I think he was exaggerating...what about those families with young children?), but it was apparent that this isn't the "party place" he might prefer at this stage of his life. Still, for us it is perfect. Beautiful setting, quiet, and well-appointed without being "stuffy"; I feel pampered and safe and relaxed.
And Hub has stopped trying to get me to "adventure" with him. He's the outdoors type who is happiest when doing something "active". So he tackles the waves on his boogie board, takes the stand-up paddle board out on the bay and surfs on the gentle break, goes snorkeling, goes for long walks (and a long, difficult hike with Son-Two last year), and makes lists of the "see and do's" for each trip, now taking my less than adventurous nature into consideration. I enjoy a shorter, less strenuous hike, a kayak trip up the Hanalei River (and the aquamarine beauty of Hanalei Bay on a calm day), a float/walk around the largest pool in Hawai'i right here at our Marriott, and Yoga on the beach. I mostly love to share the daily NYT crossword puzzle with Hub, read, write, take photos, watch people, and meditate on the beauty that is Kaua'i, and on my deep appreciation for the sweet opportunity to embrace this Aloha on a regular basis.
It's a plague of sensuous delight.
At least that's the view from here....©
I think this is the first time I have ever felt the urge to be in Hawaii. I always eschewed it as a tourist thing and that, if I ever did go, it would be to one of the "lesser" islands, thus avoiding the traps set for tourists. Your view from there makes me want to be in that trap with you!
ReplyDeleteAgree. Actually we think of Kaua'i as the "quiet island". There is some touristy stuff, but no nightlife to speak of and not as much of a "touristy" vibe as Oahu or Maui. It's the right combination for us.
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