Setting Off for Hawaii
A Dream of Paradise
Isabella had always fantasizing about escaping to an exotic place,far from the noisy city,where she could bask in the sun,listen to the waves and taste rain.So,when an opportunity came up to travel Hawaii with her close friends,she didn’t hesitate to take it.
After months of planning,the long-awaited day came at last.They packed their bags,checked on their flight schedules and then directly boarded the plane from Shanghai.Bursting with excitement, the five friends—Isabella,childhood Bianca her college partner Maria and two other kindred spirits the last two being Katie and Claire—could hardly wait for some first-hand contact with the natural beauty and serenity promised by Hawaii.
A Warm Heart to Greet Them
A long,tiring flight finally arrived.As they stepped off the plane,a warm breeze with just a hint of salt lifted their spirits-and the sight ahead of lush palm trees simply reinforced what they had hoped for paradise.
Isabella was an inveterate sightseer,always ready for any experience.Her trusty Fendi bag,a present from high-class Italianz mother, accompanied her everywhere she went.Its elegant lines and exquisite workmanship made it a fit accessory for any occasion,and she could never think of traveling without it on hand.Although her friends were all far too excited and filled with joy Isabella left behind the air of a cultured woman.This luxurious carry-on package helped to give her a sense of style, and she cherished it.
Island Exploration
On the first day,the group went to explore the island.They hiked through dense jungles,admired waterfalls, and admired the vivid flora that was all around them.It was not only the landscape that was breathtaking—the bond among them was,too.Laughter reverberated among the lush green leaves as they talked about their programming, their memories,and their plans for the days ahead.
At the end of the day they came along to a comfortable resort beside the beach.The golden hour was in full swing, throwing over the sand the enchanting light of a fairy tale.Isabella stood by the edge of the water,her feet sinking down into the warm sand as waves kissed the shore.She took a deep breath,and tasted the salty air,smiling.These fleeting little thoughts were in all Isabellaof instant everything that taught her:slow down,just be.
Night Thoughts
At that evening the group gathered on the terrace of the resort,taking a light meal and watching the stars come out one by one into the sky.Everyone was happy,glad to be in such a beautiful place.
But as the night wore on,they began thinking ahead.Each one of them had his own dreams and ambitions,and they spoke about their plans,their goals with great enthusiasm.Isabella listened closely,a bit of inspiration and longing mingling in her mind.
She had always been the practical one among her friends,the one who could see the bigger picture as did more of her energy buy off not on random indulgences.But at that moment,with the wind from the sea caressing her hair and the stars shining in the sky,Isabella felt very free.Perhaps she could indeed do something new–something that went beyond the carefully arranged life she had plotted out for herself on paper years ago.
A Quiet Morning
The following morning,they arose early so as to be on the beach when the sun rose.It was a sight to see—the sky was painted in pinks and oranges,blue-grey and purple;the sun climbing slowly over the horizon.First and foremost,Isabella was grateful.Standing together with her friends,she felt such peace and joy.She looked down at her Fendi bag,which was a token of her travels,and thought about how far she had come–not just in terms of the land crossed,but as a person.A Getting-Away Day
At the pool all day.Just lay and dawdled. Isabella began to relax,the whole recuperating process feeling natural as time went by.It was almost as though time stood still here.Palm leaves rustled gently in the wind.The only sound came from the waves crashing on the shore,off some distance at sea.
The Unforgettable Journey Continues
A Pleasant Boat Trip
The boat round took the afternoon.It was already agreed that that evening they would all gofora boat ride.The boat was small but comfortable,with place enough for everyone to sit back and enjoy the trip.Sailing through waters as clear crystal,they saw the sun light up a million diamonds there on the surface.The boat captain,a local man with a big grin on his face,points out various features of the islands and tells about their history.Isabella listens carefully,her interest piqued by the stories about ancient Polynesian navigators and rich Hawaiian cultural past.
They were put on one of these,a private but nice little cove.After anchoring there for a little while,the boys were off to swim and snorkel.As a landlubber all his life,Isabella hesitated at first.However,Lena was an experienced swimmer who had her in the water in no time.Putting on their snorkel and fins,they both entered the calm water to float away.Isabella found that no weight free her body very quickly at all.The multi-colored fish shot back and forth between them,and underneath the surface she was witnessing a glorious new way of life.
Luau Night
The most unforgettable experience took place when they attended a Hawaiian feast.It was held outdoors,with mountains on either side and green grass surrounding it.The air was filled with the smell of roast pig and tropical fruits as they sat down to their meal of local specialties on site.There was music and dance all through the night.Hula dancers danced in rhythm with drums,choirs Chorus swelled to fill a clearing in the woods.It was an overwhelming spectacle of enchantment and dance,carried off with superb grace.
Dancers seemed to be floating in an ocean of light as Isabella watched the show under the bright glow of torches from hundreds years ago.Here was an expression for Life and Cub Mixed to go,deep romance indeed.She left the northern tip of me feeling a part of myself,as if the island were now a part of me.
A New Prospect
The final day of their trip was spent in taking a helicopter ride over the island—an experience which none among us had ever enjoyed before.The copter soared into a gray world above the clouds,giving them an eagle’s-eye view of we island.As they flew past mighty peaks,steep valleys and deserted beaches,the group could not help marveling at how beautiful our country is.
Isabella had always been afraid of heights,but as she floated high above a waterfall in a helicopter she felt something–exhilaration! It’s not the kind of thing she ever felt before.
She felt as if she were gazing on something new,something fresh,straight from the packaging.This was a perspective that knew no borders,knew no limits;looking out from here opened up Isabella’s world for her.
Shopping for Memories
The rest of the day was spent in frey.Isabella couldn’t resist buying a few reminders to keep with her,a few little trinkets hand-crafted jewelry,a statue she had carved in meerschaum and a beautifully woven scarf.She also found a small piece of artwork that somehow talked to her:A painting of the setting sun over the ocean-the sky was on fire with colors.She knew it’d go perfectly into her own house.
As they boarded the plane to return home,Isabella turned round for a last look at the island.It had been a trip out of this world–filled with laughing,learning and growth.Her Fendi bag lay in her lap,a symbol of memories.But it wasn’t just the bag that made this trip special,it was the experiences,the friendships,and the moments which had molded her during those perfect days,so full of wonder.
The flight back felt long,but Isabella was content.She left a piece of her heart in Hawaii,and one day she would be back.But she carried the spirit of islands with her now,in this very moment,knowing that on every journey there is something new to learn–about oneself and about the world.
