Ofer and I checked into a cute little hotel in Kaanapali, Maui with a back porch leading to a path that took us right to a view of the ocean. There was a boardwalk that stretched a few miles separating the beach from the back of the hotels peppered with restaurants, pools, bars and shops. It seemed that everywhere we went we heard the Hawaiian version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. I’m sure that the sound of the ukulele will always remind us of our engagement.


We signed up to attend a Luau while we were there despite being told that the best Luau was in Honolulu, we didn’t want to wait that long to get into the proper Hawaiian mood. The Luau was beautiful; first we had a master of ceremonies come up to introduce the band and to announce the unveiling of the Kalua Pig. I was not pleased with the site.


Then they brought about 30 women, including myself, on stage to learn a quick hula dance. Unlimited drinks were served and Ofer and I took full advantage of the free-flowing Mai Tais’. Then we were released to the buffet. There was chicken, salads, fruit, pulled pork, beef and dinner rolls. It was delicious; I hadn’t remembered Kalua Pig being so good, wow.

Then the show began. There was a group of 5 women and 5 men who were performing traditional and non-traditional hula dances from different locals. We could have sworn that one couple was imported from Israel! The weather was incredible, we were still enjoying our meals and the dancing and music were exactly what we needed to feel like we were really in Hawaii. The show must have lasted an hour or so and included at least 10 costume changes and of course a finale complete with both the men and women twirling fire batons. It was a beautiful Luau and we left giggling with full bellies. It was starting to sink in a little more that we were really here.







The next morning we rented a car and started down the winding road to Hana. We first hit a few trails that led through some heavy forests to a waterfall. The jump seemed a little far so Ofer decided to wait for the next one to make the plunge.



Next we came across the Bamboo Forrest. We expected there was going to be a large sign for the tourists directing us along some pre-beaten path but instead we just saw cars parked and a part of a metal fence pulled down low enough to step over. We saw a couple getting into their cars and asked them if we had arrived and they told us that we had and that it was best to really focus on the paths we take, that it is like a maze and we will quickly lose orientation.

The Forrest was incredible. It started off with tall thin bamboo shoots reaching up toward the sky. As we ventured in further the bamboo got thicker and taller. Some were as thick as Ofer’s leg. There were paths heading in every direction but we tried to stay on the largest paths as we headed deeper into the Forrest. We crossed a river on a tiny, shaky 2x4 and continued on our way.



The sounds in the Forrest made us stop in our tracks. We stood surrounded by the thicker bamboo that must have stretched at least 30 feet above our heads. As the wind leisurely blew through the area it would push the bamboo in different directions. Watching above us was like watching ripples of water traveling across a calm pond.

In ever which way, right above us and off in the distance it sounded like the faint creek of an old floor or a wooden door slowly creaking open. I thought to myself that this should be one of the sounds offered on a sound machine along with ocean waves, frogs and whales. It was such a gentle, natural, soothing sound. We stood there for a bit to appreciate the expanse we were surrounded by. We sat a few times along different streams to take in the view. I was shocked to see a view of what the tops of the bamboo looked like all bunched together. What a site. I wanted to run my hand along the tops of them; it looked so soft like your favorite childhood blanket.

Ok enough of the beauty. Ofer was now ready to prove his manhood. We continued to walk along a path but we could hear the stream close on our left side. The water became louder and louder and we came upon a waterfall. In 2.5 seconds Ofer’s shirt, shoes, hat, sunglasses and watch were off and he was in the water. I’m glad that he still loves this stuff even though I very rarely venture in with him. He walked gingerly into the water careful not to slip on the moss growing on the wet rocks below him. He floated and swam for a bit. Ofer loves everything about waterfalls and every time we see one that seems safe he has to do everything he possibly can with it. Generally this includes jumping off of it and sitting under it. If he had a chance (and I wasn’t shaking my head vehemently at him) I’m sure he would climb up those slippery rocks and do them over and over in sequence. I think he jumped this one waterfall at least 3 times. I always get a little nervous every time he flails himself off the cliff but the second he emerges from the water he always gives me a thumbs up right away to let me know he is fine.









We successfully made it back to the car following some of the road markers we had left and continued heading toward Hana. We saw a sign on the side of the road that pointed us to ‘The Garden of Eden”. We decided to check it out. The first thing we came across was a large group of geese-like looking animals. There were a few signs stating “The birds will not move if you honk, don’t try” and “Feed the animal for $0.25”. We stopped and moved toward the bird-feed dispenser. Usually birds move away from you as you walk toward them and once you have food they inch in and nip at the food as quickly as possible….not these birds. Once we stepped out of our car they started moving toward us. The closer they got the weirder and weirder they were. First their tail feathers started wagging from side to side as they continued walking our way. I swear it was like “Night of the Living Dead”. These huge white and black bodies with crazy eyes walking toward us as if we had just stolen their first-born. Then the heavy breathing began. They sounded like a mix between childhood asthma and Darth Vader. It sounded like a hyperventilating de-barked dog. And it freaked us out. They were so determined to come right to us with mouths snapping that I literally ran in the opposite direction up a hill. Ofer was quick on my heels.







Once up there we noticed a peacock. We had already seen females below but this one was male, it’s feathers all folded in, slowly surveying its new visitors. My inner child kicked in and I got as close as I could to the peacock. I don’t know if it was me or the female peacock that was walking up the hill but he fluffed out his feathers into their full expanse. We got our camera out as quickly as possible hoping not to miss the moment. He turned around in circles a few times testing our ability with our new camera to try to catch the brilliant colors in motion. Then, with the female behind him he started his mating dance (Ofer took notes). First he started backing up toward the female shaking his tail feathers like the geese we had just seen (although not as scary). As he got closer to the female he then started vibrating….seriously. His feathers vibrated like one of those tiny, personal plastic fans you buy at Disney World. It was incredible, we were shocked and amazing at what we were witnessing. This went on for about 15 minutes. He made a few more circles and vibrated a few more times. Garden of Eden indeed.