The Na Pali Coast

Hands down, my favorite part of our vacation was a boat ride down the Na Pali Coast. It is this part of the island that is so rugged, there aren't roads. The only way to see it is either by helicopter (which Erin and Alex would highly recommend) or by boat. The boat ride is my favorite, for sure.

Unfortunately, Savannah (my niece) was running a fever the morning of our boat trip, and my mom had generously volunteered to stay back and watch the boys, so it was Alex, my dad, Dan, and I perched on the side of a zodiac-type boat that morning. We absolutely lucked out - it was our first totally clear morning - perfect for viewing the cliffs and coastline.




We had a great guide, and it was a blast getting to cruise in and out of amazing caves, waterfall-gaze, and watch the spinner dolphins off the bow. Somehow I totally lucked out and had the best seat on the boat - the very front, so the bumps were great, and the splashing waves were just enough to keep from getting too warm. (Although the legs could have used another application of sunscreen, it later appeared....)





The "end point" of the ride is a beautiful snorkeling spot where we got to play around on the reef edge and swim with amazing groups of fish. Their colors are amazing, and it is all to easy to just get lost in drifting above their world. I really think that in another life (one where science is better funded and allows you to stay closer to your family), marine biologist would have been the calling for me. We wrapped up the time there with lunch on the boat, and quick ride back up the coastline.

This boat ride was amazing. For me, it was about a lot more than the beautiful scenery and good company. It was about returning to a little bit of myself. For my entire life, my family had boats - I learned to water ski when I was seven, and there wasn't a summer when we didn't spend significant time on the lake. My favorite vacations were always about the water - a cruise, a couple of weeks crabbing in the San Juan Islands, weekends in the bay in Newport. It is where I feel most relaxed and at home with the world. As an adult, time on the water has faded, and it's much harder to come by. This boat trip reminded me how much I need to find a way back to it - it's too much a part of me to just let go.



Now to maybe take some kayaking lessons.....