The Iao Valley walls are steep and as I pass houses built in the cool shadow of its ridges, I'm reminded of my Dad's fervent declaration that he'd never live in a house at the bottom of a hill. He was a pragmatic bloke, so nothing as new age as 'energy' or 'vibe' would have sufficed for his Yorkshire man's reasoning.....those are my terms. Though I did think today he was ahead of his time in the feng shui department. Iao has both a stunning beauty and a palpable intensity that (imho) only the thickest of skins would miss. Some say it's because of it's bloody
history, I say listen to your instincts and (surprise-suprise) I don't live a the bottom of a hill either.
On my ride, I pass the house of a hundred palm buckets. Being a symmetry appreciator I always look forward to peddling by their impeccable orderliness. Sunday instead, I appreciated their seasonal touch and as a bonus, my parking lot starting point was filled with County of Maui vehicles, all of them white!
The Iao Needle is what everyone comes to see, but I was more interested in the locals who ignored the 'Please stay on the path' signs.
The stream below the Needle was rushing and swollen due to the early morning thunder and lightning, which had abieited by the time I'd finished my tea and toast. If that were me (which it never would be), I too would be limpet like and clinging to a warm rock as that mountain water is freeeeeeezing.
Cat napping in the sun, this wild moggy wasn't bothered one iota by the approach of a spandex wearing, camelback packing, ipod listening, bike dismounting paparazzi.
Further down the Iao Valley the rushing stream begins to trickle.....
.....and even there it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
The Iao Valley walls are steep and as I pass houses built in the cool shadow of its ridges, I'm reminded of my Dad's fervent declaration that he'd never live in a house at the bottom of a hill. He was a pragmatic bloke, so nothing as new age as 'energy' or 'vibe' would have sufficed for his Yorkshire man's reasoning.....those are my terms. Though I did think today he was ahead of his time in the feng shui department. Iao has both a stunning beauty and a palpable intensity that (imho) only the thickest of skins would miss. Some say it's because of it's bloody history, I say listen to your instincts and (surprise-suprise) I don't live a the bottom of a hill either.
On my ride, I pass the house of a hundred palm buckets. Being a symmetry appreciator I always look forward to peddling by their impeccable orderliness. Sunday instead, I appreciated their seasonal touch and as a bonus, my parking lot starting point was filled with County of Maui vehicles, all of them white!
The Iao Needle is what everyone comes to see, but I was more interested in the locals who ignored the 'Please stay on the path' signs.
The stream below the Needle was rushing and swollen due to the early morning thunder and lightning, which had abieited by the time I'd finished my tea and toast. If that were me (which it never would be), I too would be limpet like and clinging to a warm rock as that mountain water is freeeeeeezing.
Cat napping in the sun, this wild moggy wasn't bothered one iota by the approach of a spandex wearing, camelback packing, ipod listening, bike dismounting paparazzi.
Further down the Iao Valley the rushing stream begins to trickle.....
.....and even there it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
8 comments:
What lovely memories of Iao Valley and didn't Dad fall off a bench?
I seem to recall the Paleys wetting themselves with laughter over some such mishap!
I have to ask (sorry daughter) but what the hell are you trying to say with a made-up word abeiting - cannot remember how you spelt it - but I'm thinking you mean abating so much simpler than your version.
Sorry Chuck but despite the stroke the secretary in me still survives.
Lovely pictures, lovely memories and, more to the point, lovely to see sunshine. England is brought to a standstill once more by about six inches of snow!!! What wusses we are.
Mater x
Lovely pictures of warm sunshime and someone in shorts in December. I would think your father was thinking to be out of the path of any flooding - very wise, we too live at the top of a hill. Not much fun at the end of a long bike ride though....
Mchunmbie: may I take this opportunity of wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas. I think you said you were going out to Maui in spring - let's hope the snow has disappeared by then! Perhaps as one Mum to another you can give my daughter a hug for me?
Anne
Anne: Merry Christmas to you, also to Sharon and GP and everyone else that we have met in Maui over the years. Yes, we plan to go out in March and will definitely give your lovely daughter a great Maui hug.
Christine x (Michelle's Mum for those of you not familiar with the Mchumbie title).
Merry Christmas, ladies!
I'm hoping to see you on Christmas Day via SKYPE GP - now that WILL make my day :-) Isn't it tragic that when you get as old as me, seeing your face is as good as it gets!!!!
Anne x
Awww what a lovely Mumsie exchange.....
That's what nicely brought up English Mummys do :-)
I'm sure Christine agrees with me that when daughters are so far away we have a rapport.
Mater x
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