Fruits, faces and other assorted things.

My tree branches have been straining under the weight of their star fruit labour. There's way too much for one (and this is my third harvest of this size), so I wash them, keep a couple for myself,  bag up the rest and leave them on the doorsteps of friends I know who love them.

Don't let this happen to you! Driving along after an enjoyable bike ride to the winery (despite having drunk nothing but coffee), I nearly lost my bike. Whoops a daisy, that could have been an expensive lesson that thankfully an extra $2.00 bungee will fix!

How apropos that I saw this on the back of a lorry the day after my bike ride.

Given the terrain, I wouldn't exactly call it a beach walk, but it's fantastic what you can find along the way. Here is young Master Goya hoisting the recycle flag he found.

Nothing like a bit of fungus to brighten the scenery.

A bit of a fixer upper.

 This alarmed piece of wood was asking to be snapped.

As was this wide eyed chap on the way to work the other morning.

However, these Picasso pants are the best yet. Not my pici, but credit to the anonymous person who took it. Or as the great man himself once said, "Good artists copy, great artists steal".
Pablo Picasso 

Hana (take two) and a wave (or two).

I always take my camera with me when I ride my bike. I like the routes that are mostly up hill from my house, so the pace is slow and there's a lot to stop and see....

Like this ewethful agility...

.....or me in the mirrored window of a house.

But enough of riding and let's hop in the truck and head out to Hana again. Why not, the drive out there alone is so bloody lovely.

I had some company along the way. This guy was strutting his stuff, but the ladies seemed unimpressed.

Strike a pose.

Keanae is about half way to Hana and the further out I drove the more relaxed I became. The colors simplify in to various shades of green, blue, black, grey and white. My eyes and senses engage in the easy palette and my whole system cranks down a notch.

Against this back drop the plants steal the show and currently the haliconias are taking top billing. They grow like weeds along the roadside, providing clumps of color and a stark contrast to the green corridor  of the Hana Highway.

Destination reached and time to set up camp.

Green oranges (no eggs and ham in site).

I have an emergency box....in case of emergencies and this is my emergency tent. As I'd left the instructions at home, that caused a bit of an emergency in trying to erect it. Luckily there were tent experts on site to come to my aid.

All the food groups covered-no emergency here.

Time to pilfer one of those and carbo load at the beach.

We didn't do a whole lot, but there are times not to. Hanging out with friends unplugged and connected with each other was pleasure enough for all of us.

Later that week I had a dental appointment (4pm last of the day) for a filling. The small talk with my dentist is always about windsurfing and he was saying how he'd just bought a video for his wife on the step gybe. After injecting me for numbness, he said "here, let's watch it" so as I settled back in my dental chaise lounge he brought up the video on the ceiling monitor.  With no more patients to attend to, we both sat back throughly enjoying the 8 minutes or so it took for my nerves to go on holiday. I can honestly say it was the best dental appointment I've ever had, plus I was reminded where to place my front hand before flipping the sail!

And finally I throughly enjoyed a long lazy lunch with some newlyweds who had just got back from their European honeymoon. In Barcelona they had come across a gift for me and this was duly presented with love. Intrigued I opened it up to discover one of my favorite things and despite the fact that I have owned this very item before, I was thrilled.

 
The wave. from Sharon on Vimeo.
Thanks to the solar panel in her handbag, Her Majesty bids you goodbye (with apologies for the dirty sanchez 'tash)!

Oohhhhh wait, one more thing, talking of waves, Kepa's now in India - living the dream and making better and better videos.

This and that.

As I sat in my office, this big fat cloud line rolled in and stretched all the way up to my house. This shot was taken with my iphone and using Instagram....I've got to learn more about the app before I pass judgement - but not a bad start.

Same day - heading home, as I sat in my truck this big fat cloud line rolled in and stretched all the way across the west Maui mountains. This shot was taken with my G11 and it passed the test years ago!

The bits for the birds looked almost as good as the bits I used to make a scrumptious dinner.

It wasn't my birthday, but it felt like it in the hat.

Black light, white teeth.

After my early morning surf sessions, this is always my reward (Instagram jobby).

Despite the warning, my soft shoulders strayed off road.... no fruit bowl and latte reward for that.

Wailea at dusk, the film festival delivered magically again this year.

I pass this sugar mill twice a day during the week, but rarely at night and was drawn to the 'flashlight under the chin' affect on the green barn.

A nice bit of symmetry and more subdued tones in Kahului.

Ahhhhh but five minutes from my house, nature always wins by getting the architecture, design and color right every time.

All you need is love.

Who doesn't love a wedding?

Especially when you're the stunningly beautiful bride.

Today, Andres and Emilia declared their love for each other in one of the sweetest, simplest and most laid back weddings I've ever attended.

Even the son of God was doing his bit, looking as dignified as one can when emblazoned on a reusable grocery bag. It brings a whole new meaning to 'Jesus Saves'.

A perfect illustration of the laid back vibe.

Don't try this at home kids, but do take in the beauty of this little short film which is another journey of love.

Meanwhile, in other news...... I decided to pass on sailing this weekend as it was blowing a ridiculous 26-40mph. However, there's never a time I don't feel better for riding in the forest (not counting when I went over the handlebars and got a bar end in my boob), but rest assured it's a solid fix for a nature junkie.

I set my ipod on shuffle and off I went, matching the cadence of whatever randomly played in my ears. They say the lord works in mysterious ways and I guess if he can help cart the groceries, he call also help with my steady uphill grind. Which he did with this one by Wilco called 'Jesus, Etc'. If I knew how to play the violin I'd have bored everyone I know to death playing this piece of music....luckily I play the Uke so you can all still enjoy it.

Da weekend.

A cloudless morning over Haleakala pulled me toward Poli-Poli to ride my bike. As I've not been riding regularly, the incline was hard going and not even a quarter of the way up I encountered the park gates that were surprisingly closed. Could I have snuck under them and carried on? Sure, but I don't mind admitting that part of me was relieved and instead I cruised from Rice Park to the Kula Hospital, where I witnessed a few patients being pushed in their wheel chairs by caring family on Easter Sunday....sweet.

Looking up toward Poli-Poli and Haleakala beyond, these are the fields to the Ali'i Lavender Farm and Ali'i passed away peacefully last week. If you ever met him, you were left with the clear sense that he was a passionate gentle soul, who's love and enthusiasm for the land was infectious.

It's a great Island wide view from up there and what I like about this otherwise dull pici is that you can see the shadow of the clouds on the isthmus.

The poppies are out in my favorite garden and butterflies were everywhere flitting in and out of the blooming wild nasturtiums.

On a weekday this is my breakfast, but today post morning exercise a protein shake was in order. Whey powder, soy milk and frozen bananas which often end up in my freezer free from the trees. Yummmmmm.

On Saturday, as I sat having coffee with my friend Oly at Casanova's, we chatted and watched the world go by, which at one point tipped in to the unusual. Never a dull moment in Makawao.

Talking of which, rigging up to go sailing at Kanaha also proved to be more amusing than normal when a bird not only crapped on my head (which made me jump), but the volume was such that there was enough left over to hit the bulls eye! The good news...I've never wanted to get in the water so fast and I had a great sesh, il segno!

My weekly address.

Gecko sending out peace, love & grooviness.

Author swinging on trees and full of goofiness.

Dr. Goldin relaxing in beachy civilian dress.

Me falling in, with great aplomb and pure finesse.

Standing up involves falling down and getting back up, which (lets face it) is priceless.

Investigating seaweed gathering, who knew a county permit was needed so as not to transgress?

The simple pleasure of Maui's beauty and awesomeness.