A Kludge of One Shots by tenchi no mai

Now, THIS Is A Vacation!

This was written in response to Priestess Skye's weekly challenge.

Theme:  History

Due: June 21st, 2009

Required Word Count: Minimum 1000

Actual Word Count: 1116

Universe:  Alternate Universe - Modern Times

Rating:  MA for innuendoes

Warnings: None, unless you really think you wouldn't like Paradise Pops.

Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz Media.   Only the plot to this story and my original character, Shun, are my intellectual property.  I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

'Italics' = thoughts

Authors Note:  This is not exactly a continuation of "This Is The Life?" and can be read as a separate piece, even though there is a small reference in the beginning to the aforementioned oneshot.

Now, THIS Is A Vacation!

Well, I guess it's time for an update on our Hawaiian vacation.  

After the fiasco at the coffee plantation, Shun and the plantation manager couldn't apologize enough.  Apparently there was a misunderstanding on the part of the manager who thought we were going to take over running the place on a daily basis and needed an immediate, in-depth education into the history of coffee and the inner workings of the plantation.   Once it was understood that all facets of the business would remain as they are, and the confusion was straightened out, it was decided that Sesshoumaru and Shun would, alternately, each spend a couple hours a day learning the basics of the business.

The last few days have been absolutely wonderful.  Whichever one of my mates was free spent their time with me touring the island, then we would all meet for dinner back at the villa.

I let them drive, I was still having difficulty with the concept of driving on the wrong side of the road.  This way I could take in the beautiful scenery without one or the other of them yelling for me to watch where I was going.

Shun and I spent one morning at Kealokikua Bay, which is a Marine Life Conservation District.  We were able to go snorkeling the the crystal clear water and saw the coral and schools of tropical fish.  There were even some spinner dolphins playing in the bay and jumping out of the water performing their incredible spins.  

The Kona coast was once the home of Hawaiian royalty, and there is a lot of history to be learned, which is one of my favorite things to do.  I love finding out about the histories of the people and places.  I wonder if it has anything to do with traveling back to the Sengoku Jidai?  Nah, I don't think so, I loved history even before then.

Sesshomaru took me on a tour of some of the historical sites, including the Puuhonua o Honaunou which was once a place of refuge and is one of Hawaii's most sacred historic sites. 

Hulihee Palace was the vacation home of Hawaiian royalty and is now a museum.  Unfortunately an earthquake in 2006 damaged the palace and it is closed to tours while being renovated.

Puukohola Heiau is one of the largest heiau, or temples, in Hawaii, which was constructed by Kamehameha the Great.  He was advised by the kahuna, or priests, to build a temple to the war god to help in his efforts to unite the Hawaiian islands. The name means "hill of the whale" and it is supposed to be a good place to watch for humpback whales in the winter and spring.  We didn't see any the day we were there, but one of the guides said some whales were spotted a few days ago.

Holualoa is the small town down the slope of the Hualalai Volcano from the villa and is well known for its coffee houses and art galleries.  We spent an afternoon wandering through the galleries and drinking coffee on the lanai's of some of the cafés.  Sesshoumaru bought several paintings, which were being shipped home for him.  Sesshoumaru and Shun both said none of the coffee was as good as the private reserve from our plantation.

Another morning Shun took me to one of the big resorts where he had arranged for us to take private windsurfing lessons.  Of course, he picked it up right away and was off bouncing over the waves.  It took me quite awhile, but once I got the hang of it I was able to slowly tack across the wind after him.  I just wasn't too keen to go into the deep water, there are supposed to be some big sharks around the islands.

I think one of my favorite memories, so far, of this trip has to be today, when all three of us went to Hilo.  We wandered around the town, and I bought Hawaiian shirts for both Sesshoumaru and Shun, and a palm leaf print sundress for myself.  After having an early lunch at a beautiful open air restaurant on the beach, my mates took me to a spa for an afternoon of being pampered. 

First was the Lava Sauna Experience.  As you stepped into the open air sauna, you could feel the warm lli lli, which apparently means little, stones underfoot.  Then black volcanic clay was applied which is supposed to smooth the skin and draw impurities from the body.  After the clay dries, you are guided to a private outdoor shower, rinsed and body oil is applied to remoisturize your skin.   

Next was a pohaku pa'a lomi lomi hula massage, which was just divine.  The pohaku pa'a are heated volcanic stones, which feel more like glass than rocks.  They are placed along your spine after your back has been oiled again.  Lomi lomi utilizes long gliding, rythmic movements using the forearms and elbows to relax muscles and remove tension.  The hula part refers to the fact that the massage strokes are choreographed to native Hawaiian music.  I just wanted to dissolve into a puddle of boneless goo by the end of the session.

I'm not sure where my two mates disappeared to, but I think it was in the direction of the fitness center that was affiliated with the spa.  They were impatiently waiting for me when my time in that heaven on earth was finished.

Before we left Hilo, we stopped at the Hilo Farmers Market, which was begun in 1988 by "Mike" Rankin with 4 farmers who sold their goods from their parked cars and trucks.  It has now grown into a fixture of the community with over 200 vendors.  They have these wonderful Paradise Pops Tropical Popsicles in the most amazing flavors.  My favorite was Green Pinapple Paradise.

I bought enough fruits and vegetables for 2 or 3 days.  There were lychee, mango, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries and jackfruit.  Everything is locally grown, and really, really fresh.  We also purchased some bok choy, eggplant, and sweet corn.  The flowers were out of this world, there were several types of orchids that I had never seen before, as well as bird of paradise.  Then there was the local seafood; I made sure to get some ahi (tuna)for the chef to grill for dinner.  Yes, the villa rental came with a personal chef available for dinners. 

As I sit here on the lanai enjoying another Paradise Pop and watching the sun set I can only think of one more thing that would make this day absolutely perfect.  From the looks I'm getting from my mates, I'm sure I won't be disappointed. 

~*~

Fin