Encounters

Yesterday, we found a stunning little beach at Puako. It’s not a swimming beach this time of year. The water’s pretty swirly. But it’s a perfect beach to enjoy the honu (green sea turtles,) the sun and salty breezes.

After spending time watching several honu going about their honu tasks, we stopped by the little general store to buy fresh banana and lemon breads, sandwiches and coconut water for lunch. Taking our goodies, we headed to Hapuna beach which sported a picnic table and we dined.

It being Anni’s last day, she called the shots. So, after taking back her rented flippers and watching the wind surfers on “A” beach, we moseyed over to one last snorkeling spot which was out of the wind.

That’s when we encountered.

To our surprise, we ran smack into about four or five sea turtles. There were flippers and shells all around us. As you will quickly learn, these lovely and graceful creatures are endangered and you are not to touch them. It’s posted everywhere on the island. Being surrounded by them and with the currents, it was hard not to be touched by them. We tried to get away from them and give them their distance and privacy, but we kept getting swirled back with them. Then, just as we found an exiting current, one came right up to my facemask. We were inches apart, eye-to-eye, and I felt a profound sense of deep something. I think I’ll leave it at that—a deep something. Except I’ll add it was one of those moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

I think many of us wish for these encounters. Why else are there so many swim-with-wild-dolphin tours and whale watching tours? You just want to be a part of the mystery, you know?

But the encounter doesn’t happen that way. The encounter is a gift. A right-place-at-the-right-time gift from our Creator. And it’s priceless. And all I can be is very grateful.

Today, we took Anni to the airport. It’s a rest and stay out of the sun day. Tomorrow we hope will bring more encounters, be they animal, vegetable or mineral.