Sing me an ocean lullaby (Monday 25 April)

There’s nothing quite like being able to sit on your own balcony, listening to the waves of the Pacific Ocean “singing their own peculiar lullaby as they run up onto the shingle” <quote from Charmian>

We’ve made it to the island of Maui and the change in atmosphere has been dramatic. It’s finally time to relax and soak up some Hawaiian laid back vibes.

We had another car park meeting, this time with Lehia’s Mum, Robbie, who had come to meet us and take us to her sister’s condo where we are staying for the next few days. With insider knowledge, she was also able to take us to the local Whole Foods Market, where we stocked up on lots of fresh fruit & veg – a delight after a couple of days of touristy Waikiki food.

In stark contrast, this morning, with a healthy breakfast nowhere in sight, it was a shock to the system to get up at 6am (equivalent to 3am Sydney time) and walk up to the Lanikai Canoe Club where we were meeting with Jim Foti to pick up our canoe.

Charmian and I felt quite puny at the sight of all the local Amazonian-like women (though complete with two breasts) glistening with health and fitness and loading shiny new colourful Pueo’s onto the trailer.

Our “stealth grey” Hurricane on the top of Jim’s car somewhat blended into the grey sky. Indeed, if it’s misty on the day of our race, all you’ll see is a streak of orange flame bursting across the ocean. He also handed us some suspicious looking iakus. Images of Linda and Annett swirling precariously downwards into the Charybdis of the ocean after their broken iaku episode in 2008 captured our imagination.

Let’s hope that in our Odyssey the mend in the bend holds fast.





On a happier note, our first training run should be with the great Dane, and we are not referring to a dog, or the prince of Denmark, but the great Dane of Maui (Dane Ward), current reigning champion of the race we are about to complete. We’re waiting for this female Hamlet to contact us as we speak!



Charmian looks out to Molokai and
contemplates the warning on the sign



Glossary:

Homer’s Odyssey (Charybdis)

Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Prince of Denmark)

Wikipedia (Amazonian female warriors)