"Welcome to the United States," the pilot on my flight from Japan boomed as we landed at Oahu International Airport. I welled up with emotion. I'd been gone 365 days, a full year, and I was back in my home country. Without a beat, he continued: "And welcome to Hawaii!" The plane cheered, and I broke into a giant smile that didn't leave my face for days.
After my year in Japan, I came back to the US via Oahu, home of the tanned, laid-back and beautiful Tiffany, one of my closest girlfriends in the JET program. She and her family welcomed me into their home in Waikiki.
Tiff asked me what all I wanted to do while I visited, and I said wanted to experience Hawaii how she does - as a local. So we spent lazy afternoons surfing at her favorite tucked away beach, sang karaoke with her friends, ate mangoes every day from the tree in her front yard, and spent an entire day on the North Shore. My mind is still blown, even typing that.
My favorite part of my visit was undoubtedly seeing North Shore. Legendary for insane surfing in the winter and beautiful beaches, North Shore is breathtaking, relaxing and has a great spot for cliff jumping.
Hi, my name is Cyndi, and I'm a cliff jumping addict. I started in South Africa, where it's called "kloofing." If I know I'm going anywhere near a beach, I research if there are any jumping spots. I'm a total novice.
Tiff took me to "Da big rock" in Waiemea Bay. It's a 30-40 feet jump, and that was the perfect level of gotta-psych-myself-up to do it + thrilling fear. Any more than that, and terror would probably paralyze me. The rock itself is incredibly slippery so it makes for a thrilling climb.
Waiemea Bay is better than any of the Waikiki beaches for relaxing. The crowds look thick on the rock, but we had most of the sand and sunshine to ourselves.
Before I left Japan, I attended lectures and workshops on reverse culture shock. We were reminded of how different it would be to be in our home country after so long away. We were counseled to visualize walking through a grocery store, a bank, and through an average daily routine.
I cheated and went to Hawaii instead. It was the perfect neither here nor there re-entry into the US. Japanese culture is prevalent on the island, so I got my fix of the language, customs and food, while at the same time reintegrating myself into American diet and culture.
The drive out to North Shore stole my heart away, too. I'd go back to Hawaii in a heartbeat. In fact, I think I'd move there. Anyone in Hawaii want to hire me? Special skills: mango devouring, surfboard sitting, sunglasses wearing.
travel further
My sister's moving there next month. Let's go.
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