Back to Nature

Whenever I feel stuck, miserable or get a case of the blues, I head over to where it is blue… the place where blue skies meet the deep blue water.   When I was about 14 years old, I visited California for the first time and got to visit the cold and windy Ocean Beach in San Francisco and ever since that day I have had this longing to be nearer and nearer to the ocean.  If I had to choose, I would be on the beaches in Maui but most days I will settle for any coastline with sand, sun and surf.  There’s always something magical about a beache’s vastness, sounds and smells that dampen out my blues and melt my stress away.  Mostly I like to stare out towards the horizon and see nothing but also see so clearly.  

Last week I finally made some time to get to the coast for the first time since the studio opened 6 months ago.  The kiddos and I went to explore a new beach in Santa Cruz, Natural Bridges State Beach Park.    It’s no Maui beach, but her beauty was breath taking.  Although the winds were strong that day, there was no other place I wanted to stay that day even if it meant throwing an extra jacket and beanie hat on.  

All the questions, the doubts, the fears, and the uncertainties I’ve had brewing in my head disappeared for that day.  I didn’t even have to ask them again, the answers were pretty clear to me… let it go.  And it was easy to just let the wind blow them all away and it was hard not to be present in the moment with all my senses being awakened by the sounds, textures and smells.  

 

We walked around the cliff to a little cove area.  There was one family hanging out with their kids.  I walk past them towards the cliff because I’m drawn to the colors, the green moss and mussels growing on it and the shield it could provide from the wind.  

 

 

 

As I lookekd closer, I see a lump roll lying there on the sand and wondered if it was a dead animal.  I get closer and saw him:

 

He was sleeping soundly.   I took a few pics and left him alone but wondered where the rest of the Harbor Seals were.  About 10 minutes later, a lady walked towards us shouting “Have you seen a baby seal pup here?”   She was with the marine mammal center and came to rescue the pup who was abandoned.   Apparently seal mothers often abandon their young when they are hunting for food and see humans on the beach near her pup.   Awwwww!!!  Look at his whiskers…

 

 

 

The lady let us choose a few names for him.   I choose Chocolate Chip  don’t know if they will use it but that’s what he reminded me of… or maybe it was because I was craving chocolate chip ice cream at the moment.  I was happy they were going to care for him before releasing him back to nature. 

The encounter with Chocolate Chip and the feelings of joy, wonderment, and happiness stayed with me the entire day.   Nature does that to me.  Here’s promising to not waiting too long again before I go back to nature.

An artist and her canvas.

Love can always be found in nature.

Lots and lots of beauty around… we just need to open our eyes.

 

Happy Earth Day 2013!!

Day 6: Life’s a Beach

My last full day here in Maui and if you know me, you know I’ll be eating up a storm.  This place is packed with good food that is fresh, organic, and as healthy as I would want (or trick myself into believing it has great nutritional value).  Since I was coming down from Huelo, I HAD to stop by Makawao and have my fresh catch of the day with eggs benedict at Market Fresh Bistro.  It was a purposeful breakfast as I was accompanied by Greg from Lumeria.   I’m seriously considering this place for my retreat.

Mix these ingredients together and you have a very happy, certified organic Nikki

Then it was off to film my video… again on a full stomach.. there just isn’t enough time to digest and wait… time is running out.

Of course all that shooting made me hungry so off to my next favorite place for lunch:  Mama’s Fish House.  

First course: lobster guacamole with local chips (taro, bread fruit, plantains)

Second course: Opakapaka ceviche

Finally, a trio of sashimi with various black, red, and macadamia sea salt

Well the whole thing wasn’t just about eating… Mama’s has an Inn that is attached to the restaurant and sits right on the beach.   Possible retreat option… of course!

Imagine yoga on this lawn that faces the ocean and then a quick dip in the water afterwards... or nap in that hammock works for me too

What a day!  Another round of video making (yes my belly is full so I gotta work it off).   Then off to check in the last possible retreat place at the Blue Tile House.  It’s another property that sits right on the beach.  

My head was starting to spin trying to decide which place would be best for my retreat so I decided to go scout out some snorkeling places and where my next meal was gonna be.  I ended up at the end of  Makena at La Perouse Bay where a local friend told me had good snorkeling.  Saw many varieties of fish but it was cloudy and dark… so back towards the Makena resort area to just chill and watch the sunset.   

Off in the distant I see something bob up and down… it looked like a head.  There were no swimmers or snorkelers around so it couldn’t have been a person.  I ignored it.  Then up it came again and again.  Perhaps it was seaweed or some other debris drifting in the waves.   All of a sudden two people come running on the beach with their snorkel masks and shouted towards me, there’s two turtles out there.   What?!  I look closer and it was!  

Oh my!  My heart pounding.  My snorkel mask was way at the other end of the beach so I ran.  I hate running and hate even more running on sand in a hurry.  But when you need to do something, you just do it.  I’ve always wanted to swim with a sea turtle but could never do it because you have to go out far and deep into the sea (you all know the lack of my swimming skills).  These two turtles were about 15-20 feet off the shore at a nearby rock. 

I jump in and WOW!!   Jaw dropping or in this case, teeth biting my snorkel moment.  The two honus (green sea turtle) were feeding on the seaweed growing on the rock.  They were massive!   Their shells were probably about 3 feet across.  They didn’t mind us at all.  I was so close I gently touched her shell and for a moment I stopped breathing.  It was such a magical moment.  

The hono's I saw glided just like this one that was taken by a photographer I know, Adam A. Palmer

I spent over an hour swimming with them and watching them eat.  They didn’t leave and I didn’t want to leave either.  I didn’t want it to end.. until I couldn’t feel my fingers anymore because it was getting cold as the sun was setting.

So I listened to my own belly that was growling.  Next order of business… FOOD!  

Drove into Kihei and decided to try a Japanese restaurant that everyone raves about, Sansei.  Yes, more fish!  

Their award winning, mango crab salad roll.

Poke Duo: ahi and hamachi

Finally, spicy lobster ramen to warm my belly

What a day!  I could not ask for anything more.  My last day could not be more perfect.  Sea food, sea turtles, and a beautiful sunset!  I am in awe at how this whole week turned out.  Nothing planned.  No rules.  No expecations.  It all started with just one mantra:  “Life’s a Beach,” (day 1) which inspired, “I will let my heart fall to the ground and let it be my foundation,” (day 2) which inspired, “Don’t lose your breath in challenging situations but find things that take your breath away,” (day 3, day 4, day 5 and all the way to the last minute).

Maui, I will be back!

I always leave another piece of my heart with you, Maui.

Day 5: Life’s a Beach

Finally back to civilization and the first order of business is FOOD!  I could survive the rain, the wind, and the mud, but two days of dry granola, nuts, seeds and crackers will drive a woman crazy!  I was literally feeling greens withdrawl symptoms (don’t ask).

Although Hana was gorgeous and sleeping under the stars was fun, I was so glad to be back in Paia town and even more glad that the internet cafe had such a pleasing menu.   This is a green smoothie made with organic kale, chard, cucumber, apple, and coconut water.  The acai bowl had acai and berry purees, yogurt and banana, and my favorite yogi green tea that reminds me to “Be happy so long as breath is within you.”  Oh and the grapefruit I picked up from a fruit stand on the side of the road was saliva slurping good.

Green smoothie, acai bowl, green tea

An hour later, I met a friend for lunch at a flatbread place that makes everything from local organic ingredients.  This veggie special with tomatoes, basil, mozz, pineapple, and roasted bell peppers with balsamic drizzle was so good, I ate the whole thing!!! A 12″ round!  It felt good to eat

The veggie special for the day

I spent the rest of the afternoon lounging at Baldwin beach and did some yoga graffiti so I’d feel better for pigging out on all that flat bread pizza.  

handstand yoga graffiti... I think I needed to wait another hour or so to digest more before doing this

Then it was off to look for Eco Retreat Center that is somewhere in the boon docks.  I needed to make sure I found the place before dark because in Maui there are so many nooks and turns that are often not marked clearly. 

The eco retreat is beautiful!   Statues and culturally themed rooms make the property so peaceful and meditative.  I mean who wouldn’t want to meditate in this room:

Meditation room overlooking the ocean

 

My favorite hale (house) on the property is the Thai Hale:

Thai themed hale with hand made door frame from Bali

 

My favorite statue on the property is this Thai woman playing a stringed instrument.   She’s gonna be my inspiration for learning how to play my ukulele.  Anyone know her name or the significance of this statue?

Thai woman statue playing an instrument

 

It was a quiet and relaxing day… just as I wanted it to be after the last two days of camping adventure.  But I spoke too soon… the volunteers at the property gave me a tour of the place and suggested a few activities that I should try before leaving:  propelling down the cliff to the ocean and a hike to a nearby waterfall.   Since I just saw the most epic waterfall in my life, I opted for the cliff.  I didn’t choose the cliff just because I already saw a waterfall, but because the moment the volunteer started talking about it, I could feel my skin try to crawl underneath itself with fear and I could hear in my head, ‘oh hell no, girl!’ 

The beginning of the trail... doesn't look scary right?

 

Well after surviving the first part of the hike that went thru a crazy jungle of trees, shrubs, and SPIDERS, I said, what the heck.. what’s next?   A jaw dropping DROP….. oh how I thought it would be so convenient to forget about my mantra at this point, “Don’t lose your breath in challenging situations but find things that take your breath away.”

The first rope. It was rinky dink and tied to a very skinny tree stub that was shaking already

 

I don’t know what was worse, the rinky dink rope that was tied to a skinny tree shrub that shook like a kid’s tooth that is about to fall off, the slippery slope or the gust of abrupt wind.  My hands are sweating again just looking at the pics and writing about that moment:

The second rope

 

And I don’t know what made me happier… each successive rope getting thicker because  of 1) I am getting closer to the bottom or 2) the rope’s getting thicker because the path is getting narrower, or 3) that it’s getting dark and I could quit before getting to the bottom but that would mean I would have to go back up and through the now even darker forest:

I think this was the 5th rope

 

I think I lost count of how many ropes there were… I wanted to stop debating with myself whether I should stop and go back up or continue a little further.  My insensible self won…. so down a little further til the last rope.  At the end was this:

the prize... a gorgeous view that took my breath away

 

I later find out that I wasn’t at the end of the path… only at the end of the path that had ropes.  YIKES!!!!  In my book, my breath was taken away… mantra complete! … and all those carbs burned

Day 4: Life’s a Beach

(day 3 continued)… so much for letting the sounds of the ocean lull me to sleep.  I could not fall a sleep.  It rained like crazy and the howling wind and rustling tree above me kept me awake most of the night… well mostly my mind was playing tricks on me because I was afraid my tent was going to fly away.  The wind was that strong.  Then I remembered a sign I saw earlier, “warning.  flash flood area.”  Then I dreamt there was a flash flood that swept me out to sea.  I remembered my mantra from yesterday, “don’t lose my breath in challenging situations but find things that take your breath away.”   A few deep ujaii breaths got me centered again and instead of letting my fears prevent me from sleeping, I let the sounds of the ocean soothe me to sleep because I was gonna need some energy to hike up to the water fall.

it's a very very very long drop

Every area of the rainforest was jaw dropping gorgeous.

a small water fall tempting my eyes

I’m so glad I didn’t continue the hike last night because the bamboo forest was very dense and little light shown thru the thick layers.

The bridge into the bamboo forest

It's so thick you can feel the weight of the air and the mositure from last night's rain

A path where light came thru and I needed oxygen to my head

climbing between bamboo sticks is as much fun as climbing a door frame

You just can't help but feel zen when surrounded by bamboo

I got eaten alive by mosquitos and had to cross several streams and muddy areas but it was worth every itch to encounter this moment that took my breath away:

Getting close to Waimoku

and closer... she's in sight

ohhhhh my! one more stream to cross

and here she is... I feel so free to at her foot steps

I was on such a happy high that I didn’t mind the down pour of rain on the way back down the trail, more mosquito bites, and even more muddy puddles.

On the way back down the trail.. saying good bye to the Seven Sacred Pools.

I can’t imagine anything else I see on the road back from Hana to the north side would be any better.  Next stop is Wai’anapana campsite for the 2nd night of camping.  It’s not as beautiful as Kipahulu but the view is just as amazing.  I got finally see what a black sand beach is all about.   I would describe it as black rocky beach.  The black sand is coarse and there’s a lot of black lava rock.  It looked beautiful from a high view, but as I hiked down to the beach, it was kinda scary.  It’s drab.  The waves are rough and mean.  The cliffs look mysterious with their dark caves under neath.   I felt like something was gonna jump out at me so off I go to set up home base for the night.

Black Sand Beach at Wai'anapanapa

The waves roar here

blow hole from underneath the black lava tubes

Day 3: Life’s a Beach

“Don’t lose your breath in challenging situations but find things that take your breath away.”

This was my mantra for day 3.  It was definitely a challenging day.  It marked the end of my stay at the luxurious Lumeria.  I was trading a comfy warm fluffy bed for a camping pad.  I know.. poor me!  Before leaving this beautiful retreat center, I had to practice “allowing my heart to fall to the ground so it can be my foundation.” It worked!

It's easy when you let your heart lead and be your foundations

I tell myself, nothing really ends… a new adventure just begins.  So I’m off to Hana but had to fuel up at Makawao Market Fresh Bistro:

blackened ahi benedict at Market Fresh Bistro in Makawao

The waiter suggested I should drive the back route to get to my campsite at Kipahulu must faster so I could set up before it got dark.  “The road is less windy but there’s not as much to see,” he says.  I beg to differ.  Look at these breath taking views:

Driving the backside up to Hana

never ending cliffs and the bluest of blue ocean

Majestic Maui mountains

 

Probably the happiest healthiest cows grazing on greens with a view

I get to Kipahulu campgrounds and could not keep my jaws closed.  The view was awe-inspiring and every where I turn, my breath got swept away.   Mother nature, I bow to you!

A five star tent is one with an ocean view

The cliff where my 5 star tent overlooks

After setting up my bed for the night, I’m off to explore the area and it gets better and better.  I arrive at this place called the Seven Sacred Pools, where a stream of fresh water creates 7 sacred pools before it meets the ocean.   These pics are from the end of the pools where the fresh water will meet the ocean:

I think this is the 4th and 5th pool

The 6th pool

The 7th pool at the bottom of the Seven Sacred Pools

 

Further up the trail head, is another 2 mile hike to Waimoku Falls, the mother load of waterfalls where the 7 pools originate.   I started hiking and walked as fast as I could because it was getting dark.  Some downhill hikers told me it wasn’t far but advised me to only go if I had a flashlight because there is a dense bamboo forest I would have to get thru before climbing up towards the water fall.  

A dark bamboo forest was a challenge I didn’t feel like undertaking so I decided to head back to camp and let the sounds of the waves lull me to sleep.  The adventure will have to be continued tomorrow morning…

Day 2: Life’s a Beach

It’s 4:30am and Mr. Rooster cocka-doodle-doos in the distant.  I turn over and bury my face while grumping about the sound.  Roosters don’t come with snooze!  I fall back asleep but Mr. Rooster didn’t.  For another half hour he continues to annoy wake up the world.  By that time, I’m wide awake and now am having a debate with my myself… I should want to get up and do my yoga.  Yes I do want to.  And the difference between “want” and “will” is just a simple decision to just get up.  Well it took me another half hour to close the gap between the two words but I’m sure glad I did.  This is what greated me during my practice on my front porch at Lumeria:

early morning rain not only brings a nice soothing sound during practice but also a beautiful rainbow for my drishti

Then it was off to do a photoshoot for my new website at Ho’okipa beach park on the North shore side of Maui:

Ho'okipa Beach Park

With only an hour or so left before taking a 3 hour handstand workshop, I had to fuel up… local style of course:

Hawaiian style shoyu and ginger po'ke (ahi tuna)... yum! so fresh!

The 3 hour workshop with the amazing Jennifer Lynn was playful and fun.  Learned so much.  Can’t wait to bring what I learned to class   I had the strength to hold a handstand but I discovered that I was missing a very key piece:  melt my chest towards the ground more than I ever thought I should.  It was physically a challenge with my tight scapula… or maybe it was something more than physical that was my challange so my second manta for this week:  I will let my heart fall to the ground and let it be my foundation.

What a discovery!  So of course I had to go sit and let this idea of “letting my heart fall to the ground” settle in… at the beach of course!

Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

Waiting for the sun to set at Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

Sunset over Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

The 2nd night ended perfectly with a delicious meal from Coconut’s Fish Cafe.

This casual cafe just turned 3 and was named after a cat!

The food was nothing but casual.  It was fresh and packed a mouthful of flavor.

The best mahi mahi fish tacos I've ever had and grilled ono with wasabi ginger cream sauce over brown rice. The best surprise was the cole slaw that was made with coconut cream instead of mayo... yum!

 

To top the night off, I spotted this restaurant/bar sign that just re-affirms my week’s mantra. How perfect!

This week's mantra: Life's a Beach

 

And of course, I had to attempt a handstand in front of the sign and entertain some of the drunks at the bar:

Handstand outside the bar

 

This was my last night at Lumeria before going off to Hana and roughing it at Kipahulu campgrounds.  So if you don’t hear from me by wednesday, call a rescue team

Buddah watching over Lumeria

 

Aloha!  I hope you will let your heart fall to the ground and let it be your foundation.

Day 1: Life’s a Beach

I’m on the last leg of my crazy two week coast to coast travel.  In 4 days, I’ve visited five different airports and have traveled over 10,000 miles.  I’m convinced that it is about the destination.  Forget the journey.  Get me to my destination is all I could think about while going in and out of airports, air conditioned cabs, hotels, and planes.

I’m back in Maui for a week to scout out some possible retreat centers that I will be hosting this summer.  I came here with no expectations and literally no place to stay because first order of business when I landed was FOOD!  

Saimin at Da Kitchen, my favorite place to eat right after I leave the airport.

Then it was find a place to sleep for the next week.  I bought my camping gear and planned on camping a few days and staying a night at each of the possible retreat places… cause I just have to make sure it’s safe and clean for my students right?  ;)

Well it’s a beautiful thing when you come with no expectations and literally no plans because every thing does work out… perfectly.  Within an hour of sitting at an outdoor cafe, I made camping reservations and retreat reservations all in the order that it was meant to be in.  Best of all, I had two nights left of no accommodations and was gonna plan on just roughing it wherever I was that night.  I got a call from Lumeria, a new retreat center up in upcountry Makawao that was only 10 mins from where I was sitting at the cafe.  I was immediately invited to come check it out and at the end of the tour, they offered for me to stay for the two nights I didn’t have a place to sleep.  Poor me right?

Lumeria Edventure Retreat Center

The last week has quite an adventure of unexpected outcomes and I am reminded again that I am exactly where I need to be at exactly the right time and everything is perfect just the way it is.  Here’s a reminder that life’s a beach… this is my mantra for the next week.

Last weekend in Santa Barbara, CA

Life’s a beach when you

1. aren’t afraid to sing out loud

2. smile so big that the other person can’t help but smile back

3. you’re eating your favorite scoop of ice cream

4. can laugh until you tear up

5. can laugh even more until your abs hurt the next day

6. keep learning new things

7. surround yourself with positive people and spread love to those who aren’t so positive

8. count your blessings…

It also helps when your view looks like:

Earlier in the week: amusement parking it up at Universal Studios, Flordia

My home for the next week:

North Shore Maui

Coast to coast travel sucks, but feeling blessed indeed.

Where does your travels take you this year?

Happy Summer Solstice

photo and a cute post: http://aiminglow.com/2011/06/ezpz-surviving-summer

… some beach somewhere

casting shade over an empty chair

palm trees are growing

warm breeze is blowing

I picture myself right there

on some beach somewhere…. 

A summer quote I found while surfing the internet on this beautiful summer’s night!

Hope you’ve had a summery day where ever you are….

More to come

xo

Life’s a Beach

Life can be a beach (and not a bee-ach).   Our lives can add up to something.  Something grand.  If we count everything that makes us happy.   There are so many things to be happy about.  It is literally right in front of our faces.  We just need to notice… notice this little piece of now.

Reasons why my life’s a beach:

Slippers and the way they flip flap and flick up grains of sand that tickle my bum.

Sand castles.

Sand in pockets, in between toes, armpits, and even ears.

Turtles.

That salty smell… and taste.

Outside showers.

photo from travelpod.com

Seashells, starfish, drift wood, boardwalks and feathers.

Swaying palmtrees.

People watching.

Lying around…

It’s a magical place.  Spiritual even.

The beach.

I love her tides that take me where I didn’t expect to go.  I love the way it surprises me when I’m building sandcastles or doodling in the sand.   I thank her for reminding me that new journeys will always begin again as her tides wash away my footprints.

What makes your life a beach?

10 Things I Learned This Week

I stepped on this coral shaped heart at Ke Iki beach after our ceremony. Photo by Adam A. Palmer Photography

1.   Let love be the force behind all intentions and doings.

2.  Dream all the time… even if it doesn’t seem realistic (at the moment) and especially if others think your dreams are ridiculous.

3.  Early to bed and early to rise is something I’m gonna have to nail down… especially if I wanna live on Kauai.  Can you believe the town shuts down at 8-9pm???  What a great idea to strengthen family bonds though!  Love it!

4.  Know when to quit.

5.  Quitting is never a sign of weakness.  Staying and suffering is.

6.  Never say never.

7.   Do what makes you happy.  Always!

8.   Contribute to other’s happiness.  Always!

9.   Although memories are good to muse about… they are in the past.. keep them there.

10.  Stick together… no matter what.

Just got our pictures from our 10 year vow renewal ceremony on Ke Iki Beach!  Yay!  Can’t wait to go thru all 700+ of them.  So grateful for Adam for capturing our special event.

Photo by Adam A. Palmer Photography