Tourists are all around me. I decided to spend my birthday weekend as a tourist. I took two days off to truly feel I could celebrate my birthday this year, which landed on a Monday. I have come to realize the essence of having your birthday off every year. It truly should be considered a holiday.
Each of the four days were special. Each lived with passion, fun, and excitement, as a vacationer would.
One of the days was pure heaven. A friend of mine Pam had invited myself and Anthony to a BBQ, but this was not any BBQ. It was held at Waimea Gardens on the North Shore
Later in the day as I walked to the waterfall in Waimea, I was surrounded by several butterflies. Although Anthony and Pam did not join me in my swim under the waterfall, I felt it was something I had to do. We boogie boarded somewhere along the North Shore Hawaii
On my birthday, we continued to embrace the tourist lifestyle, starting the day off at the Dole plantation, completing the largest maze in the world. I have always wanted to make a stop here, but nobody ever agreed to accompany me. But since it was my birthday weekend, I could do anything with company. We went, the dole was a tourist hub in the middle of nowhere serving soft serve pineapple whipped ice cream, fresh pineapple, and pineapple sundaes. We satisfied our food cravings after in Haleiwa with a pit stop to Giovanni’s shrimp truck, surprisingly filled with Japanese tourists. Anthony wondered “how did they find this place?” They research their guides, voted number one food truck. Eventually we landed in shark’s cove, disregarding the no swim sign, we snorkeled and played on the beach until the clouds moved in.
Tourists truly capture as much into one day as possible. I tried to do the same with my weekend, allowing one full day of rest.
It culminated the night of my birthday, we decided to do a dinner cruise. One hour before arrival time, I heard thunder and saw gray clouds. When I tried to call and cancel, I was denied. The receptionist said “it’s clear over here.” So we went, sprinkles of rain fell onto our fancy clothes, and we tried to cancel again. “We’re still sailing in this weather.” No turning back as we stepped onto the boat. Shortly after boarding, other passengers shifted to the left side of the boat. Quickly a cloud was gathering. I couldn’t imagine what they were taking pictures of. “Look a water sprout!” I questioned what that was, as I eased myself to the side peaking above and between their heads. What stood before me truly left my mouth agape, in the near distance was literally a tornado in the water. We were sailing towards that? The other travelers were filled with excitement, while my fiancé and I were slightly filled with terror. No turning back.
And the trip ensued, and so did the storm. Incessant thunder, lightning, and rocking. There was a female passenger in front of us who appeared to be having a panic attack. A staff member was informed. Their solution was to give this woman a big group bear hug, and then later booze her up with a tropical cocktail. She didn’t drink it. A fellow passenger who was a stranger, tried to convince her “there’s no need to worry, I’m a great swimmer.”
I was surprised the dancers, musicians, and staff kept their composure and balance. It was hard to walk the boat without appearing you were drunk, but to dance? The rough weather was briefly acknowledged, the emcee saying “you are a great crowd despite this rainy weather.” They did not exacerbate our fear or show it on their faces. They kept the show going.
As we held onto the boat and focused on staying alive, somehow the other guests enjoyed themselves. Anthony asked me, “how can these people be having fun?” I said “They’re on vacation.” Despite the storm, they still participated in being photo crazy, learning the Tahitian rhythms with their hips, and formed an extensive conga line.
Before the boat docked, we talked with the cruise director exclaiming our disappointment, especially because we had tried to cancel earlier. We were rewarded with two free tickets to a future cruise. Maybe we dance and live more as tourists that day, lightning and thunder free.
I generally try to appreciate and celebrate my birthday, but something about this year felt different. There was more enjoyment, even though I did not eat one piece of birthday cake, blow out a birthday candle, open many gifts, or throw a big soirée. I truly tried to take time off guilt free and live in the moment doing activities reserved generally for tourists. Most of the activities were free, or I had some type of coupon for. Happiness doesn’t have to be expensive. Happiness is in the moment. As I sat on that dinner cruise, I could have cried due to my birthday ending in disaster. But I knew I had to take this in stride, it would serve as a hilarious SNL parody in my head when recounting this tail to others. And this boat ride will pass. I just had four glorious days, this two hour boat ride does not have to taint the rest of my glorious memory.
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