Day 12: Farewell Hawaii

Day 12 is my final day on Oahu and my departure to the states. I spent the hours before my flight in a mad search for gifts. It tried last night without success but had more success today. The last roughly two weeks have been an amazing experience in visiting Guam, Saipan, Palau, Tinian, and Hawaii. My greatest hope is that the travel blog might inspire some of our readers to travel this far into the Pacific. It is worth it. Trust me.

My fondest memories on all of these islands will remain the people who I met. Spending times on these islands reminds some of us that life is about the friends and experiences that we forge. I often feel that lie in Washington, D.C. tends to squeeze out relationships and our capacity for simple joy. Islanders have not lost that capacity. They are less interested in resumes as they are relationships. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people that I met.

As someone who has two great loves for hiking and military history, these islands are obviously a dream come true. When you add the great food (and hot cuisine to boot!), it does not get much better.

Today it is back to the grind of Washington (which appears to have fallen apart in my absence). However, I am going to try my hardest to hold on to that island glow as long as I can – and I am not talking about the tan.