It was July and I was finally in Hawaii. I had been looking forward to this trip for the past year. Before this trip I had only visited the lush tropics once, and that was when I was five. I could barely remember the prior trip, and I was sure that I would remember the awaiting adventure. I remember stepping off the plane at the Kauai airport, and my senses being overwhelmed by sweetness. My grandparents, who had already been on the island for two weeks, met my family, my best friend, Ashley, and I at the airport with arms wide open and leis flowing over their arms. My grandmother placed a lei around my neck, and its smooth flowing sugary smell filled my mind. Next thing I knew, I was in a car headed for the South Shore of Kauai. The twenty-minute drive from the airport to where we were staying seemed like heaven. I could not wait to escape from the car and join the green overflowing beauty surrounding me. Later that day, as I sat on the porch on the South Shore watching as surfers balanced on the building waves, I listened to my grandmother tell me about the Napali Coastline. She described its wonders and beauty. I vowed to myself that I would leave the next day and travel to the North Shore. The forty-mile drive to the other side of the island would land me at my destination and the wonders that my grandmother had described.

As my grandmother got up and went to cook dinner, my friend Ashley and I stayed on the porch to plan our hike for the next day. We decided we would pack a lunch, bring a camera, and head up the coast at around ten in the morning.

The next day we awoke to the breeze from the ocean and the aroma of fresh island flowers. We quickly got out of bed and rushed out to the porch to watch the waves rise and fall as they crashed on the volcanic rock at the edge of the house. We noticed enormous sea turtles floating near the edge of the rocks. They seemed so limp, allowing the waves to direct their every move. Once in a while we would catch one popping its head up for a breath of air. The moments when this happened were amazing and never seemed to last long enough. I was in a trance. All I could do was watch the turtles in hopes that I might capture another moment like the ones before. I heard my grandmother call us in to remind us to eat some breakfast before we left to travel up shore. We did as we were told, then gathered our lunches and swimsuit. We were ready to head off!

We hopped in the car heading north. Greenery was everywhere. Each leave and tree seemed so unique. Some leaves were short and round, while others stretched further than the length of my arm, into thin straw like-shapes. Mossy grass covered the red earth. The red dirt was brilliant in color, so lush and foreign to my eyes. Winding up the road we realized we only had one turn left until we met our destination, The End of the Road Beach, and the opening to the Napali Coast trail.

After gathering our goods, we headed for the opening through the foliage. The trail began. Plants hovered all around. All that was visible to the eye was the upward trail and the presence of nature. Water, lay lightly on each leaf as it shimmered in the sun. The power of Mother Nature overwhelmed my body. I felt I was in a dream or maybe a movie. I couldn't believe I was actually there surrounded by such an amazing phenomenon of nature. The mountain was untouched expect for the fertile red dirt path beneath my feet. At this point I began to tire. It had only been 30 minutes, but the upward rough trail was trying on my body. I did not care how tired I was, because I knew I had no intentions of turning back and leaving this place.

Soon I began to see a glimpse of the gem like colors of the ocean. The color varied so that I could not even begin to give it a name. The water spread from greens to blues; I saw shades of colors I had never experienced before. The glimpse through the trees grew as I traveled up the mountain. I eventually find myself at the top of a peak looking down on the rolling green of trees and shrubs that met the volcanic rocks, which connected the land and the ocean. If it had been safe, I would have freely fallen into the ocean. It was so mesmerizing and enchanting.

I was able to rest while looking out over the ledge. The beauty of the ocean took my breath away; yet some how, I was able to catch my breath as I stood there motionless. Air went in and my lungs expanded. I felt strong and weak at he same time. My heart was beating with excitement. I knew there was more to see, so I headed on down the trail.

We traveled some time before we lost sight of the ocean. I enjoyed looking down at the ocean. It captured me. I did not pay attention to the path before me; I only watched as the colors of the ocean shimmered in the light of the sun.

My attention became diverted as we entered into the wildness of vegetation. Each plant seemed to be so distinctly different. Their branches twirled and twisted while their leaves flew in the breeze. I began to hear the flow of water. I became closer, and the sound grew stronger. I could see a creek of fresh rainwater, running down from the top of the mountain. Large rocks stuck out from the creek's surface, and water hit the edges of the creek as it forced its way down. Plants growing from the bank hung over the creek. It seemed to me as if these plants wished to share the coolness of nature's rain. I was hot, and the chill of the water as I splashed it on my skin felt refreshing and reviving.

I wanted to know where the creek led. I followed a trail on the edge of the bank. It took me to a freshwater stream, which connected with the ocean. There were thousands of rocks, like the ones in the creek, stacked on the shore. Below was the warmth of white sand tickling my feet. A pool of freshwater about waist-deep was captured between sand on both sides before it was allowed to escape into the sea. It seemed as if two opposites were meeting. I had never thought of salt water and fresh water as one. Each body of water held a different meaning to me because I had never visually seen the connection. I knew that freshwater streams entered into the salty ocean. I also knew that I did not have to visually see the connection for it to take place, but seeing it was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever witnessed. Unity had occurred before my eyes; two worlds were meeting.

I walked over to the ocean's edge and watched as the ocean stretched out past my view. My eyes glided over the shallow green water watching it change from light to dark shades of blue. At the farthest point I could see water which seemed almost black. I dove into the shallow frigid water. My body quickly cooled.

After drawing myself from the water my hunger began to grow. I decided to go sit among the stacked rocks. I found a smooth rock, which seemed fine for sitting. I sat on the edge of the rock silently devouring my sandwich and fresh pineapple, knowing I was in paradise.