The boy is angelic on the flight to the Island known as the Big one. He eats, he sleeps, he plays. Nary a fuss comes out of the young boy, not even 1 year old. He is contented to play with three plastic drinking cups, provided by the flight attendants. He entertains himself, with these cups for what seems like hours. His mother, the wife, never feels the need to dip into her enormous bag of travel toys, books, and baby accoutrements.
When their lunch arrives, spinach and cheese manicotti, the boy shares it with his mother, the wife. He seems to enjoy the bland airline fare. He especially enjoys the decadent chocolate cake that finishes off the meal. The boy is happy as a clam. So happy, in fact, that he impresses his fellow travelers. At the end of the flight, the wife receives a complement that makes her little heart flutter. “You have quite the well behaved little boy.” Comments an older gentleman. “Thank you.” Replies the mother and wife.
The dad, the mom, and the boy arrive, weary travelers, ready to soak in the sun. Ready to relax. Ready to have fun. They are greeted at the Kailua-Kona airport by the grandma. She is overjoyed to see the man, the wife, and the boy. Mostly the boy. She bestows the man and his wife with plumeria leis. She crowns the boy with his very own crocheted lei. Then, she whisks them off in the car that she and the papa had rented for the wee little family. They follow her Sidekick back to the little villa, overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. It is a welcomed site for the exhausted man and his wife and babe.
They set out to enjoy 12 GLORIOUS days of fun, sun, card playing, outdoor church going, snorkeling, dolphin playing, whale watching, long road tripping, beach going, coffee drinking, pool swimming, amazing vacationing.
The boy had the best time. He got to swim in his little pool, play with his little fish, have all of the man’s attention, all of the wife’s attention, all of the grandma’s attention, all of the auntie’s and all of the uncle’s attention. The boy was spoiled. The boy was happy. The boy slept well, he ate well, he played well. The boy didn’t want to leave (well maybe that is just the wife projecting her feelings onto the boy). But the boy was content.
The man, his wife, and the boy (who doesn’t realize it yet, but in time will come to relish it) decide that this is a trip that they MUST take annually. And who wouldn’t? When all the vacation requires is airfare and food, who wouldn’t come to this glorious island to recharge their batteries, and enjoy quality time with their wee little family? Forever and Always!!
See you next spring, Big Island.
Photographs:
