Independence Day

On the fourth of July I celebrated my own independence, my own freedom, overlooking the shimmering banks of the Chena River, caught in an endless summer sunset. I was back where I begun two months ago. I watched the rays of light dance across the surface of the water, a golden path broken only by the wake of occasional passing boats.

I went to Hawaii driven by gut instinct – the same certainty that drove me to Thailand on that other trip of self-discovery that ended so happily, too. I reasoned that, without this Alaskan trip, for all its ups and downs, I would never have been inspired on that spontaneous day to apply for the Cayman Islands job – which waits just beyond the next horizon for my arrival in Autumn.

I went to Alaska in search of something specific: one adventure, one relationship, but instead I experienced many adventures and had the privilege of sharing these moments with a host of new friends.


I looked over at the glowing water, framed against a backdrop of silhouetted spruce trees, and took a moment to consider the journey now behind me – what it all meant, what it had all been for – then I smiled as I thought of what lies ahead. There will be more of these moments, when I will bask, eyes closed, in the warmth of other sunsets, across time and space. I wonder where I will be, who I will be with, and how I will feel.

One thing I am certain of: this life is a gift.

More shark encounters...

Hawaiian Escape

Hawaii, oh Hawaii, where do I begin to describe you. Lush valleys, towering volcanic craters which descend into baking hot canyons that extend their rocky roots towards ivory sand beaches, and finally, the cerulean blue ocean which laps and pounds and crashes against the land.



Oahu: island of beach and jungle; mountain and city; surfer’s paradise and cosmopolitan dream. At night, burning tikki torches light the path along Waikiki Beach Avenue, illuminating designer boutiques and street sellers touting spray paint canvases and beaded jewellery. The delicate fragrance of fresh cut flowers fills the air as an old Hawaiian lady walks past, arms festooned with freshly made leis of yellow ilimas, hibiscus and lehua blossoms.


Hawaii was my Bali Ha’i. It called to me during those dismal days in Alaska, when I felt entrapped by the four walls of a tiny cabin without plumbing or television. I felt imprisoned not just by the town of Fairbanks, (which offered so little in terms of modern society’s culture and entertainment) but also trapped and frustrated by the absolute failure of the relationship that had been my initial reason for going. He and I were so utterly different in almost everyway that sharing a small living space 24/7 was like a slow torture, and it was not long before the free spirit in me began to claw at the walls, overwhelmed by cabin fever; Fairbanks fever; Alaska fever!

It came to me one night, from across the wind of the sea, “Here am I, your special island! Come to me, come to me!”

And so I went, leaving Alaska without even a backward glance.

The hazy days in Hawaii were a blend of adventure, friendship, thrills and laughter. I swam with sharks, hiked a volcanic crater, went horseback riding through filming locations used in Jurassic Park, basked on golden sands, and partied with new friends into the early hours of the morning. Honolulu was a vibrant buzzing destination set against breath-taking scenery, but it was the people who really put a song back into my heart and a smile back onto my face. Rarely have I have the pleasure to meet so many gorgeous thrilling fascinating people in the space of 10 days.

Mahalo!