When we were in French Polynesia on a babymoon, the captain of the small boat that shuttled us from Bora Bora to a private island asked where we were from. He had not heard of Santa Barbara or California. So we explained that we came from the coast of the United States, which shared the same Pacific Ocean as the island we were visiting.
With a puzzled look, he asked if we lived near the ocean and if we had beaches, too. Why then would we want to go somewhere far away from home just to have the same?
Why indeed? Why leave paradise for another paradise?
On that particular trip we saw and did things we could not do in Santa Barbara. We swam in crystal blue warm water with lemon sharks and sting rays and went diving for Tahitian pearls. We ate Polynesian food and spoke French with locals.
For much the same reasons we went to Hawaii last week. IMO the islands are the #1 feel-good destination of the world. Tropical cocktails, mocktails, steel guitar and ukelele music, hula dancers, Hawaiian food, swimming in the ocean without a wetsuit, fresh papaya and pineapple, ... Need I go on?
We snorkeled with green turtles and manta rays, experienced the feel of different sand between our toes and enjoyed an educational aerial tour of the diverse geography of the Big Island.
What does this have to do with jewelry?
It gives me the opportunity to explain that since creating jewelry myself, I have rarely bought any jewelry. While in Hawii, though, I could not resist a blonde kukui nut lei. Once worn only by Hawaiian royalty, the necklace is now ubiquitous with the image of Hawaii.
Another terrific souvenir from our travels!