Insignificance

Queen's Bath

If in Doubt, Don' t Go Out!

Nature has a way of making one seem terribly insignificant here in Hawaii. Watching the heaving churning surf pounding against the obsidian cliffs, I tried not to imagine myself swept by a rogue wave into the Queen's Bath where I would be pulverized in mere seconds. The Queen's Bath is a natural pool carved into the lava shelf at the base of the cliffs at Princeville. A marker bearing a strong resemblance to a tombstone points to the Bath and gives a dire warning about the number of hapless tourists who drowned because, unlike me, they were fearless and ventured onto the shelf.

Peeking timidly out from under a giant coconut palm in the tropical jungle that edges the cliffs above Kaweonui Beach, I was mesmerized by the massive waves that rolled, curled and crashed like thunder onto the reef in front of me. These are the waves one associates with the fearless Hawaiian surfers; however, surfers are further north at Hanalei Bay. We marvelled at their prowess last evening, wondering how they were brave enough to venture out in spite of all the warning signs: If in Doubt - Don't Go Out! Individuals rode the waves occasionally toppling spectacularly but alway emerging, thank heavens! Tomorrow we will travel to the south side to swim and snorkle - it's supposed to be calm there in winter. We'll see...