Adventures in Photography by Lisa Castro

ADVENTURES IN PHOTOGRAPHY

“WATER”

OCTOBER 30, 2005

Water, serenity… the trickle of a creek meandering through the woods, the sound of a rushing river, waves crashing on the beach, the swish of the water as a sailboat slices through the sea…. All of these sounds bring thoughts of peacefulness and tranquility. Maybe this is why when I look around my home, 90% of the photos, art, etc… on my wall have some form of water. How may of us feel drawn to the water? The ocean, a lake, the river down the road…. This Adventure in Photography is dedicated to that amazing, life-giving substance that we cannot live without.

KAUAI – SEPTEMBER, 2005

My husband, Michael, and I are taking a Labor Day Cruise of the Hawaiian islands aboard the Norwegian vessel “the Pride of America”. We arrive at my favorite place in the world, Kauai. The oldest of all the Hawaiian islands has had centuries to develop the lush green foliage that presides here. Kauai is a step back in time to the laid back days, no high-rise buildings, no crowded industrial centers. The people here live a simple life, at one with nature.

We set out to explore the Wailua River on Kauai’s east coast. We come upon a scenic outlook and decide to take a peek. It's Opaeka’a Falls. One of the great things about Hawaii is that these scenic lookouts appear all over the island and each one is an incredible surprise along the way.

We continue in search of the optimum Kayak/canoe adventure. Down the hill from Opaeka’a Falls we find a replica of the historic villages of ancient Hawaii. Hawaiians would set up along a river to provide fishing and water for their crops. The huts are designed exactly as the ancient civilizations would have built. Can you imagine living here in this paradise that provides for all of your needs? Here we decide to embark upon an outrigger canoe trip down the river to the Fern Grotto and Hidden Falls. The canoe carries Michael and I, another couple and a guide for our trip down river. After 10 minutes of paddling we arrive at the Fern Grotto. We hike on a path through the forest for another 10 minutes. Our guide informs us about the lush vegetation along the way which I will include in another Adventures installment on Plants.

The Fern Grotto is a sacred place in the Hawaiian culture. It is naturally hollowed out of the volcanic cliffs and named for the ferns that grow all along the cliff. In ancient times, people would come here to pray to the gods, it was used for ceremonies of all kinds. Today many couples hold their wedding ceremony in this spiritual place.

Back to the canoe…a short distance brings us to our next stop. Our guide exits the canoe and tells us to stay to the beaten down path, keep the river to our right on the way there and to our left on the way back. It is about a 40 minute hike through the woods to arrive at Hidden Falls. Once there we will have about an hour to spend for lunch or swimming in the pool at the base of the falls, then the hike back to the canoe. The journey takes us through 3 streams and past a beautiful small waterfall as we follow the rivers’ path. We have to watch our step as we traverse the jungle floor with its roots and mossy covered rocks. I feel a sense of peacefulness as we travel through this enchanting forest. We are surrounded by nature, pure and untainted by civilization. I drink in the scenery, the scents and sounds of the river oasis. The beauty of this place is indescribable. Trees covered in vines, flowers like I have never seen before (plants Adventure coming soon). I keep stopping to take photos along the way and have to run to catch up with the group.

40 minutes later we arrive at Hidden Falls. The falls are not flowing too hard since it is not the rainy season, but it is still an amazing site. We spend an hour lounging around the pool. I capture some great shots around the area. All too soon we head back to the canoe, ready for our next adventure.

The northern most point on the island takes us to my favorite town, Hanalei. Yes the same place that “Puff the magic dragon, lived by the sea…”. After coming here you can see why he chose this place. Ke’e Beach is the farthest point North you can travel by car on the island. This is where we chose to see and amazing Hawaiian sunset. The beach is crowded as we await the spectacle. There are kids playing in the sand... Yes , that is a baby goat, I have seen it all. As the sunset approaches a hush falls on the beach. We are in awe of the site before our eyes.

Oh—to live here and see this site every day. That is the beauty of photography, as we gaze at the photo on our wall we are transported to that place and time.

The next morning we decide to find a secluded beach we are told exists on the other side of the Napali coast. Barking Sands beach is off the beaten path. We exit the paved road and drive several miles down a dirt road to place where only one other car is parked. Barking Sands is named for the way the sand sounds as it crunches under your feet. This beach is at the south western point of the Napali Coast. You can see where the jagged cliffs begin to meet the ocean. later we are able to capture the same beach from the ocean side. I am glad we came and decide I will definitely return to spend more time here. A perfect spot for a romantic stroll along the beach...

Now to the highlight of our aqua adventures on Kauai….The perfect end to our time in Kauai and Hawaii….the cruise ship is going to pass the Napali coast on our last afternoon in the islands. Before arriving at the Napali, a slight rain starts to fall and the land is shrouded in clouds and a fine mist. Everyone is waiting with anticipation for the coming spectacle; will it be ruined by the rain? Ah, but God has other plans in store…with rain comes RAINBOWS!!! I think you will agree there are few sites as incredible as this. People come rushing onto the deck. Those without cameras are using their picture phones. Any means of capturing the beauty before our eyes. What an amazing trick that life-giving substance – WATER- in the form of rain has given us.

Next time you are caught in a rainstorm and you think it will never end, just remember

the RAINBOW!

FOR EVERYTHING IN LIFE THERE IS A PURPOSE

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