I notoriously overpack for every trip, and it took three people to load my stuff into the generously sized sedan. After a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, we journeyed to our oceanfront villa. The crescent moon smiled down on the ocean, and the lapping of the waves lulled us all to sleep with promises of ocean adventures. I was awakened before dawn by one of my friends, who claimed to feel a pull from her belly to go to the ocean right at that moment. Nobody questioned her. With a few giggles and surprising rapidity, we all mobilized. Wrapped in fluffy robes and with blankets in our arms, we pushed our feet into our slippers and trooped out to the beach. Silently, we faced the ocean and sky, waited, and watched. The sky lightened from gray to pink and then to pale blue. Suddenly, there they were, a mother and her calf rising and falling with the waves, so close to the beach it seemed we could quickly swim out to touch them. Frozen in time and space, we stood there like a sleepy band of blanket thieves, silent except for the flapping of a blanket, forgotten but still loosely clutched in someone’s arms.
Whale watching season in Maui runs from December through May, but the best months to see whales are January and February. My tribe of women visit Maui each year to see the ocean and the whales, reconnect to the feminine, and combine the power within each of us into a collective, formidable force of manifestation. The whales reminded us how the feminine power within us is mirrored by the immense power of the ocean. We stood on the shore holding hands, vowing the trip would be a way to connect to the sacred feminine and each other, to gather our regrets and throw them into the ocean, and to let the waters of Maui baptize us in this new year of our lives. We ruminated about the beautiful mama whale and her calf, who called us to the ocean on the very morning after our arrival just to remind us that our deep intuition calls us to witness splendor if we are open enough to listen. The trip had barely started, and we had already closed the circle of sisterhood in preparation for magic. It was the perfect way to open sacred space for the trip, and that set the tone for the days to come.
With the right mindset, every activity we do is a form of ceremony. This held true during a snorkeling expedition near the iconic Black Rock. Equipped with matching masks and goofy fins and wrapped in colorful wetsuit jackets, we eased into the crystal-clear waters on the far side of Black Rock. The coral reefs beneath us were a kaleidoscope of colors, and the variety of marine life was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Exotic fish darted around us, and we even caught a glimpse of a sea turtle gracefully gliding through the water. For the Hawaiian people, honu (turtle) symbolizes strength, longevity, and wisdom. I Honu’sonu’s presence as a sign that we had the support of the great mother ocean to be powerful women in a sea of diverse experiences.
Mornings took on a magical quality as we indulged in yoga on the beach and enjoyed the luxury of watching whales from our villa.
After yoga, we each grabbed a chair on the lanai facing both Lanai’i and Molokai. Clutching cups of hot tea, we waited for the whales to breach. Gentle clouds drifted across the sky, and the rhythmic sounds of the waves served as a soothing backdrop to the majestic display of nature’s wonders. It was a beautiful experience – one that made waking up early a joy.
No trip to Maui would be complete without indulging in the culinary delights it has to offer. A highlight of our time together was a sumptuous meal at Mama’s Fish House. The gorgeous oceanfront setting, Polynesian décor, and incredible menu created a dining experience that tantalized our taste buds and left us craving more. Each bite was a celebration of Maui’s culinary richness, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the island’s flavors.
On the last night of our trip, we gathered on the beach for a shamanic ceremony. The rhythmic beats of the drum merged with the crashing waves as we embraced the spiritual energy of the island. The ceremony, set against the backdrop of the setting sun, was a surreal and transformative experience, connecting us to the ancient soul of Maui. We reflected on the myriad experiences that had filled our days with joy, excitement, and a profound connection to the island. From the thrill of snorkeling near Black Rock to the serenity of quiet walks on the beach, every moment had been a treasure. Maui had woven its magic into the fabric of our memories, leaving us with a sense of gratitude for the beauty that surrounded us and the bonds of friendship that were strengthened on this idyllic island getaway.
