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Photo Essay: The Unexpected Beauty Of ‘Your Hawaiian Retreat’

01/11/10  Print This Post Print This Post    8 Comments   Popular   Written by Ian MacKenzie
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Ian MacKenzie (with the help of fellow photographer Christian Bonanno), share scenes from the Puna District, on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting a friend and Taoist teacher. At the end of my visit, I had scheduled an extra few days to explore the surrounding area. I had already booked a couch via Couchsurfing, and so was surprised when my host dropped out.

Unperturbed, I asked the Universe to find me a new couch… which basically meant I forgot to do anything about it until I received a message from another couchsurfing member who offered a spot on a local Hawaiian retreat property.

The property is owned by organic ginger farmer Hugh Johnson and his wife Elvira. They were kind enough to allow me to stay with them (in the aptly named Redneck Trailer).

The experience was a treat, all the more pleasurable because it relied on the good ol’ fashioned kindness of strangers. In the midst of all the spiritual guides and gurus, it’s a reminder that spirituality is as simple as welcoming in an other.

1. The road along the beach is periodically enveloped in foliage.

2. Hugh Johnson, owner of Biker Dude Organic Ginger, pauses to smile and survey the ginger fields. Photo: Christian Bonanno

3. A worker unearths the ginger. Photo: Christian Bonanno

4. Examining the roots. Photo: Christian Bonanno

5. A worker carries the ginger to the loading truck. Photo: Christian Bonanno

6. Hugh secures the truck for delivery to the local markets. Photo: Christian Bonanno

7.The nearby beach offers moments of music and joy for the locals and tourists. Photo: Christian Bonanno

8.A lone fiddlehead spins in the sunshine. Photo: Christian Bonanno

9.A lizard basks in the warmth on the screen. Photo: Christian Bonanno

10. Back on the retreat property, the Ohana House offers a peaceful space.

11.Oranges cling plump from the trees, ready to be eaten.

12. A goat eyes intently from the pen. Fresh goat’s milk is always within an arm’s reach. Photo: Christian Bonanno

13. An outdoor bath is a change from the everyday. Photo: Christian Bonanno

14. A buddha sits outside the entrance to Ohana House. Photo: Christian Bonanno

15.A tireswing hangs lazily in the fading sunlight.

16.A view of the coast ends the afternoon. Photo: Christian Bonanno

17. Sunset over the property and the seas beyond. Photo: Christian Bonanno

Want to learn more? Visit Your Hawaiian Retreat – and join the Facebook Group.

Tagged under: hawaii, retreat, yoga

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About the Author

Matador ID: ianmack

Ian MacKenzie is the founder and editor of Brave New Traveler. He is currently editing the One Week Job documentary. Aside from writing, he spends his time exploring the fundamental nature of existence and wishing he did more backpacking.

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