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A little piece of paradise

I chose to deliver a resume in person on Monday to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens at Onomea Bay just north of Hilo Town. It's located along a scenic four-mile drive that takes drivers along a narrow winding road makai (toward the ocean) from the highway. The road is covered with a canopy of foliage along many stretches.


There's a short trail that leads from the cliffs above down to the shoreline of the bay. I have always wanted to take that little trek. So after dropping off my application, I did just that. It's short and not too steep with beautiful views of the crashing Pacific along the way.

Hawaii Botanical Gardens is beautiful. It's meandering trails skirt Onomea Bay. Along the way, you'll pass through the most beautiful flora and fauna found anywhere. It's separated into designated areas, like orchids and bromeliads. Before the current owners found the land, it had been used as an illegal dump. The transformation is spectacular. It's a place I think I could enjoy going to work every day. So, again, I thought I'd throw my name in the hat.
I also took the opportunity to stop for a smoothie at the smoothie place on the scenic route. I'm not really sure what the place is called. The sign just says, "Smoothies." It's a cute little hale (pronounced hollay) that serves yummy smoothies, fresh local fruit and most days, sandwiches and other light fare.

Check out this cane spider that posed for me, belly up, in the middle of a web spanning a Bird of Paradise plant. I should have stuck my thumb up so you could get an idea of his size. Or her size. Anyway, this is one big buggah. I'd say the body is about the size of a nickel with the legs taking it out to the circumference of a half dollar. The markings aren't as clear here as they could be; black, white and bright yellow. These spiders are so cool and they really are pretty much harmless, although I've heard it's no fun when one drops into your shirt uninvited as you brush by.

A hui hou! Aloha!

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