Feelin' free...in Kaua'i

Kaua'i, Kaua'i, Kaua'i - oh how I do love this Hawaiian island. Known as the garden isle, Kaua'i was formed by volcanoes and is the oldest of the main islands. It really is the garden of Eden with it's lush, green plants, flamboyant flowers and vast array of delicious tropical fruits growing in abundance. The warm sea and golden sands aren't too shoddy either. And if that's still not enough to tickle you, there's the epic Waimea Canyon right in the middle and several national parks that are all just stunning.  Driving around the island, there is an ongoing stream of natural beauty that draws your attention.

Waimea Canyon

To top that off, the weather is wonderfully sunny and warm with a refreshing amount of rain to keep the plants nice and healthy. Fascinatingly the weather changes hugely around different parts of the island, many of which have their own micro climate.  There is even one place that holds the record for the wettest spot on earth and the most rain in one hour - I actually avoided this place as it I felt I'd already had my fair share of rain in England.

Anyway as you can imagine adjusting to island life was tough. Somehow I managed!

In my first week everything was super surreal and of course very exciting. Not only was I back to tropical paradise and free time, I was also reunited with Scott, who I'd not seen for 2.5 years since the last visit to Kaua'i where I'd left an unfolding romance, that, for the most part, I'd let go of any attachment to, given he lives in LA and I live in London. The distance felt like too much of a barrier, teamed with the fact we'd only ever seen each other in India and Hawaii in our free spirit, holiday mode, which meant our time together always just felt like the best ever dream.

This was technically only our third meeting in four and a half years, though we both found that every time we met, it felt like no time has passed and we could pick up right where we left off. Better still, in the time we'd spent apart, we were both just doing our own things, growing stronger as individuals, not needing to cling to the other person, just wishing them the best from afar. The best kind of relationship.

The palm trees of Kaua'i

Scott could stay on the island with me for two months before having to return to work. I would then have the last month of the trip alone, which I looked forward to. It felt crazy, but also weirdly normal, to suddenly be spending all of our time together and it was just great to have this positive, adventurous, caring, funny (handsome yay) presence back in my life. So I felt very lucky for the double blessing of wonderful island and wonderful company. What more could you want?

I honestly was already on cloud nine and thought it couldn't get any better, but Scott kept assuring me the best part was yet to come.  The adventures were yet to begin and I was about to experience a whole new way of living.....

When does the adventure end? Or should I say when does the next begin?

After a good three years of living in London, it was time for my grand escape and for those of you who know me you'll know it's not the first. I was through with the hectic pace of life, the pollution, congestion and grime of the city and of course the cold, wet, English weather!

Balfron Tower - My Brutalist home as a property guardian for two years

'Another gap year Renee? How many gap years are you going to have?!' - a common question.

The answer is that I'm not yet sure; but I've decided life will be my adventures and that whilst I'm fit, healthy and have the opportunity to travel I want to explore. I've talked to many people about my travels and always the response from those older than me is that it's the right time, before commitments kick in and health declines. I often hear people saying their biggest regrets are not exploring the world and spending too much time working.  Surely it makes the most sense to be active and use my body now to keep it well? There will be plenty of time to sit down later in my life I am sure.

Letting go of what others think of my lifestyle choice has been liberating .  The life of adventure and creativity suits me, I feel healthier and happier than ever and my world is full of richness and wealth beyond money.  However of course, that is not to say it would suit everyone.

Bath time in Balfron (we didn't have a shower, one of the down sides of cheap living!
However we could draw on the walls which made up for it in my opinion)

The right decision?

Four and a half years ago I set off on a voyage to India with a one way flight and ended up being away for more than a year as I just loved it, the cliches of 'finding yourself' were annoyingly but also thankfully true. Post India, I wanted to experience what it would be like to live and work the London life, which I found on my travels to be so sought after by people from many countries.  I felt this was an opportunity too good to miss, having this world class city on my door step.

My challenge was to master the art of living cheaply and well by being resourceful, networking and finding new ways to live. It was a wonderful experience, with it's ups and downs, and I found many people to connect with in this supposedly lonely city.  It was a pleasant surprise to learn that a sense of community could still exist in such a large city.  For me, I found this in the community choir scene and via the London Buddhist Centre where I would go to meditate.  I am grateful for this time and the wonderful, friendly, open and generous people I met.Yet after three years of living in London, I had itchy feet and knew it was time for a new adventure.

The Prayer Flags at the London Buddhist Centre

I had strong doubts, mulling over what I would be giving up; my house, living with my wonderful best friend, leaving behind the community choir I ran, saying goodbye to a whole bunch of great people and I would be giving up the job opportunities available in such a diverse city.   Should I be earning money to save up and get a house and stability?  Yet to me that just didn't feel right and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was still more out there and that there are many types of life you can live. So I impulsively booked a flight, though looking back, it was not so impulsive as it's been at the back of my mind since that epic India trip when I felt so very alive.

Preparing for a concert with the Castle Choir

But where to go?

I was very confused as to where to go, the world is indeed your oyster and the cheap flights site Skyscanner even has an option to look at cheap flights 'anywhere' if you're feeling brave (good for you if  you have the guts to try that one!).  Talking to a good friend who was already travelling, encouraged by her enthusiasm, I was definitely tempted by this option, however three years of city living meant that prospect was a bit too daunting for me.  After some brainstorming, I quickly ended up booking a flight to the island of Kauai for three months - the longest I could stay without a visa and by some serendipity this was also the cheapest flight there.

I'd spent three weeks on this gorgeous island of Kaua'i, one of the Hawaiian islands, two years ago for a holiday to visit Scott -a friend/romantic interest from LA who I'd met in India during my travels and spent about six weeks with.  During my last trip to Kaua'i I completely fell in love with this island (and nearly Scott) and so it just made sense to go back.  I liked the idea that I already knew it was a great place to go and that the nature and weather would truely be paradise.  In addition the fact they speak English makes it all super easy. The more I thought about it, the more it really did make sense and the more excited I became.

First time in Kaua'i in 2013

'What are you going to do there for three months?' Another common question, and one I didn't fully have an answer to, but it is hard to actually tell people that!

But I honestly wasn't concerned about this as I knew how easy it would be to pass the time there, even just having sun, beach, tropical fruit and time to slow down was enough. However India taught me how easy it is to pass the time just exploring, meeting people, pursuing my creative side through my singing and guitar playing, having time to read, write, learn; so I knew I was in for a treat . 

The thoughts 'this is just too good to be true' and 'how is this really happening?' have often run through my mind in the past few months. Yet this is all the result of my own decisions and actions. I made it happen and we all have a vast array of opportunities open to us so let's make the most of them.

And so on the 17th of August I said Aloha to Kaua'i, new adventures, and stepped into the unknown.