Prisoner of Shangri-la

Hawaiian Jungle, originally uploaded by grimlockq.

Out of Shangri-la and into the land of Aloha. I’ve been in Hawaii nearly 5 weeks, generally sight-seeing, going to the beach, relaxing, and eating eating eating. Relaxing yes, but not without its own challenges and personal changes. I’m planning now to go back to Beijing on Sunday, so for all my friends still in China, hopefully I’ll be seeing you soon - likely a litte plumper than when you last saw me. Check out my other pictures on Flickr and Facebook!

Highlights:

1. Seeing family and May

2. Beaches

3. Maui trip

4. Warm weather

What was most striking perhaps was the local indigenous spirituality present in Hawaii. There is power in the land, or rather the Gods who protect the land and the people. The story of Hawaii’s colonization and annex is as sad as any. Today Hawaiians are marginalized on their own lands, few pure blood Hawaiians survive today. Below are photos of the City of Refuge, where the Hawaiian kings and royalty used to live.