From Blissful Beauty to Heartbreaking Reality

Hey there, fellow adventurers! 🌍✈️ It's me, Simone, and boy, do I have some tales to share from my whirlwind voyage around the world! Strap in for a rollercoaster of emotions, picturesque views, and unexpected twists.

The journey kicked off with a bang in the dazzling city of angels, Los Angeles. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the sun-soaked beaches, LA had me feeling like a star in my own movie. But let me tell you, the real star of the show was none other than my cousin Peter Maduro! 🌟

Meeting up with him was like a reunion of epic

proportions. And guess what? He's head over heels in love with his girlfriend and his daughter, Isabela. The sparkle in his eyes when he's with Isabela – it's like witnessing a real-life fairy-tal

Next stop: paradise, a.k.a. Hawaii! 🌺🌴 Cruising through the

cerulean waves, I hit the islands of Oahu and Maui. And let me tell you, paradise comes with a price tag – a hefty one at that! I mean, seriously, I had a soup that, with tax, cost me a jaw-dropping $35! 💸 But hey, the lush beauty of the islands and the warmth of the people made it all worth it.

Maui, oh my goodness, what a beauty! From breathtaking vistas to the warmest people, it was like living inside a postcard. But the highlight? An excursion with the one and only

Kuma, a legit Hawaiian legend. This guy oozed culture and wisdom. As we soaked in the natural wonders of Maui, I sneaked away a couple of times to meditate. 🧘‍♀️ It was tranquil until it wasn't – suddenly, tears streamed down my face. Weird, right? I chalked it up to Maui being the planet's heart chakra, playing its emotional tricks.

Then came the cruel twist: the day we bid farewell to Maui, disaster struck. Hurricane winds and dry conditions birthed vicious fires that devoured the island. News flash: you've seen it, right? A catastrophe that swallowed lives, leaving hearts shattered. My heart ached; I had just been there.

As the cruise sailed on, Hilo and Kona were skipped for safety. Kauai welcomed us instead, and oh boy, what a gem! They call it the garden state, and it's easy to see why. 🌿🌱 Here, I met my cousin Lou, a kindred spirit if there ever was one. We spent the day soaking up the charm of Kauai, and I couldn't have asked for a better companion.

Fast forward, and I'm back in Oahu, Honolulu – my last pit stop before I set sail for Sydney, Australia. The journey has been an emotional rollercoaster, from the serenity of meditation to the heartbreak of disaster. But if there's one thing I'm taking away from this adventure, it's the resilience of these places and the indomitable spirit of their people.

I am still learning how to use this blog and wanted to share some images. You can scroll below to see them. They are all from Hawaii, my cousin Lou and the ton of gifts he gave me. I felt so loved by him and his wife who I did not get to meet.

The 2 men with me in the image of Maui are a lovely gay couple who became wonderful friends. Lucky me.