The whole retreat experience was fun, exhausting, hot, sweaty, humid and amazing. I learned a lot, but am not sure how much I will retain! We had 5 sessions to attend every day and not much time to jam or process. My "band" did OK on Friday night, but we wanted to go back to Uncle Roberts, so Brit, Natalie, Joe and I all ditched the "sing along" and "open mic" performances.
Uncle Roberts was dead! We got there around 9:15 and the band was playing, but there were maybe 10 people in the audience. The bar was open, we ordered, sat down and listened to the music. They were fantastic. They played until 10 or so and us girls went up to tell them how much we enjoyed the music. They were happy for the compliments. I asked if they had a CD and was told they "were working on one." I asked what the band's name was so I could look it up and was told "you will only be able to get it here." Shoot!
Earlier in the day we had a field trip to the home and workshop of Chuck Moore, an incredible ukulele luthier, and his wife, Bonnie, who makes beautiful jewelry. They live on some gorgeous property outside Pahoa with their 2 dogs. We got a crash course in how Chuck makes his ukes (some had been on display at the visitor's center in Hilo), from how he chooses the wood to how he makes the inlay designs out of abalone shell and other materials, cut with his handheld jeweler's saw. For amazing pictures, check out his web site at http://www.moorebettahukes.com/
Their home is fabulous -- the kitchen has Koa wood cabinets that Chuck custom made and is completely open to the back garden, with a huge mango tree growing through the middle of the room. They have a "tree house" built over the kitchen in the mango tree and, up there, you can see the ocean. The second bathroom is also open -- the tub looks out into the garden and the toilet has a ukulele hung on the wall so you can practice while sitting there.
Bonnie's workshop is back to back with Chuck's and her jewelry is silver set with semi precious stones. They are wonderful people, so welcoming and accommodating. We drank passion fruit juice that Bonnie had fresh squeezed from their tree and, even though it was the last of the season's crop, she said she was glad to share with us. Most of the group was anxious to get back for the next session, but Brit, Natalie and I wanted to stay forever. I asked if I could move in and they said, "Sure!" Hmmmm...
I'll say more about the last day in Hilo in the next post.
(Photos courtesy of Brit O.)
Sounds like paradise!
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