"They were strangers to each other, collected by common calamity, disfigured, mortally sick, banished without sin from home and friends. Few would understand the principle on which they were thus forfeited in all that makes life dear; many must have conceived their ostracism to be grounded in malevolent caprice; all came with sorrow at heart, many with despair and rage. In the chronicle of man there is perhaps no more melancholy landing than this.....". Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels in Hawai'i
This is Moloka'i, the island where heart-stopping beauty was the backdrop to heart-breaking tragedy.
Father Damien spent a good part of his life tending to the needs of those stricken with Hansen's disease and banished to this island, and there is a part of the island where his ghost still lingers....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Damien.
This is where we will begin our journey aboard the Safari Explorer, and will have a day or two to explore the riches of this island, which is considered a step back in time to life in the "old Hawai'i".
Guess I should have looked here first :) I would love to hear more and see more pictures too!
ReplyDeleteAloha Annie!
ReplyDeleteMinimal wifi service where we were traveling prevented me from posting (OK, having too good a time kind of got in the way, too), but I'm back now and planning a series of catch-up posts. One went up last night sotake a look...and more today. Thanks for tuning in, my friend!
Aloha Annie!
ReplyDeleteMinimal wifi service where we were traveling prevented me from posting (OK, having too good a time kind of got in the way, too), but I'm back now and planning a series of catch-up posts. One went up last night sotake a look...and more today. Thanks for tuning in, my friend!
Hi Cate, Leprosy or Hansen's disease--so awful. I didn't know about this Father Damien caring for lepers for 16 years before contracting leprosy himself. What a selfless life he lived. Beautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteThere was something very special about this island....a sadness did prevail even to this day, but also an awe and reverence for the land and their heritage.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!