One of the great perks of this ‘job’ or whatever it is I’m doing, is having Tourism Boards ask you to come and visit.

Yesterday I was at one of my favourite art-filled and friendly hotels, The Listel, and as I chewed on chocolate-dipped strawberries, the Maui Tourism people presented some of the wonders of Maui to myself and three other travel writers.

I didn’t really have the heart to tell them that they didn’t have to promote it much.

It sort of sells itself. 

I remember one of our first family trips to Oahu. I was 13 years old. We landed late at night in Honolulu and our whole family was stunned by the warm breeze that smelled of orchids and beach and the tang of surf. 

It was my first travel ephiphany. I suddenly realized that parallel worlds were carrying on all around the round earth represented by my blue Replogle Stereo Relief Globe that stood on my dresser.

Who knew that the world didn’t end in Mission City, British Columbia?

A total revelation…