Blog of Aug. 28, 2008

I moved today from the Outrigger Reef on the Beach to the Ala Moana Hotel here in Honolulu. The Maui Writers' Conference starts here today, about 2 miles away from the host hotels for the retreat. 

On the 19^th floor, with a balcony, facing west, my room, overlooking the water, affords a perfect view of sunsets.  How lucky to acquire such accomodations for the next four nights. 

Honolulu is a bustling city surrounded by ocean on one side and majestic mountains on the other. Lush vegetation is abundant.  Traffic scurries on the streets next to the hotel.  The blue waters of the south pacific lie invitingly just off the marina.  Palm trees stand guard and the lovely Hawaiian breeze blows in from the balcony as I sit at the computer and try to be creative after 7 days of an intensive writers' retreat.

Hawaii truly is a magical place.  The spirit of aloha permeates everything.  The gentle nature of the people mirrors the temperature, which is a welcome respite from the hotter summer days in Florida. 

Though it is my third visit to Hawaii I feel blessed to have this opportunity to spend time on such a pleasant tropical archipelago.

Marlene Buckler, MD, FACEP   www.StayOutOfMyER.com