The year had been a tough one, so Joey and I decided to start 2021 in Hawaii. We craved a good adventure, something worth remembering once we returned home. Hence, our New Year's Eve plan was unconventional; we decided to shoot pigs and trap them! The plan wasn't particularly well-thought out since neither of us had any experience with this, but we figured it would be a hilarious way to start the New Year.

Dressed as Moana characters, we joined a local tour in the spirit of the holiday. We laughed our way through the dances and songs, embracing the tourist cliche to the fullest. Looking back, we probably got more excited than the kids on the tour.

Our New Year's pig hunt was successful, and we enjoyed the most delicious roast pig to ring in 2021. The celebration was even more noteworthy because, to our surprise, we saw Eugene at the feast along with his fiance.

Our transport for the trip was an old Nissan with the back smashed in—a character we had jump-started with a shampoo bottle. It wasn't glamorous, but it added to the thrill and unpredictable nature of the trip.

One night while leaving the house, we found horses grazing serenely in our headlights. It was surreal, like a scene straight out of a fairytale. We took it as a sign of good luck and hoped for more pleasant surprises.

We spent a day at Volcano National Park, exploring the lava tubes and hiking the trails. The Mandalorian soundtrack served as the perfect backdrop, making us feel like we were on another planet.

Our sleeping arrangements were as quirky as the trip itself. We slept outside, I found comfort on a couch draped with a mosquito net, while Joey preferred the open sky.

In the heart of the house was a toilet; surprisingly, it was in the kitchen. Although strange, it added more color and humor to our tales, especially when cooking and nature calls coincided.

Our stay wasn't all leisure though. We were asked to move some giant rocks around the property. We did, and somehow found satisfaction in the honest, hard work.

A guy at a smoothie place asked what we were doing in Hawaii. When we mentioned moving rocks, he laughed and said that he was part of the same club. This unexpected camaraderie made the trip even more special.

At a local vegetarian cafe, we met the fattest rabbit we'd ever seen. It was a charming creature, and its soft fur and friendly demeanor instantly captured our hearts.

The food on this trip was a whirlwind of flavours. We ate a lot of manapua — Hawaiian Chinese buns filled with char siu-style roast pork— something we would miss dearly once back home.

We decided to venture to Green Sands Beach. We ran, laughing and panting, until we both tripped over the same rock, falling flat. Though our egos were bruised, and we were covered in sand, we couldn't help but laugh at our combined clumsiness.

One day, we decided to clean the old water silo. It seemed like a daunting task, but we climbed in, dedicated to restoring its former glory. The satisfaction we got from seeing the clean silo was worth every painstaking moment.

We spent one morning prepping the biggest breakfast burritos, a hearty feast after our manual labour. The delicious meal fueled our bodies and spirits, setting the tone for the rest of the day.

We visited a vanilla factory, where we learnt about the complex process of cultivating vanilla. The sweet scent lingered with us for days, a lovely constant reminder of the visit.

One day, for no apparent reason, we chainsawed a tree into an odd shape. It brought out our inner artists and created another unforgettable memory of the trip.

We documented our antics and adventures in a YouTube video. Watching it now, it serves as a perfect memento of all the laughter, silliness, and enjoyment of that trip.

We met a parrot named Harry, who quickly became our winged companion. With his vibrant plumage and curious behavior, Harry added a unique touch to our Hawaiian excursion.

We tried sound bath therapy at a local wellness center, where we laid on the floor of the sunroom, bathed in soothing sounds that brought tranquility to our minds. It was a rejuvenating experience.

We also visited a community at a local church who were engaged in pottery. We joined them in making clay bowls and vases. These handcrafted pieces became our souvenirs, a tangible reminder of our time in Hawaii.

All in all, our trip to Hawaii was unforgettable. It was filled with laughter, adventure, and plenty of unexpected moments. The memories created during that trip have become stories that we recount with fondness and joy. It was our perfect start to 2021.