One of the perks of HH's crazy schedule is that he has off days when the rest of the island is busily working. Tourist places are a little less crazy and hectic so we thought that we would take advantage of that today. HH researched and pondered over what we should do. Ultimately, we headed to the windward to explore the "Valley of the Temples."
Once you get beyond the fact that you are in a cemetery, a rather peaceful and beautiful one, you are fine. The natural beauty of the region takes over and your eyes are drawn to the mountains. This is a place you could stay for a long time just enjoying the views, smells, and sounds. As you round a bend incense hangs in the air and Buddhist grave markers line the mountain side. To your right Byodo-In Temple sits majestically under the imposing mountains. Blinking and trying to clear my eyes of what I think is a mirage, I say to HH, "did you just take me back to Japan without my knowledge?"
Honestly, they recreated a traditional Japanese temple so precisely that with the sound of the temple bell ringing, incense wafting through the air, bright vermilion red beckoning you closer to the temple doors, and huge hungry koi within the ponds, I pictured many happy memories of our years in Japan. Ahhh...Japan. We've found our little piece of Japanese heaven on Oahu.
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