It was the book that was the beginning of my reading mania. I was probably 8 or 9 when I read it, and it started a lifelong love of fiction. I recalled the book today, because the Voyaging Canoes arrived in Hilo Harbor this morning. This voyage recalls the original Polynesian immigrants to Hawaii: they use only the sun, stars, wave and wildlife patterns to guide them across the sea.
They happened to be cruising Hilo Bay as I drove home from Bible study today.
The double hulled canoes are beautiful, graceful, and though much larger than a regular dugout, still small. I am awed at…yes, the courage…of those original voyagers who set out without GPS, sextant or Google maps to guide them. And gazing at them, I got the crawly sensation in the pit of my stomach that I always got when listening to David Bowie’s Space Oddity.
I always worried so about Major Tom….out there all alone……
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