December 2008

I went there with a couple friends of mine. Sarina Stone: my co-author, not-girlfriend, and oft-times travel buddy, and David Hermele who I had befriended earlier this year at Tao Garden in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Flying. Winging my way from Phoenix, Arizona over the Pacific Ocean, my thoughts stretched out before me. I headed for my next travel adventure—not quite a vacation, more like a retreat. A getaway, if you will.

Quantum Manifestations, Inc., the corporate structure behind the Quantum Dating Club team, is going through some growing pains. Sarina, my business partner in this enterprise, and I endured all that island beauty that we might plot our course for the coming year and beyond. What better place to brainstorm our dream than a tropical setting in the Pacific?

That's right, Tortugaholics—two and a half weeks of sunshine, surf, and sexy wahinis as far as the eye can see. Meanwhile, we bathed in the glow of our mutual computers, banging out the business concept that will better take us to that coveted "next level."

To pass the time mid-flight, I finally took the time to read All Yoyo Julius's script. I've been promising to look at it for nine, ten months, so it's about time. Besides, what better time to read a screenplay entitled Fly than when I'm actually airborne. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't say much about it. But, I will let you know that I laughed out loud. I can't wait for him to finish.

During my time in Maui, Sarina and I worked on our next book in the Tequila series. The first one is out and those who are reading it are giving rave reviews. We had a lot of fun working out the storyline, chasing our characters up trees and throwing rocks at them once we get them there. You writer-types out there know what I'm talking about.

David and I worked out an itinerary for the Universal Healing Tao class we would give on male health & sexuality. The class went well, too, though not quite in the direction we had intended. Sarina even taught us a new meditation technique for growing and maintaining a connection between the head, heart, and sexual organs. This is very important if you want to cultivate a heart connection with your partner in and out of the bedroom.

Fun-fun, right?! And, it feels good, too. But, that's not all we did. Yes, we did a lot of work, but we also met the most interesting people and attended some great parties.

Our Austrian friend Gwenndalyne, whom we'd also gotten to know in Tao Garden was staying on Maui for a few more days. She was hanging out with her friend Saida (Sah-ee-dah)—another sexy Chi Kung scholar.

The first party took place just before my birthday, and I mean the night before. It was a 60th Birthday party for a gentleman named Tomas [Could have sworn he was gonna say it was his 😉 (I might be fired for that one, lol) -- BR], thrown by his wife and friends. There was belly-dancing, great food, and a DJ later. Dancing erupted all night, and the people were oh-so friendly. It has been a long time since I have had sooo much fun at a party. Eventually, it turned midnight—my birthday had arrived. Many people wished me a happy birthday with hugs and warm feelings. Fantastic!

The next day, Saida invited me over to have macadamia nut pancakes with her, Gwenn, and David. The view from her home is quite lovely, and we had our brunch out on the wide balcony. This was the best beginning to an already perfect day.

Sarina and I had lunch in Paia while David and the other girls went for a hike. We met up later, and he, Gwenn, and I headed for the Sunday drum jam at Little Beach. This was very reminiscent of the full-moon drum jams that go on at most renaissance festivals . . . with one exception. Little Beach is an unofficial clothing-optional beach. I say "unofficial" because the police tend to frown on public nudity (but, not too much, cuz they have the drum jam every Sunday). I say "clothing-optional" because there was neked people strollin' about. Including yours truly. That's right, I was in Maui, on my 45th birthday, naked as the day I was born. (Funny side note: I just typo-ed porn instead of born. My Freudian Slip is showing.)

Day turned into night. As the sun began to set, there was promise of fire spinners. I wanted to stay, but it was getting colder out, and the shorts and tank I put back on weren't enough to keep out the chill. I did manage to see whale spout before leaving the beach. Not the actual whales, just the spray shooting from their blowholes as they come up for air. Still, a moving gift from Momma Maui on my birthday.

Soon after that perfect day, Christmas arrived. Sarina and I donated our time at a church, feeding the homeless a wonderful Christmas-Day dinner. It felt good to give our time and our smiles. I hope to do it again next year if not sooner, wherever I might be in the world.

Christmas Night came, and with it, another party. This one was at a bigger house, with more people, more dancing, and a couple kickass bands. My fave was Fantuzzi and the Flexible Band. The music they played was a hybrid of reggae, classic rock, and world music all rolled into one. I recognized many of the songs, but they had a different flavor to them, and all provided great inspiration to shake what my momma gave me.

A whole lotta fun that Christmas night. Oh, yes.

Compared to my birthday and Christmas, New Year's was quite tame. That was okay considering all the fun we were having and great people we were meeting all the time. Early that evening, Sarina and I went to the Temple of Peace, a non-denominational church where we and David had led a service in the Universal Healing Tao's Inner Smile & Six Healing Sounds meditation. They were holding a burning bowl ceremony for New Year's Eve, and we wanted to take part in it. It was nice to write down everything from 2008 that I wanted to leave behind, and then burn it. Then I wrote down everything I wanted to take into 2009, placed it in an envelope addressed to me, and left it with the Temple of Peace. Reverent Kedar said he would send the letters out to us in six months, that we might see where we are at with our intentions for the year.

Not a bad way to begin 2009.

Good Tai Chi - Bad Hair

The rest of my time in Maui was a blur of activity. Snorkeling, Tai Chi and Primordial Chi Kung on the beachfront where we were staying, meeting new friends, going to the local swap meet, working out at the Powerhouse Gym I found—you know, all the good stuff.

We got a new neighbor at the Blue Lotus House the last week we were there. Jameela Joseph (she's Lebanese) is a certified sex therapist who incorporates Quantum Physics theory into her practice. We spent a bit of time discussing marketing (she's also a former corporate video producer) and our different theories on intimacy, sexual healing techniques, Quantum Physics, and creating your own relationship reality. Those of you who have read Sarina & my book, Why Real Women Drink Straight Tequila—the Tao of Intimacy, will know that these are all related topics for us. She was a great find that the Universe plunked down into our laps, and we are happy now to call her a friend.

I spent my final evening watching a Cirque du Soleil-style show called 'Ulalena. It celebrates Hawaiian history through dance, Hawaiian martial arts, and music. Much to most of my friends' chagrin, I'm not a big Cirque fan, but I loved this show. I was actually moved by it. Afterwards, I got a chance to speak with one of the musicians. He said that the cast & crew give their best every night, because they believe that not only are they performing for the live audience, but for their ancestors in attendance as well.

Though I cannot vouch for whether or not their ancestors actually show up, but I can for the supreme performance.

Well, Tortugaholics, it's time for me to bid Aloha to Mama Maui, as well as another year spent with all of you. I hope that many of your dreams came true this year, or that you got at least a few baby-steps closer to catching them. I hope to see you mucho this year as our paths crisscross through 2009.

Live—Laugh—Love!

Riki Robinson
AKA Raphael Tortuga