Hawaii : Valley Of The Temples
I took my husband to see the Valley of the Temples. As we drive up from the main road it is lined with royal palms towering some 60 feet above us. The backdrop of the view is veiled by the dramatic crevices and folds of the volcanic mountain covered with a lush growth among the permeating mist of the valley.
This is a cemetery with a conglamoration of burial sites recognizing the different local ethnic backgrounds set in a valley at the foot of the mountains in Kaneohe. Each turn of the drive takes us past the different cemetery sites. The tombstones of highly polished ebony stone with gold caligraphy in the Japanese site jet out of the lush green lawn on the steep hillside. Continuing on we pass a section devoted to family members of Judism belief. As we approach the footbridge one is given a botanical treat while crossing over the tree fern and blooming ginger layden levine to the temple.
Instantly the atmosphere is transformed from the activities of the busy island to one where time seems to stand still. The temple seems to raise it's presence above the placid water of the surrounding pond, it's scarlet painted beams burning through the heavy mist boldly announcing it's power with a vastness of serenity. All chaos seems to hush as we enter the temple grounds.
