A sequel to ‘At the Turning’

Published: 27 Sep 2018

The flight out of Cairns was direct to Honolulu and once seated with take off in progress, Ralph’s face became ghostly white. He bit his bottom lip while clinging to the armrests with ever increasing pressure, closing his eyes he held his breath. As for Wayne, his disposition was as tense but well disguised. With lift-off and the thump as the undercarriage bedding into the belly of the craft Ralph gave a groan as his mouth gaped wide. The worst was over.

Bing – sounded across the speaker system, followed by the calming voice of the captain, advising the crafts altitude, its speed and the time for transit.

“What did you think of that?” Wayne asked at last allowing his facial muscles to unlock and create a forced smile.

“Marvellous once you know you are going to survive.” At last Ralph was breathing normally while even becoming brave enough to peek through the window at the expanse of sea below with its white caps, now almost invisible at the crafts height, making comment how small the container ships appeared as they lined their way through the inner barrier of reef, on way to Asian ports, stealing the wealth of Australian soil at bargain prices, Then the white caps were gone as the aeroplane became enveloped in soft woolly clouds.

“Have a look at that!” Ralph prodded Wayne as the craft climbed above the clouds, “it is as if you could walk across them,” he added in awe.

“Do you want to try?”

“Not likely but it is a wonderful sight.”

“Do you want a drink?” Wayne asked as the drinks trolley commenced its way along the narrow isle.

“What do you do if you need the toilet?” Ralph hadn’t thought of that earlier and now he had a look of panic.

“Do you need to go?”

“Not at the moment but I can’t hold it for eight hours and if I start drinking who knows,” Ralph looked about the cabin.

“Don’t panic there are toilets both ends of the cabin.”

“Oh,”

“Beverage sir?” The chirpy hostess softly offered as she reached the boy’s seat. Wayne turned to Ralph, “well.”

“Sure I’ll have a beer – why not.”

Settled with his beer Ralph had a thought which brought about a wide and mischievous smile, “these toilets,” he said.

“What about them?”

“Well if you need to, you know dump a load, does it fall out of the plane to the ground?”

“I’ve never thought of it, I remember the old railway carriages were open to the tracks and there was signage not to use the toilet while at a station.”

“It could be a little messy while flying over a town,” Ralph suggested.

“I wouldn’t think so; I’ll ask the hostess if you like,” Wayne answered.

“No don’t you dare.”

“Anyway I would think there is a tank under the plane, otherwise at this altitude you would be sucked out arse first into space,” Wayne concluded.

Half an hour passed and once again the trolley commenced its progress along the narrow passageway. Ralph remained viewing the formations of clouds, his face almost attached to the window, as a meal was offered. Wayne gave him a nudge, “dinner time.”

“A meal sir?” The hostess offered.

“That would be nice.” Wayne answered while attempting to discover what was contained in the packaging on the trolley.

“Fish or chicken,” was offered.

“Which is best?” Ralph asked.

“I guess the chicken is chicken and the fish is fish,” Wayne suggested and ordered the fish.

“I’ll have fish as well.” Ralph agreed as two small containers of food were placed on their seat trays.

“Coffee or tea will be along shortly,” The hostess explained and continued along the rows of seating. Ralph scrutinised the tray, “it doesn’t much look like fish!” he commented loudly, bringing on a grin from a woman in the aisle seat from him.

“Shh just eat it, I’m sure it will taste good.”

“What are these?” Ralph picked up a small package and displayed it to Wayne.

“Looks like cheese and crackers,”

“And these?” Ralph held up three satchels.

“Pepper, salt and sugar, it’s written on them.”

“Oh so it is, silly me.”

Wayne was battling to open the wrapping around his plastic cutlery, “got an axe?” he struggled on, “hang on got it, I’m pleased we don’t have to cut anything with these things,” he referred to the small light weight knife.

Ralph had already managed his and had started on the fish, “doesn’t look like fish but tastes good.” He complemented.

Honolulu was damp and steamy, not unlike Cairns and Ralph gave comparison as the limousine made its way from the airport to Waikiki.

“Where to?” the Filipino driver enquired in a broad American accent as the vehicle precariously crossed three lanes of traffic, causing a multitude of horn soundings, before turning from the Lunalilo Freeway into Kalakaua Avenue.

“That was scary,” Ralph gasped.

“You have to be quick around here, or you will end up down at Diamond Head,” The driver said.

“I wasn’t sure which way the traffic was going, we drive on the left back home, I’m not used to being driven on the wrong side of the road.” Ralph explained.

“No we drive on the right side, if you get my drift.” The driver answered.

“Oh I get what you mean.” Ralph realised the play on words and had no retaught to offer, “I can’t argue with you on that point.”

“Again where to?”

“We are staying at the Malahani,” Wayne directed his eyes everywhere as they travelled the busy streets and equally confused as Ralph appeared to be.

“Yes I know the place it’s almost on Waikiki beach, not far from Fort deRussy,” the driver admitted.

“How big is this city?” Ralph enquired.

“A good question, Honolulu has about three hundred and seventy thousand and Hawaii’s population across all islands is around one and a half million.”

“Makes Townsville look small.” Ralph confessed.

“Cairns as well.” Wayne agreed.

“Where are you guy’s from? England?” The driver asked as he manoeuvred his way through heavy traffic at hair-rising speed and surprising accuracy.

“No Australia.” Wayne protested at being considered English.

“Aussie – I had an uncle in Aussie during the Vietnam war, on R and R in some place called Sydney.” The driver divulged excitedly, “Is this Townsville place of yours near Sydney?”

“No mate both Cairns and Townsville are in Queensland and at least two and a half thousand kilometres north of Sydney and it’s as hot as Hawaii.” Wayne explained.

“Mate huh.” The driver commented on Wayne’s use of the word and laughed while bringing his vehicle to a stop outside the Malahani. “Here we are so you enjoy your visit now.”

The Malahani was small; if it were described as anything, it would not be a tourist hotel, more a motel with its double row of rooms each with their own cooking facility and on borrowed time, as on both sides and all about the towers of the modern hotels dwarfed the somewhat archaic establishment.

Wayne had chosen the Malahani primarily because it was away from the main tourist drag but close to Waikiki beach, yet still close enough to the night life and shopping, while being small and simple. Also it was half way between Waikiki and Honolulu so walking would be easy, while his prominent reason being in consideration for Ralph’s dislike of crowds. All this had been shared with the helpful lady at the Cairns Travel Bureau and after some difficulty and internet surfing, she declared that the Malahani would suite his needs to perfection.

It took two days for Ralph to become used to not being at home but it did surprise Wayne how his friend appeared to accept the crowds without a hint of nervousness, becoming interested in the multitude of foreigners from many countries. No longer was he the shy shrinking character that Wayne had encountered on his first visit to the farm. Also to Wayne’s relief Ralph was not inclined to go naked, yet he did cut a fine figure in his new swimming gear, even if he didn’t enter the water, declaring he could swim anytime back home. Ralph found Diamond Head more inviting than the sunbathed, blue mid Pacific waters, while finding interest in snorkelling with the fish at a spot called Hanauma Bay.

“Do you know how Diamond Head was named?” Ralph asked as they strolled in that direction.

“Go on tell me.”

“Some British sailors climbed there and found lots of shiny stones and believed they found diamonds and after filling their pockets returned to their ship only to discover what they had found were worthless calcite crystals.”

“You don’t say; how did you know that?”

“I read it in one of those brochures left at the hotel but don’t ask me what calcite is.”

“Then I won’t.”

By the third day they had walked all the way from Waikiki to Diamond Head and back, even climbing to its top to view the city below. Both found their new surrounding most impressive but their holiday was dissipating at an alarming rate. With less than a week left Wayne suggest they could remain longer if Ralph was inclined and he could reschedule their flights but Ralph was adamant, they had told Stephen they would be home on the sixteenth and home they would be, besides he still had reservations towards his cousin’s ability to water.

During their walk to Diamond Head Ralph made an observation asking Wayne to determine what was missing from the beach.

“It has sand so it can’t be that.” Wayne answered glibly being unable to notice what was amiss.

“Yes I know that and they get the sand from back home.”

“Go on,”

“This was once mangrove, they added the sand and it keeps washing out to sea, so it is continuously replaced at night.” Ralph offered, ever being the supplier of trivia.

“I guess you got that from the same brochure with the information on Diamond Head.”

“No a different one.”

“I still don’t see what’s missing.” Wayne admitted.

“Sea gulls, there aren’t any gulls in Hawaii, look doves instead.”

“Well what do you know, you’re right,” Wayne admitted noticing a number of doves pecking around the beach front, “doves with singed tails,” noting many were missing tail feathers.

“That’s because of the oil lamps at the resorts.” Ralph offered.

“How do you know, another brochure?”

“I asked someone.”

The Malahani’s room was quite small with the sleeping arrangement more considered to be a louvered lean-to than an actual bedroom, with two single beds in a line head to foot under the louvers, so with the shutters wide during the night would let in whatever cooling air there was to be found.

Wayne apologised for not booking upmarket accommodation but Ralph declared it was a palace compared with some of the places he had lived in.

As for Wayne, it suited him well, as he had never accustomed himself to life high on the hog and as long as there was a hot shower after a long day and a soft pillow at night he was happy. If he had taken such a trip with Louise it would have been upmarket hotels and expensive restraints and not as he and Ralph often did, purchasing their takeaway meal from the street vendors, while seated in some park to consume it.

During the day the two visited every tourist trap they could find, from the sunken Arizona battleship to the Royal Palace and across the Island on the bus called, The Bus, with its single priced fare. Wayne had offered to hire a car but Ralph wanted to go, as he described, native.

On their way from the Royal Palace to the bus stop Ralph was ready with some more useless trivia. “Cooktown,” he singularly uttered.

“Yea, what’s Cooktown gotta’ do with anything?”

“Lieutenant Cook.”

“You mean Captain Cook?”

“No he wasn’t a Captain but a Lieutenant in the Surveying Corps.”

“More useless trivia.”

“Sorry.”

“No go on you’ve started you may as well continue, what has he to do with Hawaii?”

“The natives on the big island killed and ate him, all the crew got back was a buttock – they buried that at sea.”

“And from which hotel brochure did you get that tasty piece of information?”

“Not this time but some book I read back home.”

“You amaze me kiddo.”

Their nights were filled with long walks, with the occasional cocktail at some street bar. Neither had seen such tall buildings and city lights before and to them it was a fairyland of mystery as the neon’s flashed and changed colour, or shape or size or picture, nothing like this in Cairns, was Wayne’s favourite admission, making the night life along the Cairns esplanade seem a little bleak or at best ordinary.

The night streets were crowded with tourists for all nationalities which Ralph now accepted with good humour as they pushed their way along the footpath, dodging the gold sellers who sold dubious quality gold chain by the yard. Wayne was drawn to purchase a thin neck chain with a motif that the seller promised was Hawaiian for Ralph. He placed it around Ralph’s neck, declaring he was now a Hawaiian prince and a native at that. Ralph laughed before removing the chain placing it in his pocket for safe keeping.

“Wear it.” Wayne demanded.

“I may lose it.”

“Then I’d get another.”

“No it wouldn’t be the same.”

Halfway along the main drag they discovered a bar opened to the footpath and decided to call in for a quick drink. Bloody Mary’s the sign said so humorously they ordered one and found seating in an open court yard.

As they sat on their stools with the passing traffic behind them Ralph noticed something strange about the bar. There were only males, except for two girls locked in a deep and meaning-full conversation in a distant corner and with the males many were in a dangerous state of undress, while appearing to be somewhat more familiar with each other than one usually perceived in any of the hotel bar’s they were accustomed to. Ralph whispered the fact to Wayne who had also notice the bar’s idiosyncrasy.

“You know what this place is?” Wayne whispered.

“What?”

“One of those gay bars you hear about.” Wayne deduced and released a nervous giggle.

“I don’t exactly feel comfortable drinking here,” Ralph squirmed on his stool.

“Do you want to leave?”

“Best finish our drinks first we don’t want to appear offensive.” Oddly once their drinks were finished, Ralph remained and suggested they order another. The antics of the patrons had become fascinating and seeing no one had approached him and they were close to the footpath for a quick escape, a few more minutes couldn’t hurt.

“Best we go, I’ve seen enough.” Ralph announced after their third drink.

“You do realise there is a gay bar in Cairns?” Wayne informed smirking widely at his friend’s surprise.

“Have you been there?”

“No but I do know where it is, I read about it in the local paper.”

“No need to tell me.”

“Why Ralph, are you scared if you know its location you may be tempted to go?”

“Don’t be silly, I don’t go to any bars.”

“You’ve been to the hotel bar back home.”

“That’s different I know people there and I’ve only been a couple of times.” Ralph protested.

“Fair enough, end of subject.”

Some distance towards home with the din of the bar far behind, Ralph took a deep breath then released it slowly, punctuated by stops as if he wished to utter some profound testimonial but couldn’t find the necessary words.

“What’s wrong?” Wayne eventually asked after a third deep breath and more punctuation.

“Nothing’s wrong but do you think all those men were,” he paused, “gay?”

“Suppose so.”

“What about the women?”

“Lesbians I guess.”

“But there were so many of them.” Ralph declared.

“I read once that up to ten percent of the male population is a bit that way inclined.” Wayne teasingly advised.

“I haven’t met any.” Ralph confirmed.

“Well Ralph there is a saying which goes; if one in three blokes is gay and you have two friends who are not than it has to be you.” Wayne laughed.

“I don’t think that is funny.”

“Sorry.” Wayne apologised but held onto his humour.

“I often wonder if I may be that way.” Ralph deduced.

“What makes you think that?”

“I dunno, sometime I have thoughts.”

“What thoughts would they be Ralph?” Wayne asked, believing his friend’s character was at last rising.

“You know what it would be like to.”

“You do realise you are talking in riddles, besides I think all blokes have thoughts like that at times.” Wayne assured.

“What about you?”

“I suppose I have at one time or another.”

“Have you ever done anything?” Ralph asked.

“Like what Ralph?”

“You know been with another fella’?”

“No have you?” Wayne wasn’t being truthful, he remembered his youthful experience but that was horseplay and a satisfying of curiosity and would not be expressed unless Ralph admitted first play.

“No, I guess not, well not voluntary that is, I don’t count Bob as -.” Ralph quickly terminated the conversation and Wayne thought better than bring up the lad’s treatment by his stepfather.

The following day after their drinks at Bloody Mary’s, the two were once again taking a walk in that direction, Ralph took lead and crossed the street to walk on the opposing footpath to the bar but said nothing as they passed. Wayne was about to make light of the fact and ask if he would like to call in for a drink but thought better, instead he asked what Ralph would like to do. Ralph deliberated for a time, deciding he would like to take another trip on the bus and this time circumnavigate the island.

“How about flying down to the Big Island and have a look at the volcano?” Wayne suggested.

“Costs too much money,” Ralph quickly dampened the suggestion.

“I’ve told you before don’t worry about money, if you would like to go just say so.”

“But I don’t contribute and that irks me.” Ralph stated with some force.

“Bullshit Ralph you do, you keep house, cook, supply vegetables,” a pause, “and keep me sane and that’s worth more that money.”

“Yes but I don’t put anything towards the bills.”

“I’m never going to get through to you am I Ralph?”

Ralph didn’t answer. Wayne continued. “I have more money than I know what to do with and I like spending it on you.”

“When you become sick of the bush I will have to learn to live by my own means once again so best I start now.” Ralph was becoming upset. Wayne had never seen such attitude in the lad before which appeared to have eventuated after drinking at Bloody Mary’s bar.

“There is something worrying what is it?” Wayne asked sternly. Ralph didn’t answer. “Are you still worried that I am going to go back to Cairns?” Still an answer wasn’t forthcoming. Then without further both climbed onto The Bus and took the round island tour. Within a few minutes Ralph appeared to return to his old self and nothing more was discussed, not even the cliental at Bloody Mary’s bar.

“Now about taking a diversion down to the big island, I want to go and if you don’t I can’t either.”

“Seeing you put it like that well maybe I could.”

It was difficult but Wayne managed to convince Ralph to take the short commuter jet down to Hawaii the big island. Landing at Hilo they soon found accommodation and a tourist centre.

Wayne had discovered information on the island’s volcanic activities while in Honolulu, becoming most interested in how close one could get to the eruption. Kilauea was a most different volcano, as instead of spewing lava high into the atmosphere above from a crater, it flowed underground and into the sea some distance away from the mountain, flowing from fissures at ground level and destroying houses and crops as it went.

On their arrival it had been considered to take a helicopter ride to the point where the lava met the ocean but the tour was booked solid for the day and time was limited, so it was decided instead to take a tour around the Volcano National Park by tour bus, besides more could be seen from ground level than high in the sky.

Their first point of interest was a lava tube, so large one could drive a bus into it, while the cool and damp interior gave protection to a multitude of ferns and insects, bringing out Ralph’s interest in plant life. Wayne became animated with the glow worms, calling them fireflies but was quickly corrected by the tour guide.

As they reached the Kilauea Centre the true extent of previous eruptions became apparent, with its black desert of solidified and weather beaten lava and continuous rumbling from beneath, while the crater smoked from vents all around the rim and within. At the tourist centre they chanced upon a row of seismograph machines, doing their merry dance as the earth below belched like a giant gut after a bad meal.

“What if it goes up while we are here?” Ralph whispered while viewing the dancing needles.

“I guess we would be toast.” Wayne nervously answered.

After visiting the centre they travelled through the black lava fields, through the Kaoae desert, where their tour guide pointed out the many faces of the goddess Pele in the rock formations. Most in the bus agreed they could see the face of a woman with long flowing hair but Ralph, being the eternal cynic and pragmatist could only see disjointed rock.

Once away from the park it was a short ride to the sea and the climax of their trip. They had reached the spot where the lava from Kilauea met the sea and all about there were signs of activity. The lava had recently crossed the road and although now cooling it smoked profusely. Here and there a patch of grass or a small bush would burst into flame, while steam rose furiously from where the hot lava tumbled into the cold sea at a point close by, bringing the tour group in unison to marvel at the sight.

Fortune was at hand as the area had only that day become calm enough for visiting and alighting from the bus they soon commenced to clamber onto the expanse of tar like substance. On closer inspection Ralph became most animated. “Have a look at this?” he called to Wayne. Peering into the cracks in the solidified lava could be seen the glow of the flow and as they stood on the edge the heat was transferred through their shoes to the feet. Soon they were called away by the tour guide and on doing so felt the rubber soles of their shoes stick to the hot black rock.

“That was interesting,” Ralph admitted as they rejoined the tour, “I’ve stood on a volcano.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Wayne debated.

“Well it makes for a good story once back home.”

On their return to Hilo the tour bus visited a Macadamia farm for refreshments where the owner proudly introduced the nut to be Australian, “Like our two friends here,” he pointed to the boys and the tour group clapped, “But we here in Hawaii were first to grow them commercially,” the farmer assured while taking on further bragging rights, “also here on the big island we ranch cattle and where do you think we get out cattle dogs?” Again the farmer pointed to his Aussie tourists. “Australia,” he admitted, “and why from Australia?” he asked but none gave reason, not even Ralph with his unrelenting amount of trivia, “because there isn’t any rabies in Hawaii and Australia is almost the only other place on earth not cursed with the disease.” So at least their tour ended on an upwardly lifting note.

The final days and now back in Honolulu gave way to more sightseeing. There was the native village, which although obviously fake offered some idea of what island life would have been like before the European’s arrived. Also snorkelling with the fish at Hanauma bay, where the goggles leaked but still the fish came well within reach and only sped away if one attempted to touch.

That final evening in their room both became strangely quiet while evaluating their experience. “What will you most remember about Hawaii?” Wayne asked as they decided where to dine.

“For me it would be our trip to the big island and the volcano.”

“Yes that was fun, I would agree to that.”

“I also liked swimming with the fish.”

“Ditto, back home tomorrow,” Wayne answered from a list of places to dine, “There’s a food hall at the Ala Moana shopping centre and it is walking distance.”

“Okay,”

Like all holidays it was soon time to depart and once back at the airport they settled in for a long wait as their flight had been delayed, due to bad weather between Los Angeles and Hawaii. Eventually their flight arrived and notice was given that boarding would proceed within ten minutes.

“Do you want to take home some souvenirs?” Wayne asked as they passed the gift and duty free shops on their way to the departure lounge.

“Not really,”

“What about Biff, did you send her a post card?” Wayne asked.

“Yes and also to Stephen,”

“We should buy them something.” Wayne suggested.

“I guess we should but we haven’t much time, what do you think they would like?”

“That is difficult, maybe some duty free alcohol for Stephen and for Biff,” Wayne paused and thought, “one of those silly hats,” he pointed to a stand of hats, “or maybe some Hawaiian material.”

So it was alcohol for Stephen and a hat and Hawaiian wrap for Biff as they hurried to board their flight. “I can’t see Biff with her broom in hand, sweeping the footpath wearing that?” Wayne mused.

“I guess she could use the wrap as a table cloth.”

“How do you feel about flying now?” Wayne asked as they were shown to their seats.

“I reckon I’m an old hat at it now.” Ralph answered while bravely watching through the window as other flights taxi before theirs was ready, “but you can’t talk, I saw the look on your face as we left Cairns, I thought you were going to faint.”

“How about Europe next?” Wayne offered.

“Steady on Mister Jenkins, we’re not through the trip yet.”

Let Gary Know that you are reading and what you think of his story. Drop an email to him: Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net.

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