The Mountain Thunder Retreat home is a treat for all the senses: from the moments of anticipation driving up Kaloko Drive into the cloud forest, to pulling in the driveway and being welcomed by the lush foliage and beautiful plantation home. Awe-inspiring and breathtakingly stunning!
The house has everything one needs and more: umbrellas for rain showers (it's bound to happen, just embrace it!); beautifully decorated living quarters (every family member gets a wing!); the most welcoming and thoughtful touches such as a fresh fruit basket with the most delicious (best in the world) local pineapple, papayas, bananas and coffee basket with pounds of fresh coffee and treats from the store. LOVE those chocolate covered coffee beans and guava butter. Yummo!
You're seemingly transcended into another world. A world where only the important things matter- family, nature, being together, celebrating life, gratitude for all the blessings.
Lynn, the primary POC for MT was the most gracious and met us at the store the following day we arrived; she took us on an ATV tour of the plantation where we saw so much including their goats and a chameleon, lava tubes, so much edible foliage (awesome!!!); she took her time with us answering questions; Lynn and other staff from the store were the most helpful with local recommendations, leading us to great local fare and must see landmarks.
The views from the house are unreal. Morning brings you ocean views, afternoon the fog rolls in, and at nighttime you see the majestic stars overhead.
The sounds of the surrounding cloud forest are a symphony of God's creations, even including the beautiful rooster's crow. ;-)
I am so grateful to have found this magical place and to have been able to share it with my closest loved ones. I dream of coming back, of reconnecting with this ever so special place, and the ultimate dream of having a space and place, mission, to share with the world, just as Mr and Mrs John Trowbridge have created for us with Mountain Thunder.
Infinite Mahalo to Mountain Thunder staff. Until we meet again. Shaka!!!