I’m not here to tell you that you should travel unplanned. As someone who is used to having a perfect itinerary planned out from A to Z, this trip to Hawaii had been most unexpected. If anything, the personal experiences I’ve encountered have encouraged me more than ever to face my fears and do it anyway. It’s always a good idea to leave some spontaneity in your travel plans. The most wonderful thing can happen if you only leave room for it. Here’s my story. On the last day of my intended stay in Kauai, I was originally planning to explore the island on my own. As fate would have it, a local whom I’d met through a mutual friend reached out, offering to take me around the island. This was something I never would have been able to plan or expect, no matter how detailed you plan your itinerary. Exploring the island with a local, in my opinion, is also the best way to get to know a foreign land. I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I had the fortune of being driven in a fancy vroom vroom sports car (the kind that would attract onlookers) to hidden local beaches (including a nude beach that was almost isolated from the main roads) and fancy mansions (like Mark Zuckerberg’s property). I got to live a version of a life that only happened in the movies and Hollywood. We beach-hopped around Kauai, chatted and took pictures. Rarely enough, we also spotted a rare seal swimming onshore. He had an unusual device attached to his body – a GPS device. What an unusual sight! I was on a high blasting music through the boom box of his antique car (almost as old as me) which he fitted in. The day turned out really well and we both hated to say goodbye when the time came to check into the airport, with only a day (in possibly forever) to spend together. I bade a bittersweet goodbye to my newfound friend. As fate would have it (again), there came an announcement in the airport that the plane, which was slated to fly in 30 minutes, was unable to fly. Are you kidding me?! While we aren’t in control of many situations that befall us, we have full control of how we decide to react to situations like this. Instead of lamenting about a missed flight and a messed-up itinerary, I was – unbelievably – rejoicing inside that I could spend another 19 hours on an island I’ve come to adore, with someone whose company I’ve also come to enjoy. The second day saw us enjoying quiet time at a beach on the far west of Kauai, in Polihale. It was another one of those beaches unknown to tourists, so we had the whole beach to ourselves. Cheeky me couldn’t pass up the opportunity to skinny dip in such clean, clear waters. The day was too short, and before long, he was sending me to the airport again. This time, I overestimated the time it took to reach the airport and only got there 15 minutes the plane was scheduled to fly. Am I going to earn an extra day in Kauai, again?! I was left with no other choice except to book the next flight to LA. It would be the second time Cade drove back to the airport to pick me in a span of 24 hours! You’d think I’ll be homeless in Kauai given all the missed flights, but my newly made friend unhesitatingly took me in and gave me a roof over my head. This is the sort of circumstances where even if the world conspired against you, you can’t help but believe in the kindness of humanity. We finally fulfilled our initial wish to enjoy a beach bonfire in Kauai, together in the company of his friends. Getting lost in the twinkling stars, listening to the stringing of guitar and the sound of lazy waves, a wave of contentment washed over me. Right there, right then, I have nothing to worry, nothing to be stressed about, and so, so much to be grateful for, for overcoming my fear of travelling to the US alone. Not succumbing to the stereotypes about the US – how it’s dangerous, guns are legal, homeless people are rampant, people are rude, driving is scary… – might just be the proudest decision I’d made in a while. I’m not a believer of ghosts, but I think I can almost believe in magic then. The extra day in Kauai started with a morning sunrise beach run, something so healing it fuelled me with endorphins and happiness. I could foresee myself spending my days happily going on my morning runs while watching the beach light up in the morning golden hour. Where I used to be driving from place to place to maximize time and hit all the attractions in Kauai, I could now finally roam the streets of Kapa’a lazily and without any agenda, sit under a palm tree journaling and swing on a hammock by the beach. After all, I’d earned myself an extra day in Kauai. What more can I ask for? This Hawaiian boy and I would turn out to have much more planned for us, and I will maybe share about it in the near future. The missed flights and extra days in Kauai turned out to be a pretty crazy turn of events. How such happenings (that were beyond my control) transpired during this trip made this an extra memorable and special experience. It made me believe that maybe, just maybe, we only need to give ourselves a chance for life to show us how wonderful it is.