My husband has a goofy job that finally allowed for vacation back in November. (His first for the year.) You may remember my posts during that time. Well, we are now back in Hawaii for his 2012 vacation. Only one month apart! Yes, two trips - one month apart.
Not only that, but just as we were leaving I started getting sick again - same thing - upper respiratory, etc. I was well just before Christmas when my darling grandson arrived with a temp of around 104. After a visit to the emergency room, he bounced back and had a nice Christmas. I, on the other hand, was a bit worried I hadn't regained enough immunities to fight off another virus. (Of course I could have caught something else while shopping, etc.)
It seems to be so - as I hit the emergency room the second day I arrived on Maui. This is my third visit in one year - all three times I have been sick with a virus. I wonder what that means? Is the Universe trying to tell me something about Maui? (My husband answers that question with a resounding NO, as if you haven't yet surmised - he loves Maui.)
Anyway, the worst part is the VOG! Yep, I was just starting to feel better and we're socked in with VOG. The water is clear, the weather is gorgeous, the Trade Winds are gentle. We have spied numerous sea turtles right off of our lanai. Perfect for having fun. Except we can barely see our hands in front of us. Okay, well maybe it's not that bad, but we can't see some of the neighboring islands that are usually clearly visible.
In Hawaii, the gas plumes of Kīlauea rise up from three locations: Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent, and from along the coastline where lava flows from the East Rift zone enter the ocean. The plumes create a blanket of vog that can envelop the island. Vog mostly affects the Kona coast on the west side of the Island of Hawaiʻi, where the prevailing trade winds blow the vog to the southwest and southern winds then blow it north up the Kohala coast.
Prolonged periods of southerly Kona winds, however, can cause vog to affect the eastern side of the Island on rare occasions, and affect islands across the entire state as well.[3] By the time the vog reaches other islands, the sulfur dioxide has largely dissipated, leaving behind ash, smoke, sulfates, and ammonia.[4] (Wikipedia)
I know if you are currently under a foot of snow it's hard to feel sorry for me, but believe me when I say VOG is not good for a respiratory system that has been under attack. I never thought I would be praying for a huge gusting wind - but I am.
I hope you are all having a good start to your new year. I know many people are dealing with this same respiratory infection that seems to go on for months, but I hope it isn't you!
23 comments:
i hope you get to feeling better...and i really will try to feel bad for your vog...smiles...enjoy vacation...
I had to go to google to find the meaning of "vog", which is short for "volcanic smog." I am sorry to hear you are under the weather again, I wish you could take some of our 30-50 mph winds!
Nancy, getting sick in Hawaii again must be soooooo discouraging. I haven't had this respiratory virus myself but almost everyone I know has, including my 95 year old father. For awhile, I didn't think he was going to make it through, but he did.
I've had never heard of VOG before...I hope it clears off soon so you can at least rest and recuperate in the warmth and sunshine for the rest of your holiday.
I am sorry to hear about the vog Nancy. I know all about it, I lived in Kona for several years:):) Take care.
Fear not! The Trades are back - already breathing happier here :-)
Aloha from Waikiki
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LOLOL nancy see how hard it is to live here ?? noone understands... =) the VOG is here on Oahu too. its awful!
Sounds like maybe you're having an allergic reaction to something. After your last trip, I thought that it may have been mold or some kind of other irritant in the place where you were staying. Was the vog there, the last two times that you were there? I hope that you feel better soon. Hugs.
I hope you recover soon, Nancy. I had no idea of this vog. My 18 year old daughter is in Hawaii at the moment. I hope the vog won't get to her lungs as it has to yours. All the beauty on the world can't overcome ill health, but perhaps it can help.
I, too, would wonder what message the universe was sending. I hope you feel better and are able to enjoy your vacation!
So, you're in Maui but affected by winds from the Big Island? That's wild. Feel better.
It does really suck that you are sick every time you visit... sorry my son probably re-infected you. He is fine- in case you were wondering- off to soccer today! :-D
Sorry you're sick! Maybe the vog caused this??
Ouch! My two wishes for you for this New Year: feel better soon! and May the VOG disappear asap!
Enjoy your holiday! Happy New Year!
Marguerite and I are thinking alike. I hope it's not so but it does sound as if you are reacting to something. I hope you're feeling better before too long. And thank, DJan for defining VOG. I knew it was fog but had no idea about the volcanic part.
Hope you are feeling better by now, and that the vog has lifted so that you can truly enjoy your time in paradise.
Poor you. It's never good to be sick anywhere but how much worse when you're on vacation in such a lovely place. I hope you're recovered by now.
Nancy,
My son and I both contracted pneumonia in October and still seem to be fighting the respiratory battle. Take care of yourself and just say no to VOG!!
Miss you - I hope to talk soon and hear all about your plans for 2012. Many changes here on my homefront.
Linda
I, too, think you are allergic to something there. I'm sure the VOG doesn't help matters. Hope you feel better soon so that you can enjoy your vacation!
So sorry to hear yet another vacation has been upset by illness. I very much doubt the vog was of any help.
Blessings and Bear hugs for 2012.
Brian - Thanks. :-)
DJan - Sorry - I thought the little wiki blurb would make it clear - but it is like smog only from a volcano. Your winds would have helped!
Kate - I can not imagine having this at age 95! Seriously. You are lucky to still have him.
Amithgirl - You know exactly what I'm talking about - Kona is hard hit, I've heard.
Cloudia - Gotta love those Trades!
leilani - I'll bet it went all the way to Kaui.
Marguerite - I began to wonder the same thing, but I actually started getting sick the last two times while still at home. Ugh.
Elisabeth - She's young. They always fare better. :-)
Whitney - You do have to wonder, don't you?
California - That darn volcano is acting up again, I guess.
Jen - Happy to hear it!
T & R - No, but it certainly didn't make me feel any better.
Chris - Thank you! Same to you.
Hilary - It is not good stuff for the lungs.
ds - Things are better now. The trades have been blowing it out.
susan - I should be well when we head home...
Good Cook - Time to catch up!
Pat - Thanks!
Rob-bear - No, it didn't help - but it's pretty much gone now. Happy 2012!
thanks for stopping by today and leaving a comment! appreciate it very much!
the vog is beautiful, but yes, i can imagine with respiratory ailments, it would not be good at all!
Do not feel bad if you have never heard of vog as it is a "secret" that is being perpatrated by the media and governments of Hawaii and in particular Maui. Most people think it is just fog, which we do not have here.
I live on Maui and the vog hardly ever goes away anymore, even when the trade winds blow. It was not an issue until February 2008 when a large vent opened on the Big Island volcano. Many days it is like living in San Bernardino, CA as the views are faded, the eyes and throat burn and many people must use medication including anti-biotics. There are no long-term studies on the effects of vog.
Respiratory issues commonly happen with the vog. Watch for a correlation in your case?
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