“Here is a letter from a popular writer for the Sacramento Union newspaper.  He traveled to Hawaii for four months to give a first-hand account of the islands.  It appears that he found more than he expected. 

I was enjoying a beautiful walk when I discovered a pristine lake. I decided to go for a swim and walked past several stone markers that held no significance to me at the time.  I slowly waded out into the pool while acclimating to the cool water.  I relaxed taking in the serene magic of the view.  I was startled as my feet found a hard leathery surface and I began to rise out of the water.  In a panic I tripped and began rolling down the side of a newly formed hill.  I hit the water and began thrashing for the beach as quickly as I could muster.  Once firmly on land, I looked back to see a massive gecko staring back at me.  It had pitch black skin with spots and swirls of deep red like molten lava glowing from heat.  The body that showed above the water was over forty feet long.  A massive wet tongue stuck out and licked its eyes which reflected the sky and water like polished mirrors. I stared in awe not knowing if I should run.  To my relief, it lost interest and descended back into the depths of the pool.  It displaced so much water as it lowered that several large waves splashed me.  This was also a relief as I may have soiled myself.  Later I told my encounter to a local who informed me that I had disturbed the peace of a Mo’o.  Giant geckos or dragons who they consider to be either spirits or gods.  She said I was extremely lucky as they are known to be violent when disturbed.  These creatures even battled with Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes.            

-Mark Twain 1866″

I want to GO!

-Veritas