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DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY DRAFT: CARLO DELA CRUZ

More Than What I Have Expected

Descriptive Essay: Draft

Leeward Community College

English 100

Carlo Dela Cruz

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DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY DRAFT: CARLO DELA CRUZ

More Than What I Have Expected

It is six thirty in the morning and it is time to wake up. I jumped off my cozy bed and

stretched my arms over my head, and twisted my body side to side. As I opened the large glass

door of the balcony of my hotel room, a rush of cold morning breeze of wind touched my face

and embraced my entire body. As I take a deep breath, I can smell a refreshing yet salty air from

the nearby beach. I can hear the repetitive swirling noise of the ocean waves as it reaches the

shore. The sun is just rising from the horizon spreading its golden rays to the sky. The vast light

blue sky is painted with white feathery, fluffy clouds. It is perfect weather to be at the beach

today. 

It is seven fifteen in the morning, I better hurry, the cafeteria closes at eight thirty. As I

stepped into the shower, my body shivered as the sole of my foot touched the cool bathroom tile

floor. I turned on the shower and lukewarm drops of water trickled down my body. It feels good

that I wanted to stay there for a moment but I am in a rush to go to the cafeteria. I dried myself

up quickly with the freshly laundered smelling, soft towel that I brought with me. I put on my

Hawaiian print shirt and a khaki short and hurriedly went down to the cafeteria. 

As the elevator opened, I could smell the strong scent of freshly brewed coffee, newly

baked bread, as well as that whiff of greasy food located in the long table at the end of the

cafeteria. My stomach is already growling from smelling those delicious foods. I grabbed one

small circular dinner roll and two cubes of strawberry jelly. I put a scoop of fried rice at the

center of my plate, two sunny side up eggs, three meaty red-orange sausage, and a mixture of

fruits. At the end of the buffet table is a large jar of chilled water with fusion of tropical fruits

floating in it. I filled my cup, took a sip of it, and it definitely quenched my thirst. 
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DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY DRAFT: CARLO DELA CRUZ

I looked around where to sit and there is an empty round table near the pool area. There is

a couple seated next to my table, talking about their scheduled boat cruise at Napali Coast today.

After they finished their breakfast, they stood up and started to walk towards the parking lot. The

couple left their magazine on the table. I stood up, took the magazine and read more about the

place. I learned that Napali Coast is a very popular tourist destination in Kauai. As I turned the

pages, I became suddenly fascinated with the gorgeous pictures of extraordinary rugged terrains

that span miles along the shoreline. I suddenly felt the urge to go there immediately. Although, it

says in the magazine that if I wanted to join the cruise I should make a reservation ahead of time.

I returned back to my room to grab my bag pack, some bottled waters, and some snacks. I

went directly to the parking lot, started my car and turned on my GPS. Along the way, I was

intrigued by the signage “Kauai Tree Tunnel” by Maluhia road in Kalaheo. I took a short detour

and I was amazed with what I saw. Large eucalyptus trees lined up on both sides of the highway

and its branches intertwined on top forming a natural covering of the road. It is a dream come

true for me because I was only able to see this natural formation in postcards or photographs.

Now, I am driving in it. 

I continued on with my original plan and the GPS re-routed me and with an expected

arrival time of forty-five minutes. I am now in Waimea town. This is probably the driest part of

the island; the mountains are brown with less trees on the road. As I drove a little further, my

eyes began to dilate, expressing its awe from the magnificent mountain cliffs, rugged deep valley

gorge covered with green and brown hue. It is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. This vacation is

really not failing me. 

I am almost there, the asphalt road ended and was changed to a rocky, dusty road. I

closed my windows and started to drive slowly. I cannot see the road anymore, it is covered with
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DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY DRAFT: CARLO DELA CRUZ

dust from the car in front of me. After five more minutes of driving, I finally reached the

shoreline. I parked under a shady tree, close to the bathroom and the beach. It is almost twelve

noon and the heat of the sun is piercing through my skin. The white sand beach stretched out for

miles throughout the coast with towering mountain cliffs embracing the shoreline. The

panoramic view was breathtaking. The cloudless, light blue sky and the cool temperature of the

water is just so perfect for this sunny day. There were only a few people on the beach at that

time. I guess this place is not familiar yet to tourists and I hope it stays this way so that Polihale

beach can preserve its beauty. 

I might not be able to get into the luxurious Napali Coast cruise but I was able to enjoy

my short vacation from the unexpected sceneries of Kauai. From the amazing tree tunnel to the

majestic Grand Canyon of the Pacific and to the pristine beach of Polihale, I will forever cherish

this moment. Sometimes the best moments in our lives comes from unexpected and unplanned

occasions. I would definitely come back to this place but the second time around, it will be with

the person I love.