It was during my senior year of high school. I went in place of a girl who died the previous year, her parents invited me to go in memory of their daughter. What I remember most about the two week visit to three of the islands were the lava beaches, the white sand and crystal green water, the warmth of the ocean water, the short rain fall everyday at the same time, the dark tan I got in such a short time and that feeling of being a million miles from life and loving it.