Story
This might look like a photograph from a long trek through the jungles of Thailand to an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site.
It’s not.
This was taken at a resort on the Big Island of Hawaii—one of those places that feels almost like a carefully constructed fantasy. If you’ve ever been to resorts like this, you know the type: landscaped pathways, themed spaces, curated experiences designed to feel serene and immersive.
This particular area was a meditation garden that curved up a gentle hillside, leading to a statue of the Buddha placed at the top.
I was there staying with a friend who was exploring a timeshare opportunity. The week-long stay was part of the offer, and I was more than happy to join. I even sat through the presentation—high-pressure sales and all. In the end, we walked away without buying anything and spent the rest of the trip enjoying the island.
On this particular morning—toward the end of the trip—I woke up early and wandered the resort with my phone camera, intentionally setting out to photograph whatever caught my eye.
As I made my way up the path, I noticed the sun rising directly behind the statue.
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