The long haul begins

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Trip Start Jan 26, 2012 Trip End Feb 05, 2012

  Newark, New Jersey
Thursday, January 26, 2012

I am finally on my way back to Hawaii! It has been 5 years since my last visit and my friend Al has been bugging me to go for some time.  Since he is having a big milestone birthday (we won't mention which one) and I am not going to Haiti, I agree.  We will be going to only two islands this trip – Maui and Oahu.  This will be my third trip to Maui and fourth to Oahu.  We will see if Maui can indeed grow on me.  Everyone raves about it but my first trip there back when I was 15 was disappointing to me.  The beach where we stayed had a rocky beach with a strong current and my mom wouldn’t let me go in there.  After being at Waikiki and learning how to surf, I found this to be very grave indeed.  Plus we did not have a rental car so we were trapped unless we took a trip.  The only thing good I remember is being able to take tennis lessons and hearing my 7 year old brother describe his traumatic experience making my mom a lei at the kids club… "the g-d d@mn needle was this GD long and I stabbed myself 10 GD times!!"  Needless to say, my mom & I were both embarrassed and amused.  It is now a fond memory.

The last time I went to Maui 7 years ago I started in Kihei where I went diving.  I really enjoyed that part of the island and of the trip but we were only there 2 days I think.  After visiting other islands we returned and much to my surprise we were staying at the same place I had stayed when I was 15!  It was just crazy!  Again, I was not thrilled with Ka’anapali.  This trip we are starting at Ka’anapali for a few days but the plan is to go golfing and then maybe ziplining so we will see how it goes.  And yes, we are indeed staying at the same place!  Nothing wrong with the accommodations, in fact they are quite nice. 

My flight out of Newark leaves at 10:10am so I stayed at my cousins’ home the night before.  They are gracious to drive me to airport so I don’t have to park my car there at the expensive prices.  I have only about 50 minutes to make my connection in LAX which makes me nervous.  The board is showing that the plan is on time but as we get closer to departure time we still are not boarding.  We finally board late and I get really nervous about making my connection in LAX.  As we board, two guys ask about making the same connection as me so I know there are at least 3 of us on the next flight.  Maybe the gate agent will call over to the other gate if we are running really late.

We finally take off and even though we are going into the wind the pilot announces a shorter flight time than published so it looks like we will make the connection but it will be very tight.  The plane is newer (must have been a Continental plane) and it has the individual tvs with preloaded movies, games, music, and tv shows.  I decide to watch “Dolphin Tale” which was great!  Winter is one awesome dolphin!  Next time I am down near Tampa I’ll have to stop and see her.  I try to watch “Real Steel” after that but can’t get into it.  I consider Moneyball but decide against it.  I don’t remember what I finally settled on but it was entertaining enough.  I don’t have enough time for a 3^rd movie so instead I watch some TV.  I had no idea there was a show like the “Dog Whisper” for cats!  Very interesting and I learned more about cats so hopefully I can apply some of this knowledge to Ciarrai when I get home.

We finally arrive in LAX and it is indeed a close connection.  The Maui guys as I call them have pushed their way all the way from the back to where I am which is close to the departing door.  The next gate is in another terminal but luckily only 1 away.  I apply my “Atlanta Hartsfield Airport Sprint” and head to the gate.  Yes, this is a very familiar aerobic exercise!  Unlike Atlanta though there is no train connecting the terminals.  There aren’t even moving sidewalks!  What is wrong with the west coast?!?!

I arrive at the gate and they are already boarding.  I get on the flight and am seated next to two very nice older folks from Toronto.  They are spending some time in Maui and then heading off on a cruise around the islands.  Sounds very nice.  This is an older United plane so there is only the overhead monitors with one movie choice.  It turns out to be “Moneyball” so good thing I didn’t watch it on the first flight.  I am also seating in regular economy and not economy plus.  I can never seem to be able to pick my seat on the United flights if the first leg is Continental even though I am elite and the two airlines are supposedly merged!  This does not bode well for March when the final roll-out is supposed to occur.  Despite being smooshed into the seat (how do tall people survive??), the flight is enjoyable. They have a raffle going to see what time we will be half-way to Hawaii.  The winner gets a Hawaii travel book.  The movie is good and the Canadians are fun to chat with.  We arrive in Maui almost 30 minutes early.

I find Al at baggage claim and we wait for the bags to come out.  I am not convinced that they made it with me but then my snorkel bag comes out.  Yeah can go diving, but have no clothes!  The suitcase follows shortly after.  LAX must have decent bag handle crews… good job!  I am exhausted.  I have been in the air for almost 12 hours total.  I just want to get to Ka’anapli Shores and get to bed.  We do stop at the Safeway so I can some breakfast food for the morning.  I finally hit the hay around 8:30 and I am out almost instantly.  Good night….

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