Stumbling, running through our lists -- both physical and mental -- of items forgotten, misplaced, packed and inaccessible. "When will we need to have access to [fill-in-the-blank]?"
Our Hawaii vacation was the culmination of planning and coordination, a triumph for Cynthia's voluminous abilities, of making a trip within the US the trip of a lifetime for two rather experienced travelers. Hawaii, here we come.
Our flight to Hawaii was complements of dear Delta employee brother Ricky, thanks bunches! But unfortunately, the only available route took us through Detroit, our old hometown! Go figure! We spent a sentimental hour at Motown's Metro airport, then left for LAX.
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| "When in Detroit, we might as well drink!" |
Upon arriving in La-La Land, we discovered, thanks to brother Ricky, that we were being bumped off our KOA flight by an employee who has been with the company only since 2010. Ricky has been with the company for 30 years, so we should have had priority! Luckily, we found a sympathetic gate agent (who happened to be a home girl from Detroit) who worked magic on the phone for over 40 minutes. The resulting First Class seats to Oahu were the result of her efforts, going out of the way for some hometown hommies'.
When we boarded, the flight attendant immediately brought us Mai Tai's and hot towels to wash our hands. Then we were asked "what do you want for dinner?" Paul scarfed the vegetarian plate, a Florentine baked manicotti while Cindy enjoyed , Six Dewar's scotches and a glass of Pinot later, we flew blissfully across the Pacific to the beautiful islands of Hawaii.
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| "When in First Class, do a Dewar's (or six)" |
Upon landing in Oahu, we contacted the owners of the Buddhist Monastery near Captain Cook. We landed in Oahu, so in order to cancel our first night on the Big Isle, it was "Hello, Booking.com ..." When the hotel was contacted by the agent, the hotel stated there would be no charge for the cancellation. To their credit, and to the credit of Booking.com, no charges were incurred, even though it was a holiday weekend. Stuck, stranded now in the Oahu airport, we searched, in vain, for a short stay hotel, reminiscent of our youths.
Since the actual city of Honolulu was nearly an hour away, and only a lame Best Western Hotel (with a closed kitchen) was available for our 8 hour layover, we opted out of throwing unnecessary money at such a frivolous extravagance as a warm bed, opting instead for a wooden bench. Over two dozen others, it seemed, were in a similar predicament at this airport, as well-dressed couples slumbered near t-shirted couples in similar dire needs.
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| On benches that seem designed for such, we slumber our first night in Hawaii. |
So sleeping on a bench in a beautiful open-air airport became our only option. And quite frankly, it didn't suck.
Well, at least not too much.
Well, at least not too much.
In the morning, at 6 am, the food court opened, giving us our first glimpse of the expensive state of island living. After a $ 9 Burger King breakfast that would have been about $ 4.50 on the mainland, we sauntered through the beautiful Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Hawaii Air took us into the Friendly Skies for a brief 30 minute hop to KOA in Kona.
Next post, see our visit to a fresh coffee farm 3500 feet in the plush mountains of eastern Kona, on the sloping and verdant hills of the Emerald Isle.
Paul and Cynthia
