Day 47 - On the way

12/29/16

Today we are going on the next, longer flight and therefore the alarm clock goes off at 06:00. A small breakfast, packing the last things and then off with Freddy towards Kahului Airport. There's not much fuel left in the tank - we can return it empty - and just before the airport we get the message 'Low fuel'. With a queasy feeling, we drive the last miles to the airport and drop off empty Freddy after driving 586.4 miles with him.

We take the shuttle to the Self Check-in, but where can we drop off our luggage? Oh yes, at the counter. Nobody cares about the weight. We cover the 100 miles to Oahu in 22 minutes and get another great view of Maui.

In Honolulu, we have to wait a bit for our luggage. Now we're looking for the United counter, we want to drop off our luggage as quickly as possible because our flight to Los Angeles only leaves at 3:21 pm. We need help for the Self Check-in because we are not initially found in the system. A nice lady helps us and we can even check in for the second flight to Miami. So we don't have to pick up our luggage in LA and check in again. Although it's not a connecting flight. At least we don't have to stress about the luggage for the short stay at the airport hotel.

We decide to take the bus to the city of Honolulu again for the remaining 4 hours until the flight. However, the bus ride takes forever, so we decide to get off early and see the Lolani Palace of the former king (Kamehameha III) of Hawaii and the government building of Hawaii.

Lolani Palace of the former king (Kamehameha III)

For the way back, we first have to find a bus stop with the airport bus, not an easy task. Thanks to friendly support from other bus drivers, we also manage this task. One station before the airport, there is a driver change, but the new driver is missing! Well, then we walk the 300 meters ourselves...

Our plane (Boeing 737-800SFP, built in 2016) of United Airlines is a bit smaller this time and there is no food on the 5.5-hour flight, at least something to drink. While Yves struggles with the onboard entertainment system - you can stream movies on the iPad, but only with the corresponding app, which we don't have, of course - Marco struggles with headaches :-(

After 4,113 km on a partly turbulent flight, we reach Los Angeles at 10:30 pm local time.

The way to the gate turns out to be a bit longer after all, as the airport is huge and a free gate is taking its time. When we finally get assigned Gate 75A, we still have to wait for a 'guide' in front of the gate. Apparently, they already finished work :)

A quiet hustle and bustle breaks out on the plane as it becomes tight for some travelers to catch their connecting flights... Fortunately, ours is not until 8:55 am tomorrow. Until then, we retreat to the hotel. While waiting for the shuttle, Yves realizes that his cool Nidwalden sports water bottle stayed on the United plane :-(

The ride to the hotel is not far, but the driver has only been on the job for a week and drives excessively cautiously (and still gets a little precarious).

Now we're in the hotel and say good night...

Photo of the day: Around the World chocolate bar