Five legs: Kona to Maui, Maui to Hilo, Hilo to LAX, LAX to Houston, Houston to Atlanta
Sigh.
I loaded up the car, proud that I hadn't bought so much junk that I had to check any extra bags. I was just about to call Gigi and let her know I was leaving when she appeared outside. We talked a bit and she gave me a hug, asking me to consider coming back to her place if I ever return to the Big Island. Even though I had my issues with this trip, Gigi's hospitality was not one of them. She was nothing but warm and accommodating and I have no problem recommending her place to anyone thinking of visiting Kona.
Back to Huggos' for breakfast and the same smiling waitress who remembered me from the day before (I do love having waitstaff who are happy to be there -- way to earn that tip!). I decided, begrudgingly, that I didn't have time for Hapuna and also didn't want to carry around a wet bathing suit onto 5 different planes. I did a little driving around, finding a pier with a million boats in dock before going to the airport.
I do like Kona Airport. Like a lot of Hawaiian hotels and restaurants, it's mostly open air. There are awnings to shield the machines and computers but for the most part, it's not inside an actual building. We even boarded the plane from the tarmac, a rarity in my travels.
Kona to Maui -- A pretty decent flight, no issues. I did love the view of the mountains on Kauai before we landed in Maui.
Maui to Hilo -- Delayed. About 10 minutes before we were to begin boarding, there was an announcement that our plane had gone back to Honolulu for some reason and we would take off about an hour later. I wasn't worried -- it was still early and my flight out of Hilo didn't leave until 9 pm. Then, an hour later, after another load of passengers had already left from our gate, we we told that there was a gate change. Mass exodus to the other side of the airport, some more waiting, and finally, we were out of Maui.
Hilo to LAX -- Yeah ... As much as I liked Kona Airport, and Maui is on my favorite island, I am not a fan of Hilo. It is old, musty, and entirely indoors. So, of course I'd be waiting here the longest. I grabbed some dinner at a funky little diner (the only one in the airport) then parked myself at the nearest outlet to satisfy my tablet addiction. After waiting for about twenty years, I heard exactly one announcement for our flight. I went to the restroom, came back out and the entire waiting room was deserted. I guessed we were boarding so I hauled it up the escalator to the gate. Since I'd come in on a flight, I still had to get my tickets and hurry into line as my zone was already waiting to board.
United Airlines -- again, not my favorite but the only one leaving the island at the right time. There are no USB ports on this flight, just some obnoxious screens in the headboards of the seats that are way too bright. They also tend to turn themselves on at random times even after they've shut off. Cramped again as my knees are directly against the seat in front of me. I really need to pay more attention to my seating arrangements -- I always make sure to have a window seat but I need to be in the front row of coach. I kept having this voice in the back of my head saying 'deep vein thrombosis' and I'd have to shift in my seat again. Not helpful in getting much sleep on this overnight flight.
LAX to Houston -- On the good side; my next gate is about 20 feet away from my arrival gate. On the bad side; the carpet in this terminal is filthy. There were huge stains everywhere making me not want to even put my bag on the floor (everything got Cloroxed when I got home). It's early here, not even 6 am, but my body is confused. Even though I should get something to eat before the next flight, I really wasn't hungry. The roughly 2 hour layover goes quickly and then it's onto the next leg.
Houston to Atlanta -- I've never been to Houston before. It's a small airport with a short open air train that took me to the next gate. I found the first place where I could get a real breakfast and sit down to enjoy it. There's a cool diner in the airport with a wide view of the tarmac. Good breakfast, but I was so tired I barely noticed that I had a hon waitress ("What can I get you, hon?" -- my absolute favorite).
Yet more waiting and knowing that even after I get to Atlanta, there's still a train ride, a walk from Sandy Springs MARTA to my car and a nearly hour long drive before I'm home. Yuck. We were in the hall ready to get on the plane when they announced that the plane's air conditioning had shut off. Back up the ramp to wait for another hour until it was fixed then we were boarding again.
At two hours long, the flight is mercifully short but I am wiped and just want to be home. Not go home, be home. Grateful again that I had only carry-ons, I got to Atlanta and onto the train. You ever notice how the journey to a destination usually feels longer than the return trip? Well, that was not this case this time. This whole trip took way longer than it should have and I was feeling every bit of it.
But still ... car is fine, house is standing and I'm very grateful to have made it home safely. A little weird still to enter an empty house -- my last pet, Beata, got sick last month and I had to put her down. I had her for almost 14 years, making a total of 20 years with the three pets so I'm still getting I'm getting used to truly living alone. Something else that's weird; five years ago, I lost my other cat, Jonah, went to Hawaii, and saw my favorite band in concert. This year, Beata passed and I caught Duran Duran the night before flying out for this trip.
As always, thanks for your attention. I still recommend that everyone visit Hawaii at least once. Even though the Big Island wasn't for me, I'm sure it will work for others. There are still beaches, seaside dining, and friendly faces to give you that full Hawaiian experience.
Mahalo and Aloha.
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