April 19 UA 0826
NRT-HNL in C - seat 23G
Back in Business Baby

Yup, glad to be back in C after the last flight not clearing. It's a light load for the whole plane. Most of us in Business class have only 1 person per seat pair (except couples travelling). Coach is equally lightly loaded. I find it hard to believe that my overhead bin is full. The FA suggests that I just put it 'over here'. I appologise as I'm too tired and need to sleep. She smiles with understanding. HNL crew. Always professional. Thanks!

It's the red-eye and I ask to be awakened for meals if I doze off. Just then the Captain announces that all booked passengers are on board so we'll be leaving 20 minutes early. Cool! I can't remember when I dozed off, or which movies I watched, but Very thankfull for C+ seating and noise cancelling headsets!

I remember the meal on this flight because it wasn't cooked properly and came almost cool. I had the steak or filet... But hungry so ate it rare anyway.

Lots of sleep on this flight. AHHHH!

Awakened for the fruit plate an hour or so from HNL. It's such a great place to arrive. I love to watch as we're descending in Hawaii so I switch seats.

And then something I've never experienced in all my life....

A landing so perfect.....
...I couldn't tell right away if we were on the ground yet!

On a 747. A flawless landing! Impressive!

And I'm a pilot. SOFT landings in a light plane no problem. Jumbo, I'm impressed.

So, here we are in HNL for the day. Passport check on the way off the plane. A scoot up to Immigration - a breeze; Customs - breezier. Done!

April 19th (again)
A day in paradise - 14 1/2 hours anyway!

8:00am (appx)

Now, having missed The Bus (Honolulu's city bus) before, I knew to take the elevator right up and over to the bus stop. I arrived within 5 minutes. The Bus is a great way to get into HNL in the morning. It's about $1.50 for the fare and your luggage must fit on your lap or you will be refused. The trip takes a while as it snakes through downtown before getting to Waikiki, but it's eally in the morning so what's the rush.

I ask to be let off at the HHV (Hilton Hawaiian Village) and decide to check out the day rates at the front desk. Boy, they're grumpy here. I've noticed it every time. No big deal. At first she tells me they're sold out; then hold on; gone for 5 minutes. Now since I'm HH gold, they have a rate untill 5pm at $155US++. Thank you very much for finding out (but no thanks). She looks put out. I want to remind her that without guests and their questions, she may not be able to pay the mortgage, but decide to smile and save my speach. I save my dignity with the same decision.

OK, now up to the Mandara SPA (at HHV). It's in the building closer to the road. The one with the Ukelele shop in it. Elevator to the second floor and up to the reception desk. I tell them I'm not staying at the hotel, but would like to pay for SPA priveledges for the day. I present my HH Gold card and they refer me to the manager. She asks if I've been with them before. I say, yes my wife and I were here in November. She seems unsure to my answer (I guess they opened very close to then), but quickly finds my name and history in the computer.

I get the very sincere welcome back. Thank you. Prices are $25pp for non-hotel guests, $20 for hotel guests, and $3 discount for HHonors members. She types up a receipt for $17.71 and I quickly cough up the dough . I get the colored wristband and an escort to the Men's room to show me my locker, robe, slippers, facilities, etc.

God, I love it here. Ask if I can leave my carry-on behind their counter when I'm finnished. They're happy to accomodate. All the staff are friendly and seem intersted in my trip. I keep it brief, but share about the routing I'm on and the fact that I've got my boarding passes for tonight's flight and tomorrows too already. They really are great here.

I hop out to the Hot tub for a mineral soak, a quick steam, and I'm feeling fresh again.

My laundry is starting to add up & today is the perfect time to take care of it. I pack my stuff into a smaller carry-on (I travel with the smaller one packed in my roll-aboard) and ask directions to the nearest laundramat.

[This message has been edited by seanthepilot (edited 05-20-2002).]