The United Island Hopper via Honolulu & Kauai, Hawaii, USA via Alaska First Class
Apr 25, 2020, 12:32 pm
#46
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Here's two shots.
Walking down from Kalalau Lookout, here's what I saw back in June 1985 - this is a composite stitch of a few shots that were originally taken on film and then the negatives later scanned:
Going fully digital in May 2018, here's another stitch with the mist/clouds in the way - this is the best of the set from that visit:
Again my thanks to worldtraveller76 for lighting the spark to get me to pull these together...might just add a few more...
David
Walking down from Kalalau Lookout, here's what I saw back in June 1985 - this is a composite stitch of a few shots that were originally taken on film and then the negatives later scanned:
Going fully digital in May 2018, here's another stitch with the mist/clouds in the way - this is the best of the set from that visit:
Again my thanks to worldtraveller76 for lighting the spark to get me to pull these together...might just add a few more...
David
In health...
Apr 26, 2020, 1:42 am
#47
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Location: Canada, USA, Europe
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What a great trip report. Thanks for sharing!
Oh the memories of Kauai... I can’t wait to go again. I’ll see if I can find my lookout pictures from several years ago. Was in Hawaii in October but didn’t make it to the garden island, just business in HNL.
Oh the memories of Kauai... I can’t wait to go again. I’ll see if I can find my lookout pictures from several years ago. Was in Hawaii in October but didn’t make it to the garden island, just business in HNL.
Apr 26, 2020, 3:14 am
#48
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OP - Here are my some observations:
1. UA 154 is always an international flight. Micronesia and Marshall Island are sovereign nations each of their own, even with close tier with the U.S. under the Compact of Free Association.
However, its sister nonstop flight, UA 201, is a domestic flight (but considered as international by UA) given it travels within U.S. only.
2. The reason why you can't a stamp is you are a Canadian.
Under the Compact, the 2 nations have close tier with the U.S., providing preferential privilege to each of the Compact countries. However, because you are a Canadian, you are not subject to the Compact. So you will need proper immigration process, i.e. visa on arrival. In fact, you would need to pay $100 if you want to get a RMI stamp. The IO had done you a favor.
3. Guam has not been a "separate" area from the U.S. for a while, since 9/11. Before you exited the U.S., that's why you need to clear immigration and customs again.
For the nonstop, only custom is required (as Guam is its own custom area away from the U.S.).
1. UA 154 is always an international flight. Micronesia and Marshall Island are sovereign nations each of their own, even with close tier with the U.S. under the Compact of Free Association.
However, its sister nonstop flight, UA 201, is a domestic flight (but considered as international by UA) given it travels within U.S. only.
2. The reason why you can't a stamp is you are a Canadian.
Under the Compact, the 2 nations have close tier with the U.S., providing preferential privilege to each of the Compact countries. However, because you are a Canadian, you are not subject to the Compact. So you will need proper immigration process, i.e. visa on arrival. In fact, you would need to pay $100 if you want to get a RMI stamp. The IO had done you a favor.
3. Guam has not been a "separate" area from the U.S. for a while, since 9/11. Before you exited the U.S., that's why you need to clear immigration and customs again.
For the nonstop, only custom is required (as Guam is its own custom area away from the U.S.).
May 3, 2020, 12:57 pm
#49
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
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Posts: 4,609
OP - Here are my some observations:
1. UA 154 is always an international flight. Micronesia and Marshall Island are sovereign nations each of their own, even with close tier with the U.S. under the Compact of Free Association.
However, its sister nonstop flight, UA 201, is a domestic flight (but considered as international by UA) given it travels within U.S. only.
2. The reason why you can't a stamp is you are a Canadian.
Under the Compact, the 2 nations have close tier with the U.S., providing preferential privilege to each of the Compact countries. However, because you are a Canadian, you are not subject to the Compact. So you will need proper immigration process, i.e. visa on arrival. In fact, you would need to pay $100 if you want to get a RMI stamp. The IO had done you a favor.
3. Guam has not been a "separate" area from the U.S. for a while, since 9/11. Before you exited the U.S., that's why you need to clear immigration and customs again.
For the nonstop, only custom is required (as Guam is its own custom area away from the U.S.).
1. UA 154 is always an international flight. Micronesia and Marshall Island are sovereign nations each of their own, even with close tier with the U.S. under the Compact of Free Association.
However, its sister nonstop flight, UA 201, is a domestic flight (but considered as international by UA) given it travels within U.S. only.
2. The reason why you can't a stamp is you are a Canadian.
Under the Compact, the 2 nations have close tier with the U.S., providing preferential privilege to each of the Compact countries. However, because you are a Canadian, you are not subject to the Compact. So you will need proper immigration process, i.e. visa on arrival. In fact, you would need to pay $100 if you want to get a RMI stamp. The IO had done you a favor.
3. Guam has not been a "separate" area from the U.S. for a while, since 9/11. Before you exited the U.S., that's why you need to clear immigration and customs again.
For the nonstop, only custom is required (as Guam is its own custom area away from the U.S.).
May 3, 2020, 7:41 pm
#50
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But to many of us, UA 154 is a leisure route. So only a few go all the way from HNL to GUM.
Most people don't know that those 2 countries are sovereign nations. Many actually believe they are part of the U.S. given the U.S. does a lot for them. For example, if a country has no diplomatic mission from Marshall Island, the U.S. diplomatic mission handles those matters. That's why many confuse.
May 9, 2020, 12:08 pm
#51
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Apologies GaryKung- that was a "lost in translation". What I meant to convey was that most of the documented trip reports were from US mainland based travellers. I agree that many of the travellers on the route are the locally based citizens of Micronesia / Marshall Island with the a healthy dose of US military as needed.
May 9, 2020, 3:54 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
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Island Hopper using reward Y class
I did this trip several years ago, I found your observations and pics very familiar. I also agree its good use of MP points.
The main difference is I stayed over in Palau. The "advice" @ the time was Guam was boring. Your experience seems to suggest otherwise.
I am esp. interested in how instrumental the Marshall Islands were in the development of the US nuclear program.
You found (as I did) that the later segments were busier than HNL-MAJ. I understand its because residents take the Island Hopper for offshore medical treatments.
The main difference is I stayed over in Palau. The "advice" @ the time was Guam was boring. Your experience seems to suggest otherwise.
I am esp. interested in how instrumental the Marshall Islands were in the development of the US nuclear program.
You found (as I did) that the later segments were busier than HNL-MAJ. I understand its because residents take the Island Hopper for offshore medical treatments.
May 10, 2020, 7:14 pm
#53
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: asia miles
Posts: 398
When to Majuro in 2009 for diving. Only flew part the hopper GUM-MAJ (with an stop at KSA compare to you) but all your pictures are exactly like I remember it. Nothing has change. Really good memories, thank you
May 16, 2020, 11:18 am
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
I did this trip several years ago, I found your observations and pics very familiar. I also agree its good use of MP points.
The main difference is I stayed over in Palau. The "advice" @ the time was Guam was boring. Your experience seems to suggest otherwise.
I am esp. interested in how instrumental the Marshall Islands were in the development of the US nuclear program.
You found (as I did) that the later segments were busier than HNL-MAJ. I understand its because residents take the Island Hopper for offshore medical treatments.
The main difference is I stayed over in Palau. The "advice" @ the time was Guam was boring. Your experience seems to suggest otherwise.
I am esp. interested in how instrumental the Marshall Islands were in the development of the US nuclear program.
You found (as I did) that the later segments were busier than HNL-MAJ. I understand its because residents take the Island Hopper for offshore medical treatments.
Thanks blandy62. Based on the feedback from other readers, it doesn't seem like much changes in this part of the world. Let's hope it stays that way...
May 31, 2020, 11:59 am
#56
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Dec 2, 2020, 12:56 am
#57
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Great Report WT73, reminds me when I did the Hopper back in Apr/May 2019.
Eff me, another one I should write a TR on in this lifetime
It's very Love/Hate for most people, Great Trip for plane enthusiast and adventure seeker.
The Beach/Relax type which Mrs.WT73 seem to be will definitely HATE it
unless they like Scuba Diving 
Or very remote Beach Retreat where you don't have to cell reception
Marshall Islands is only Visa-Free for US/Palau/Micronesia/Taiwan/EU27+UK.
If you're using a Canadian Passport, its 100 USD on arrival plus Police Record and Health Records.
If you can get your hands on one of the Visa-Free passport, it would be way more of a breeze since they ask for literally nothing at MAJ.
How many days and Hotel A or Hotel B
The Marshall Island Stamp in Question
And yes, definitely try to allocate time for some of the islands.
I say for sure do Koror and the Rock Islands/Jellyfish Lake.
Then pick your poison on 1-2 more stops, Truk/Chuuk is more avoidable unless you like diving.
Majuro is okay for a day or two if you are into the "Countries Visited" thing
*Palau, the Rock Island boat trips are divided into the Japanese/Korean/Chinese tour companies.
I suggest you do the Japanese (which is what I did), the 20 Japanese folks on the same boat will all go follow Japanese speaker and you get close to 1-1 attention with the Local in English.
And the Japanese lunch bento box wasn't half-bad either
The Chinese tour groups you can hear from a Mile Away
*For the transit stamps in Micronesia, just walk into the arrivals building like you're going to the place and tell the officers you are in transit and want the stamp.
Once stamped, go back out the way you came from and walk next door to the transit building
Sounds easy enough to do at an airport without getting arrested BAHAHA
Same as you, I don't find Guam to be half bad, if I wanted a "Beachy" retreat and avoid the Mainlanders
PS. Don't quote me on it but I believe the Sheraton Guam runs a shuttle to/from airport for Elites
I know I definitely didn't take a Taxi or Rented a Car for that 14 hour Connection.
Hell Mama SHF kinda wished we stayed at GUM on the last segment after the UA 73G had a Double Ground Return.
For your future reference when this virus pandemic is over, how I tackled it back in the day.
Day 1 - HKG-GUM redeye
Day 2 - Daytime Hotel at Sheraton Guam + GUM-ROR
Day 3/4/5 - Koror, Palau
Day 6 - ROR-GUM-TKK-PNI-KSA-KWA-MAJ
Day 7/8 - Majuro, Marshall Islands
Day 9 - MAJ-KWA-PNI
Day 10/11/12 - Pohnpei, FM Micronesia
Day 13 - PNI-TKK
Day 14 - TKK-GUM-HKG
Taken at Sokehs Ridge, Pohnpei
And I'll apologize for the intrusion, but would I suggest taking WT73Jr. along?
It's quite the eye-opener "Once in a Lifetime" Adventure going all the way out there
Eff me, another one I should write a TR on in this lifetime
It's very Love/Hate for most people, Great Trip for plane enthusiast and adventure seeker.
The Beach/Relax type which Mrs.WT73 seem to be will definitely HATE it
unless they like Scuba Diving Or very remote Beach Retreat where you don't have to cell reception
Marshall Islands is only Visa-Free for US/Palau/Micronesia/Taiwan/EU27+UK.
If you're using a Canadian Passport, its 100 USD on arrival plus Police Record and Health Records.
If you can get your hands on one of the Visa-Free passport, it would be way more of a breeze since they ask for literally nothing at MAJ.
How many days and Hotel A or Hotel B
The Marshall Island Stamp in Question
And yes, definitely try to allocate time for some of the islands.
I say for sure do Koror and the Rock Islands/Jellyfish Lake.
Then pick your poison on 1-2 more stops, Truk/Chuuk is more avoidable unless you like diving.
Majuro is okay for a day or two if you are into the "Countries Visited" thing
*Palau, the Rock Island boat trips are divided into the Japanese/Korean/Chinese tour companies.
I suggest you do the Japanese (which is what I did), the 20 Japanese folks on the same boat will all go follow Japanese speaker and you get close to 1-1 attention with the Local in English.
And the Japanese lunch bento box wasn't half-bad either
The Chinese tour groups you can hear from a Mile Away
*For the transit stamps in Micronesia, just walk into the arrivals building like you're going to the place and tell the officers you are in transit and want the stamp.
Once stamped, go back out the way you came from and walk next door to the transit building
Sounds easy enough to do at an airport without getting arrested BAHAHA
Same as you, I don't find Guam to be half bad, if I wanted a "Beachy" retreat and avoid the Mainlanders
PS. Don't quote me on it but I believe the Sheraton Guam runs a shuttle to/from airport for Elites
I know I definitely didn't take a Taxi or Rented a Car for that 14 hour Connection.
Hell Mama SHF kinda wished we stayed at GUM on the last segment after the UA 73G had a Double Ground Return.
For your future reference when this virus pandemic is over, how I tackled it back in the day.
Day 1 - HKG-GUM redeye
Day 2 - Daytime Hotel at Sheraton Guam + GUM-ROR
Day 3/4/5 - Koror, Palau
Day 6 - ROR-GUM-TKK-PNI-KSA-KWA-MAJ
Day 7/8 - Majuro, Marshall Islands
Day 9 - MAJ-KWA-PNI
Day 10/11/12 - Pohnpei, FM Micronesia
Day 13 - PNI-TKK
Day 14 - TKK-GUM-HKG
Taken at Sokehs Ridge, Pohnpei
And I'll apologize for the intrusion, but would I suggest taking WT73Jr. along?
It's quite the eye-opener "Once in a Lifetime" Adventure going all the way out there
Dec 2, 2020, 1:54 am
#58
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Dec 3, 2020, 12:25 pm
#59
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, was emphasizing the breaking up of days then anything else.WT73 can swap HKG-GUM-HKG with MNL and that thing should still flow as usual.
I'm not sure if I see a GUM-HKG or a 2nd SFO-HKG coming back first.
Personally I see neither with the bleak HKG future.
Dec 3, 2020, 12:46 pm
#60
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