25 January:
At the [San Francisco] airport
Anxious to see what new adventures await.
On de plane!
Will have a meal in LAX
United gave me $14 in vouchers that expire today.
On plane [to Honolulu]
Got an earlier flight at the last minute! Will give me more time in Hawaii.
My seat in "Economy Preferred", an upgrade - flight to Hawaii from 'Frisco.
The "agents" had ten of us on a flight
that left 'Frisco, flew to LAX and changed planes.
The one they put us on left TWO HOURS LATER
than the one we saw as we landed. We were JUST able to get
new tickets on that flight so we had some daylight in Honolulu.
What transpired in Houston
On the takeoff roll, just before V 2, a compressor for the starboard jet engine blew.
There was a big BANG and the plane started rumbling and shaking.
At first I thought we blew a tire, or hit a bird.
The plane stopped on the runway and the captain said,
"Please remain seated, the craft is ok, we will be returning to the gate."
That's when we found out what actually happened.
We saw the fire trucks racing towards the plane.
When we got to the gate,
we were fed a few lines of bunk about a short delay.
Mike H got on the phone and we spent over TWO AND A HALF HOURS
trying to figure out how, and if, we could salvage the trip.
The problems centered around getting to Guam
in time to make one of the flights to Chuuk.
The solution was to bypass Guam in order to lose as few days as possible.
So, we overnight in Frisco, and again in Honolulu,
taking a roundabout route from Hawaii to Chuuk.
Once on the ground in Frisco,
we are to get a voucher for a room (same in Hawaii).
The adventure continues.
The island hopper tomorrow
flies from Honolulu to Majuro, then Kwajalein, then either (or both)
Kosrae & Pohnpei before landing at Chuuk (Truk).
Here in Honolulu
Waiting for the shuttle: Mike S., Matt S, Dave (?)
You could tell that United has employee problems;
there were no gate agents to be found, no customer service counter -
we had to get our bags and go back into the terminal
to the check-in desk to get our meal/hotel vouchers
and to change/verify our tickets to Chuuk.
Arrived about 12:30 p.m.; we're going to be at the Airport Honolulu Hotel
Tish Haynes checking in
Still standing in line: Matt S., Corey, Mike S., Dave (?)
Mike Sabby, Corey(?), Brian, Neal, Chris H., John K.., Matt S. (my roomie/sometimes dive buddy)
It's now about 3 p.m. and we're going to Waikiki.
There are 10 of us here; we're just waiting on a couple of people
and want to take the city bus down to the beach.
I thought they meant THE Waikiki beach -
no, we rode 45 minutes to meet Brian & John at their hotel
which was SEVEN MILES from the beach.
We did walk down to a park that had a bit of beach,
so all had pictures taken on the sand & in the water.
Then we walked to a local restaurant that
didn't look impressive on the outside, but the food was delicious.
Home Grill; You can tell I'm new to taking selfies;
part of the group having dinner. Background: Corey & Mike
26 January
Well, it's been interesting and everyone is here now.
We all just have to get up and get through TSA and
RECHECK OUR BAGS which we were told we had to do this afternoon.
Will get a chance to visit a restricted miltary island Kwajaline.
More pins to stick on a map!
We were cleared to dive tomorrow evening after arrival;
a one-time exemption because Mike and some others have been there before.
They are all on rebreathers and nuts about missing two days.
I will see how I feel - and how it goes setting up my camera,
and who I have as a dive buddy.
If not first thing tomorrow night,
then EARLY MORNING dive on Tuesday for sure.
My body thinks it's 1:20 - though local time is only 9:20.
I have to be up and in the lobby (a half-block walk) by 5:30 a.m.
So I'll say good night; it's something like a 10-hour ride.
Can't sleep
My body says it's 6:15 and time to get up;
not tired or comfortable enough to sleep.
If all goes as planned after 7:30 this a.m. (our time),
I will be internetless until some time on 2 February.
My cell phone has been working here
(don't know what that will cost,
but it's been needed to call some of the other members on the trip,
the only way to know what's going on,
as two people came to Honolulu on Saturday,
four stayed in Houston and ten of us went to San Francisco.
It is unusually cool and windy here in Honolulu - mid 70's,
but the tradewinds are strong & damp, so there's a 10-degree windchill.
The natives are all bundled up.
Ocean is my potion
I need vitamin sea
So if you're trying to find me
Look out there by the reef - and wrecks.
Time to head towards the front desk and shuttle
I am through getting my bag rechecked and through the TSA.
I had breakfast at Burger King on United.
In about 30 minutes I will be boarding the airplane.
Once we get to the boat, get our gear on and have something to eat
and get a dive briefing possibly a night dive on a shipwreck tonight.
Standing in line: Matt & Brian (?)
And John, Corey, Tish, Mike, Dave
On the plane
Waiting to finish boarding. It's a small, full flight.
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