Thursday, 9th. September, 99.

Now my problems really start. I'm tired, my ears are ringing, and I feel light-headed. Straight through customs with a pleasant, friendly greeting, outside to the balmy night air. Don't see a Sheraton placard, so when the tourism fella mentions 'Sheraton Waikiki transport' I head in that direction to stand with the multitudes. Seems luggage space is at a premium, and when it's my turn I find it's simply a bus to all hotels, and the fare is eight dollars. Of course I don't have any US currency, and dread having to lug everything back inside the terminal, as I'd already noticed the currency exchange counters I'd passed had been closed.

So instead I ask for a taxi that accepts credit cards. Fine, except there are only two (?) who do, and neither answer the call after 20 minutes or so. Will any taxi take me to the Sheraton to be billed against my room once I arrive ? No.

Back into the almost empty terminal returning through security to locate an ATM machine. Any ATM machine. Punching the unaccostomed keys returns me a $20.00 note only, and I'm past caring to wrestle with it and the 'invalid card' messages again. By the time I've struggled with lifts, through non-automatic automatic doors, and hotel courtesy phones out of order to the taxi rank - there is one taxi van with a cheerful, happy driver pleased to take an extremely tired and irritable fare.

Sheraton Waikiki Hotel,
Honolulu.

Checking in, no record of my Sheraton club reference, and I'm relegated to a room on the first floor which I'm convinced is let last to walk-in off the street latecomers.

Local time is 1.30am. No unpacking, all I need is sleep.

Friday, 10th. September, 99.

Awake 8.30am local time, and first things first - I call the front desk to ask is this the best room available for the rate ? Rowena is so pleasant, and if I'm ready to move in 30 minutes or so, it will all be arranged.

Off to room #932 with Domie, and Now I'm starting to feel I'm on holiday ! Pleasant decor, a balcony overlooking the pool, the ocean, with blue sky, warm sun and the sounds of waves breaking below.

Planes regularly taking off as I watch the catamaran 'Maita'i' departing below, bringing back fond memories of travelling on it my first visit here.

Off to explore ! Yes, I remember the area, the wonderul Royal Hawaiian Shopping Centre and even noticed which shops have moved. My first purchase is a Baskin & Robbins coffee icecream. ABC stores with all those little knick-knacks, lipsticks that change colour, keyrings, towels and postcards, Starbucks iced coffee ! So - fresh turkey sandwiches on rye - I've arrived !

Next stop - Vancouver/Montreal

How far is it ? 2707 miles (4356 km) then 2295 miles (3694 km)

Monday, 11th. October, '99.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani,
Honolulu, Hawaii.

Back at the Ho'okipa Activity Centre at the Sheraton Waikiki - speedy connection, so maybe I'll do some catching up!

Tuesday, 12th. October, '99

Wednesday, 13th. October, '99

Thursday, 14th. October, '99

Another day in paradise. Less people around, yet things are still at a casual, unhurried pace.

I'm so concerned about the weight of my suitcase I not only post a few items as presents rather than take them back with me, I also buy a sturdy carrybag I can fit my ICC briefcase and all those papers into. Then 'killing two birds with one stone' I purchase one 'Chocolate Moose' Crazy Shirt for LoveTheAccent - dyed in Hawaiin Kona coffee with a moose on it - covering Canada and here. (Correction - Ghirardelli chocolate, says the label) A little crystal conch shell for my window ledge, another fridge magnet. More postcards, just hope I manage to send them all.

By 3pm. it's overcast so slumming down by the pool after a hard day's window shopping is in order, spending the time chatting with Connie from North Carolina.

I have read two books while here and haven't even turned the TV on, and am certainly in 'holiday mode'. It's a long flight tonight, and by leaving just after midnight I totally lose Friday to arrive in Auckland around 9am Saturday.

Next stop - Auckland.

How far is it ? 4385 miles (7057 km) - 8hr. 40min.