California and Hawaii – Day Eleven: A Symphony of Early Morning Chaos and Lei Romantics
Rise and Shine… Or Not
The day kicked off not with the melodic chime of an alarm clock but with a symphony of chaos next door at the Hilton LAX. Picture this: an early morning extravaganza of endless showers and kids turning the room into a personal trampoline park. The lack of any parental intervention turned the room next door into a makeshift circus. A whopping 45 minutes of this before the culprits vanished, leaving us baffled about their origin—above or next door, the mystery lingered.
The Unearthly Wake-Up Call
After some much-needed shut-eye, our own alarm clock decided to grace us at 05:50. Yes, it’s the crack of dawn, but we had visions of chaotic security lines dancing in our heads. So, we dashed through our morning rituals and descended to the lobby by 06:30, ready for whatever LAX had in store for us.
Breakfast of the Extravagantly Priced Champions
In a flash, we boarded the hotel shuttle, whisking us through the awakening traffic on a short 15-minute journey to Terminal B. Security was a breeze, except for the speed-demon security lady, demanding my ID like it was the secret to eternal youth. Breakfast, a delightful duo of croissants and coffees, set us back a cool $20. Yes, LAX breakfast prices rival their UK counterparts.
The Marathon to Gate 210
Navigating the colossal expanse of LAX, we embarked on a 20-minute hike to Gate 210. Along the way, Michele stumbled upon a pet relief station next to the toilets—a curious sight, but hey, even Fido needs a pit stop on the journey.
Kauai-Bound: A Flight of Windowless Wonder
Our flight to Kauai, scheduled for 5 hours and 45 minutes, departed slightly behind schedule. No window for us and a neighbor with a permanent window blind eclipse. Entertainment on Hawaiian Airlines? You’d better have your own device ready. Michele enjoyed a replay of Belfast, while my streaming luck ran dry. A basic yet edible meal of warm cheese and bacon wraps, cookies, and drinks kept us fueled.
Lei Greetings and Sandy Toes
Touching down in Lihue, the quest for the exit began, coupled with a surprise Hawaiian Lei greeting for Michele. Timing was impeccable—the Lei delivery and Michele’s bathroom break synchronized like a rom-com scene. Out in the open air, a taxi swiftly transported us to the Kauai Beach Resort, where check-in would have to wait till the clock struck 16:00.
Driftwood, Raindrops, and Expensive Puddles
Anticipation built as we formalized paperwork and ventured to the beach, greeted by golden sand and crashing waves. An empty beach, yet we found ourselves amongst the rare few who preferred sand to poolside relaxation. A brief rain shower interrupted, but we sought refuge under the pool bar covers, nursing drinks—a $70 liquid escapade, making us question if Kauai was secretly the land of liquid gold.
Room with a Sea View… and a Surprise Tab
By 15:15, our room beckoned us, offering a slight sea view in Building One, second floor. After a delightful catch-up with cousin Julie in North Carolina, unpacking, and a sudden hunger, the pool bar became our refuge. A chicken burger for Michele, fish tacos for me, washed down with a couple of beers and lava flows—all charged to our room, thanks to a mysterious $150 food and beverage tab. Where it came from? The answer, lost in the tropical winds.
The Slumber that Hijacked the Blog
And here we are, typing away at 06:30 in the morning, with a blog overdue because at 19:00, post-pool-bar feasting, I was apparently sawing logs, oblivious to the blogging duty at hand.