Kona Kristmas
FROM CAP’N MERYL Kona Kristmas
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/getline/2004-12-27-ask-the-captain_x.htm
In my last note to you, I thought I was headed for Osaka, Japan. That didn’t quite work out and instead I flew a trip from Chicago nonstop to Maui, then on to Kona for a nice layover. This was on Christmas Eve, so instead of dashing through the snow in Colorado, I wound up doing the hula in Hawaii instead. With this job, you just never know.
I’ve flown into Kona before but I’ve never spent the night. It was a fun trip with perfect weather. One reason I’ve always preferred Maui and the other islands is because I’m an avid swimmer, and much of the Kona coast is quite rocky.
I only had to walk about a mile to find a beautiful snorkeling area, however, and I put on my trusty goggles to have a good look below the beautifully clear waters of Kona. Although snorkeling is fun, I like to get “up close and personal” and enjoy going to the bottom for a closer look, so I usually go for goggles instead of a full face mask with snorkel. They’re lighter to carry in my suitcase anyway. I lost count after spotting about 15 varieties of very colorful fish, none of whom seemed to mind my intrusion into their world. At least, they didn’t say anything.
At a Christmas Eve Christmas party for our crew, one of our flight attendants missed a step at the restaurant where the party was held and severely sprained an ankle. We were at minimum staffing and another flight attendant had to be flown from Honolulu to work the flight back to Chicago. Our working wounded flew back on our flight but is definitely out of commission for awhile as far as work goes. I got a great group photo of the entire crew and may post it if I ever get my photo gallery up.
Now I’m home again in Colorado for a couple of days—due out again on December 30th. If you’re a new subscriber, the situation here is that I’m a reserve pilot and never know where I’m headed until a trip is actually assigned—two days prior for international trips and one day for Hawaii and other domestic trips. That’s the maximum time, by the way. Minimum callout time might be as little as a few hours. I’ve got my eye on a trip to Honolulu that needs a captain on the 30th but by then everything could, and very likely will, change again. So we’ll see. I can’t get too much of Hawaii.
I’m having my Christmas dinner today (I’m writing this on Monday, December 27th), and as I write there are very enticing smells emanating from the kitchen where Al, my Other Half, Web Guy and Chief Cook is working away.
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season, and I’m about to go have my turkey dinner. So…..
Until next time, Maintain Airspeed!Cap’n Meryl
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/getline/2004-12-27-ask-the-captain_x.htm
In my last note to you, I thought I was headed for Osaka, Japan. That didn’t quite work out and instead I flew a trip from Chicago nonstop to Maui, then on to Kona for a nice layover. This was on Christmas Eve, so instead of dashing through the snow in Colorado, I wound up doing the hula in Hawaii instead. With this job, you just never know.
I’ve flown into Kona before but I’ve never spent the night. It was a fun trip with perfect weather. One reason I’ve always preferred Maui and the other islands is because I’m an avid swimmer, and much of the Kona coast is quite rocky.
I only had to walk about a mile to find a beautiful snorkeling area, however, and I put on my trusty goggles to have a good look below the beautifully clear waters of Kona. Although snorkeling is fun, I like to get “up close and personal” and enjoy going to the bottom for a closer look, so I usually go for goggles instead of a full face mask with snorkel. They’re lighter to carry in my suitcase anyway. I lost count after spotting about 15 varieties of very colorful fish, none of whom seemed to mind my intrusion into their world. At least, they didn’t say anything.
At a Christmas Eve Christmas party for our crew, one of our flight attendants missed a step at the restaurant where the party was held and severely sprained an ankle. We were at minimum staffing and another flight attendant had to be flown from Honolulu to work the flight back to Chicago. Our working wounded flew back on our flight but is definitely out of commission for awhile as far as work goes. I got a great group photo of the entire crew and may post it if I ever get my photo gallery up.
Now I’m home again in Colorado for a couple of days—due out again on December 30th. If you’re a new subscriber, the situation here is that I’m a reserve pilot and never know where I’m headed until a trip is actually assigned—two days prior for international trips and one day for Hawaii and other domestic trips. That’s the maximum time, by the way. Minimum callout time might be as little as a few hours. I’ve got my eye on a trip to Honolulu that needs a captain on the 30th but by then everything could, and very likely will, change again. So we’ll see. I can’t get too much of Hawaii.
I’m having my Christmas dinner today (I’m writing this on Monday, December 27th), and as I write there are very enticing smells emanating from the kitchen where Al, my Other Half, Web Guy and Chief Cook is working away.
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season, and I’m about to go have my turkey dinner. So…..
Until next time, Maintain Airspeed!Cap’n Meryl
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