Honolulu Day 1

After a ridiculously early alarm call, we made our way to Phoenix Airport for the flight to Hawaii.  Incidentally, BAA could learn something from Phoenix about how to run an airport.  Phoenix is (apparently) the 5th biggest city in the USA with an airport to match, yet the time taken to check in and get rid of hold luggage was less than 5 minutes.  The queue and checks through security to get airside only took a further 10 minutes (and were just as through).  Compare this with the 90 minutes plus we spent at Heathrow Terminal 4 last week.

The flight to Honolulu was fine, if a bit tedious.  When we arrived at Honolulu, we were met by Fred, a Hawaiian resident who had read some of the other cruise information on this website and got in contact with us.  He had offered to give us a lift from the airport to our hotel in Waikiki.  This lift turned into an impromptu orientation tour of the city, taking in the views from the Punchbowl and Diamond Head.  It was very much appreciated - thanks Fred!

After we checked into our hotel, we wandered around Waikiki for a bit, had an (excellent) bite to eat at Kelly O'Neill's Irish Pub of all places and then crashed for the night.