All good vacations must come to and end... but not yet!

Well, I'm back in Honolulu after two weeks home in Las Vegas. Not much went on except a little rest and recuperation that goes a long way to alleviating the symptoms of  'rock fever'. Unpacked and configured my new desktop computer and netbook, and packed several boxes (including my new desktop) for mailing. Not to worry, the packages are insured, but still crossing my fingers the postal gorillas don't interpret 'FRAGILE - HANDLE WITH CARE' as 'THROW IT ACROSS THE ROOM AS HARD AS YOU CAN'. I'm also hoping that the pending shutdown of the federal government (if the FY 2011 budget isn't approved) doesn't put a monkey wrench on deliveries to the rock!

For the airplane geeks who read this blog, here are the spotter's details

Wednesday, March 23 CO 956 KWA-MAJ-HNL: Boeing 737-824 WL ETOPS N27246

Wednesday, March 23 HA 6 HNL-LAS: Boeing 767-33A WL N589HA 'Moli'

Thursday, April 7 HA 7 LAS-HNL: Airbus A330-243 N382HA 'Iwakeli'i'

Monday/Tuesday April 11/12 HNL-MAJ-KWA: Boeing 737-824 WL ETOPS N14235

Uneventful flight out and back, though I was able to upgrade the Kwaj-Hono (and back) leg to 'International Business Class' (first class by any other name) for about $100 each way. (The full fare was already paid for in miles - 40,000 for the round trip plus taxes.) First time flying Hawaiian Airlines to the mainland; I was quite impressed with the service, though it is a long non-stop flight to Las Vegas (and back!). HA does offer free food onboard, though you can pay a little extra and get an upgraded selection such as sushi and teriyaki chicken. On the 767, you can rent the use of a 'Dig-E-Player' for $12, which is loaded with inflight entertainment. On the new A330s, the inflight entertainment is on the seat backs of economy class (except on 'Preferred' bulkhead or exit-row seating, in which they're mounted on a retractable pedestal like first class. For $25 to upgrade to preferred seats, it's worth it. Note: Vegas flights depart from the Inter-Island terminal at HNL and arrive at Terminal 2 in LAS.

Back to the usual grind on Kwaj... slow internet (a bit faster on unsecure wireless at the ARC or the snack bar), crappy food at the PDR, and more of the usual stuff we all grumble about. (Note to 'Kwaj cheerleaders' - it's how we vent off our stress; if we stopped complaining, cannibalism would be rampant!) My packages (including my new desktop computer and monitor) arrived about a week and a half  later no worse for the wear of a 5000-mile journey via the U.S. Postal Service. Now if I can find the motivation to put away stuff in my BQ room...