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Day 15: Aloha - Welcome in Hawaii
EMERYVILLE / SAN FRANCISCO (California, USA) / HONOLULU (Hawaii, USA) - Day 15 of the American Tour was a day of packing, unpacking, waiting, traveling, rising temperatures and new impressions.
It was rise and shine early, as the team had to be in the hotel lobby in Emeryville at 5:30 in the morning, meaning that it was a short night for the most of us. On Tuesday-evening, the vans, we used for traveling to the campus in Berkeley, had to be returned to San Francisco Airport and a lot of packing had to be done for the flight to Honolulu.
After everything was packed into the bus, the Dutch team drove to San Francisco International Airport, had breakfast there and boarded the Boeing-777 of United Airlines around 8:20 AM. The plane took off at 9:10 AM (7:10 Honolulu-time) and what followed was a very smooth flight. Shortly after taking off, we said goodbye (for now) to San Francisco and flew passed the Golden Gate Bridge. From here on to Hawaii, nothing more than water of the immense Pacific Ocean could be seen. Because of favorable winds, it was expected that we would arrive some 25 minutes earlier than scheduled, which indeed was the case. It took Captain Bob Christafaro 4 hours and 59 minutes to bridge the 2127 miles between San Francisco and Honolulu, so we touched down at 12:09 PM local time at the International Airport. For the record, the average speed during the flight was 483 mph with headwinds of -27 knots. We entered Oahu Island, crossing Kaneohe Bay, then flew across the island and made a right turn towards the runway. In doing so, on the right side of the plane, the mountains, which surround wellknown Pearl Harbor were visible.
As soon as we left the plane it was WOW all the way. First, the warm weather, it was around 27 degrees Celsius when we arrived, then the setting we were in, as the most of us were in Hawaii for the first time. After arriving at the beautiful hotel, we had to wait awhile for our keys, but the waiting was worth it, as the view from the rooms was amazing. A bright, blue sky and a great view of the Pacific Ocean and famous Waikiki Beach.
But, it will soon be back to reality, as this is part two of the first American Tour, which is part of the preparations for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Tomorrow, Thursday, its back to the softball-field, as the first of eleven games on Oahu is scheduled, including some double-headers and participation in a tournament. Besides that, practice sessions are also scheduled.
5:30 AM: Packing for the flight to Honolulu starts.
Here, Lynn Geertman has just put her luggage in the bus
Goodbye, Golden Gate Bridge, looking forward seeing you again!
Entering Oahu Island, crossing Kaneohe Bay
On our way to Honolulu International Airport
On the left are the mountains, which surround Pearl Harbor
Final approach to the Airport, which is visible on the right
We're in Hawaii. Aloha!
Time to pack again. This time from the airport to the hotel
After arriving at the hotel, we had to wait for our key
Our beautiful view from our room to the Pacific Ocean,
Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head
Hawaiian musicians entertain in the Tapa Bar of the hotel
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