Getting There

Vancouver to Honolulu to Auckland to Perth -- March 4 to 10

John's careful planning meant only carry-on luggage for 2 months away. Warm weather at all stops made it easy to limit our clothes choices. One overhead bag had to be less than 15 pounds, the other up to 25 because of New Zealand regulations. A new soft under-the-seat shoulder bag held many heavier items like laptops and electronics. 

Banyan tree near the beach

Customs was a breeze. 'Lulu is not our favourite place in Hawaii, but it was fine as a stopover. Three nights at the Monarch in Waikiki, an older highrise B&B. Five or six blocks to the beach thru lush parks. Nice pool. A food truck park across the street. We spent time on the beach, lazing, wading, reading, walking the shoreline. We sampled authentic Hawaiian dishes. One day we took a bus downtown and toured the Foster Botanical Gardens. 


Not sure what this tree is


Baobab

Our big splurge was lunch at Suntory Japanese restaurant. Shunsai-zen. Eight mini-don bowls of excellent fish and meats, with a hotpot, pickles, and a cherry blossom pudding, decorative presentation. 


We each had the full array. And a Suntory beer.



Overnight in Auckland, New Zealand

March 8 we repacked out bags carefully for the 9-hour long flight to Auckland which was surprisingly pleasant. Customs to New Zealand was about the fastest and simplest we've ever experienced. 

We overnighted at the hotel across the street from the airport. Didn't even need a taxi and all we did there was walk to a nearby grocery store for dinner snacks and breakfast bagels. John regretted not scheduling 3 layover days in Auckland instead of Honolulu. The Auckland airport is huge and very commercial--they make you walk in a big meander thru dozens of duty-free shops.

We already skipped a day, but the 7-8 hours to Perth starting the next morning seemed like it got added back. Australian customs was easy, except for long lines. New Zealand has it down way better. The in-flight vegan meals on this leg were pretty bad--something that looked like mashed potatoes but wasn't and a badly spiced lentil mush.

Perth, Western Australia (WA)

Arrived in Perth late afternoon March 10. The train system in Perth is fabulous. Cheap, easy, clean, fast. We got to our hotel in no time, bought some wine around the corner before the liquor stores closed, and had take-out kebabs from a sidewalk shop. 

Now it feels like the Australian adventure can start.



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