Airliners-India.com

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

KOA-HNL = HA-257
(1428-1512) B717
Short drive back to Kona airport. Security took a while tho and there weren't many people. Nice small open air terminal. I wish they designed Goa like this- not that closed ugly glass steel structure. It's the beach for gods sake!!! AAI tho can't expect much, if it were a private airport maybe we could get one with character.

717 not much to say. Quick up/down :40 mins block maybe. They handed out a tetra pack juice which was quite bad that's about it.
I knew Honolulu airport would be busy but it still had a bit of a wow factor seeing him all the traffic. No doubt who's home base it was.

The 'boring' side, mainly domestics

Honolulu!!!! Have heard so much about it.
We didn't stay on Waikiki beach, stayed a bit south in Kahala. The day we arrived we just relaxed and went to Ala Moana shopping centre. Honolulu was really hot- more than the temperature the sun burnt down on you. Yikes.

Next day was Pearl Harbour. Unfortunately I didn't know tickets for the USS Arizona memorial should be booked online and by the time we got to the visitors center the 'walk in' tickets were sold out. We could still see the USS Bowfin (submarine) the USS Missouri (Battleship) and the Pacific Aviation Center but missing out on the Arizona was a bit disappointing.

Since we got there an hour or so late we had to hurry thru, we had about 5 hours to see everything.

We started with the Bowfin.

They had a nice exhibit on WW2.

We went with the audio guide and it was setup quite well- with a bit of history on submariners and their role in the war. Interesting bits of information, the first sub in America was used by the Confederates and had a team of 8 in a hand cranked submersible 😶. Most of them were plagued with issues and sunk. During WW2 the U.S. navy had an issue with defective torpedoes. Subs would painstakingly stalk a ship for hours then fire a dud torpedo. Some didn't detonate some veered off course, apparently one turned back on the firing sub 😜. Interesting bits of info like that.

Then the fun(er) part- going in the submarine! I don't feel as bad about missing out on the USS Growler in New York now hehehehe. It was great, I love submarines 😜

Torpedo room

Engine/electrics room

Menu

Unbelievable how a crew managed to work and live together under the waves in such a cramped environment. Bunks in the torpedo room, hatches and ladders everywhere. Big generators and engines, electronics room. I liked how in the generator room you could look down and see the lower levels.
The Bowfin was an attack sub? With 4 torpedo bays at the rear and 6 in the front.

After that we took a shuttle to Ford Island where the USS Missourri is anchored. What an imposing looking warship. Wow. The days of the battleship - the mightiest of sea vessels with their armour and guns. What a sight.

Much to my dismay we had to rush thru it (why o why!!!) and only spent an hour onboard. It was like a mini city with canteens a bakery, even a doughnut shop and a dentist. The different sleeping quarters for officers and lower ranked chaps (sorry don't know designations). The captains state room looked awesome as you can imagine.
Library

Dentist

History- the USS Missourri was the last battleship ever produced by the Americans. During the attack on pearl harbour she was still being built in New York. She served during WW2 of course, and the Japanese signed the Instrument of Surrender on her decks ending World War 2. General MacArthur (head of the Allied Forces) Admiral Nimitz (Head of the Pacific Fleet, previously only recognisable/ known to me because of the Nimitz class aircraft carriers) were onboard with the Japanese foreign minister + head of the Jap army and many others. Mr. Head of Japanese army was reluctant to be there for the signing, he did so reluctantly only because he was ordered to by the Emperor of Japan. He would rather fight and die I guess.

I only explored (hurriedly) 1.5 decks and was reluctant to leave. I could have spent ours roaming around the battleship but we still had the aviation museum and everything closed at 1700.
The Pacific Aviation Center (PAC) museum was so so. They had 2 hangers one with aircrafts just lying around and another with exhibits. I enjoyed the exhibits- they had maps and explanations of how the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour. Nice descriptions of how the torpedo aircrafts came first, then the airborne fighters. Interesting fact- they didn't plan a second wave of torpedo fighter attacks because they assumed the American defences would be up and running by then.

Thousands of navy personnel perished during the surprise attack on December 7th 1941 forcing (for lack of a better word) the Americans into World War 2. The same day Britain declared war on Japan and the next day the Italians and Nazis declared war on America.

Another one of my (and everyones) favourites

Some sort of floating missile tracking barge? It was in Hawaii for repairs, it probably keeps an eye on them Russians and North Korean launches.

First air-air missile

I expected a lot of Japanese tourists in Hawaii but I was surprised at the numbers. In Honolulu it seems the Asians outnumbered the Caucasians 2 to 1. Mainly Japanese but a lot of Koreans/Philippinos as well + other Polynesian nations probably. Walking through the shops on Waikiki beach you could easily forget which country you were in.

Whats a Hawaii TR without a pineapple pic

The next morning woke up at 0715 to trek up Diamond Head trail.

The plan was to be done before it got to hot. Took a cab to the crater and it's a $1 entrance fee. The hike up and down is about 2.3 kilometres and they say give it 1:30. It was an easyish trail up, few stairs at the end nothing demanding. The view was great and it's nice to walk/trek around etc. I carried a bottle of water didn't really need it. Last century this used to be a fortification, the king of Hawaii (yea they had a king) built it.
The city + Waikiki.

Got back to the hotel by 10 and had breakfast. R wanted to do her shopping so we decided to meet up in the afternoon, gave me a few hours to do nothing (catch up on whatsapp msgs 👽 )
We met up in the afternoon and headed to Waikiki beach. Just roamed around no agenda it was our last night in Hawaii.

HNL-LAX = G4-1074
(1310-2128) B757
What's with Gs. G8, G9 now G4 ;
I only booked Allegiant because I had never flown them before. They have mainly MD-80s (53 of them!!) and 10 319/320 and just 6 757s. I got an email 2 days prior to departure saying if you get the airline to print out the boarding pass at the airport it's $5 a person. Hmmmm. Other option was check in online and print it out yourself or download the app and get that scannable boarding pass on your phone. I downloaded the app.

I had paid for 1 checked in bag per person and selected the seats when I booked the tickets. If a suitcase weighs more than 40 pounds there's a $50 charge. Yikes 😡😖. They charge for carryons as well if you take a stroller it's $10-15 or something.
Anyway we showed the check in agent ID and our phones, she weighed the bags and told us she would charge us for one. They didn't take cash so she said they would charge the credit card on file. She didn't say how much she would charge tho and being a fool I assumed $50 and didn't ask 😶.

Nice airport, part air conditioned and part open air. Great fun for aviation lovers. 4 JALs, 2x777 and 2x767. A Philippines 330 + Asiana and Korean among others. Didn't see any ANA tho.

We did some last minute souvenir buying and got a whopper meal to go. Felt strange not having a paper boarding pass but everyone should do this, no paper nothing to misplace etc. Walked up to the gate she scans your phone and you're thru. Easy.
My first all economy 757 I think. I've flown on BA and UA 757s maybe AA. Looked kinda strange on ground sitting by the wing and being able to see into the cockpit. The aircraft had a toilet in front and 3 in the mid cabin (a few rows behind me), 4 cabin crew. Basic seats, non reclining 😱. Everything was buy on boards. They didn't have food only snacky things (good thing we had Burger King) and again only card- everything cashless. You even had to buy water. I should be glad they didn't charge for a seatbelt. Flight time 4:59 mins.

Landed at LAX and a friend picked us up, immediately took me to In&Out for the view. Not much action at night but still.... the experience hehehe.

LAX-DXB = EK-216
(1645-1935*) A380
A6-EEU. The Tom Bradley terminal was nice after security, before that was really crowded. I guess 500 people checking in to one flight (and many more 380/777 etc didn't help) but still.
Flight time 15:15. The bar (social) area makes these ULRs great on the 380. I would and do go out of my way to avoid a 777 on long flights just for the config.
Focus (the movie) wasn't HD. Weird, all the other movies were.

Almost over the top

Thanks for taking the time to read this guys.
_________________
eP007

sabya99 · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 9:43 pm Post subject:

I am speechless!!
_________________
Sabya99

shivendrashukla · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 10:07 pm Post subject:

Amazing Set of Pics and nice description to go along with it Nikhil. Looks like you had a great vacation. Looking forward to more from you.

Cheers
Shivendra

ameya · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 1:31 pm Post subject:

Super pictures Nikhil. Wish you have more vacations and some stunning pics as always
_________________
www.networkthoughts.com

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

All our admiration, and adulation: please take it in!
Once again, a fantastic TR with lovely pictures, and descriptions. I finally managed to read this in detail, over a few dinners and breakfasts, and I can squarely lay the blame for the calories gained, on you Smile

And that is not just for the food pictures, alone.
- Glass and steel structures: true, but I do not mind them too much, as they are a sea change over the ancient il--maintained structures that the AAI had at many places. COK is a refreshing change, and some like old tiny structures at JLR are welcome changes, but some of the new AAI glass-and-steel structures are well-maintained, though many have fallen prey to the old malaise of ill-maintenance.
- You do not have much to say about a B717 ride...Hmmm. I have seen this beauty from the outside, but never got a chance to be on this last vestige of the MD family's prestige, in Boeing's hands.
- Pearl Harbour: if your trip report can leave Dr. Ganguly speechless, what about us lesser mortals? True. No words can be enough to describe the fascination I had, in reading this report in detail, and seeing the photographs in detail, as well. Missing out on the Growler at NYC: I wouldn't exactly say that you did not miss much, but there are exhibits which are more exciting than the Growler. The Missouri looks beautifully preserved. I have only been on Aircraft carrier exhibits, but this was a great experience, seeing it through
your lens.
- The PAC being so-so: I guess after seeing exotic museums around the world, you have a right to say so Smile

To me, the collection does not look too bad, with the WW2 collection, along with the F-15 and the F-14, and more importantly, a Lockheed Starfighter, and the Ardvaark, and hey, a somewhat rare F-106 Delta Dagger as well! I also see an early Mig-21 in your pictures.
- Part-open airport...fascinating! Alleginet: I swear no allegience to this airline Smile

In today economy I guess, if one carries less, and does not eat much, getting a rock-bottom fare may be worth it. The airlines earns on these `extras', to keep fares down.
- Very nice pictures on your flight back!
Cheers, Sumantra.

sabya99 · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 6:53 pm Post subject:

Quote : - Pearl Harbour: if your trip report can leave Dr. Ganguly speechless, what about us lesser mortals? True.
@ Sumantra I consider your travel experience is one of most extensive I have encountered.
_________________
Sabya99

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Great report and thanks for sharing some great photos.

jbalonso777 · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:23 pm Post subject:

And an equally awesome part2, thanks for sharing! Very Happy

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

Superb sequel and excellent pictures!!!!

BTW ... in and out burger joint demands spotting pictures ....where are they ??? the nation needs to know!!!

I was so relieved you got your upgrade on the LAX DXB ...it was a tight one .... nonetheless loved that polar routing of your flight

thanks for sharing.