Day 3

March 2nd


My Father arrived around noon. My sister and I drove around town to do more errand before picking up Father. Mum stayed at the flat to prepare lunch, I think she's had enough of sitting in the Mini and doing nothing. By the time we arrived at the airport Father's plane had already landed and the passengers were waiting for their luggage.


Oh boy howdy, this is where it gets a wee bit tense. Airline companies should have a "INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS BEWARE" sign or at least a little note on the bottom of their ticket. Apparently it is common for international travelers who come in to Maui via Honolulu to not have their luggage arrive on the same flight. What happens (as it is explained to us by the airport luggage claim personnel) is that luggage from the international flight often do not make it to the domestic flights on time, so they have to be flown in on the next flight. It is a VERY good thing that they have flights coming in from Honolulu almost every 30 minutes. We only had to wait 15 minutes for Father's luggage to arrive.


We arrived home later than expected due to traffic and luggage issues. Good thing for the airline companies, nothing was broken in his luggage. Father was shipping some expensive tea sets as presents to Walter's parents and a framed jade artwork for my sister. We're very wary of checking these type of things because from past experience, no matter how well you pack your valuables, it'll get broken.


After my 3 hour wait in SFO I can tell you why. The luggage handlers just do not care. I watched 2 different flights be loaded and the same things happen. I even watched my own luggage be thrown onto the conveyor belt and I consider myself lucky. The luggage handlers just pull them off the cart and throw them on the conveyor belt the runs up to the belly of the aircraft. Should they fall off the belt because of bad positioning, or because the handlers accidentally knock them off, they leave them on the floor until he felt like picking them up. I saw a luggage that nearly reached the belly of the aircraft fall off, which is a nice long drop, and the handlers just left it there and it took another personnel who happened to be walking by to point it out to the two handlers. Very frightening.


Father napped after lunch while I played on my sister's X-box 360. I personally do not own any gaming consoles and I was reminded why after about 10 minutes of playing (I just get too dizzy).

I took a nap when my sister took our parents to check into the condo. Maui Kamaole offers great view and very relaxing rooms. It's not ocean front but let me tell you, it is HUGE compared to the ocean front view my cousins Debbie and Katherine were sharing with friends just down the road. It was two bedroom, two bathroom, a kitchen, living room and balcony. The two bedrooms where on separate floors so you really don't feel like sardines packed into a room.


My Uncle and his wife arrive later that evening.