I had contemplated using Uber to get to the airport, but when I checked the parking wasn’t going to be significantly more, and in fact with surge pricing Uber might be a lot more money (plus tip, etc.) so I decided to drive.
I left the house at about 4:10 AM and arrived at the airport parking lot at 5:10 AM. The shuttle was already there and I was the last to get on.
My flight departs from Terminal E, but the intergalactic airport is under construction, so I have to check in at Terminal C. When I go around to the escalator the one that is supposed to go up is broken, luckily the airport isn’t too busy at 5:30 AM. I checked my bag, got paper boarding passes and zipped through security with CLEAR and TSA Pre-check. In fact I was through security at 5:48 AM.
Normally I get to the airport earlier than this, but I checked and the American Express Centurion lounge didn’t open until 6:00 AM, so no reason to wait at the airport this morning. Because I had to walk from Terminal C to Terminal E I also walked to Terminal D to visit the lounge. I arrived just a few minutes before they opened and had a very light breakfast – eggs, sausage and one piece of french toast.
As my boarding was supposed to start at 6:35 AM I didn’t have much time, so after eating my light breakfast I walked back to Terminal E. The arriving flight was delayed, so I spent a bunch of time waiting to board the airplane.
I was a bit worried if my carry-on bag would fit…. it fit inside the sizing thing, but the wheels stuck out. I was definitely stressed about it. I was up near the front of boarding zone 2, but there wasn’t much space in the overhead bins when I got on. Luckily I was able to get my bag into a bin without struggling.
The space under my seat was so small I could hardly fit my camera bag in front of me. I don’t know how I would be able to put a small laptop bag there, which is still a personal item as defined by the FAA. Luckily I had Economy Plus and an aisle seat because even that was cramped.
They gave us a Stroopwafel and I got a Jack Daniels and Coke. I almost immediately fell asleep on the flight for about 2-3 hours.
When I arrived at San Francisco the American Express Centurion lounge I planned to spend my four hours in was closed and they only had a grab and go service – a cold, soggy (at least on the bottom bun) roast beef sandwich, sea salt chips, a brownie and a bottle of water. At least I got a meal.
I thought about trying to get to one of the other lounges, but apparently it isn’t possible without going through security and I wouldn’t be able to enter that terminal.
I found a table with power at my gate, G8 and did some work on the computer until I could board my final flight.
I had an exit row seat for the long flight to Tahiti. I selected the aisle seat because the window seat is a bit restricted because of the inflatable slide on the emergency exit door. Luckily for me no one was occupying the middle seat, although some (entitled) woman tried to claim the window seat, but she was quickly relegated back to her seat when the passenger assigned to the window seat arrived.
Internet was offered at $18 for the full flight which wasn’t outrageous, but I figured I could get some work done without it.
After the flight took off the first meal was stir fry – vegetarian or chicken. I took the chicken option, it was actually edible.
I grabbed the laptop and started editing photos for my blog, I actually dozed off a couple of times.
The last meal before landing was a frozen (bun wasn’t frozen but the meat was) turkey sandwich. Other than the face the center was like eating turkey flavored ice it was also okay.
Luckily I had packed a pen in my carry on because I had two landing forms to complete.
It was dark when I landed in Tahiti – and rainy. There are no jet bridges (despite the airport serving large aircraft).
They did have people handing umbrellas to people getting off, but I had packed a rain jacket.
There was a band playing in the lobby of the arrival terminal.
I got my passport stamped and found my bag.
I rented a car from Hertz. They offered me an unlimited plan, but I decided to stick with the cheaper one that limited the miles. With it being rainy I don’t think I will be driving too far.
I got some monopoly money from the ATM. 12,000 CPF = $100. It reminds me of Vietnam, or even South Korea.
The rental car was a little red Peugeot.
I was definitely disorientated leaving the airport with it being dark and rainy and not having android auto for navigation assistance. I did have the phone paired to the stereo through bluetooth and I managed to not make a wrong turn.
I checked into the Hotel Sarah Nui, which is a basic hotel, but it is near the city and has decent Wi-Fi.
It’s been a long day and sunrise tomorrow morning is at an unreasonable 5 AM, so it is time to get some rest.
Today’s timeline:
