Off to the Cook Islands

It could be said  that getting to LAX might be the hardest part of an international journey. Fortunately, I managed to have a smooth transition getting here from San Diego. Yes - I did forget this trip would be on the tail-end of the Thanksgiving holiday! However, thanks to an early start, average traffic and my new best friends at Wally Park, things are off to a good start.

The check-in lines were smooth at Air New Zealand and since my United Club membership is part of the Star Alliance (Air New Zealand), here I am in the Air New Zealand lounge. It is always amazing me how otherwise normal people feel the urge to stuff their pockets, bags and bellies with anything they can get for free in here. I wish I could share a video of some of the things I am seeing!

I am anxious to get the trip underway and board the flight to the Cook Islands. Air New Zealand flies a 767 just one a week from LAX to Rarotonga on Sundays, and back to LAX on Saturdays.

The flight is just a little over 9 hours but doesn't cross the date line.

I'm sure warm tropical weather and friendly people await. I will be busy at meetings while reviewing 30 hotels! But as they say, 'it's all in a days work'. More from the Cook Islands later this week.

Happy December!