Hawaii at last

Well, we got here at last, having spent most of the day travelling. Te trip down from SF to LA was OK, smooth, only 55 mins and in daylight, following the coast southwards, so at least there was something to look at.

It really is a privileged view from the air, giving an amazing sense of perspective and geography. I love it - although I'm not that keen on flying. Odd really.

Landing was a bit unnerving though as there was another plane out to the left, doing the exact same thing. He was a bit lower than us and it turned out that there were two runways, but it was like the two pilots were racing. The landing was very fast and our bloke had to really hit the anchors once we touched down.

The Americans are a puzzle though, over the top paranoia in somethings, complete disregard in others. Its almost like they will only believe it if somebody has told them, and then they won't waver from it, neither evaluating nor reviewing things over time. It's a very literal way to be, and if you question or probe something, there is rarely an explanation but a ' that's just the way we do it ma'am' type of response. Its an observation rather than a criticism, but I do sometimes wonder whether en mass they actually do think about things in relation to the rest of the world, or just continue with an idea because that's what they were once told.

In Europe and the rest of the world, we are so used to strict airport security, screening, pats downs, questions, no sharps in hand luggage, no pots of cream or gel over 100ml etc, and that's fine. But what happens when we get on the plane at SF? There is a woman sitting across the isle knitting. Not extreme knitting or ninja knitting or anything, but sitting there clicking away with two huge metal knitting needles; sharps or what? And nobody batted an eyelid. Funny.

The second flight was a bore though. Five hours over the Pacific Ocean aboard American Airlines again, having left nearly 45 minutes late. It was a bit bumpy too - which I really don't like - but it was OK, and they got us here safely, so that was good.

But again, its funny how ideas differ. It was more like bus ride than a plane journey with people doing their own thing.

The fat bloke behind me kept feeding his face then farting, which was not nice, and his wife kept pulling on the back of my seat every time she moved. What is it with some people? It's a confined space so stop it and just sit still; you chose to get on. And don't guff.

And finally..........