First, I will try to upload pictures as soon as possible. Internet here is so freaking expensive – $NZD15 for only 50MB. Yes, by the MB! I used that in, like, a half hour.

That aside, this place is amazing! I was upgraded so I just look outside and see the beach and the ocean. As I type this, the water is only feet away from me.

My flight arrive around 6:10AM and everyone had smiles on their faces. Even the passport control people. I mean, passport control?! Have you ever seen any of those people smile in any country? Live music and leis with real flowers awaited our plane’s arrival.

I got to the Aroa Beachside and was immediately taken to my cottage. Unless you are used to the lap of luxury, I couldn’t recommend a place more. Breakfast was already being served on the outdoor bar area on the beach. The freshest fruit ever! Everyone here already knew my name before I even got here. It’s more of a family atmosphere with the staff rather than a hotel feel where you are forgotten the minute you leave. There were some returnees who immediately got hugs from the staff. The bar area is a great hangout to meet and chat with all the guests. Did I mention how friendly people are?

After checking in with work, I made today an easy beach day. The water is crystal clear and calm as the breakfront holding back waves was pretty far out. Snorkling gear is included, so I was able to see lots of different marine life. Of course, not being on a beach for a long time left my a bit sunburnt despite my best efforts to use sunscreen. The evening included a welcome drink at the bar and more good conversation. All in all, couldn’t ask for a better start to this.

Again, pictures to come (have to make them a small upload size so I don’t have to keep buying access cards).

Arrived in the Cook Islands around 6AM local time (same time zone as Hawaii). Just got online. This place is paradise. More later, with pictures.

Heading to the airport in about 40 minutes. Catch you all in the South Pacific!

Exactly one week from now I will be sitting on the plane about 15 minutes from takeoff to the Cook Islands. Can’t believe it’s almost here!

The State Department today issued a travel alert for European travel. This is one step below a travel warning meaning travelers are urged to be cautious when in areas where there are large public gatherings. I won’t be in Europe until the end of November when I land in Athens. I only plan a couple of days in Athens and then hope to island hop. That leaves Spain in December. The sad fact it that there are dangers everywhere. And that includes living in any big city, such as LA.

I’m now booked for accommodations through Hong Kong. The plan for Thailand is the first three nights in Bangkok, then the overnight train to Chiang Mai. Then, two nights in Chiang Mai and a flight back to Bangkok for the last night. I rented another apartment in Hong Kong through Airbnb.com. So all that’s left is figuring out the itineraries in Israel, Greece, and Spain and then all the accommodations will be done.

Air Asia is one of these low cost airlines that teases you with low fares, then frustrates you so much that what you gain in savings you lose in years off your life. Deciphering the rules is like figuring out the multiple street parking signs in LA (and those of you in LA know exactly what I’m talking about – by the time you’ve figured it out, the Parking Authority has already ticketed you).

When I was booking the main hub flights for my trip, I tried to book on Air Asia for Bangkok to Hong Kong and tried four different credit cards, all declined.  I checked with the banks and it was not them declining the transactions because they never reached that far.  The fact that in the booking form, when you select United States for the country, the State field comes up as “N/A” should have raised a flag.  Apparently, we are just one big happy family here in the USA (lawsuits aside).

I wrote Air Asia and got some form reply asking me to call customer service.  Now, I realize that because they don’t fly in the US, I shouldn’t expect a US Customer Support number.  But I know enough about low cost airlines that anything you do on the phone will invariably end up costing you at least twice as much to book that way.  And who’s to say my card(s) would be any good this way, anyway.  So I gave up and went with another airline.  Business lost to them.

However, I thought I would try again for a short flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok now that I was going to spend a couple of days in Chiang Mai via the overnight train.  Air Asia was running a special that, even with extra baggage and seat and credit card convenience (?!!) fees would still be about 50 bucks.  Again, tried four credit cards.  Again, declined.

This time I noticed that they have online chat, so I thought I would give that a try.  Well, if you do that be prepared to sit for awhile.  I mean A-while.  Finally, I pretty much got the same response.  Call customer service.  So I did.  First Australia.  24 hour line.  No answer.  Then the UK.  Message says, sorry we’re busy.  But do try us again later.  Click.  Next, Thailand office since that’s where I’m flying.  The guy either pretended not to understand me (press 2 for English) or didn’t want to actually tell me the truth that they don’t take US credit cards so he just hung up.  The only conclusion I can make.  No US credit cards.  Fine.  But at least put it on the website so we don’t go through the frustrations.  That’s right, tell the truth and admit it.  Americans, your money is no good with us.