Pacific Potterings (and transiting LAX)
Sooooo… The logical way to get from Hong Kong to Easter Island would be to head south, pop into Tahiti for a large cocktail under a palm tree then cruise on deeper into the Pacific to reach the little rock five hours flight from anywhere…
We prefer to complicate our hours of transit - it generally leads to far more interesting experiences (and more in-flight movies).
Keeping to this theme (and because we are cheapskates who removed the whole Australia and Pacific Isles zone from our ticket for a discount) we took the alternative route via Los Angeles, Lima and Santiago.
The joy that is Cathay Pacific whisked us across the Northern Pacific without a hitch, which was just as well as we needed all our energy to deal with one of the wonders of the modern world - US immigration.
I must make it clear from the outset that I have nothing personal against the individual immigration inspectors we met, who were all professional and efficient. No… My issue is that we shouldn’t have needed to see them AT ALL! We were supposedly IN TRANSIT! Ah… I like a bit of caps lock anger…
Soooo… Origin - Hong Kong (SAR China)… Destination - Rapa Nui (dept. Chile). Um. When did the USA aquire Chile? Why are the baggage scanners and staff in Hong Kong so ineffective that there is a need for the lovely folks at LAX airport to see me clear immigration, collect my checked luggage, re-check my already checked luggage, pass outside the airport, stand in a 100m long queue, pass through security without my shoes on and try and find the gate for a flight that seemingly does not exist?
I can’t quite fathom it… If the flight is deemed safe enough to land at LAX, surely the people and baggage onboard should be safe enough to leave LAX for another country!
As it was, we made it through the finger-printing joy of immigration, found our baggage and eventually found the gate number after asking in the business class lounge (the electronic boards did not have the flight on them at all).
Unfortunately, contrary to the 70s style video we were shown prior to landing, there was no advanced “Check Out” booth in the departure lou.. um… corridor, so although at the time of writing I think I am in Peru, we are actually still in the USA! Hurrah! That should be fun when we attempt to get back in to the country in a few weeks!
At Lima airport we were serenaded by a traditional Peruvian band, then we spent the better part of a day at Santiago airport in a tiny area of the departure lounge looking over a far more interesting looking lounge with many shops and restaurants. It was only after about 5 hours that we realised we could get down there too. Bah!
We finally arrived in Easter Island and walked through the best departure lounge yet… A beautiful little garden area next to the tiny airport building - ahhh… time to relax!
April 15th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Ah the US immigration service, like you said - a wonder of the world in its own right. Glad your having a good time mate, we got your postcard here in sunny England, even with the vague address
Take care mate
Si
April 19th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
I would avoid LAX at all cost. here is the worlds most powerful nation making an ass of itself,and showing how insular it is! However, If you find LAX a farce; then ait until you have to get though US immigration in Toronto. Words like, easier, barrel and Niagara falls , come to mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep the travelogue going; its great
Love and best wishes
THE GODFATHER
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