Paradise Driver: I LOVE HONEYMOONERS

Sunday, May 21, 2006

I LOVE HONEYMOONERS

THEY ARE SO RESILIENT

I picked up this wonderful couple, Nick & Julie, from OGG at 11:45pm. They had just arrived on the puddle jumper, Pacific Wings, from O'ahu (pronounced OH-AH-WHO, NOT OH-WAH-WHO). They have been awake for nearly 24 hours and are from the Richmond, VA area. Today is their first day anniversary of marriage. Took them to the Fairmont Kea Lani.

It was pouring down rain at the commuter terminal and was a bit chilly. Julie asked me to turn on some heat but, alas, I had by-passed the heater core on Friday morning. She was exhausted and uncomfortable but very understanding. They are going to be here for 11 days and then back to O'ahu for three more. I hope I have an opportunity to snap their pic again, when they aren't semi-comatose.

LAST NIGHT

We try to field 5 cabs on Saturday nights but only were able to get 3 on the road last night. And the 3 of us stayed very, very busy.

While it was my night to dispatch, TMR Alex took one look at me and said he would keep the phone. I know I felt shitty but I didn't think I looked as bad as I felt. I guess I was wrong but I am very thankful that he did it.

Except for The Grand, every other location was under the "two minute" rule. If the fare isn't on board within two minutes of our arrival, then off to the next pick-up. "Ya snooze, ya looze."

I had three out-of-town runs and a passle of long in-town runs.

I finally logged off at 6:30am with 17 trips and over $300 on the meter. Sweet!

My last run of the shift was a pupu from The Grand to the Wailea Gold & Emerald golf courses. This is also where the Seawatch restaurant is located.

A very appropriate name. This is their ocean view from just below the restaurant's lanai.

Kaho'o'lawe in the background and Molokini up front.

Telephoto shot.

Looking north from Wailea Alanu'i. The white building is the Kea Lani (Hawai'ian for "White Heaven") and the darker structure to its left is the Polo Beach Club.