Foodivore: Frozen north holiday begins...35oC and not very north

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The trip we've been calling the Frozen North has begun...in Hawaii in 35oC, not so frozen (and not really so north). We have always guessed the best way to enter the USA was via Hawaii, a short first stop and more pleasant immigration queues. The 8 and 1/2 hr flight from Sydney on Jetstar was as expected: basic, but got us here (and on time). Their "gourmet cheese and wine platter" wasn't quite as the picture displayed. As a Foodivore item goes, it gets a pic purely on as a practical example of caveat emptor.

The international arrival was every bit as smooth and pleasant as we has guessed. Official after official cheerfully directed us, wished us Aloha and to have a great day, and all very convincingly (remember this was about 5am and we'd had possibly 30mins sleep each, so were marking tough). Eat your heart out Oz, from landing to being cleared was less than 15mins.

We must give a good shout-out to the satirists/caricaturists who designed the "rough sketch" software used as part of contemporary clearances. Liberties with likenesses were indeed taken!

Rough sketch indeed

The unparalleled efficiency dipped when we had to transfer to our domestic flight to the Big Island (the one with the currently erupting volcano). Signage wasn't great and there's clearly a lot of paranoia; long queues, stuffed into foyers that were never designed for those volumes, and good thorough searching of selves and luggage.

Understandably, as soon as we were through, we stopped for breakfast and a Bloody Mary, the best we've ever had... the drink not the breakfast. When our options appeared to be Hungry Jack or Starbucks, it wasn't a difficult choice. Stinger Ray's gets a Foodivore nod.

Arriving at our destination, we picked up our "Wildcard" car hire...not so wild, it's a very conservative white family size Chevrolet we've named The Chase (Chevy Chase).

Our accommodation in Kona is exactly what we'd expected if not better. The Airbnb with our host Joy is extremely comfortable with a gorgeous temperate pool right outside our door. A great way to wash off travel. Early to be for a day of diving tomorrow.