We're now on our Air Tahiti flight bound for our second country on this trip. I'm working hard to get over my flying stress since we're on so many flights this trip. This one is a small, seat yourself affair, which almost helps me pretend that I'm on a bus…almost… The small and beautiful island of Aitutaki really helped to increase my appreciation for the Cook Islands. Where I found Rarotonga to be pretty but bland, Aitutaki was the island paradise you ...

After a couple of hours hanging out in the crappiest part of Pearson's terminal 3, and a lovely chance meeting with Cindy, who was going to exciting Salt Lake City, we boarded our unremarkable flight to LAX. LAX was about as interesting as Pearson, but add on very long lines and excessive crowds to round things out. But then things improved- Air New Zealand's economy sky couch!!! I actually slept solidly for 7 of the 8.5 hour flight and arrived in Rarotonga ...