Flying MCO-SFO en Route to French Polynesia

SAN FRANCISCO – And off we go! It’s my first foreign trip of 2019 and my second year as a global nomad as Mom and I head toward our three-week getaway in French Polynesia – a new foreign territory for me. We started the journey today – my birthday eve – flying from Orlando to San Francisco.

Sunset while taking off from Orlando (MCO) bound for San Francisco (SFO)

Village Airport Van picked us up at Mom’s house in The Villages, Florida, at 2:53 p.m. We had a 1-hour-14-minute ride to Orlando International Airport (MCO), where we checked in for United Flight 380, a Boeing 757-300 to SFO. Check-in and TSA Pre-Check security went rapidly and we had time to relax in the United Club, toasting to the start of another grand journey together to celebrate my birthday and see a new part of the world.

Our journey began with Village Airport Van

We received Exit Row Seats 21A&C, with B empty between us – the maximum comfort one can achieve riding in Economy Class. Flight 380 departed 24 minutes late at 6:05 p.m. The captain explained we were issued a delayed wheels-up time of 6:30 due to poor weather in San Francisco.

Sunset as we push back from Gate 42 at Orlando (MCO)

Actual take off occurred at 6:25. The time change to California is three hour backward, making it 3:25 p.m. PST.

I spent most of the flight reading the “WordPress for Dummies” book as I try to learn more about the content-management system I’m using for my new blog. I also browsed tour and scuba-diving options in French Polynesia. We’re heading to Tahiti first, then taking an Oceania Marina cruise to seven other islands.

We touched down at 8:58 p.m. on Runway 28L and taxied into Gate 83, arriving 29 minutes tardy at 9:05. After retrieving our bags, we waited outside in the cold drizzle for the shuttle to our hotel, Park Pointe (formerly called City Garden – I stayed here once on an overnight connection several years ago).

The shuttle left Terminal 3 at 9:59 and brought us to the 2-star motel, which I booked on Hotwire. SFO-area hotel prices were crazy expensive for tonight, so we had to settle for a 2-star. Check-in took longer than needed as they had originally assigned us to a room with only one bed, and it took the agent awhile to locate an open room with two beds – and it was a hike outside to get back to Room 530.

The room is pretty crummy. No towel racks, cups, or coffee maker. No breakfast available at the motel – not even for purchase. Mom is displeased to say the least. Thankfully we are just spending the night here and returning to the airport late tomorrow morning for our United flight to Papeete, Tahiti (PPT), as I mark my 42nd birthday.