Once I decided to go to Autodesk University 2017 (November 13-16) in Las Vegas thoughts turned to how to get there.
The usual route, from New Zealand, is via Los Angeles or San Francisco. While I love San Francisco I have been there several times and while I have been to Los Angeles almost as often I have never had any desire to stop there.
I’m not interested in Disneyland, two visits to Disney World (for AU 2005 and again in 2006 for a retail conference) were enough, and the whole Hollywood thing has no appeal.
Last time I went to Autodesk University, in 2011, I was supposed to visit Seattle and Vancouver on the way home. A family emergency, while I was at AU, meant had to ditch those plans but airfare restrictions meant I still had to come home via Seattle.
Having been to the airport, and no further, I decided it was time to go back. After trying to book via websites I found the whole process frustrating (muilti-leg with international and domestic flights) so gave my travel agent a call. They came back with a few options, via S.F. or L.A., and one very tempting one I’d never have thought of; via Hawaii.
Not only was it simpler, less internal flights, it was also significantly cheaper! Even better I could stopover in Hawaii (where I hadn’t been) for little more than the other fares on offer. Sold!
Then there was the matter of timing. I couldn’t leave until November 8th, already had tickets to see Physicist Brian Cox on the 7th, and back by November 25th for the NZ Skeptics Conference.
So it was I went (via Hawaii) to Seattle for a few days (8-12/11), then Las Vegas for AU (12-18/11) and home after rest in Hawaii (18-23/11) arriving, thanks to the dateline, late on November 24th.
Seattle, Autodesk University 2017 & Hawaii Travel Index