Unexpteced vacation in Fiji - Home!
On September 9th, I left New Zealand.
When I was leaving the Auckland airport, a security man who checked my boarding pass said, "Headed to Paradise?", and I said;
"No, I'm leaving it."
Landed at the Fiji airport at about tea time and hopped off the plane. Humidity hit again as usual, I could feel it in my hands! This is what the Kiwis and Aussies call "paradise".
"Your flight has been cancelled."What?!? It was true. I attempted to transfer within the terminal, but the Fijian staff told me to check out through security, and talk to the check in desk. So I had to enter Fiji territory and get in line. It was a long wait, full of other passengers who wanted to leave too. (Some 200 people ahead of me) I think I waited at least four hours. Part of that was sitting on the baggage.
Finally after most of the people deserted, at about midnight I was finally at the front of the line. I've long missed my Air Canada flights to Canada. But the Fijian staff (Air Pacific) were somewhat helpful, (if hugely understaffed) and they photocopied my Air Canada itinerary before sending me off in a taxi. They gave me a voucher that was supposed to cover room, food, and drinks. I went to a 5 star resort called "Sofitel" on a private island called "Denerau". So excited was I, that I wandered around the resort looking at the colourful pools and the moonlit beach. The beach must have faced away from the ocean, because there were no waves at all.
I ordered breakfast ($40) before bed. This was my room.
So breakfast came at 9:00 AM sharp, like I ordered it. Eddie, a courteous Fijian, asked if I was ever coming back to Fiji, and I said "not likely". He looked a little sad. The plate of fresh Papaya was delicious.
This was the view from my balcony. Fiji is actually a third world country (I believe), and off the island were many poor people. I'm sure many of the Fijians working at the resort were forced to work in order to survive.
Checkout was at 10AM and they needed the room. So I put my bags in storage for the day. The front desk told me that Air Pacific had made no provision for lunch. I had AP's number, but I figured I'd call them later at lunch time when I was hungry. So I spent all morning walking. Outside the pampered, watered, gardened resort, the land was a bit dry.
At about 1'o'clock, I checked with the front desk again, and now lunch was paid for. Down at the "Salt Resteraunt" I ordered a Tandoori Kebab. Later they made me pay for the soda however.
I enquired at the front desk to find out that my room usually costs $650 FJD a night! At 5 PM-ish many of us stuck travellers were put on a bus and sent to the airport. Another huge line. I was informed later that Air Pacific overbooked this flight by 200 seats. Ouch! They will be feeling the repercussions for a while.
Before my flight, an Air Pacific manager gave me an Alaskan Air itinerary to replace my flight to Vancouver.
I asked "What about to Edmonton?" He took a while and got busy, but after half an hour, he got back to me and said that he couldn't book it from Fiji. So I needed to get to their office in LAX. I got on the flight, 25 hours later then originally scheduled, and took off. Every single seat was taken.
In Los Angeles, I had less then 2 hours to catch my Alaskan Air flight. It was tight and I was running. But the check-in for Alaskan Air told me my itinerary wasn't valid; I needed a real ticket! So by this time it was getting too late to catch the flight. So I headed to Air Pacific's check in, and talked to them. They directed me to Air Canada, where my original flights were scheduled. Guess what? My AC tickets were still vallid after 24 hours. So I caught my flights to Vancouver and to Edmonton no problem, just 24 hours late. Here's a funny advertisement I saw in Vancouver.
That concludes 8 months of my life in New Zealand. But the travels are not over yet.
September 9 - 11th
Labels: Pacific Travel
Week 6/7 Aug 19 - Sept 4, Geraldine
We spent two weeks in Geraldine, staying at "The Crossing". The Crossing is a well known homestead just outside of Geraldine, which will be a century old in 2008. Capernwray currently manages it, which puts Dale and Pattie in charge. It's normally run as an upclass bed and breakfast, but then it's turned into a small school for second semester students from Monovale. (North island Capernwray)
There hadn't been enough applicants to the course, so there was no course while we were there. But all seven of us filled the place well enough, and we lived in this luxurious place for two weeks!
One day we had lunch at the Horne's place, and this is the view from their backyard! In winter the trees shed their leaves to reveal the snowcapped mountains.
We had alot of fun with the St. Andrews youthgroup. We hung out at a shed called "the Lighthouse".
Uniquely New Zealand (well not Canada anyway) is a weekly event that many churches participate in, called "Mainly Music". Moms bring their babies, and they dance for an hour and a half, singing basic songs with exaggerated actions. Not my thing.
Also we organized a few kids clubs, and helped out with a friday night rally.
One weekend us guys went on a hunting trip with the youth group (Boys only) and caught a few rabbits. The valley we were in, or the area, was Mesopotamia. It's the same valley where the Lord of the Rings crew filmed Edoras of Rohan! Also Helms' deep was around this area. Gorgeous scenery. Here's Adam guarding his treasure...
...and the travel team posing on Allie. (Our van.)
On my birthday, we went tramping up Mt. Peel! As you can see we encountered a fair amount of snow!
Our last saturday together, the team went to Christchurch for the day. Me and Chris bought these shwagsmen hats. (Does that make us shwaggers?) Shwaggers are hired Aussie farm hands who go from farm to farm.
Then we took the long drive home. This is the ferry ride back to the north island. The north island is behind me, but there was a strange wall of haze, so you can't see it.
Labels: Pacific Travel
Week 5, August 12 - 19, Timaru, Canterbury
So next we headed down to Timaru, which in the Canterbury region, is south of Christchurch. On the way I took these photos.
Those really are pringles in Nick's mouth. We were all goofing and acting lame after driving all day.
This is the church we worked at. The auditorium was entirely round like this, with hallways and offices branching off.
We helped out at a Christian school, the kids were great. The principal bought us fish and chips for lunch, and I was so stuffed! We even had these little oily balls kind of like Tim Bits.
The last day in Timaru, a Saturday, some of the locals who we had befriended took us to the local skihill in the mountains. (Mt. Dobson) It was a blast.
August 12 - 19
Labels: Pacific Travel
Week 4 August 5 - 12, Takaka, Golden Bay
This was our first gorgeous view after coming over the hill from Nelson Bay. These bays are seperated by these massive hills, and this is the valley that contains Golden Bay. Golden Bay is the most northern bay on the South Island.
The ocean on a mighty fine day. It was clear as.
This is the church we were at for that week: Epiphany Anglican church. Kind of old fashioned, lots of elderly people attend there.
Crazy Chris, we were on a beach by one of the elder's house (Neville's house) and he went climbing off the side onto this high rock. Then he couldn't get down because the rocks were wet! He ended up stripping and throwing his clothes down to me, before jumping into the ocean and swimming around.
This is Wharariki Beach. This is one of my favourite places in the world. (If not the favourite) This actually our school's director's favourite place, I found out afterwards. After a 20 minute tramp, you arrive on these dunes. There is a small seal colony in the pools, the little ones were showing off for us, and we even petted a few!
August 5 - 12th
Labels: Pacific Travel
Week 3 - July 29 to Aug 5 in Richmond
On the ferry ride to Picton (South Island) there was this Lamborghini lined up for the ferry!
Me on the ferry wearing Beth's scarf.
So we spent a week in Richmond where we worked with the school, kids clubs, and not much else. We stayed at a house in Redwood valley, overlooking Nelson.
This was mine and Chris' room. 
Labels: Pacific Travel
Week 2 July 22 - 29 Upper Hutt
This week we spent in Upper Hutt mostly hanging out with the youth. One of the highlights was a Hungi at the end of the week, where the Maori's cooked us supper! It was an awesome meal with laughter and companionship.
Graeme, a church intern. I hung out with him quite a bit, we did some graphics together! Great guy.
Chris did pretty much all the driving on Travel Team. His previous job was trucking.
Me and Adam stayed with Janice.
Janice's daughter got a signed picture from Viggo Mortenson!
July 22 - 29th
Labels: Pacific Travel
Week 1 July 14 - 21st Preperation
First week: July 14 - 21st. After school has been finished, and most students we know have gone home or traveling, we spent this week preparing for Travel Team at the ABS (Adventure Bible School) lodge, where Nick lives. Nick leads the ABS courses, but at this time of mid-winter there was nothing going on. There were lots of fun and serious moments, an awesome week. Here's the lodge we stayed at;
Kayaking and a sunset.
Yah... I know these people.
Outdoor tea in the dark.
The odd prank here and there.
July 14 - 21st
Labels: Pacific Travel
