Arrival

After 42 hours in 5 airports I have arrived in Nadi (pronounced Nandi) Town, Fiji Islands. I was going to fly to the east part of the island where my Fiji family lives however was exhausted and opted to get a room, cool down and get some rest.

The flight(s) were what one made of them I suppose. I was able to sleep from Saskatoon to Calgary, where I might add is not my first choice to go through American customs and sleep from Calgary to LA. As we approached LA and I could clearly see no snow and miles and miles of ocean the grin I have had has not left my face. With such a grin comes, apparently, compassion. Weird.

In LA, I had about 90 minutes to get to my connection. I did make it with about 20 minutes once I was at the gate, the United staff asked if anyone would volunteer to fly at a later time (4 hours) and as I had not really booked a place to stay I volunteered. For volunteering I received a free round trip ticket in the continental United States and was upgraded to first class for my flight to Honolulu. As if, I was all over that like white on rice.

Except.....that 4 hour later flight was delayed by 8 hours.....lol. So I spent a lot of time walking about LA airport. I would have left except there was no notification of the delay until it was supposed to originally depart and then I only had 3. 5 hours. No worries I had a great sleep courtesy of the comfortable benches, read my book and chatted with various travellers. As well, I went to have a beer while waiting and was asked for ID I thought that was pretty spectacluar.

The first class option was nice filled with options and much concern about if I needed anything...anything. Once I arrived in Honolulu, lol, this is where the fun started. I had about 4.5 hours until I could check in to my flight Fiji. So again i didn't leave the airport and opted to sleep for a bit......well I got all cozy on the benches with my purse almost indented to my body, my luggage under my feet and begin to snooze....except it was 14 in Hawai'i and the airport is open air. So needless to say about one hour later I woke up and was freezing....lmao. So I pulled out my sarong, my beach towel and my hat and slept, er well as best as I could in the cold and sitting up while my body protected my luggage. I thoroughly welcomed that check in!

I arrived in Fiji and once the main island was in sight I was very very happy. I saw the island and remember the graciousness of the people, the wonderul landscape and all the experiences I had. What I did forget is how flippin hot it truly is. Once I got off the plane though I was reminded....QUICKLY. I was going to fly to Suva but opted to grab a room and try catch some zzz's. I was able to get a room for 45 CDN a night with transit included and fly to Suva in the am. I have phoned my family and friends here and let them know the plan and from the tone of our voices were are pretty excited to see each other.

I will do my best to update the blog as many of you know I will have some stories about how Bonz is handling Fiji life again. I am looking forward to this visit and seeing everyone, its been 5 years of emailing and phone calls which will all culminate in hugs and smiles. Truly what I have been missing.

I wish I could amlgamate the two lives, home and home 2. I know everyone would get a long and really who wouldn't love the climate and geography. Shout out, peace.