Flying Fiji Air

Our flight from Auckland to Fiji on Fiji Air was great. Linda booked us into business class so we had access to the Air New Zealand lounge at the airport where we could get a good bite to eat, use the internet, and enjoy a couple of complimentary drinks. The amenities aren’t enough to pay for all the time, but we have certainly gained an appreciation for the benefits, especially when you have a long layover. Sometimes the food and drinks pay for themselves in the bargain.

A pleasant way to prepare for takeoff

The service on the plane was even better. A drink before takeoff set the stage followed by a menu for the upcoming meal which will be accompanied by a nice wine and the flight actually becomes enjoyable. On this flight we had Fijian cocktails with rum and tropical juices. I liked it enough to have two.

Last look at New Zealand

The airport in Nadi (pronounced Nan-dee) is small so gathering bags and finding a taxi easy. We made three stops in the airport. First was a hit on the ATM. While credit cards are taken almost anywhere, most places also charge a 2%-4% fee for their use making cash a better alternative. Then it was to the phone counter to purchase phone cards for internet access. It seems we can’t get along without that any more. Finally we spent some time at the tourist information booth talking to Randy for some activity ideas.

Our flight from Nadi to Honolulu was not as much fun. We weren’t sure if our flight left at midnight or 1:00 am. Both times were on the reservation. The hotel clerk called to check and still wasn’t sure, but she also told us to be there by 9:00. That seemed a bit excessive for a small airport even for an international flight, so we asked for a 9:00 taxi which would get us there by about 9:30. When we arrived we learned that the flight would leave at 1:00 and our check-in would begin at 10:00. At least we were first in line.

During check-in things got more interesting. First, we learned that while most international flights allow two checked bags per person, Fiji Air only allows one and the surcharge for a second bag is US$120 per bag. The clerk suggested that we take our two smaller bags and have them wrapped in plastic saving us the cost of one bag.

Linda was chosen for a special security screening at the gate. She and four others were subjected to an extra wanding and another carry-on search. The rest of us had our carry-ons rechecked, too. The rest of us had our bags rechecked, too. All courtesy of Homeland Security.. We were also subjected to this when we left Johannesburg, South Africa. In my case, he opened my camera bag, glanced at it, and just asked what was in my tripod bag without bothering to look inside. Treatment of the camera bag varies from place to place. Sometimes it goes right through the x-ray, but I have on occasion had to remove everything to send it back through x-ray in baskets. At one Aussie airport, the inspector spent about 20 minutes taking things apart and checking them before finally discovering and removing the nail clipper in the first aid kit. He left the tiny scissors behind. It’s hard for me to understand.

Rather desolate look of Christmas Island

Our flight made a stopover at Christmas Island (Kiritimati), one of 33 reef islands and atolls that make up the sprawling island nation of Kiribati, not to be confused with the more famous Christmas Island north and west of Australia. The plane was about ⅓ full so even though we were in tourist class, we had plenty of room to spread out. Fiji Air makes this flight stopover twice a week on the way to and from Honolulu. They have a similar arrangement with Samoa.

Air terminal at Christmas Island

 

 Once on the ground at Kiritimati, we had to disembark to go through the entire security check again. This is also required by our paranoid government. I guess they think we could have concocted something on the flight from Fiji. I do have trouble seeing any sense to ALL of this paranoia. I realize a certain amount of security is necessary, but some of this doesn’t make any sense and certainly doesn’t make me feel any safer.

Relaxing after the ordeal of our third security inspection.

 

While we waited in our tiny secured waiting room, another group of passengers got on the plane. Most of them were carrying bags longer than allowed and flat. We figured that they were musicians, but when we asked learned that these were fly fishermen and women who had come here for some of the world’s best fly fishing. Wow!! I talked to two guys from South Carolina who traveled the world just to fly fish. If this island has any other tourist attractions, they wouldn’t know about it as every day started in the dark and ended in time for dinner.

Finally back on the airplane and off to Hawaii

The rest of the flight was uneventful and we landed in Honolulu on time where we whisked our way through customs. Thanks to our Global Entry status, we don’t have to wait in lines or fill out any paperwork at all. Just scan the passport, smile for the camera, and take your coupon to the agent. They did ask if we had anything to declare and we did see dogs sniffing everything, but otherwise that was as pleasant as experience as is possible when entering the country.