Our Fiji trip Jan 2022.

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straitman

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Bula from Pacific Harbour Fiji.

On Monday 8th January 2022 we were booked on VA195 from MEL-NAN with a scheduled departure of 0800. We had been told that check-in was 4 hrs prior to the flight so starting at 0400. We were staying at the Airport Park Royal and had priority check-in available. That being the case we got up at 0345 and started our check-in at 0440. It was quick and easy with a full check of all our documentation. Our grandson’s vaccination certificate opened some eyes is it was issued in Panama and at first glance it’s all in Spanish. From there we wander off to the VA domestic lounge as they currently don’t have any international lounges. After a leisurely breakfast we went through Customs and Immigration.

All good thus far but then a period of fun started. We boarded about 20 min late and then sat for a bit until there was an announcement to the effect that one FA had an issue and had to be replaced. Unfortunately, the replacement FA needed a PCR test. About an hour later the story came out. The first FA had tested positive and the replacement had also tested positive. We were then disembarked and asked to wait whilst it was sorted out. As there wasn’t a lot of passengers we were already on minimum crewing so needed the extra FA.

A while later another FA arrived after a quick diversion from BNE-CBR-MEL and we were finally on our way almost exactly 3 hrs late. The flight was uneventful and the FA became the hero of the trip and got mentions from both the Captain and cabin supervisor.

Weather in NAN was pretty awful with low cloud and rain so I am guessing we did a GPS RNav approach. Immigration was painless and we were quickly on our way with 2.5 hr drive to our resort at Pacific Harbour. We had planned to rent a car but changed our minds a few days before departure. This was fortunate as the majority of the trip was in heavy rain and in the dark. Our driver who we know from previous trip did an awesome job. We finally reached our destination at about 2015 Fiji time.

On day 2 we the resort did an RA test on all 3 of us without issue. The resort assistant manager and one of the receptionists did the tests as the nurse from Suva couldn’t get here due flooding. They assured us they had done the necessary gov’t training and we know them well enough that we believe them without question.

It’s been very wet here everyday, until today when the weather became hot but pleasant.

There is a lot of Covid in this area, so protocols are being strictly followed. The Pearl hotel/resort next door has closed due Covid cases and we cannot visit some of our friends as they live in what the Fiji gov’t defines as high risk areas. We have travelled around in similar fashion to being at home. ie be careful, wear masks when appropriate and don't go too close to strangers.

We are here until 22nd Jan and then move to the Hilton DT at Sonaisali Island for 5 nights before returning home.

We are watching what happens closely and keeping our options open but not worrying too much about what "might" happen. Our neighbours at home have had Covid as did many others nearby, so this isn’t a lot different. The Hilton on Denarau has a major Covid issue and are reportedly struggling so we are not going anywhere near there.

I'll post more if/when something significant happens.
 
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Bula from Pacific Harbour Fiji.

On Monday 8th January 2022 we were booked on VA195 from MEL-NAN with a scheduled departure of 0800. We had been told that check-in was 4 hrs prior to the flight so starting at 0400. We were staying at the Airport Park Royal and had priority check-in available. That being the case we got up at 0345 and started our check-in at 0440. It was quick and easy with a full check of all our documentation. Our grandson’s vaccination certificate opened some eyes is it was issued in Panama and at first glance it’s all in Spanish. From there we wander off to the VA domestic lounge as they currently don’t have any international lounges. After a leisurely breakfast we went through Customs and Immigration.

All good thus far but then a period of fun started. We boarded about 20 min late and then sat for a bit until there was an announcement to the effect that one FA had an issue and had to be replaced. Unfortunately, the replacement FA needed a PCR test. About an hour later the story came out. The first FA had tested positive and the replacement had also tested positive. We were then disembarked and asked to wait whilst it was sorted out. As there wasn’t a lot of passengers we were already on minimum crewing so needed the extra FA.

A while later another FA arrived after a quick diversion from BNE-CBR-MEL and we were finally on our way almost exactly 3 hrs late. The flight was uneventful and the FA became the hero of the trip and got mentions from both the Captain and cabin supervisor.

Weather in NAN was pretty awful with low cloud and rain so I am guessing we did a GPS RNav approach. Immigration was painless and we were quickly on our way with 2.5 hr drive to our resort at Pacific Harbour. We had planned to rent a car but changed our minds a few days before departure. This was fortunate as the majority of the trip was in heavy rain and in the dark. Our driver who we know from previous trip did an awesome job. We finally reached our destination at about 2015 Fiji time.

On day 2 we the resort did an RA test on all 3 of us without issue. The resort assistant manager and one of the receptionists did the tests as the nurse from Suva couldn’t get here due flooding. They assured us they had done the necessary gov’t training and we know them well enough that we believe them without question.

It’s been very wet here everyday, until today when the weather became hot but pleasant.

There is a lot of Covid in this area, so protocols are being strictly followed. The Pearl next door has closed due Covid cases and we cannot visit some of our friends as they live in what the Fiji gov’t defines as high risk areas. We have travelled around in similar fashion to being at home. ie be careful, wear masks when appropriate and don't go too close to strangers.

We are here until 22nd Jan and then move to the Hilton DT at Sonaisali Island for 5 nights before returning home.

We are watching what happens closely and keeping our options open but not worrying too much about what "might" happen. Our neighbours at home have had Covid as did many others nearby, so this isn’t a lot different. The Hilton on Denarau has a major Covid issue and are reportedly struggling so we are not going anywhere near there.

I'll post more if/when something significant happens.
Very interesting information. And Fiji, home away from home.
 
Just to keep us on our toes.

Late yesterday afternoon our unit shook a bit and there was some ongoing rumbling similar to loud ongoing thunder. Chatting to our security guard and he tried to convince me it was thunder and we would get storms shortly.

What we actually got was the notification of the underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga and a warning of a possible tsunami. There is 775 km of open ocean between us and Tonga.

The bedrooms in our unit are upstairs and higher than nearly everything else around here so we were not too concerned. Fortunately nothing eventuated and today is extremely calm, a light overcast and only about 28C.
 
We have just changed our trip. We are staying in this area until we fly home. Too many horror stories about hotels near and around Nadi so we'll stay here (we're quite happy) and then get a van with a known driver straight to the airport for departure.

We are reasonably comfortable that where we were going was OK however the consequences of catching Covid up there are too great. Here we have a 2 br apartment with a full kitchen and the resort will do food deliveries and shopping as needed. (hoping none of that is needed)
 
We have just changed our trip. We are staying in this area until we fly home. Too many horror stories about hotels near and around Nadi so we'll stay here (we're quite happy) and then get a van with a known driver straight to the airport for departure.

We are reasonably comfortable that where we were going was OK however the consequences of catching Covid up there are too great. Here we have a 2 br apartment with a full kitchen and the resort will do food deliveries and shopping as needed. (hoping none of that is needed)
There are said to be flight restrictions, hope they're all cleared up by the time you're due to fly...
 
So moving forward.

We are fine here in Pacific Harbour but Nadi is a bit of a mess though not as bad as Melbourne or Sydney so we have just changed the last part of our trip.

We are staying in this area until we fly home rather than the planned 6 nights in the Nadi area. Too many horror stories about hotels near and around Nadi so we'll stay here (we're quite happy) and then get a van with a known driver straight to the airport for departure.

We are reasonably comfortable that where we were going was OK however the consequences of catching Covid up there are too great.

Depending upon how they have gone with testing, people have had to stay up to an extra 27 nights. Here we have a 2 br apartment with a full kitchen and the resort will do food deliveries and shopping as needed. (hoping none of that is needed). We are due to fly out at 0745 on 28th so we need to leave here at 2am. (ouch)

There are much worse places to be stuck than staying an extra 6 nights at Fiji Palms.
 
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Well it seems that my master plan was a failure.

Our 17yo grandson got up this morning and said he had a sore throat, cough and some aches similar to when he had his second shot. We waited a while but then did an RA test and he came back a weak +ve. As I was symptomatic I did a test 5 days ago which was -ve but then did another this morning as I wasn't getting over my 'cold' and I came back with a strong +ve. My wife is now just waiting her turn.

Under the new rules we need to isolate for 7 days so figure we'll only be delayed by 3-5 days so once again not as bad as it could have been.

The Dr is coming by for a visit tomorrow morning.
 
Well it seems that my master plan was a failure.

Our 17yo grandson got up this morning and said he had a sore throat, cough and some aches similar to when he had his second shot. We waited a while but then did an RA test and he came back a weak +ve. As I was symptomatic I did a test 5 days ago which was -ve but then did another this morning as I wasn't getting over my 'cold' and I came back with a strong +ve. My wife is now just waiting her turn.

Under the new rules we need to isolate for 7 days so figure we'll only be delayed by 3-5 days so once again not as bad as it could have been.

The Dr is coming by for a visit tomorrow morning.
Oh no....hope you, S. and B are not too sick!
 
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