Stranded in the Solomon Islands, domestic flights cancelled

[kpc]

Looks like @Tiki is 1/2 way back to Honiara now

 

[drron]

Landed

Fantastic news.

 

[Tiki]

You all followed me home!

So after landing, straight to the pharmac_, Robitussin forte obtained and a few extra Metformin just in case. Diarrhoea seems to have cleared up.

Then we went to the hotel I had previously booked on Agoda because they had indicated they were willing to change the dates on their end and the manager was very sympathetic to what happened. So 2 nights accommodation recouped.

I booked the QF points award on Sunday. Based on previous posts I was not confident about getting reimbursed for cash flights. So that only leaves 2 nights.

We are not out of pocket for the Rennell Guesthouse. I did pay 2 nights. Solomon Airlines told the property to invoice them for the nights we were there. Actually I hope they get all 6 nights paid.

For last 2 nights I’m looking at one night at Parangiju Mountain Lodge about 1 hour from the airport. Maybe last night near the airport just to be safe. They have transport and absolute worst case scenario we can walk to the nearest village with our tiny 7kg backpacks.

 

[Quickstatus]

Glad you made it out @Tiki

I imagine the island residents experience such delays often having to rely on very old aircraft and non precision airports

 

[drron]

Great to hear that you are in Honiara I guess you are never going back to Rennell.
Must be such a relief for you and your husband Here’s hoping that there are no further problems getting back to BNE.

 

[kpc]

@Tiki Can I suggest in future to carry an extra month's worth of medication when oversaes in case of unexpected delay? I do....

 

[Rayesfeg]

Well done on making it back to Honiara. I know you still have a little way to go before you are home, but this must be a huge relief.
While this was undoubtedly a very, very negative experience, unfortunately these sorts of situations can occasionally happen when travelling, especially when visiting more remote destinations. From your story (and the fact you went to Rennell island - a place many of us had probably never heard of), it sounds like you and your husband are the kind of travellers who enjoy getting off the beaten path and seek out unique experiences.
As difficult as this experience has been, I hope it doesn't discourage you from future adventures you might otherwise have considered. Travel is a privilege and has so much to offer, and I hope that this one unfortunate experience doesn't put you and your husband off all the wonderful journeys that may still lie ahead.
Wishing you a smooth trip home. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Seat0B]

You all followed me home!

We did and what a relief for you both!

 

[Tiki]

I’m back in my comfort zone, credit cards, wifi , 24/7 electric power, hot shower and birding hotspots within an hour drive.

Looking forward to a good lunch, I never want to see 2 minute noodles again!

 

[Flyfrequently]

We have all been invested in your safe return to civilisation @Tiki and hope the next 48 hours erases some of the stresses you and your husband encountered.
Safe travels home

 

[Tiki]

Even at our age (north of 65) we seem to bounce back. It was the uncertainty of the flight doing my head in. My husband is a Cook Islander / Aussie citizen so he actually fit right in, he grew up like that.

Birding adventures still await, road trip to Kangaroo Island, Tassie, Gluepot, Great Ocean Road, NSW, Lake Cargelligo in October. And NZ South Island early next year. Relatively tame compared to last week!

 

[VPS]

I’m back in my comfort zone, credit cards, wifi , 24/7 electric power, hot shower and birding hotspots within an hour drive.

Looking forward to a good lunch, I never want to see 2 minute noodles again!

It’s always good to be back in your comfort zone. I stayed in a small country motel last night and the Wi-Fi was appalling and you just get used to good Wi-Fi

Welcome back to civilisation and it’s a great community that helped and followed you

 

[offshore171]

A big thank you to everyone who offered help, advice and encouragement to the OP

 

[Tiki]

Just back after getting my phone charged. Yes, I would like to thank everyone who offered help, advice and encouragement. It’s nice to see so many kind people here. It means a lot that so many people who don’t even know me in person were willing to help.

I passed out for a quick nap after the sleepless nights of worrying and woke up more refreshed. I booked a 4wd taxi for tomorrow to go birding at Mt Austen in the morning. And there’s a touristy island night tonight and my husband is excited to have an island style buffet. So it’s back to normalcy Tiki style!

 

[ellen10]

Just catching up on your story @Tiki What an ordeal. So glad that you on almost on your journey home, time to relax a little.
Safe travels

 

[Mattg]

I haven’t been stuck on a remote island for as long as you were, but I have been stuck in airports a few times for extended periods trying to get out, and just having flight after flight cancelled on you. The worst part is the uncertainty, and after a while you just stop believing that the next flight you’re booked on will actually work out. Why would it when all the other ones didn’t?

I bet you were still doubtful that you’d actually get out this morning until you actually took off from Rennell. And when you did it must have been an enormous relief.

It’s great to see how resilient you are and that you’re going to be able to enjoy the rest of your (extended) holiday now, rather than just paying a small fortune to return home on the next flight and then crawl up into a ball, never to leave the house again.

 

[Tiki]

I haven’t been stuck on a remote island for as long as you were, but I have been stuck in airports a few times for extended periods trying to get out, and just having flight after flight cancelled on you. The worst part is the uncertainty, and after a while you just stop believing that the next flight you’re booked on will actually work out. Why would it when all the other ones didn’t?

I bet you were still doubtful that you’d actually get out this morning until you actually took off from Rennell. And when you did it must have been an enormous relief.

It’s great to see how resilient you are and that you’re going to be able to enjoy the rest of your (extended) holiday now, rather than just paying a small fortune to return home on the next flight and then crawl up into a ball, never to leave the house again.

I spent the entire time refreshing flightradar24 app to make sure the plane was still coming and not turning around again. Hence the almost dead battery by the time we got to the hotel, had barely enough to grab the award seats on the app!

Yeah the exorbitant costs of the walk up fares, even if I hadn’t salvaged the 2 prepaid hotel nights it was much cheaper to use points, pay for hotels and salvage the rest of the holiday. It would have been a shame to just turn around and go home missing the last 2 birding hotspots on Guadalcanal. We definitely won’t be coming back. It’s a shame because the islands are beautiful and people very friendly and helpful. They need to fix the infrastructure.

 

[AIRwin]

I can now see Reward seat availability tomorrow after which none until Sunday otherwise cash fare is over $600

Happy to hear that you were still able to book Reward seats on Sunday!

 

[henrus]

Yeah the exorbitant costs of the walk up fares, even if I hadn’t salvaged the 2 prepaid hotel nights it was much cheaper to use points, pay for hotels and salvage the rest of the holiday.

Tally up any out of pocket receipts for the time stuck and send them in to insurance. If they haven’t already ask Solomon airlines for a letter outlining the delay. You should be able to get something back but at least good that Solomon airlines had paid for the hotel.

Also ask the question about the QF points (some insurance will convert cost of points into a dollar amount) plus the extra nights in Honiara noting to them the earliest reward seat you could get was Sunday.

 

[Seat0B]

Good morning @Tiki. I bet you slept well and ate like a queen! I hope you see many fabulous birds today and leave the Solomons on a high note.