The first leg of the journey - LAX to Fiji
Monday, January 22, 2007
We left for the LAX shortly after 4 pm to insure that we had plenty of time to check in for our 10:30 flight to Fiji. We walked right to the counter of the Air Pacific desk and checked all our pieces in. We have an extra piece and had to pay $75 in excess baggage instead of the $100 we were quoted over the phone.
We passed through security and found a place to 'camp' for a few hours and used our cell phone to call some family and friends to say some final good-byes. When boarding started we got in line and were some of the first passengers on board so we could easily stash our carry-on pieces. The seats seemed narrower and knee room as limited as ever. The girls were thrilled to find their own mini tv screen to watch videos or play computer games.
Shortly after 10:30 we were winging our way over the Pacific Ocean. Early on the flight we were served a hot meal and then settled down to try and sleep.
We knew we back in the south pacific when about mid-way through the 11 hour flight, there was some movement and noise from the passengers behind us in the middle section of the plane and a number of people were standing in the aisles. The cabin was warm and stuffy and condensation from the air conditioner was dripping from the overhead bins. Flight attendants were scurrying for blankets and plastic bags to try and stop the flow of water with limited success. There must have been some degree of success because things settled down again.
After breakfast was served the plane began its descent into Nadi, Fiji. Suddenly there was excitement on our side of the plane as water from the air conditioner began dripping from the overhead bins above Emily and Sarah who were sitting in the row in front of us. The passengers began grabbing the airline pillows and holding them up to the underside of the overhead bins to keep the water from dripping on their heads. The lights in the cabin had been turned off for the final descent when the flight attendants took Emily and Sarah to the back of the plane where there were dry seats available.
Warm tropical 75° air greeted us as we disembarked from the plane and into the transit lounge. Two Fijian men with guitars serenaded the lines of passengers waiting to clear the security area. We have a 3 hour wait until our flight departs for Vanuatu and on to the Solomons.
posted by Martha @ 6:23 AM
