Travel Challenges

Thursday 3rd July

Hugh and Val have left Melbourne and are now in Fiji! On Wednesday morning Hugh had a consultation with his surgeon (6 weeks post-op). The first question he asked him was did he plan on returning to the boat, and would that be some time towards the end of July? To which Hugh replied, eh no....we are flying back this afternoon! Not too sure the surgeon was impressed with that response, but Val explained the situation to him and ensured him that there were plenty of safety measures on board and that Hugh would not be allowed do anything which may irritate his back.

So, 3.30pm that afternoon, Fiona dropped Hugh and Val to the airport and they flew business class (not that impressive on the Air NZ Airbus 370) to Auckland, had an overnight stop there and then on to Nadi, Fiji the next morning. That's when the fun began...

Having flown originally from Tahiti, Hugh and Val did not have air tickets to return to Australia from Fiji. As a result, the immigration people in Fiji were concerned that they were trying to illegally stay in the country! Fortunately, Hugh had all the boat papers with him, so was able to convince customs that he would be leaving the country again in a matter of days. Not the case for Darryn - the latest crew member joining Hugh and Val in Fiji (from Melbourne). Despite Virgin Blue doing the wrong thing and checking him all the way through from Melbourne-Brisbane-Nadi on a one-way ticket, he ended up having to spend a lot of money on a return ticket, to ensure the Fijian immigration people would allow him to enter the country. The interesting thing will be when he doesn't take that return flight on Saturday because he will be sailing out of the country - Tony Mokbel style!

Fingers crossed everyone gets out of there ok, and Virgin Blue refund that return ticket since they did the wrong thing!

Apart from that, Hugh and Val are now setting up for the next (and final) leg of their World ARC adventure....wow....it's been a year already! Will keep you posted!