Nede's Notes

The early plane ride to Naisori, Suva was bumpy but short, only 30 minutes. The baggage carousel must be the shortest one in the world. Barely long enough for a trolley load at about 6m long. But it worked. The baggage handlers throw the bags on one side and passengers grab them off the other. Baggage Carousel at Naisori International Airport, Suva My trip to Tuvalu was uneventful as opposed to last Saturday’s plane. Having been on the island for four days I positioned myself for a closeup shot of the plane landing, only it didn’t. Watch the video of the dog causing the plane to go around It went around twice, once for a dog on the runway and once due to heavy rain. The third time lucky was the highlight for the local kids who had gathered to watch. Watch a Fiji  Airways ATR72-600 landing Much of my week was about introductions and enquiries. We were supposed to have already started work but the boat carrying our gear got turned away and we had to wait until Saturday for it to dis...

As I paddled in the Pacific I reflected on my day’s journey. It started 11 hours previously with a chilly start from Stratford, New Zealand with only single digits on the temperature gauge. By the time I boarded the Auckland bound plane I was thankful I was wearing my trusty puffer jacket. The windchill made it feel like 5 degrees. This felt almost tropical to me compared to the sub-zero temperatures I had experienced for the last eight months working on the Homer Tunnel at Milford Sound. Flying in to Nadi A far cry from the caressing breeze I felt as I exited Nadi International Airport in Fiji. The staff there were really helpful with directions to the hotel shuttles, even describing it down to the green flowers on the side of van. I hadn’t organised any transport as I was advised to get a taxi but so I guessed the hotel might have a shuttle. As I waited outside a nice guy asked me why I was waiting. He told me where to wait and even pointed out the shuttle as it went past the domesti...