After being back at work for 5 weeks, which felt like 5 months, it was time to go back to Fiji for a holiday. We had been there 2 years ago, which we loved except for the weather – rained every day but still didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for the place.
11 February 2006
SYD - NAN
FJ 910
B 747 412 Reg: DJ-FJK
Seat 29A
Depart time, scheduled 13:55 Actual 13:48
Runway 34L
Arrival time, scheduled 18:45 Actual 18:34
Runway 08
Sector Length: 4 hours 39
Finally Saturday came and after a few last minute things we jumped in a cab for the airport. After my last Saturday at the international airport [SYD – CNS] I had expected long lines to check in, but was pleasantly surprised by the relatively short 30 minute wait.
We then headed to the food lounge for some food, and some photography, by now my girlfriend has got used to my unusual behaviour!
China Airlines A340 heading back to Taipei
Immigration a breeze, and we then did a bit of shopping before hearing the boarding announcement. Seemed a bit earlier than normal, but as I didn’t have a watch, we went to the gate for immediate boarding. Turns out we were all seated 20 minutes early.
Our plane
Pushback was a bit early, and then a slow taxi to 34L, where we lined up immediately and power was applied.
Seems the northly route heads west first, as we flew over the Olympic Stadium and Parramatta before turning right, and over the northern beaches.
The flight was pretty uneventful, we ended up watching the Dukes of Hazard, and picking at the meal. Can’t remember what it was, but after having lunch in the terminal, we weren’t too hungry.
The final approach was very interesting, flying over the break in the reef where I had sailed through many years ago when we sailed the Pacific. It was great seeing it from a different perspective.
As we were going through customs, the officer looking at our passports was just about to give my girlfriends back the her, when he took it back, looked at a stamp, and commented that he was the officer who stamped our passports the last time we visited!
We spent one night at a hotel in Nadi, before taking the launch to Mana Island in the Mamanuca group.
Islands on the trip to Mana Island
Approaching Mana Island
Our bure for 5 days
North Beach at low tide. Best place for snorkelling on the island, better at high tide
View from Mana Island
5 days later we reluctantly checked out and made our way to the launch which was delivering us to Denarau for the bus trip to the hotel.
Due to flight timing, we had to spend a night in Nadi each way, but the hotel we stayed at was opposite the airport, so it meant we didn’t have to get up too early for check in.
18 February 2006
NAN - SYD
FJ 911
B 747 412 Reg: DJ-FJK
Seat 28A
Depart time, scheduled 09:00 Actual 08:58
Runway 20
Arrival time, scheduled 12:25 Actual 11:58
Runway 34L
Sector Length: 3 hours 56.
Check in was quick and uneventful, boring but not stressful. After a bit of shopping for the usual friends dutyfree requests, we sat in the terminal and waited for the boarding announcement. Never ceases to amaze me people push and shove as though the plane may leave without them. We boarded after the push and shove had taken place, and still waited 15 minutes before the doors shut.
The flight to AKL departing an hour after us
Nadi surrounds after take off
Departing Fiji
Approaching Sydney
Landing in SYD
Thanks for reading.
Next trip: Tomorrow, SYD – BNE – SYD day trip.
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