Bon Voyage

So many of you prayed that we would have a safe trip back to Vanuatu, and God answered! In fact, I’m not sure things could have gone any better.

To save $400 in airfare, we decided to fly to LA on Saturday afternoon instead of waiting until Sunday like we normally would. We had six bags (weighing exactly 49.9 lbs each), four roller carry-ons, and four backpacks. It took two vehicles to get us and our stuff to the airport, but this was actually our lightest luggage load since having kids … we considered it a success.

We checked-in curbside with Southwest airlines … allowing two bags free per person is wonderful, and curbside means they don’t even weigh your bags (unless they're obviously overweight). Since we had the allowance, we went ahead and checked two of our carry-ons, so we wouldn’t have to mess with them in the airport and plane. That experience is well worth tipping the skycap a couple dollars per bag! We always fly Southwest because of their baggage policy, our experience with their friendliness, and their one-way fares.

After one last treat (Jamba Juice) with Mema and Papa, we headed to the security checkpoint. Apparently, the TSA is trying out a new system where everyone leaves everything (travel liquids, laptops, etc.) in their bags, and keeps their shoes and light jackets on. You still have to empty your pockets, but it was much less hassle - we were glad to have been randomly selected to pass through that line (not only was it faster, but it was also a much shorter line).

We got to the gate just prior to boarding time, and got on the plane during the family boarding process. The flight was uneventful, and we arrived at the gate in LA on time. We headed to the baggage claim area (after stopping by McDonalds for a snack), where I left Shawnda and the kids with their hamburgers. I went outside to look for abandoned luggage carts, and found two pretty quickly (they cost $5 each from the kiosks … I’m a cheapskate, I know). All eight of our bags came out, we loaded them onto the carts, and pushed them out to the curb. Both kids wanted to go with me to the rental car place, so Shawnda stayed with the bags and the three of us walked over the rental car bus loading area. After just a few minutes, we were on the bus headed to the Dollar Rental Car building. We checked in there no problem, got our minivan, and headed back to the airport (BTW - GPS on the cellphone is such a blessing!). We got our bags loaded, asked Siri “where is Four PoInts by Sheridan?”, and were on our way once again. We’ve learned that this system works better than trying to get all our bags onto the rental car shuttle bus, off of the bus, into the rental car center, and into the car. It took us almost nine years, but we’re getting the hang of this traveling stuff.

I checked in, got back to the car, and we found a family-favorite nearby for dinner - In-n-Out Burger. The place was beyond PACKED, so we decided to get ours to-go. After a yummy burger & fries and showers, we were all sound asleep. Bonus to rental car: we left all but two roller carry-ons and our backpacks in the minivan overnight, which meant we didn’t have to mess with them. I told you we were getting the hand of this! And if you’re worried about theft in the parking lot… I would have been alright if one or two bags went missing - ha!

After a good night’s sleep, we found our way to a nearby Middle School where a local church meets on Sunday mornings. We were warmly greeted by several, and quickly found that we knew some people in common (it’s a small world). The preacher introduced us at the beginning of services, and asked me to get up a say a few words about our work in Vanuatu. We were greatly encouraged by our time together with these Christians.

After a quick lunch, Shawnda took the kids down to the pool, and I got to watch the Broncos playoff game. Being so close to the airport, the hotel where we stayed recently instituted a new policy, which means you can stay a full 24 hours without paying an extra for the room - what a deal! About 5 hours before our scheduled departure, we packed everything up and got into the minivan. I dropped Shawnda and Alexis off with our luggage at the airport, and Titus and I returned the rental car. We caught the rental car shuttle back to the airport, and found our way to the Fiji Airways counter in the international terminal (no abandoned luggage carts to be found, so we had to pay for two this time). It was about a 30 minute wait to check in, but the kids did well. We had a very kind agent check us in, we made our way thru security, and found our gate. They have totally redone the international departure terminal since we were there last, and it was quite impressive. We had some Chinese food and waited for our plane. The kids made some friends and played with them until it was time to board.

The flight was full, which means no opportunity to spread out, but thankfully we were close to the front (and would be able to de-board first), because our schedule only allowed us one hour to transfer planes in Fiji. Air Pacific recently changed their name to Fiji Airways, and got new Airbus 330s in the process. The planes are new and seem to have an inch or two of extra legroom, which was much appreciated. They are a bit smaller than the old Boeings, and take about 30 minutes longer for the Los Angeles to Nadi leg of the flight. The kids both slept pretty well on the flight (we took off in LA at 10:30pm Sunday, and arrived in Nadi at 5:30am on Tuesday, having crossed the international dateline).

Folks flying to Port Vila were ushered to the front of the line at the Nadi transfer desk, and we got through without much of a hitch, and found a sit close to our boarding gate. After a quick trip to the bathroom, we boarded our final flight to Vila. We were on the back row of the plane, and once again had an uneventful flight. We got thru Immigration, Baggage and Customs with no problems, and Flexon was there to greet us outside (along with his son, Renzo). He called his bus driver to come and pick us up, and we enjoyed visiting with him while we waited on the bus to come. 

We hadn't been able to make short term accommodation arrangements from the States, as the place we normally stay was over the threshold of giving us our usual local discount. We stopped by a couple of places, and ended up taking a room at the second place. It’s a one bedroom apartment with a bathroom and a kitchenette, and there’s a small swimming pool outside. It’s no frills and pretty small, but hopefully we’ll be able to find permanent housing quickly.

As I mentioned, your prayers for a safe trip were answered, and we ask your continued prayers as we find housing and get re-settled. God is good … all the time!