I was persuaded by one of the staff at Tubaluka, Aneal, to wait until he ws off duty at 4:00 p.m. and he would drive me to Nadi Airport or as close as we could get. It wason his way home and he has Sunday off. But I grew concerned as reports of flooding trickled in over the radio. At the same time reports of road and bridge washouts were mixed with stories of quick repairs. So the longer I waited to leave (I could have my room as long as I wanted) the more repairs could be made. The bridge at Nadi still stood but the south approach was washed out crews were apparently dumping truck loads of rocks in an attempt to provide a foot crossing. Presumably then a taxi would pick you up on the other side. But the other side was the town of Nadi which one must pass through to get to the airport.
Air Pacific sent a fax to all hotels saying all flights were cancelled from Nadi due to weather. But I am flying Air New Zealand. Same weather though. Finally I got through to Air New Zealand and while their Friday flights were cancelled, they planned to fly Sunday.
Aneal and I left shortly after 4. The staff were very concerned and just added to the heavy cell phone traffic that Aneal took while bounding through driving rain. Just before 6 we reached the washed out Nadi River Bridge. I could see that there would soon be enough rocks in place to provide a foot path and I hauled my bags through the rain to the working backhoe. When I figured that what the policeman said was Fijian for "white man test it first" I was quickly across and onto the bridge deck. But no taxis on the other side. Just flooded streets. I waded several blocks with muddy water swirling around my knees stepping carefully to avoid potholes. A few blocks out into town two young lads came to aid the struggling old man. It seems there isd a 6 pm curfew and the boys were breaking curfew to help. They told me that high tide would force the flood waters to peak in an hour and it would get higher. I'm sure I sounded pretty lame when I said "I'm looking for a hotel hopefully near the airport". What was left of town was boarded up. Last night's waters covered windows in the bank and collapsed them. The lads helped me carry my heavy bag. I wore my carry-on like a back pack. They took me to the police station where I gave them a good reward each and the police excused their curfew violation as I said they had certainly saved my bacon. The flood waters had been five feet higher where I was asked to wait and the police would find me a ride to an airport area hotel. As they did that, they also excused the lads in the back seat to ride in the open pick-up box. The rain had lessened.
So much devastation. We've seen the photos, but it really brings it to life to wade through it with all your own possessions in hand.
However, with all the flight cancellations so far, the airport area hotels are full. Called on them all. Know that I am now camped out in the airport for the night along with many who have been here for several nights. Only minutes left on my internet time. If my plane flies tomorrow, I am safely here in the airport and I will be on it.
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