Evacuated but Grounded in Auckland

I will send out the news now before I look at email as the access I have is limited to 200 mb and the inbox loading might tip the balance.

Camped last night in the Nadi Airport as the storm raged outside.  Lots of campers and it looked like I would be doing that again tonight as again all attempts to fly out were cancelled.  At one point we were told that they could not bring the big planes in and they would try to get us out by using smaller planes.  But then they could not fly either.  Meanwhile people were hiring a helicopter for $500 to fly them from their respective lodges to the airport.  Helicopters always flying.
Late in the day, Air Pacific organized an evacuation flight of all Auckland bouund ticket holders for any airline and they brought in a 747-400 which was filled.  Apparently all who needed to go were on this flight including me.  I got dinged $75 for heavy luggage as Air Pacific has lower limits than Air New Zealand.  But weather forecasters felt that the next wave to hit Nadi could become a cyclone.  What with wind, flood and more rain, Nadi is pretty beaten up.

Arrived New Zealand and cleared customs by midnight.  Air New Zealand counter was useless and could not discuss rebooking as it is done through some other agency on their behalf.  However, we were given a 1-800 number to call in the morning.  While I know that rebookings can happen quickly or at least one might need to act quickly, being away at a hotel will not help and many of the campers, including myself were prepared to camp again.  But one man suggested that I try the number now as he got through and got all his details given him.

So I did the same but the whole thing took until 1:30 am.  Bottom line is I have the same schedule but there is no available flight for me until April 6 (Friday).  So it looks like I have 5 days in New Zealand!
To do anything sooner would cost me $1222 extra on the ticket already purchased.  I'm too tired to go into all the argument about that.  Suffice to say I will be home April 6 under this plan.

Right now I am at the Airport Gateway Hotel, which is like a Traveller's Inn but OK at $79 NZ per night.  So Brian, if you see this, perhaps you could ask Steve to email some affordable suggestions of places to see in Kiwi land.  I have never been here before and have yet to see it in daylight.

Almost 2:30 am I am totally wiped and heading for bed.