Laurie, Nancy and Dustin dropped me off at the airport at 6:40pm, just after the Air Pacific check-in had opened.  I had joined the Air Pacific Tabuna Club for $256.  That allowed me to get in the empty Tabuna (Business Class) line rather than the crowded “Pacific Voyager” (Economy Class). After looking at the Tabuna paperwork, the agent checked me in, then sent me to another agent who upgraded me to the 3 seats upstairs at no charge!!!  Next I went to the International Club.  The International Lounge was empty at 7, filling up at 9, probably due to a Philippine Air delay.  Our flight started boarding at 10:40pm for a 11:30pm flight.  They buttoned up the plane at 11:20pm and turned it around.  We waited until 11:30pm before clearance to taxi.  We taxied out a short distance and then took off to the South, over the city.   Normal take off is over the ocean.  There was a light rainfall, and bumpy climb out, I skipped dinner and went right to sleep.  Having 3 seats to myself was very nice, able to stretch out and sleep fairly well, but I did wake up to an occasional light chop.  I awoke around 3:15 Fiji time (8:15 Pacific).   Breakfast of yogurt, muffin, o.j. and a power bar.

Arrived & cleared immigration and customs, they were not concerned about the prepared snacks.  All baggage went through x-ray inspection.

After cleaning customs went to Vodafone booth to meet MaryAnne and rest of group.  Vodafone sim card was free, picked up $50 FD (around $25 US) air time. Talked to Laurie for 3 minutes, seems like it only went down $.80FD.  Picked up by 18 passenger van.  Noticed nice sun rise as we were leaving airport.  There was lots of rain damage as we drove by and the trash was piled up.  After clearing the Nandi town area, we went through mountainous area (pine trees!), few villages with washed out bridges and a few places where road had partly washed out.  Passed Outrigger Resort - “too windy, good for windsurfers, bad for divers.”  MaryAnne reported.  We stopped at Baravi Handcrafts for bathrooms and drinks.  Then continued along the “Coral Coast.”  We arrived at the Club Oceanus Resort and settled in.  Total trip was about 2 hours 45 minutes, we were slowed by the bad roads.

The rooms at the Oceanus are clean, tile floors.  Unfortunately, no cabinets for storage, but heck two guys can just line their stuff on the floor.  Internet is free by the bar/dive shop.  Boat to take us out to dive site for shark dive is about 75 feet from units.  Nice swimming pool on site.

We went to lunch at the Uprising Beach Resort.  I had the Kokuna, a traditional Fijian dish.  Wahoo, soaked in lime juice then marinated in coconut milk.  After lunch we took a tour of the property.  Very nice Wakatobi style bungalows, some with private outside showers.  Then a stop at the handcraft/cultural area before going back to the Oceanus.

Dinner at the Oceanus.  Wine is very reasonably priced... glass for 9 dollars you say?  No wait, the 1 FD = .6 USD, $5 for a glass of wine, can hardly do that at the yacht club!  Dinner was a BBQ Chicken Pizza, very tasty for about $18FD.  Took a cold water shower - I don’t know why, but no warm water.  Also have to figure out why the TV does not work.... stuff for tomorrow!

Tomorrow we go shark diving!