Today I would travel from Fiji to Honolulu Airport in the United States. I sprang out of bed before my alarm chimed. After a quick breakfast, I delved back into my book. My rendezvous point was the main road by 10:45 am, with the bus scheduled to roll in by 11 am. Bidding farewell to Jeremy and fellow dorm mates, I regretted not exchanging contact info with such a fun guy.
Towards the Airport
The bus journey was smooth, and by around 1:30 pm, I found myself at Nadi International Airport. After a quick pit stop at the restroom, I joined the check-in queue. At 2:10 pm, the counters opened, and after a brief 20-minute wait, it was my turn. I realized I didn’t have the address of my accommodation handy, but the attendant advised me to have it ready for arrival in the US. The tales of daunting immigration procedures echoed in my mind—Jeremy and Kim had both shared their intimidating experiences. Fortunately, I had sorted out my ESTA application seven months prior—a straightforward online questionnaire covering the usual inquiries about intentions and criminal history, a requirement for entry into many countries.
Customs
After checking in, I proceeded straight to customs. As I placed my belongings on the conveyor belt, the attendant instructed me to keep my belt on. Ignoring her advice, I passed through the metal detector, triggering the inevitable alarm. I was then subjected to a scan with a handheld device (the name escapes me). Predictably, nothing was found on my person. As my bag emerged from the scanning machine, the attendant requested permission to search it. Perplexed but compliant, I agreed. After meticulously rifling through every pocket, she reassured me that everything was in order. With mutual thanks exchanged—’Vinaka’ in Fijian—I continued on my way.
Following the customs check, I presented my passport to the attendant at the booth and received my exit stamp. Stepping into the bustling shopping area, a wave of excitement washed over me—the familiar thrill of embarking on a journey. The anticipation for Hawaii bubbled within me, fueled by the glowing reviews I’d heard from everyone I spoke to.
Fijian Hospitality
As I entered the shop, two locals warmly greeted me with a cheerful “Bula.” Despite being employees, their genuine friendliness made me feel truly welcome. Reflecting on my time in Fiji, I realized how much I would miss the hospitality of the Fijian people. Although I hadn’t written much about it in recent weeks, having experienced similar warmth during my two-month stay in Indonesia, it still struck me as remarkable. Everywhere I went, people would flash smiles and extend warm greetings with a hearty “Bula.”
Despite its small size, Nadi Airport had the convenience of available power sockets, which was a relief. The attendant at check-in informed me of a two-hour flight delay, which didn’t bother me at all. In fact, I welcomed the extra time, as it meant I wouldn’t have to endure a long wait in Honolulu Airport.
I decided to try the vegetarian spring rolls at the main, and likely only, restaurant nearby. While they were decent, I must admit I had expected them to be larger. With some Fijian dollars still left in my pocket, I opted to spend them on Milky Ways. Now, apart from a few coins, I was officially free of Fijian currency.
Weird Russian Guy
Around 6:30 pm, it was time to board the flight to Honolulu Airport, greeted by the ever-lovely crew. Opting for a window seat for perhaps the first time on this journey, I chuckled at the change. Typically favoring aisle seats due to frequent bathroom visits, I found myself in row 16, where a kind Russian man offered me the seat by the window. Oddly enough, the middle seat remained unoccupied, which left me feeling a bit uneasy. Though the Russian man was friendly, his breath left much to be desired, and he candidly shared about his dental issues, evident from the few remaining teeth in his mouth.
I kept to myself mostly, engrossed in my book and stealing occasional glances out the window. While the Russian man seemed okay enough, there was an air of peculiarity about him. He mentioned it was his second visit to Hawaii, sparking a brief conversation.
A Comfortable Flight
The flight to Honolulu Airport lasted 6 hours and 15 minutes, surprisingly comfortable despite the warnings from Helmi, Ario, and AJ about potential turbulence over the Pacific, akin to that experienced over the Middle East due to numerous clouds. Initially nervous, I found myself gradually settling into a sense of ease and security as the journey progressed. While I’ve grown more accustomed to flying over time, it’s still not my favorite activity. Yet, the opportunity to explore incredible destinations around the world makes it a risk worth taking.
The meal was delicious; I enjoyed beef with rice and vegetables—a simple yet flavorful dish. Following dinner, I spent some time reading and working on articles. As the flight progressed, I indulged in watching “Pirates of the Caribbean” during the last two hours.
Abruptly, the engine noise ceased, signaling the captain’s announcement of our impending landing. I hastily powered down my laptop, taken aback by the sudden change. Thirty minutes later, the twinkling lights of Honolulu came into view, prompting me to capture the moment. The flight attendant informed us it was 3:10 am on Sunday, June 1, 2014.
Being among the first to disembark, I found myself near the front of the line as we made our way to the immigration desks. The officers appeared stern, as many had warned me they would be.
United States Border Control
Handing over my passport and declaration form, the officer inquired about any candies in my possession, promptly updating the form when I confirmed. Then came the familiar questions about the purpose of my stay and the request for my onward ticket, a requirement I hadn’t anticipated outside of Fiji. After a brief search in my bag, I retrieved the ticket without delay. Following this, I underwent fingerprinting—left and right four fingers, left thumb, and right thumb—before being cleared to proceed. Retrieving my bag, I headed to the declaration officers, who swiftly reviewed my form and gave me the green light. The process was surprisingly swift, and before I knew it, I found myself outside the airport, a pleasant surprise compared to the one I had in Australia. However, my hopes for shops or cafes were dashed when I learned from an airport employee that they wouldn’t open until 5 am.
The Quest for Power
I wandered around the area, following the directions the airport employee had given me. Upon entering Honolulu airport, I explored my surroundings and eventually found a power socket. However, the next task was rummaging through my bag to locate my US power plug. No longer able to use the Australia/New Zealand/Fiji plug for my Dutch chargers, I had to delve deep into my bag to find the elusive US adapter. Frustratingly, it was buried among my clothes, prompting me to empty out my bag in the silent expanse of the hall, muttering curses under my breath.
Once I found the US power plug, I eagerly plugged in my laptop and phone to charge. I remained seated for about 30 minutes, occasionally taking a stroll around. Spotting some immigration officers, I exchanged greetings with them. Exhausted and yearning for a bed, I eagerly anticipated the Facebook status I planned to post soon. I was on the verge of joking with my friends about heading back home, but in reality, I was preparing to surprise them with the final leg of my journey: the United States. However, I decided to save that update for the following day.
Taxi or Bus
Approaching an officer, I inquired about taxi prices from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki beach, where I had a hostel booked for the next few days. He suggested it would be around $20 for a taxi but recommended the shuttle instead, which was only $9. As he finished his sentence, he mentioned the bus option, departing in 30 minutes for just $2.50. It was a clear choice for me. Since I likely couldn’t check into my hostel until the afternoon and had time to spare, I opted for the slow bus without hesitation.
After requesting directions, I stationed myself at the booth and waited. As more people congregated, the bus finally pulled up around 5:15 am.
