This year we had the warmest December (ok that didn’t mean it was pretty – it meant it is rainy, cloudy but no snow and not too cold). We were hoping we can leave before the winter comes but it was not to be. First, we got the coldest days with -15 C in Comox - where we were still lucky, as in other parts of BC and Alberta they had -40 to -50 C (It was so cold that Edmonton was colder than Siberia and the South Pole). Barely surviving the real cold weather and looking forward to go – the weather forecast called for snow: It started to snow 20 cm on Tuesday night, already in the evening they talked about cancelled flights on Wed (and we are flying on Wed), they advised only to leave it is necessary (I think leaving the cold weather is).

We woke up to snow, checked, the plane from Nadi is on route and it looks like it will be on time, the plane to Vancouver is still on board on track!!!. We did call the taxi to ask to go to the airport earlier, in case anything goes wrong – better early than to late. And before leaving Gine shovels some snow!!!!

What is normal: when you have the first snow of the year, then everything is delayed. This morning we checked and were happy that our flight is not cancelled – that was the good news. As the morning progressed, we got the notice that the flight is delayed, not a big deal. Then came the next notice that the flight is delayed to 5.36. That means Paul calls the taxi again and they will pick up an hour later.

Once at the airport, we had to wait, because the two people at the counter had to get the flight from Calgary in and out. After check-in we went to relax a bit, and that is when we got the next notice:  the flight is at 6.37 (good thing we came later to the airport!!!) we still have 3 hours to wait. Guess the good point is, the waiting in Vancouver is shorter.

And the problem is not here it is in Vancouver where at the moment in average every flight departure is at least 1 hour delayed (with the comment and increasing) – good thing we are not in a hurry.

Paul said he was thinking that the snow will screw up our trip, but we didn’t assume it will be that bad. As we waited, suddenly we see that we are leaving at 7.07, ok no big deal, we only won’t have supper in Vancouver. And then what really got to me was that at 6.45 suddenly it jumps to 8.25 – What!!!!! I mean really you didn’t know the plane is still in Vancouver. By then we got worried – as like 90% of all flights in Vancouver have a delay: ours doesn’t. Gine tried to call Fiji Airways – but then we got interrupted with announcements. We did check with the guys but they have no clue either. We really got a bit worried and already decided that one person goes to the counter and the other person gets the luggage. Then came the announcement the plane left Vancouver – yes, it is by now already after 7.30. We finally left around 08.30 in the super noisy plane.

Arriving in Vancouver, Gine pulled out the phone and saw that we got a call from Fiji Airways in Vancouver, she calls and they told her that they are already boarding –yes this is one of the few rare flights which is neither cancelled nor delayed. Paul even asked if we can go right to the gate and they would wait a few minutes – the answer was, no sorry.

Ok we need a plan: picking up luggage, finding a spot to sit and call Fiji Airways. Once we reached an agent, we got told that they can put us on a flight on Friday (that is in two days!!!) but we have to pay the 150 CAD per person Change fee as well another 1050 CAD in extra costs as that is the cheapest flight option they have. Wow!!!! We are blown. Now what should we do??? We hang up and thought about it and looked around, but all other flights to New Zealand are 1800 – 2100 CAD pP and some of them are on the road for 39 hours starting Friday. What alternatives we have: cancel the whole trip (wow that would be pricy too and we are stuck in the cold) – so we decided that maybe we need to pay the piper.

And we called again, told her we would do it and when the payment part came, the Visa got declined!!! What!!! We tried the other Visa still a no-go. What is going on??? She told us she will put us in for the flight but we have to call again tomorrow before noon otherwise the trip will be cancelled. Afterwards we went to get ourselves some supper – yes, it is now 10 pm and we are tired, hungry and frustrated. And see there, Paul’s visa doesn’t work, we try Gine’s doesn’t work!!! I think we have a “Houston problem”!!!

Next thing to do was: phoning around to hotels – and we have another big surprise, as all hotels we called are full and we got told that they were already full for the nights by 6 pm. Guess when a lot of flights get cancelled it is good business for hotels. That means we have a long night ahead of us. By now Paul’s phone is nearly dead 12 % - we went for a bit to a plug-in station to get a bit juice in our stuff and then we thought the tile floor is not the most comfy… and on the search we go- by the way by now it is 11.30 pm at night.

The best spot we could find was the baggage claim domestic area, because here they have carpet and a little corner, but it is super busy here, there are no seats available only the floor. We get ourselves two carts and put the suitcases on, locked them together and huddled up in between and roughed it a bit (no, we don’t have enough cushion on us for that hard floor). Why was it so super noisy – 1) there were a lot of people here 2) there were constant announcement. What happened was they cancelled I think it was 4 flights and the people already had the luggage checked-in, but it took hours (I mean until 4 am in the morning) when they brought the luggage back out. And the people waited and waited and were noisy.

Lots of interruption and wake ups – but we had a few naps and are ready for a cup of coffee, now it is time to organize our life again – because at the moment we sit at the airport with no plan.

Paul calls RBC: that Gine found an old Visa/Debit we never used and we wanted it removed from the account and both of our main Visa cards got closed instead. And our new Mastercard hasn’t arrived (I guess if the post office doesn’t do deliveries because of snow, you don’t get your staff – we really don’t like the snow). After a bit back and forth we got both our closed visa’s reinstated. Paul bought us yummy breakfast muffins and it worked.

Time to call Fiji airways again – and what a surprise the Visa didn’t work, both actually didn’t work. We called again Visa and they got confused because the lady was unaware that we wanted to use a closed Visa. All figured out and no it does not work in the Fiji islands – it is not the visa.

Paul said Book over Expedia – and Gine said how about we fly today a direct flight with Air New Zealand – only it is not the cheapest – but then what are our options – sit around for another day to save a few hundred dollars???? And sp we booked and yes the Visa worked. I think for all the money we spend, we could have flown business class.

Now the waiting starts, we go for a bit outside to get some fresh air, talk with a guy who really loved New Zealand. Sit at our favorite spot and watch people – try to check in with NZ Airways, only to find out Gine’s is unsuccessful and Paul requires forward flight information. And the counters are still closed – and so we wait.

A coffee – sitting and watching people – going for a walk – up at the Observation deck. By the way today are still a lot of flights delayed. And we head to the check-in counter.

Nothing is easy in life, we are one of the first ones at the counter – but then it was a big thing with our flights to the Cook Islands, back to New Zealand and going on the cruise ship on how many days will we be in New Zealand and what is our departing date. That is when we discovered Gine’s visa has one wrong letter in it. We have to reapply for the visa which takes a bit more time. Finally, the luggage is checked and we get our boarding passes – no there are no window seats available, the plane is full. At least we sit together and have an aisle seat. We go in through the security check to wait there. By the way we are not the only one who’s plans got interrupted the Air New Zealand flight to Auckland yesterday got completely cancelled.

Now it is time for a sub sandwich – as we don’t know on how long we have to wait after we are on the plane. We found a nice spot close to the aquarium. But are not too interested in it, as we are very tired!!! And then we wait again because this flight is delayed too!!!

Finally boarding time, we checked with our Airbnb in Milford and can still come – super!!!  As we get our boarding pass scanned to go on board, both flag red and we get our seats changed: literally to the last row in the plane. Not totally impressed – but then there is not a lot we can do now. Then we wait a bit more (because there is a line up in the de-icing) and with 2 hours delay we are on the runway. After supper (which was actually very good) we are both sleeping on and off for the whole flight. A wakeup call for breakfast and a bit disappointed as we can see anything as we fly into Auckland because we sit in the back middle. But we made it: our Vacation can finally start……