Leading up to our eagerly anticipated trip to Fiji this year, my email inbox was barraged on the daily with upgrade offers from Fiji Airways. The offers were many and various, but one that really appealed was the opportunity to purchase ‘Neighbour Free’ seats…that is until I discovered that this privilege costs $75 per passenger.
Checking in for our flight a couple of days before departure, I discovered a clutch of three seats across the middle of the plane in row 43. “Beauty” I thought as I craftily booked both aisle seats (for $27 each), banking on the fact that no sap would choose to be the sardine in our sandwich. Col & Marilou – 1, Fiji Airways – Nil.
The night before we flew out I was vexed with a fractious slumber, partly due to excitement, but mostly down to the subconsciously breast stroking bullfrog sharing the bed with me, who was nad-spreading for glory as the night wore on!
We had researched and checked in with our friends on what we were able to take into Fiji in the way of local delicacies to share. Col curated a sample set of wines from the Bellarine Peninsula to showcase, while I filled my suitcase with two frozen lamb shoulders and a side of salmon to barbecue on cedar planks (also en valise). With this bounty in our bags, we were both nudging the 30kg baggage weight limit!
Lucy, Ry and their girls drove us to Geelong Railway Station to catch the Gull Bus to the airport and after fond farewells, we trundled our heavy bags towards the bus bays. Col suggested we sit in the sun to wait, while I was keen to wheel to Bay 7 and sit on our suitcases instead…just to be safe. Sadly comfort won the day and we only missed the bus by an equal measure of about 30 metres and 30 seconds, despite my wild gesticulations towards the back of the fast disappearing vehicle!
Accusations were mutually levelled and batted back. Needless to say, it was a very quiet $133 Uber ride to Melbourne Airport!
And…an enormously tall, very large girl booked the damned seat between us! 😄
Misadventure Memoirs 
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