9: Farewell Fiji - homeward bound

Last morning cuddles for a while

A morning at the Sheraton and then time for farewells. Crazy how much we had settled into the villa - there was stuff everywhere and hard to believe it could somehow condense down to the contents of the suitcases.

Definitely going to miss this 24/7 stuck between our girls 

There were no takers for an early morning swim - 😴 the collective commitment was to maybe a few more minutes of sleep, mind you, the early morning adventure upstairs for @Katarina with @Aunty Mindy and @Uncle Ian meant that maybe they were definitely fully awake.

Last buggy ride, last taxi ride

The  buggies arrived right on the dot of 11 for checkout and we assembled in the massive foyer and at this stage we definitely had no transport plan. @Mac approached one of the staff who was shepherding luggage into departure timeslots about transport to the airport. A cheery response 'I can organise that for you - four adults and a baby for 12.30? That's fixed price of $55 FJD."

And just like that, the drama of the double or nothing deal of last night was erased. 

@Joe and his vehicle were also permitted through the boom gate to collect the surfers. They were the first to leave at noon.

Nope, don't want to say goodbye!

Always the hardest part, waving goodbye to @Mindy and @Ian. They love the beach so much, hard to believe that the snow competes so strongly. On a 200 day countdown until we see them again! Thank goodness for technology. 

Next ... surf camp for @Mindy and @Ian - two hour drive south. Living their dream.

Off to the airport for us and once again, smooth sailing with @Katarina in tow. After the excitement of the car ride, her exit through checkin and security was fast asleep in her pram.

Fast asleep for all the formalities

Picked up the alcohol supplies here because the quick calculation and conversion rate had them cheaper than at BNE's duty free. Not sure how that works but trusting the maths kings.

Predictably, on a Sunday arvo, with everyone ending their week with island exit plans, the airport was busy. Lots of children!

Got her little monkey and awake just in time to board

 Unfortunately, also one very sick coughing, hacking and spluttering stranger. Out of all the choices of spare seats, she had to choose the one next to @Mac! It was horrid - i am surprised they would let her on the plane - and no mask. Anyway, we shuffled along and we actually took @Katarina to a different section of seating. 

The flight home seemed long! Afternoon more taxing than than the early morning flight we had on the way over. Guess there was more adrenaline associated with the first trip than this return one. I would say, in the day, if we had started the stop watch to keep track of any unsettled peep from @Katarina - we would have been challenged in wracking up a total of 10 minutes of crying.

Pass the parcel - glided across those four seat for four hours. Not a bad effort 

She was definitely full of beans and fidgety in flight - but we played pass the parcel, used the across the aisle space for extra room to play AND combined the changing light of the up and down window to keep her entertained.

The only "workers" of next week, trying for some relax time - @Bekah pretzeled

There was lots of crying around her and the little four year old behind her had a couple of full blown tantrums that included his Dad chasing him up the aisle as he attempted to find an escape route from the hours of confinement. 

The hardest part of the journey was when we were finally free of the aircraft. The pram was at the exit ramp but @Katarina wasn't having any of that - she wanted to run! And she did! So fast, I can't keep up with her.

 Unfortunately, all under 5s have to do through border security using the manual check of identity and this took FOREVER! Made up for it in the customs line - there was a lady at luggage collection who was peeling "families with children" off the enormous queue for exit and whisked us straight to the head of the line.

One last bus ride to the long term car park, loaded the cars, waved goodbye to the moon and the stars and rounded out the farewells with kisses and cuddles with a still very much awake @Katarina.

Still going strong while the cars are loaded

Our conversation on the way home was filled with wishes that @Bekah and @Anth, the two "report to work on Monday" travellers get some sleep overnight.  And apparently, @Shanks had an extra licky and excited welcome for them when they walked through their door!

We optimistically called in to Woolies on our way home - thought we were super organised with our shopping bags in tow. Had vusions that the shops were open till 9 pm. Silly us - they had closed at 5 - only missed them by three hours. 

Settled on a GadoGado treat - abandoned all plans of unpacking and starting the washing and instead savoured a home brewed coffee as a dinner chaser.

As always - love travel - but never ever disappointed to be in the comfort of home. It is cold though! 

Thanks family! What a great idea @Anth to get away to celebrate your birthday! Super dooper planning @MindyMoofromCountryTwo. May have converted our non sand lovers of @Bekah and @Katarina to beach girls. Always blessed to have that "guy" @Ian with us! Seemed a little selfish that @Michael couldn't make it - but he has started his packing already (it is out on the dining room table 😁)  for his @Mindy_Ian rendevous in just 10 days.

That's a wrap for us for 2026. @Mac has some time now to consult the spreadsheet to see what other options we have for next year. Whistler is definitely booked for March and April - other than that ... the world is our oyster. 

Search for @Mindy.Joy in Instagram - and turn up the volume

PS Mindy.Joy made a fabulous video compilation and posted on her Instagram account. Loads of fun. Click the Instagrm box below to give it a try .... search for Mindy.Joy. Fingers crossed.