Its Coming Together!!

Bula Fiji-Followers, in my last blog I had a time frame in mind, but I've narrowed it down to specifics! Isn't that exciting? Well if you knew how non-commital I am, it would be. Never the less, I have decided to travel to Fiji April 12-24, 2011.  I plan to fly out of Tampa International to Nadi, there is a less expensive option by having 2 plan changes, one in Charlotte, and one in Los Angles. Total travel time (in the air) is 17 hours! The price for that flight is $1,517.70.

I've looked into the US Embasy in Fiji, since this is my first time traveling out of the country and half-way around the world, I figured it would be a good idea to educate myself on what is offered to me, incase I need to utliize that option. First, you need to register with the Embasy and for those of you who might be traveling abroad, I suggest you do this, ASAP. You can register here https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
I did find if I am in an accident or in distress to contact the 24 hour number (679) 331-4466 and ask for the Duty Officer. The Embassy also highly recommends checking with your medical provider to see if you will be covered should there be any sort of medical issue or emergency. Info can be found here http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1470.html

I've run a few senarios through my head, you know the typical traveler "what if's" most of them I can cross off the list of not happening, however, there is one that sticks out. I thought it would be a good idea to just have the info, incase I needed it, you can never be too prepaired for traveling out of the country, especially for the first time. What happens if I loose my passport? I mean, I loose it here, and I've never traveled out of the country, I loose everything all the time, my ID, my Credit Card, so its not out of the relm of possibilities that I will loose this passport. Okay- and lets be honest, by "loose" I mean misplace. But for the sake of my own sanity I need to know what to do so I can come back to the US. If you loose a passport, you have to apply in person at the Embassy office during normal business hours. Okay, thats not a big deal right? Now what else will I need, or need to do?

Here's What You'll Need.....

To replace a lost or stolen passport, you must present evidence o f your identity and your citizenship. You will also need a police report, fee, photo and an application form.

All of the information can be found here http://suva.usembassy.gov/lost_or_stolen_passports.html

SO glad I know what to do, should I need to, and lets just say I won't! I'm going to hold on to that little book with all of my might!!


Now on to the important things, well all of it is important, but this is the fun-important. What do I need to tell my BFF to do, if she needs to call me? Believe me, she will need to, I can't vacation in Fiji without keeping her informed, that is a give-in! Calling to Fiji is just like calling to any other country, for those of you who have never done it I will walk you through it. BFF pay attention, you will need this, more than anyone else!!

• 011 - US exit code; must be dialed first for all international calls made from the USA or Canada
• 679 - country code for Fiji
• phone number - 7 digits
• US to Fiji international dialing format : 011 + 679 + ??? ????

I think that explains it clearly, and the best part? When BFF can't remember she has it on this blog to refer to :) Now, don't forget there is a time difference, then again, its vacation and who sleeps on vacation???

Okay that about wraps it up for today! Today's new phrase is  Sega na lega which means "No Worries" and yes, I do sing the song from the Lion King in my head as I type this! Hakuna Matata! :)