First things first. It was good … no, make that extra good … dealing with anyone from Air Vanuatu.
My first contact was the day before I left. I called the 1300 number to confirm my flight and lo and behold, a real person answered the phone. I wonder how long it has been since that happened to me. Adam answered all my queries, emailed some details to me and wished me a happy time of it.
Even at the airport, the check-in staff were on the money … quick, efficient and wished everyone a happy holiday and happy new year.
Just little things, but good just the same.
When I asked for an emergency aisle seat, the bloke told me that they had all gone, which was a bugger cos I do have long legs.
“Ask the fellas at the end of the counter, they may be able to reorganise.”
So I did and so did they, again as happy as you like. “I really love your work,” I told the fella who fixed it for me.
“Just part of the service,” he replied.
I had a very good feeling about the flight, something the was helped by a large tequila in an airport bar not long before takeoff.
Which in itself was a smooth as everything else about the airline, although I wondered just what the etiquette is with the armrests on airline seats. The are just four for the three seats and while the bloke next to me was happy to rub elbows with his missus on his left, he’d also claimed as his own the one on his right. I had to sit at a tilt, although not for the first time.
As we climbed our way out of Melbourne, on came Captain Bob to explain flight details.
He was greeted with “G’day Bob” by the chirping bloke in the seat behind me. His missus chipped in with “Thanks Bob” when he had finished. She was the same woman who went through the safety drill … with the gorgeous Angelina (I think) … with “check” for the seat position, “mouth-to-mouth” about the oxygen mask, “I’ll jump over mick” for the evacuation bit and “check” for all the other bits.
I was glad when the food was finally served because at least she was polite and didn’t talk with her mouth full.
And speaking of the food, it’s the first time I can recall a time that I actually enjoyed airline food. (OK, there was once on a flight to Hamilton Island when I had a huge hangover and they served me bacon and eggs and a beer ... so long hangover.)I opted for the corned beef and mash with vegetables and it was better than the same meal I have had I various pubs. And there was plenty of it. So too the red wine, which was refilled again and again. And all on the house. Why would I ever fly Virgin again? Well, I wouldn’t. Simple as that.
The only small hiccup for the flight was handing out the immigration papers. They had loaded only with French versions, which made, especially after a few glasses of red, filling it out an ordeal for the non-French-speaking among us. It was made easier though when a young fella found me an English version.
We made good time across the pond … it was scheduled to be four hours but we cut it by 15 minutes … and it was quarter to two by the time we laid some rubber of the Port Villa runway. Although it was two in the morning, the air was still pleasantly warm although I’d forgotten about the humidity. It sort of smacked me in the face with that almost thick, earthy smell we sometimes get in Melbourne after rain.
No matter. Customs was a breeze, although when the fella asked me where I’d be staying, I said “No idea of the address, but it’s with my son.” “What’s his name?” he asked. “Liam,” I replied and that’s what I think he wrote on the form. He’d probably heard that Liam will end up lord mayor of the place sooner rather than later.
Quickly enough I was standing there having a welcome smoke with Liam. Shit it was good to see him. Soon was were on the road to his place. It was interesting to see various places again become familiar, although 2.30am isn’t prime time viewing when it comes to sightseeing. No matter.
My bags firmly ensconced in my room, a hug and a kiss from Michelle who sleep-walked out to greet me (she had to work that day) and soon Liam, myself and the dogs, Angus (who likes to eat coral) and Stu, settled on the back verandah for a beer (make that many beers), a smoke and a talk.
Suddenly it was 6am and sleep seemed like a good idea, but not before I had a tour of the garden, which is all fruit trees, coffee trees and lots of green stuff.
Sleep came easily.
