After two weeks on Arabella, the Mehta family left for Tahiti and my parents and sister (Elkie) arrived in Fakarava on the same day. The Mehtas and my family even managed to give each other Chinese New Year greetings briefly at the airport. It has been almost two years since we saw my family.
Unfortunately they've had a rather unpleasant and stressful journey from Hong Kong to French Polynesia. At the HK airport, they were told they couldn't check in because a PCR test is required for visitors arriving from Hong Kong. Apparently it's a new requirement that was announced just six hours earlier! Huge scare but then they were able to get a test done at the airport and they were allowed to fly.
Their itinerary was to fly from Hong Kong to Auckland, and then from Auckland to Tahiti. When we booked the flights, the agent assured us that all luggage will be sent directly to Tahiti from HK. However at the airport, the airline said they couldn't find their connecting flight information on the system, and hence they had to collect all checked in luggage, go through customs at Auckland airport and then check in and go through immigration all over again. What a nightmare! New Zealand customs are notorious for being super strict. Of course my parents packed all sort of food goodies from Hong Kong for the grandchildren (Mei Zheng Xiang pork and beef jerky). Elkie met up with them inside the airport (she was flying from Melbourne) and they went through customs together. As expected, they were stopped by dogs and all the luggage were searched and food items confiscated. They also received a $400 fine! With the long interrogation and queues, they almost missed their flight to Tahiti! Felt so sorry for them.
They arrived at midnight in Tahiti, and they spent two nights in Tahiti before catching the next flight to Fakarava. Taking advantage of their time in Tahiti, I gave Elkie a very long grocery list at Carrefour which is across the road from Hilton where they were staying. We were out of vegetables, fruit and booze. The long shopping list was due to the fact that there's pretty much nothing left to buy in Fakarava shops. The supply ship hasn't come for over a month and even the locals are struggling with basic necessities. We have been super fortunate with Mehta family and my family arriving and bringing us fresh products.
Carrefour
- [ ] Wine x 10 (white dry sauvignon blanc)
- [ ] Whisky x 6 Glenlivet or Glengiddich
- [ ] Lime x 12
- [ ] Lemon x 12
- [ ] Apples x 12
- [ ] Bananas x 30
- [ ] Oranges x 12
- [ ] 6x turnip/ white radish
- [ ] Green mangoes x 12
- [ ] Unripe Pomelo x 6
- [ ] Unripe Pineapple x 3
- [ ] Cucumber x 10
- [ ] Tomatoes x 15
- [ ] Carrot x 5kg
- [ ] Broccoli
- [ ] Green beans
- [ ] Celery x 1 pack
- [ ] Leeks x 1 bunch
- [ ] Purple potatoes x 15
- [ ] Yellow onion x 20
- [ ] Cabbage x 2
- [ ] Purple cabbage x1
- [ ] Ginger
- [ ] Jar of minced ginger (in open fridge section)
- [ ] Jar of minced Turmeric (in open fridge section)
- [ ] Green onion x 5 bunches
- [ ] Coriander x 5 bunches
- [ ] White all purpose flour x 10kg
- [ ] Frozen Rack of New Zealand lamb (full rack, not cut up.) x 1
- [ ] Chicken drumsticks (frozen)
- [ ] Chicken thigh (frozen)
- [ ] Chicken wings (frozen)
- [ ] Unsalted butter x 4
- [ ] Baguette x6
- [ ] Earl grey tea x 50 bags
- [ ] Penne pasta x 8
- [ ] chorizo
- [ ] Pesto sauce x6
- [ ] Condiments (olive oil,
- [ ] Lucky charms cereal x1
- [ ] Parmesan cheese & mozzarella cheese
- [ ] Candies (sour gummy bears)
- [ ] Mosquito spray (RID brand)
- [ ] Tortilla bread
- [ ] Oreo cookies x4
- [ ] Nutella x 2 big jars
- [ ] Oreo cookies x4
My parents and my sister checked in 13 pieces of luggage with excess luggage of 210kg! Everything went smoothly and we were so happy when they finally arrived safely! We all sighed a huge breath of relief when they came on Arabella. My parents were thrilled to see the granddaughters and we all looked forward to celebrating Chinese New Year together.