WHY ?
The itinerary for Tiim was sent to us on November 17th. So why was his ticket not sent until two weeks later ? The situation was compounded by Air Pacific not handling any courier mail (or other freight) out of Nadi since last week ! So although the DHL package left Sydney on Dec. 1st., it was routed to Nadi but returned to Australia and due to arrive via Brisbane instead ! Unfortunately it would arrive AFTER our flight left on Thursday (yesterday) ! So, in spite of the paperwork being done to issue an emergency ticket, no solution was found before we left ! So a disappointed Tiim was left at the airport in Tarawa. If everything works out which we tried to fix before our departure, he will actually get an amended ticket to use the Air Pacific service next Tuesday afternoon. This should get him into Nadi in time to connect with the departure of the Grand Prix group at 10 pm Tuesday night ! We pray he keeps in touch with the travel agents, gets himself to the airport again, reaches Nadi, and has a seat on the Samoa plane ! I wonder how he will perform as a result - or in spite of it !
THANK GOD FOR McDONALD'S !!
The main Kiribati party (now only nine) arrived safely, were shuttled to the Mercure hotel near Nadi town, and moved into shared (quality) accommodation. We started walking to McDonald's but decided to catch a bus (only 50c.) Half an hour later, most of us were tibutaua (full) ! O.K. so it is junk food but we were hungry and it was cheap ! Meeting up with our advanced (Grand Prix) party, we had a Team Meeting to remind everyone of their reasons for being there and how to make the most of the opportunity ! Then to sleep !
EARLY MORNING AT THE MOUNT !
There are several Mount St. Mary's in the Catholic world, but these I-Kiribati athletes will remember the one at Nadi ! It is a Marist community, Church, and Primary School. No school now until January. So the important aspect was terrain, i.e. the hills and the three large fields of space ! A 6.00 a.m. start meant long shadows, a little dew, rising sun and no rain, and no-one else around ! So the runners (sprints and MD), jumpers, and throwers all had freedom to move ! A fairly successful Relay practice, improving javelin throwing (we brought our own 700 gm. for practice), and reminding bodies about the niceties of technique meant it was a useful session.
Breakfast at McDonald's (not Tiffany's !), sleep catch-up (not tomato !), and picnic lunch filled the next hours !
Last Modified on 08/12/2006 14:16