UNNECESSARY HARDSHIP !
Having been at a farewell I-Kiribati botaki (feast) until nearly 2.00 a.m., we then rushed back to the hotel, packed hurriedly, clambered onto the buses, and arrived at the airport before 0230. Why ? Other (local) passengers knew the ETD was 0645. Thus it was, for a second time, the team found itself space on the floor and crashed out !
WITH NO EXPLANATION...
The incoming "Our Airline" service arrived but took a long time for its "turn-around" and so we took off at 0745 ! No reason was given for the original delay. An hour later, to noisy applause, we landed at Bonriki airport. Passage through Customs was aided by the news that the Ministry (of Education, Youth, and Sport) was laying on a "Morning Tea Reception" !
"THANKS, MINISTER !"
So, unusually, we had a visit to the Ministry and an outdoor refreshment ! The Minister spoke in welcome and gave his all-round congratulations. Officials of Weight-Lifting, Table-Tennis, and Athletics also gave variously passionate and emotional speeches. As a result, mention may actually be made in the House of Assembly at the first meeting of the new Parliament on Monday (Sept. 17th.) to bring the new MPs up-to-date with events ! Will this encourage them to fund the next (14th.) Pacific Games in New Caledonia in 2011 ? Maybe ! How soon in advance might they make such commitment, so that REAL planning can happen ?
Last Modified on 16/09/2007 20:23