Bula Ron:

Re: James Neil and Deborah Kushnir - via McCoy Travel - departed 4 June for Fiji - at First Landing for wedding - to Namena 9 June for 9 days to depart 18 June. They arrived on the island midday yesterday - settled in - very, very nice couple interested in fishing. At 5 p.m. a phone call came in that a wildfire had jumped the Colorado River and into their area - Jim's mother evacuated and safe but they lost everything........house, car, truck, animals, the only thing standing is the chimney.

I have managed to get them onto Air Pacific's flight FJ810 tomorrow night, Tuesday 11th Nadi to Los Angeles; Air Pacific very responsive and due to this disaster (they are left with the clothes they brought to Fiji for their wedding/honeymoon plus two fly-fishing rods...........and that is ALL they have left. ) Jessica here in Nadi at Air Pacific told me they would not charge a penalty. Air Fiji same response. They have onwards ticketing purchased through this outfit called Cheap Tickets on America West Airlines which is two-fold: flight 596 B departs LAX at 3:25 p.m. to Phoenix = then Phoenix to Grand Junction flight 6326 departs 5:41 p.m. The ticketing indicates no refund but penalty to change. Jim said that Mark, his agent, had recommended that they purchase their connecting tickets from him, even though they were more expensive, because it would give them better flight protection in the event that there were misconnections or other unforeseen situations. Mark knew what he was talking about alright. They had purchased through Cheaptickets to save money!

I have printed out some stories I found on CNN on the internet as one lists Glenwood Springs, CO (their home town) and have suggested carrying it with them to perhaps persuade a compassionate ticket agent upon their arrival in LAX to have a heart and cancel the penalty. What is your opinion? I have sent them out fishing and to do some snorkeling to get their minds off this tragedy. They are middle age - probably about the same age Tom and I were when Tom was shot and attacked at our resort in the San Blas Islands of Panama and we, too, lost everything. The only consolation Jim has is he does have a job to go back to - our life savings were all invested in the San Blas resort. At least we had our lives.

Jim said they unfortunately did not take out travel insurance even though Mark, their agent with McCoy/Fiji Escapes Travel, had recommended this from the beginning. Jim said that they were trying to save $ on the trip and wishes he had listened to Mark.

I am going to offer them a week's stay for any time in the future - no time limit on when they can make the trip. We just haven't mentioned it yet as I had to stop to get all these arrangements for air travel and sea transfer settled. I'll come back with you on it later. You have always been so helpful. And thank you.

Kind regards,

Joan
Moody's Namena