Travel moment 4 - KAL and Lal

I) KAL Nadi

Before checking for Kandavu with Pacific Sun I went to the KAL office. There a young man Villie - in charge of passenger's luggage told me he will manage my claim. I asked him what he has done so far. He looked confused. I asked him if he sent any inquiries to Incheon or CDG. He responded due to the time difference no email was sent. But he assured me he will attend to my luggage claim. He than informed that tomorrow he will need to attend a family funeral and some other guy will take over my claim. This was not at all reassuring. While Villie was talking bullshit I noticed photos at the office screen saver: winter and autumn landscape photos from different places in Europe. It felt absurd one travels to the other side of the planet to enjoy palms and white beaches, but ends up watching snow-caps of Alps and castles on Loire on a screensaver. The certain level of absurdity helped me to keep some detachment.

Returning back to my suitcase problem I asked Villie if he will send an email today. Following his confirmation I requested he copies me on any emails. Trying to say something positive he explained to me if KAL finds my suitcase they will send it via DHL. He was surprised when I told him I am flying to Kandavu (45 min flight from Nadi) and the resort I am going to is about 45 min by boat from the Kadavu airport. I asked him to check if there is DHL on Kadavu.

My next question was about compensation for not having a suitcase with me. This was 70 Fijian dollars or USD 20. Villie explained this is KAL policy. I requested a copy of recipt.

II) Lal

Feeling fully "compensated" with FJ$ 70 received by KAL as compensation for the missing suitcase I went to check in with Pacific Sun for a flight to Kadavu. I check in my hand luggage. In Dec last year when I travelled from Taveuni to Kandavu via Nadi PacSun forgot to load my luggage on the plane. The luggage arrived the next day thanks to Maggie. With this and the most recent experiance I asked the guy at the check-in to ensure my bag will be on the plane. I also shared with him the other airline mishandled my other suitcase. He ensured me my bag will be on the plane. He asked me where in Kadavu I will stay. "Oh, Matava. Give my regards to Maggie!". Everyone in Fiji knows Maggie.
Holding my Dutch passport his next question was if it is true smoking weed is legal in Holland. I confirmed. This prompted him to share with me that the best pot in Fiji is grown in Kadavu. He continued with compliments about Kadavu weed. He than asked when I am coming back from Kadavu to Nadi. I gave a date. "Oh, well. Perhaps when you are back we can roll some together. " All I could come up was "Ok. Thanks. I'll think about it". The name tag on the guy's shirt was "Lal". What a check-in!