Thanks to vacation dramas, I will not run out of things to blog about for a while. Don’t get me wrong, our Fiji holiday was great. I hope you had a chance to see some of our Fiji photos.
We were only in Fiji for 30 minutes when we had our first drama. It didn’t’ start out that way. Actually our detailed planning and execution were done to prevent just such an occurrence. Our travel agent suggested we bring our own food to Fiji including meats.
So we looked it up on-line as we hadn’t traveled with meat in the past and it seemed a bit odd. Sure enough it was allowed and all we needed was a certification from the butcher that it was in fact “New Zealand meat.” Our butcher was even familiar with the process and he supplied us with frozen, vacuum packed sausages along with our certification.
Upon arrival into Fiji the first queue was to turn in our health inspection cards which actually included:
Do you have in your possession any of the following:
- Holy Water
- Second hand Clothing for charity
- Human Ash
- Biological Specimen
- Cultured Blood
- Vaccines
No worries, we didn’t have those items so we passed through there in a breeze.
On to immigration where the very straight faced officer took four of our passports, stamped and returned three and then shouted “Next.” He actually did smile a bit when he realized his mistake.
Next customs and biosecurity where we proudly presented them our properly packaged sausage and the certificate for inspection.
The officer replied,
“Where is your import license and vet certificate?”
“Pardon?”
Drama, drama, drama
A quick sausage inspection (they looked at the frozen vacuum packs) and we were given two choices: They could destroy the meat or we could bring it back with us to New Zealand when we leave, and they would only charge us $12 to store our sausages.
Drama, drama, drama
We noticed everyone else was gone, even the shops were closing.
They were still thinking about it. They went off to the back room and finally returned. By now an hour has passed since we disembarked the plane.
“We have made a decision. You can keep your meat, but we will keep your details. Next time you come into Fiji we will know you know the rules. “
We did enjoy our BBQ Sausages with our friends. (I am taking the photo):
Another shot I got earlier that evening (now a poster):
Fiji Sunset over Coconut Trees ©Rhonda Albom 2011
I have just opened a new on-line Zazzle store for my Fiji photos and graphics, check it out at Fiji Fun!
How about you, do you bring your sausage on vacation?
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Travel with us as we laugh our way around the globe. I am Rhonda Albom, wife, mom, photographer and blogger, sharing the lighter side of our traveling family's life with two teens. 
Looking forward to the rest of the tales from Fiji. Pleased you had a great time.
We have been in South Florida on holiday for a week, we leave a week from today. Time flies when you are having fun.
We too had our dramas, like Debbie being pulled over when we arrived at Miami. Seems like it’s going to happen probably every time we come into the USA now. Just took us a long 2 hours in the holding area before they got to looking at our paperwork and allowed us through. Guess I had better write about our trip when I get a chance.
Thanks Tony – as you know the airports are great fodder for our humor blogs
Nice photos – did they take your picture to hang on the wall for the next time you show up with a sausage or meatballs in hand?
Meat-balls and sausage in hand – not the image that will get me through customs very quickly
Crap! Not fair they would change the rules and not tell you. That’s some serious license requirements for a piece of sausage.
Thanks Alex. Not sure if they changed the rules, or if they just wanted our sausages. I had a few laughs with the biosecurity guys over whether they were going to eat them if we didn’t. (I told them they should, they said they had to destroy them.) I was actually quite surprised to walk away with them. And it was enough for two meals, for 8 people – so about 3kgs.
I’m going to get some holy water and throw it on someone as soon as I get home
That’s cool, as long as you don’t try to bring it into Fiji
gorgeous sunset!
no matter hpw much we plan, something always happens!
glad you had a fun trip =)
Thanks, and good thing I am a humor blogger. I have a few more stories coming.
Glad you got to keep your sausage. Very nicely played.
Hubby always brings his sausage on holiday. Bwahahahahahahaha.
Have a terrific day Rhonda. Great to have you back.
LOL – I am glad someone other than my sister followed my naughty thinking.
It is ridiculous what they put you through! Now you’re probably know as an international sausage smuggler!
No worries, I am safe, I gave them hubby’s passport for their files
It never would have occurred to me to take my own food into Fiji. We were quite happy to go to local supermarkets and the prices were vastly different to anything for sale in the resorts. Hubby had cured sausages confiscated on his return to Australia from Germany.
Me neither, but the travel agent suggested it and then our friends said that they miss the NZ sausages. The butcher had done it before, so we thought it would be ok. I hope your hubby didn’t get a fine. NZ raised the minimum fine to $400 if it is not declared.
Can’t say I’ve ever brought sausage on vacation.
You’re without luv.
Joyce
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
I think the question may have been directed to the guys. (just kidding).
Thanks for catching the luv. It is fixed now. LOL – I was wondering why no one was using it.
There’s a cartoon to be drawn of that, or an X-rated t-shirt!
Paul recently posted..Jo Nesbo: The Redeemer Reviewed
“I ate my sausage in Fiji” or “You ate my sausage in Fiji” or “Customs fondled my sausage” am I getting the idea?
OMG what a palava all for sausages LOL I dread to think what they would have done if you had Tripe in the bag, but at least you enjoyed them eventually
Loved the photos and the case of “The Almost Confiscated Sausages” LOL
stevebethere recently posted..In The Gym
Nothing like a bit of drama to get the holiday started, but at least it make for a good story.
LOL You sound like me. If it is going to happen, it will happen to me. Glad you got to enjoy the sausages anyway.
LOL – just remember to bring you proper paper work and your import license and you will be fine
(If you are bringing New Zealand beef – don’t know about any other countries.)