Overcoming a dilemma in Europe
Krishan’s experience
TRAVELING is a great way to discover the unknown world for the explorer. This, however, is also an invitation for trouble, even to the most prepared traveler.
Krishan Raju is a 24-year-old “travel bug” who lives in Nadi. After not being able to travel because of COVID restrictions, he decided to fly to Europe.
“I did this trip as retaliation because I couldn’t travel for more than two years. My last overseas trip was only a 10-day trip to Hong Kong and Macau as a present to myself on my 21st birthday,” he said.
Raju’s Europe trip started on August 9 when he travelled to Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. While sight-seeing in Paris, he encountered an unexpected situation.
“I was super careful when I was travelling around Paris. I was with a group of friends listening to a musician while drinking wine. I left my bag for less than 2 minutes and the bag was gone.”
In his bag was his camera, phone charger and his passport among other things. Mr Raj was now a tourist traveling through Europe with no passport.
Like many metropolitan cities, pickpocketing remains a problem in Paris.
“I was robbed near Eiffel Tower at 2am. I was shocked and I didn’t know what to do.”
While his situation was dire, Mr Raju said his first response was to go to sleep at the hostel where he stayed.
“I had the worst sleep that night. I couldn’t comprehend what had happened.”
The next morning Mr Raju said he was able to use a friend’s phone to make a few calls to see how he could get a Fijian passport in Europe.
“I contacted the consulate in Bordeaux. I was then told to contact the Fijian embassies in Europe which is in Geneva and London. “
Mr Raju said he took a bus from Paris to the embassy in Brussels. However, when he got there he was met with an unpleasant surprise.
“I had found a Fijian embassy in Brussels online, but when I went there it didn’t exist. It had closed down supposedly, but the information wasn’t updated online.”
He stayed with a friend in Brussels for 10 days when he called the embassy in Geneva to explain his situation.
“When I got in touch in Geneva, I first explained to them my situation. It’s important to note that my phone hung up when I called from Brussels because it is very expensive to call anywKhreisrehainRSawjuitiznerEluanrodp. called me back and we could finally talk about what happened.”
Mr Raju said this was the first time for a Fijian to encounter this situation, according to the embassy in Geneva. He was then asked to email them detailing what had happened to him whereby the embassy would make arrangements for an emergency passport to be issued.
“About 3 or 4 days later I was then contacted by the Fiji High Commission in London where I was given information on what I needed to do.”
This, however, did not stop Mr Raju from continuing his trip. While being informed that he needed to send his photos to London, it coincided with the Queen’s death.
aPicwthureen:KIrissehnatn mRayju/phFaocteobsotook London. The Queen had passed away in that period and it seemed that the Royal Mail was not working. I did a DHL from Berlin instead.”
Mr Raju commended the service of the embassy in London as they were efficient in processing his emergency passport.
“The folks in London made sure it was processed because I was at risk of overstaying my visa. So within a week my passport was made in Fiji then after 5-6 days my passport arrived in London. Once my photos arrived in London, everything was very efficient.”
Mr Raju said he tracked his passport as it left London to arrive where he was staying.
“I was in Zakopane, Poland when I received my passport. I received my passport on the 3rd of October.”
He continued his travels until his trip ended on October 15. Though he had faced many challenges in his travels, he looked at the brighter side of things.
“My whole trip was pretty much an adventure. I want people to know what to do in case something like this happens. Fiji is a very small country and when something happens to us like a stolen passport, it can be hard to figure out what to do. On that same note, I do wish this never happens to anyone because it is truly a terrible situation to be in.”
Mr Raju works for his family business and is also a part-time tennis coach.
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