Folks, imagine this: you’re on a dreamy honeymoon in Bora Bora, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and luxurious resorts. Sounds perfect, right? Well, not for Omid and Karrah Kazravan, a Miami couple who found themselves stranded on this idyllic island due to unexpected airport strikes.
Omid and Karrah had planned an enchanting multi-island tour for their honeymoon, but things took a dramatic turn. As they were preparing to leave, they were informed about a domestic airport strike by unionized workers, halting all domestic flights from Bora Bora. This industrial action affected Air Tahiti and Air Moana, leaving the couple and many others stuck with no way off the island. International flights, however, remained unaffected.
Omid took to TikTok to share their ordeal, explaining how they found out about the strike on their checkout day. He highlighted the lack of communication from the airlines, stating, “We have to literally call them four to five times to get them to send an email that our flight is canceled.” This left them and other travelers in a frustrating limbo.
With domestic flights canceled, the only alternative was an eight-hour boat ride to the mainland—a daunting and costly option, considering a regular can of Coca-Cola costs $9 on the island.
Desperate for a solution, the couple contacted the U.S. embassy, which informed them about a cargo ship that could transport them. However, this ship also required an eight-hour journey with no seating arrangements.
As they pondered their options, the resort suggested chartering a small plane. The price? A whopping $10,000 for eight people.
Ultimately, Omid and Karrah, along with other stranded tourists, decided on an 18-seater charter plane that could take 10 people for $7,500. Despite the high costs, this seemed like the best option to escape the island.
Updating their followers, Omid shared that they were finally on their way back to Miami. His TikTok videos went viral, prompting other users to share their own travel horror stories and advice. One user commented, “Thank God you have the funds. I would have been setting up a camping site out there.” Another joked, “You win! Cause baby, I would’ve built a raft like Cast Away.”
Some TikTokers recounted similar experiences, like getting stuck in the Marquesas, French Polynesia, where a ship only arrived every two weeks. Many sympathized with Omid and Karrah, noting the exorbitant prices in Bora Bora. “I love Bora Bora, and as fun as it would be in theory to be stuck on the island, you’re right, the prices are insane. Most expensive place I’ve been to,” one user wrote.
Currently, Air Tahiti has issued a warning about flight disruptions due to the strike but has provided no further information. For now, Omid and Karrah’s story serves as a reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise, even in paradise. Stay tuned for more updates on this story and other travel adventures.
