Arriving at Victoria Falls airport we found a long check in queue. Where was Lance’s lovely customs man today?
We were in the front third of the queue and it split into two. Sadly we were in the slow queue. One lady was at the counter for almost an hour! They pulled her to one side a couple of times and processed someone else but then they brought her back again. Finally she was done and we were the absolute last people! Grrrrrrr!
Arriving at Johannesburg airport an hour and 49 minutes later everything went well and our accommodation for the night, City Life Hotel, is joined to the airport. In fact the two terminals are joined so we have not had to go outside.
Lance is still unwell and is too scared to eat in case it comes back up or shoots out the other end. So it is good that we have finished our safaris and are off to Mauritius in the morning to relax.
I thought in this post I would add a few little things that I have noted as we have been travelling.
According to an old African folklore the wildebeest was created from the leftover parts of other animals: a buffalo's horns, a baboon’s face, a hyena body with the hump and short back legs, a lion's tail, and horse's legs.
In several places the pin digits are scrambled when you put your pin in. This is to stop someone watching your movement and copying the pattern easily. Do you know how hard it is to put in your pin and not follow your normal finger movement!
Lance was chatting to the driver when we were in a taxi in Victoria Falls. The driver asked about the weather in NZ. Lance replied that at the moment it is cold and very rainy. “You are very lucky” was the drivers reply. To him it sounded like paradise!
Sandi and I have had to buy some nail polish remover because our toenail polish has melted in the heat!
On our way out of Namibia we saw rough wooden stalls on the side of the road with huge sides of beef hanging and for sale.
The giraffe is the only ruminant to have a gestation period of over a year. 15 months.
If you ever get a chance to go on safari you should take a good supportive sports bra!
Stopping at Katima Mulilo in Namibia we all trooped into a cafe/ bar called Passione for coffee and toilets. Some of the group all sat at one table and one of our ladies happened to be sitting at the end of the table. An African man came up to her and said that women should not be sitting at the head of the table and why was she there! Apparently he was quite gruff. Lesley replied that in her country men and women were equal. He went and sat down but glared at her.
At the same township I felt a little uneasy and not welcome for the first time.
Botswana’s population is only 2,500,000 and Zimbabwe only 3,000,000. They are both large countries with not a lot of habitable areas. I expected more people to be around, but was pleasantly surprised.
An early start this morning meant we were at the airport at 6:20. But remember the hotel is joined to the airport.
Johannesburg airport has the best airport shopping! So Sandi and I had a little wander through some really lovely stores and picked up a few bits and pieces.
I write this on the plane flying to Mauritius and Sandi and I have just ordered a G & T which is quite strong but delicious. It is only 10:20am so I am picking there could be a nap on this 4 hour flight!
Six hours later; we have arrived in Mauritius and had a very easy arrival. The hour drive from the airport to the Intercontinental Resort at Balaclava was bump and dust free! It is very lush and tropical.
This is the view that greeted us as we walked into the lobby.
I think this is going to be a very relaxing stay.
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