Man, that wake up call was early and Andrew was right on time for our 5:30am transfer to the Cape Town airport for our flights to Johannesburg and Livingstone, Zambia. The hotel prepared a quick breakfast that was waiting for us in the lobby before our departure. We were sad to say goodbye to our new friend, Andrew Brink, but we are hopeful that we can return his extraordinary hospitality in the States someday on his way to visit his 8 year old son in Houston. He is a marvelous guide and great human being!
It was a windy take off as the storms were still brewing on the Southwestern Cape. The skies cleared as we approached Joberg, whose downtown skyline and 5.5 million citizen expanse was clearly visible as far as the eye could see. The townships stretched in all directions which is one reason this city is considered so dangerous. As we were preparing to land we could see Pretoria in the distance - one of the country's two capitals. The airport is huge with two terminals. We walked forever from the domestic to international terminal for our Comair flight to Zambia. Unfortunately mechanical and crew problems resulted in a seven hour delay - lots of livid international travelers who pressured the less than competent airline staff to find us a new plane and crew. It was a nip and tuck as to whether we'd make it to Zambia that night but we finally arrived shortly after 9pm.....having missed our sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River but fortunately rebooked by our expert Wilderness Safari representatives for the following evening. We enjoyed a delicious native dinner at the Zambezi Sun Hotel and hit the sack for an early rise and magnificent Zambezi sunrise!
No comments:
Post a Comment