V-Flyer

Part Three of Philly Africa

We had to fly from Cape Town to Joburg and after a bit of a circus getting our bags from Domestic Arrivals to International Departures, we checked in around 6:30 p.m. I asked about upgrades again, but while the tickets allowed it this time, there was only 1 UC seat left. I suggested Mr. Pookaa take it, but he gave me a withering stare and we collected our PE boarding passes.

Since our LHR-JNB-LHR flights were done on a separate booking reference than our JFK-LHR-JFK flights, they would not check our bags through to JFK, which means that once we land at LHR we have to go through immigration, claim our bags, go over to T3 Departures, check-in and go through security again. What a hassle!

The Joburg CH is a nice size, especially given that they only run one flight a day, at least during this season. There are two 6-seat dining tables, a long banquette with seating for ten 2-tops, 16 lounge chairs in the center of the CH, three 4-chair sitting areas, a business center loft with some additional couches and chairs below and 14 bar stools (6 at the bar and 8 at the open kitchen). They also have some nice shower rooms available.

Their menu was as follows:

LIGHTER BITES
- Deep fried camembert coated with red pepper paste beer batter on spring greens with cranberry jelly and kirsch and caramelized nuts
- Char-grilled tiger prawns in bacon served with warm cucumber and baby morogo salad and homemade BBQ sauce
- Goulash Soup beef and paprika served with dumplings

BIGGER BITES
- Chicken and liver fricassee served with mixed vegetables, potatoes and creamy chicken veloute sauce
- Impala steaks poached in red wine served with brinjal confit, baby marrow and Amarula & wild gooseberry sauce
- Grilled brinjal topped with goats cheese, rum and salmanic tomatoes served with peppered mozzarella cheese, basil pesto and sun-dried tomato paste

NAUGHTY BUT NICE
- White and dark chocolate mousse with seasonal fresh berries
- Coconut pie served with blueberry compote
- Selection of cheese with accompaniments

I had the deep fried camembert, and Mr. Pookaa had the Impala steaks. Both were very tasty. The staff was very attentive, friendly and helpful.

An hour before the flight, they began boarding another bus to remote stand. Tonight we were flying on G-VYOU, Emmeline Heaney, Air-born August 2006. We were again in Row 20, seats H and K. We got everything stowed, amenity kits were already there there were about 3 seats open in PE and the FA came around with champagne, water, OJ before take-off. The FSM made his introductions and the Captain briefed us on the 10 hour 30 minute flight to LHR.

They announced that they would be spraying the cabins with insecticide and suggested we cover our faces and eyes as they passed through the cabins. We had an on-time departure and were off.

V-Port was up and running before the crew were even allowed out of their seats. As soon as they were, they hustled around and passed out headsets. They came around with packs of pretzels and drinks followed by the meal service. Each meal came with a potato salad with cucumbers and vinaigrette dressing, which I didnt care for. I had the beef curry with rice (dry) and a marbled cheesecake for dessert (dry). Mr. Pookaa had the penne pasta with tomato and pesto cream sauce, but I noticed he only ate a mouthful of it. I was very glad we ate something at the CH before we left. They were quite generous with the wine service again, and offered the Baileys/Brandy.

Slept rather fitfully and tried to watch a movie or two. At some point, my IFE went down and I asked the FA, who explained that she had to reset it and to wait until it went dark and then came up again. She checked back to make sure it was working again.

Breakfast was again served about an hour and a half before landing. We both had the Full English Breakfast which was really not very good. They did come around with the fruit basket and sweets prior to landing. Even though I didnt think much of the PE food, our FA was very nice and did a good job.

We landed a little late, about 7:15 a.m., and then taxied all over Heathrow before finally arriving at our gate. At least it wasnt a remote stand! We were quite a long walk to immigration, which was packed. Luckily, I had a spare Fast Track pass, so again gave it to Mr. Pookaa while I went through IRIS. I went down to baggage claim and got a cart while he worked his way through the passport line, but aside from a smattering of UC bags that were on the carousel when I got there, everyone had about a ten minute wait. Our bags were off pretty quickly once they got started.

One more leg to go!

Sorry to hear about the food.

Any chance of a little report on the safari etc ?

Thank you for the TR's. Hope you had a great time in Africa.

Originally posted by Pookaa
Part Three of Philly Ð Africa

I asked about upgrades again, but while the tickets allowed it this time, there was only 1 UC seat left. I suggested Mr. Pookaa take it, but he gave me a withering stare and we collected our PE boarding passes.

That was very sweet of your husband. If it had been Decker he would have taken the upgrade and left me in PE![V]

Mrs D

Originally posted by Scrooge
Sorry to hear about the food.

Any chance of a little report on the safari etc ?

I'll try to be brief!

We spent our safari time in Botswana. After landing in Joburg we stored our large suitcases and flew to Livingstone, Zambia, near Victoria Falls. We transferred via mini-van to the Zambezi border with Botswana - a quick boat ride across and then by road to Muchenje Lodge, near Chobe National Park.

It is a relatively new lodge up on the hills overlooking the Chobe River. They seem to be right next to a popular 'highway' for the animals coming down to the river, so we could sit on our terrace and watch the antelope, elephants, buffalo, baboons, etc. come down.

A highlight was an all-day game drive/boat ride on the Chobe which was great. Lots of animals on the drive (antelope, buffalo, lions, baboons, giraffes) and once we were on the river, we saw an even greater variety of animals, and more elephants than you could shake a stick at!

After two days at Muchenje, we flew from Kasane to Shinde Camp at the upper end of the Okavango Delta. Shinde is a camp versus a lodge, so the rooms are tents, although I must use that term loosely. They are large rooms with hardwood floors, regular beds, chairs, desk, armoire and an en-suite bathroom with toilet, shower and double sinks - but the walls are canvas and the windows are screen. It was quite comfortable, but rather hot in the afternoon.

The public spaces are lovely - it is designed like a treehouse, with decks at various levels and a large open dining room. The food was wonderful.

We had some great game drives - herds of zebra, antelope, baby hyenas, a pride of lions on the hunt. Unfortunatley for them, the impala spotted them first, so there was no joy on that try.

We also did a walking safari one morning which was very interesting. We got to learn about tracking and a variety of plants and smaller animals that one doesn't see from a truck. We did a boat trip out through the marshes and again were treated to a different perspective on the plants and birds.

We flew next to Selinda Camp in the Linyanti Swamps. This place was a jewel - we loved the staff, the accomodations and especially our guide, Mots. Our 'tent' had a huge four-poster bed, and a separate (attached) tent for the bathroom. It needed it to accomodate the massive free standing stone bathtub in the middle of the room. The public spaces have just been renovated, with lovely views of the spillway waters and a cooling breeze in the afternoons.

The game viewing was amazing, the highlight being two lionesses and their five cubs. We encountered them on three separate occasions, including our last morning on our way to the airstrip. They were lounging around a termite mound and over the course of 20 minutes I shot 300 photos. Thank goodness for digital!

Off to Cape Town for a couple of days. It was interesting, although we probably wouldn't plan to spend much time there again now that we've seen it. Our final stop was Hermanus, about an hour and a half east of Cape Town along the Indian Ocean. Birkenhead House was one of the nicest places we have ever stayed - a former private residence, now an 11-room boutique hotel. We truly felt that we were a guest in someone's house and with the ever attentive staff we were quickly spoiled.

One of their staff, Corinne, did all of the planning for our wedding, lining up the celebrant, photographer, florist, hair/makeup artist. The chef tailored a special menu for our wedding dinner.

Since it was just the two of us, we invited the other seven guests and all the staff to attend the ceremony which was held on the cliff terrace overlooking the ocean. We went down to the nearby beach after for additional photos and enjoyed our 'reception' on the terrace with all of our new friends. It was truly magical and we wished we could have spent more time there.

Originally posted by Pookaa
We had some great game drives - herds of zebra, antelope, baby hyenas, a pride of lions on the hunt. Unfortunatley for them, the impala spotted them first, so there was no joy on that try.

As to the quotient of joy I suppose it depends on whether you take the impala's point of view....

It sounds like you had a wonderful trip and wedding. Thanks for taking the time to post the report. A safari is on my list of things to do before the children bankrupt me.

Paul

Thanks for the TR and Safrai report! All sounds amazing. We were in SA last year, and it was truly amazing, would love to go back. Sounds like you had a wonderful wedding. Congratulation! [^]

Congratulations on your marriage!

I'm glad you and your husband enjoyed the flights. I hope his first Virgin experience was fantastic and I look forward to your next Trip Report! [:)]

Pookaa

Thanks for yet another good TR and Safari Report[y][y]

I was particularlly interested in reading your report on the JNB Clubhouse. Seems like a good place to visit[;)]

Thanks once again

buns

Originally posted by Pookaa

Since it was just the two of us, we invited the other seven guests and all the staff to attend the ceremony which was held on the cliff terrace overlooking the ocean.

BTW..Very classy move [y], if we still had the respected list you would be on mine just for that.