Pre-tour 2: Banishing jetlag in Johannesburg

Johannesburg and group meetup

We made it. What a relief. So glad we have a day of "nothing" to draw some breath, deflate the cankles and adjust to the new time zone. 

Hilarious - usually comes with legs in the air - but he only managed "flat out" - we were tired.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS:

The flight
Once they said "go" - it was definitely all systems go. It did seem as if everyone was enjoying the privilege of being on board.

Very pleased to be on board and tracking

The first announcement from the Captain was to assure us that the plane was "fixed" (good to know)  and that we would be flying south over the Antarctic (in our previous chat he had told us to keep our eyes out for the Aurora Borealis- as if anyone would be awake) and that we would arrive just before 4 am local time (we had our fingers crossed that our guesthouse hosts were tracking us.)

Set ourselves up in row 53 in the centre aisle block (no worries getting out for frequent toilet stops), got the tracker on, picked some movies and TV shows and said "yes please" to the garlic and pepper chicken (wow, it was astonishingly tasty), washed it down with some wine and topped it off with a chocolate paddle pop.

And then it was lights out and every man for himself in dragging in some zzzzzzzs. After our 3 am start in Brisbane coupled with the nervous energy expended in the day and with the Aussie time ticking on to 1 am we both managed some interrupted rest. If I had been keeping score - would suggest @Mac had an hour and I got about 5 hours of sleep.

Three in a bed - all drew some zzzzs.

Have to admit I think I blew a gasket at some time in the night.  Felt it was so hot and stuffy I was madly stripping off layers of clothing while being discreet. Of course, MyHero @Mac came to the rescue with zealous support for the delayering - mastered the overhead vents to get some airflow happening, plied me with cold water and generally restored order. Somehow even produced a TimTam as a medicinal offering (iI didn't know we had packed any in the First Aid kit.) I am considering this as his training for calm support and rescue techniques that may be needed in the coming weeks. He passed with flying colours.

We filled in the hours in the usual way - a few toilet trips (no trouble from the aisle seat), a bit of reading, a movie (@Mac tuned into John Wyck 4 and after 3 episodes of 1923 - I turned it off because there were too many deaths by animal maulings in Africa - was just a little unsettling.) Opted out of the remainder of the meals - (think we were full from our voucher spree in Sydney) and really spent most of our time trying to snooze or supervising the pilot by tracking our flight. In all honesty, it was a very subdued crowd on board.

Cabin life.

Our first trek - Airport to the Willow Inn 

Finally off the plane with a touchdown at 4:05 am local time - dark and cold. We were the only flight to land -(so glad that the infamous load shedding doesn't extend to the airport - might have made it tricky to land in the dark) The lines at border security moved quickly followed by just a short wait at the baggage carousel. And how funny was that - our final piece of luggage to come out was the "new" bag for @Mac and low and behold but @Mac and a lady reached for the bag at the same time. Luckily we had a ribbon on it - so he was confident he had the right one. But it did mean we struck up a conversation with the "other" owner and low and behold it was two of our "fellow" safari trekkers, @Ros (from NSW) and @Gill (from New Zealand.)

What are the odds? @Ros and @Mac had identical new bags picked up at Strandbags for the trip and after a little more patience we had the "twin" duffel and all of a sudden, we were "a group."  With numbers on our side, we felt a little more confidence in finding our ride and making our way to the Willow Inn.

And wasn't he a sight for sore eyes - standing there on the Information Deck as advised - in a bright yellow vest - holding a sign with our names clearly visible and waiting patiently and eager to greet us was @Mureithi (meaning "shepherd" - how appropriate.) Although we had diligently been sending through updates, the last change he had received was the ETA of 1 am - so he had been waiting for 4 hours for us. I think he was almost as happy to see us as we were to see him.

We were a short 10 minute drive from the airport and went through a manned boom gate to access the "suburb" and a locked set of security gates to get into the Willow Inn.  Have to comment that we had our first lesson on "optional" stopping at a red light - can just scoot through if no traffic-nighttime conditions prevail. 

And, to top off our perfect arrival, despite it being 5 am - @Cecelia was there to great us and get us checked in and settled in.

Lovely Willow Inn

The day

Dropped off the luggage - dived in the shower (wonderful hot water and plenty of it), put on an extra layer - grabbed 90 minutes of snooze time and then headed to breakfast.

Met up with New Zealand fellow trekkers @Delwin and @Steven and exchanged flight stories (yep, they'd had QANTAS challenge the day before - a computer glitch and they were delayed while it was repaired) and did learn that their friends and travelling partners @Margaret and @Tom will join us a week later on the trip.

And then there were 6 - it's 3 Kiwis and 3 Aussies.

Stretched out brekiie a little longer and reconnected with @Gill and @Ros and organised a walk and coffee date with them.

Have I mentioned yet how COLD it is. Bloody freezing. But acknowledge that as the day progressed - and if you were outside in the sunshine - it was pleasant.

Took our airport foursome off and with the backup of Google Maps found our way to the corner shop and enjoyed post brekkie morning beverages at Le Kreamery and delighted in roaming through the fruit and veggie shop and bakery. Lots to see - lots to learn - lots of tempting treats.

Post brekkie beverages

Meet @Ros and @Gill - leading the way back to the Willow Inn

Walking in the gardens of Willow Inn - look at that sky

Skipped lunch and opted for an afternoon snooze until a 4:30 knock at our door startled us from sleep. It was our tour leader @Louis coming to introduce himself and make some arrangements for the evening.

And then there were seven! 3 Kiwis, 3 Aussies and 1 South African - and no-one has mentioned rugby "yet."

The briefing

It was the first-time the group had been assembled together as one and we enjoyed time swapping notes and photos and retracing highlights. @Louis was fabulous - stepped us through the programme of the next 26 days providing reassurances around the process and procedures that ensure a safe trip. He has a background in both the natural and cultural specialties of Africa and has already had us fascinated with details and insights around what we are going to be experiencing, the places we will visit and the wildlife we may encounter.  Already you can feel it is all "easy going" in the group and everyone is an "easy laugher " ensuring there are many fun filled days ahead. 

African names, pronunciations and spelling are tricky - sure we will get better as we go along. But having a stab, we do know we need to be ready for 8 am departure in #Magogo (our chariot 's pet name which translated means "old girl" - a 9 seater Toyota Landcruiser) tomorrow morning. 

We are true linguists after just one day. Also found out that the company name Masihambe Afrika means "let's go Africa."

Seems very fitting doesn't it and guess @Mac can legitimately say "Masihambe Afrika Magogo" and I'll be ready. 

PS: Had the grand plan of adding a small canvas carry bag that would serve as our overnighter for the many "one nighters" we have. We were going to have PJs, toiletries, medication and change of clothes in this so we didn't have to open our bags "every day." Grand plan. Unfortunately, that little add on didn't quite make it to the Willow Inn. I was a little disappointed - because I really thought it was attached securely to the side of the backpack - but must have escaped the four straps I had tied it up with on the outside of the backpack. But get this - @Gill and @Ros said they had spotted it on the carousel circling round and round and wondered who had been so silly to pack something so small on its own. Bugger - that was ME! Going to find something en route (wish there was an OP SHOP!) because this undoing of the MULTIPLE safety locks on all the zippers and access points on the luggage is eating into our day. Sad to say, there is one lock we haven't been able to open "yet."

Post dinner briefing - @Louis at head of table flanked by @Steven and @Delwin

Accommodation: Willow Inn -  Link A 7 room guesthouse - we are upstairs in Room 7. A HUGE studio apartment - very welcoming and comfy bed with open plan bathroom - water piping hot and generous in flow, lovely free standing bath (too cold to think about it) and separate toilet room. Lounge, sitting and dining rooms are shared and outside gardens features lots of nooks and crannies, fire pits and BBQ - oops have to say braai (apparently only use BBQ to describe chips in a packet in South Africa according to @Louis) and an accompanying pool and deck chairs (no chance - we were surprised it hadn't frozen over.)

Testing the chairs at the guesthouse

What's on the menu: @Cecilia took care of us with a cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages, mushrooms and toast as well as yoghurt, muesli and fruit. Backed up in the dining room with the group after the briefing with dinner by @Cecilia - chicken and veggies and washed down with a wine. Very satisfying - very convenient. But oh, it is all so cold - apparently it was a BYO WOOD occasion. 

Breakfast

Weather: OMG it is colder than cold. Bl00dy freezing 6 to 22 degrees. I know 6 doesn't sound like much as a minimum but EVEN @Mac is saying it's cold - he had the hot water bottle stuffed up his jumper tyring to warm up. I do concede - I have four layers on - he only had three.

Steps: 7 927

Wildlife spotting: not much on offer in suburban Johannesburg. Just a couple of ducks on the golf course. But do want to mention the electrical fencing and barbed wire around every home and shopping complex.

Lucky ducks - that's us!

Keep out!!!

Distance travelled 11 360 kms 

Door to door 4 am Friday to 12.30 pm Saturday (5 am local time) - 33 hours - a big one

Transport: Private transfer after flight then Shanks pony - just to shake off the cobwebs

So far, everyone we have met has been smiling, helpful, kind and gentle.