Call of Africa - Cape Town, Babylonstoren and Okavango

[Flying mermaid]

Just got the suitcases out to start packing and of course an essential part of that is to get the trip report started.

Just a little mini- trip this time made a bit longer because I am so traumatised by delayed flights and missed connections, that I have added in 4 stays at airport hotels.

7 September - Fly Sydney (J). overnight at Rydges
8 September - Fly Johannesburg (J). overnight at Intercontinental
9 September - Fly Cape Town with Comair (J)
Stay 2 Nights Ellerman House Bantry Bay
11 September - Drive to Babylonstoren via Stellenbosch
Stay 2 nights at Babylonstoren
Drive back to Ellerman House
16 September - fly JNB - stay Intercontinental
17 September - fly to Maun with SAA (Y)
light aircraft to Vumbura Plains
3 nights
light aircraft to Kings Pool
3 nights
23 September light aircraft to Maun and the SAA (J) to JNB
Stay Intercontinental (lucky I like this hotel. )
24 September JNB-SYD-CBR (J)

 

[drron]

Have a great trip.I love the Okavango.

 

[LadyC]

Sounds great. Would love to know more about Botswana.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Sounds great. Would love to know more about Botswana.

It will be our first trip to Botswana so looking forward to it as well. It appears to be the least corrupt country in Africa and have a good wildlife management policy.

 

[Pushka]

Remember the sliders

Enjoy and safe travels.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Sounds like an amazing trip planned to Africa , with quite a bit of luxury throw in too!
Can't wait for further Trip reports.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Tonight was just a quick trip to Sydney. Miss FM dropped us at the airport and in typical Canberra fashion I was immediately accosted by a former employee who was flying to Adelaide on a work trip. We invited her into the Lounge and had a lovely chat.

Little trap on checking in. We had put a soft sided bag inside our normal case. You can only take soft sided bags on the small planes and we plan to store our cases at the Intercontinental and travel to Botswana with a soft bag (and the camera bag of course). However the soft sided bag had a tag on it - legacy of our trip last year, when we only took soft bags. The machine immediately spat the dummy and said the case had two tags. Mr FM was totally bemused, but fortunately I remembered reading about this problem on here, so we opened the case and removed the tag inside. Nope still said the same thing. Was just about to ask for help, when I thought of using a different card (we had actually exited and started the process again a few times). Using a different card reset everything and now the machine accepted the case.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Flight was delayed 20 minutes but we weren't in a rush. Had a lovely FA Shane and I had the Pumpkin salad - Quite delicious.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Dr FM had decided to come out and have dinner with us, so that put paid to sliders in the bar. We went to the grill and Mr FM and Dr FM shared the slow cooked lamb followed by chocolate fondant. I had a potato and carrot soup.

 

[drron]

This Dr also loves the slow cooked lamb.Fortunately always someone to share it with.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Easy run through immigration and breakfast in the lounge. Had the lovely Dubravka serving us again. relaxing now and hoping to meet up with an AFF'er Kefci2000.

 

[Flying mermaid]

When the dreaded delay announcement happened, I thought the Mermaid jinx was still active. However it only ended up a half hour delay and the rest of the trip was terrific. We had selected 2A and B and I think the second row is the best for a couple in the downstairs section. Both the first and third row have the pairs much closer together.

CSM Antun and his team did a terrific job and Mr FM and I thought the service was better than some we have had on Qantas F this year.

For dinner Mr FM had the ubiquitous Asparagus soup followed by fish and Blackberry crumble. I had a smoked salmons and then a vegetarian concoction with quinoa, sour cherries, beetroot and feta - delicious. I had the chocolate Maggie Beer ice team with salted caramel undertones. For a change it wasn't frozen solid.

hmm photos are all squiffy. Might need to ask Mr FM's help in future.

 

[Flying mermaid]

For supper we both had the mezze plate. The new strategy of minimising connections is working well. An hour after landing I had had a shower and was tucked up in bed reading. I always enjoy the Intercontinental as staff are always so warm and friendly.

After an early breakfast we walked over to the terminal to draw some money using our Citibank plus card. ATM fee was R25 which is less than $3. At the hotel now relaxing before heading off to Cape Town.

 

[Flying mermaid]

The Slow Lounge at Johannesburg has to be one of the best domestic lounges I have been in. We have used it a few times over the last few years and it remains terrific. It is a Comair lounge and can be used when flying BA/Comair in South Africa - Mr FM has some photos which I will post later.

We were picked up at the airport by Sam from Ellerman House and he gave us some info. Ellerman itself is a fabulous property in Bantry Bay - it is 100 years old with beautiful sea views. these are some from the Verandah of our room. Price includes, laundry and breakfast and all soft drinks and alcohol except wine. Seems strange, but I am happy to change my drinking habits to Amarula . I was asleep long before dinner last night and up at 3am. Fortunately they have a pantry you can raid, so I have just had some smoked salmon and avocado sandwiches and chocolate slice.

Sitting in the lounge area reading while Mr FM sleeps - the other photos are of the lounge area. They have a spectacular collection of South African art. Photos taken by me with Ipad, so very amateur.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Driving out to Bantry Bay we travelled along Helen Suzman Boulevard. She was an amazing woman. Staunchly opposed to Apartheid, she represented Houghton as the only elected member of the progressive party from 1953. She carried a light in the darkness for so many years.

 

[amaroo]

Africa, one of many places we' haven't been ... looking forward to the rest.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Some of the sweet things available in the pantry, as well as fresh cakes and muffins and drinks - not going to go hungry here . After breakfast we intend to go and walk round the V&A area and then head out to Robben Island. Weather is looking quite horrible unfortunately.

 

[JohnM]

Africa, one of many places we' haven't been ... looking forward to the rest.

Do not dally - probably the most fascinating place on earth IMHO. Go once and you won't be able to stop. It's more addictive than heroi_.

 

[juddles]

Do not dally - probably the most fascinating place on earth IMHO. Go once and you won't be able to stop. It's more addictive than heroi_.

Having been a few places, Africa is special - I must agree - addictive.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Weather is now horrible on steroi_s . Robben Island trips all cancelled today. Very efficient process. - we had bought tickets online at home. Email was sent this morning with a phone number and it took 5 minutes to reschedule for Monday. Fingers crossed for better weather by then. Sitting next to a fire and waiting for the rain to stop. If it does we might still ask Sam to take us to the V&A for a walk around. We have been told it is like Darling Harbour, so not a huge attraction, but it is where tourists are supposed to go.....The hotel has a self guided ipad tour of their art work, so we will do that to fill in some time.