The finale in VFA was a sunset cruise on the Zambezi (upstream from the falls). I omitted to take a pic of the boat from shore, but it was one of the bigger ones. Three decks; I tried to get ‘Signature Deck’ (top deck) but it was full, so went for the middle ‘Luxury Deck’. Canapes, wine and service couldn’t be faulted.
Settling in with a very good South African sauvignon blanc and looking downstream towards the falls; the ‘smoke that thunders’ spray can be seen beyond the treeline. A throng of boats doing the sunset thing.
Various boats and river scenes.
And the mandatory sunset shots – looking upriver.
The next day it was on the bird VFA-JNB, rent a car and head to Pretoria overnight before the QF flight JNB-SYD the evening of the following day.
Hauling out of the very new airport at VFA and getting towards JNB. Mandela statue. Voortrekker Monument and museum is imposing and interesting. Large sculpture and embroidery friezes.
Then on the JNB-SYD bird (1A and nobody next to me
). Very fast ride home, tracking well N to ride a strong front moving over Australia. Interesting how the aircraft icon kept pointing N of the marked track. Ended up swinging not far S of Albany and going overhead ADL. Complete contrast to the SYD-JNB outbound flight.
Of course, it meant the SYD-PER flight was about as long as it gets – pfft, no problem in 2A refurb
. It also tracked well N of the usual.
And… that’s all folks!