South Africa August 5th, 2016

Saturday, August 6th

BR to Cape Town

Good morning or afternoon or whatever! We are on the plane to Johannesburg and just woke up about an hour ago.  It’s 4pm South Africa time and 9am BR time, so our bodies are already confused. FYI, SA is 7 hours ahead of BR.

Because of an overturned isobutane truck on I-10 we decided to leave a little early for the airport because of the snarled traffic. So of course our luck was that the plane coming from Atlanta was late and then once we boarded we sat on the ground in a hot plane for an hour because the plane lost its place in line to land in Atlanta. We were beginning to worry a little that we might miss our connection, but still felt like we could make it. It turned out that there were 10 LSU students and their advisors on the BR to Atlanta plane who were also going to Johannesburg, so we were told that if there are 10 or more people late coming in for a flight that they will hold the plane. I can’t remember what they said their major was, but they said they were heading to Swaziland to tag impalas. How interesting!

Fast forward – we made our connection and the rest of the trip has been smooth sailing so far. It’s been a 3 meal, won’t tell you how many glasses of champagne and wine, 2 movie flight with a good 6 hour Ambien induced nap flight. Now we’re about 30 minutes from landing in JNB and then we have a 2 hour layover there, then a 2 hour flight to Cape Town. I have to say that I was worried about the 15 hour flight, but it has passed quickly. We just can’t wait to get to Cape Town and then the fun begins!  Let me back up a little. Carol and Tom Cook are on this adventure also. We have wanted to come to Africa since we lived in London 38 years ago. So we’ve been kind of been planning it in our  minds for years. When we decided to start planning the actual trip Carol and Tom said they’d like to come. We are so excited to having some fun traveling compatriots with us

         Carol and I are in our “pods” – home for the next 15 hours!

Saturday night – We’re here. Finally got to the hotel about midnight and after settling in to our rooms, we went down to the bar and had a drink. We are all exhausted, but keyed up and so excited to finally be here.  We’re staying at a hotel right on the waterfront, but as it was so late when we got in, we could’t get our bearings. Can’t wait to see the city tomorrow!

Aerial view of Cape Town. We are staying to the left of the oval stadium in the foreground.

Well, I’m finally off to bed.  We have a busy day tomorrow and hope our “wake up” pills do the trick in the morning.  I’m not sure if I’m making much sense anymore!