Safe and Sound in SA
Trip Start
Oct 18, 2006
1
4
27
Trip End
Apr 04, 2007
Pretoria,
South Africa
Friday, October 20, 2006
We got away from home in good time, stopped for a farewell drink at the Hobgoblin and everything went smoothly at the airport. We flew Virgin Atlantic and we were very impressed with lots of things about the flight, especially the on-board entertainment and the cheerful attitude of the cabin crew. Only two complaints - a screaming child and the fact that the passenger flight monitoring system was offline so we weren't able to track our progress, which was a pity. We managed to rest a little during the flight.
We were greeted at Jo'burg airport by one of my internet friends, picked up our hire car and followed her to her home which is actually closer to Pretoria than Jo'burg. After a shower we went shopping, picked up the daughter from school, came home & had a snack and then had a rest. Eventually the husband arrived home and we started making plans for the next few days. Rarely have I seen anyone so enthusiastic about their country and we got a list of wonderful places to visit in the Transvaal, east of here. We pored over maps and heard stories about the places we'll be visiting.
We had a braai (typical South African barbeque) in the fireplace - lamb chops and ribs and kudu sausages! What a great first meal :)
We finally fell into bed and slept heavily although we woke early. Now we've had some breakfast and we're going to get ourselves ready to leave asap because we have quite a long drive into the Transvaal and we want to stop on the way to visit some caves. For the next three nights we'll be staying in a
self-catering cabin in a town called Graskop and from there we'll make some wonderful excursions, and then we are going to the Kruger National Park for four nights! We weren't sure about doing this but having heard all about it and how to get the most out of it we decided we couldn't resist!
So off I go to get ready. The next entry I make will be in a week's time after we return here to Pretoria.
By the way, we've had one or two suggestions for sponsored activities but I'll keep you in suspense for now ;)
Comments
google maps
hi esther and ad
tried to follow your progress with google map, but the picture is ok and the map isnt. with all that wilderness
i cd identify the area but not grasskop or anything manmade
the windup is that geog features are well defined, but most of the places in the uk ive tried to retrace walking holidays are v low definition and useless
all our love and thanx 4 the fone calls
john and mavis
Card on its way!
Hi AD and Esther,
Glad to hear you arrived safely, I hope you're having loads of fun and that Kruger lived up to expectations. Not much to report from this end but just wanted to let you know that I've put your card in the post today so hopefully it will be with you within the week. It's a bit grey and rainy today, clocks going back next weekend . . you're not missing anything in Blighty! Paul and Cat moved in fine. John next door was asking after you. Andy and Smithy finally got their computers working so they're happy! Have fun and I look forward to your next blog entry. Just found out my work contract isn't going to be renewed which is sad because it's a great job. But it does mean there's nothing holding us back from going to Thailand now, better keep on buying the lottery tickets!
Lots of love,
Jo x x x
hello
Hello Esther and Ad
travelpod rules!it was great to see the self catering cabins that you stayed in it made me feel almost as if I was with you! it was jeds b'day this week and we have celebrated every day with a party,cake and presents! he now demands that everyone should sing happy birthday and give presents! Hope you are both ok we are missing ady at the yard especially Dumper!!!!!
loads of love
Hello there! ;^)
Glad you had a good journey and r enjoying S.A, hope its nice weather and you've got your shorts out! (or a hat?) Hope you have great food/ drink and r generally chilling out, all is quiet & cold in the uk...we're almost at the end of friday at work tho, love amy & andrew xxx