Kruger and Southern Africa

[JohnM]

You'll get some pics of roads in Namibia from about post #263 here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ip-photos/lets-mix-up-fill-some-70446-12.html

 

[TraceyK90]

I'd recommend getting a 4x4. We had a hilux and it was fine. When I lived there in 2000 we had a camry which got us around most places but I wouldn't recommend it,. It can only take a small amount of rain for areas to flood, even a couple of mm can cause problems but it is few and far between and it does disappear pretty quickly - says me who is flooded in at the moment!

Don't worry about the distance, the landscape is beautiful and the main roads are sealed (better than the Bruce Hwy!) and the dirt roads are well maintained. I'd just avoid the D roads if you are worried. That's the only time we had corrugations. Having said that we dragged our kids around and had no problems with distance etc.

We stayed at one of the Gondwana lodges (Canyon Village I think) Beautiful starry nights. Make sure you stop off at the Roadhouse, we had one of our best meals there, make sure you grab a slice of the amarula cheesecake. The view point is easy to miss, make sure you get directions. It was one of my favourite places.

I second Moose's Bakery at Solitaire.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks to JohnM, CoolCatPhil, Drron, LadyC and TraceyK90 for all the suggestions and support.

When we originally looked at hiring a 4x4 in Namibia the best price I could find was way over the top: think 7x the cost of a 2WD and then some. As I said in an earlier post, I would prefer the 4x4 but some websites suggested that a 2WD is fine (at least in dry season).

I am pleased to report that after a lot of further research the problem has been solved. I have booked a Mazda BT50 4x4 from Britz/Maui for less than half the previous best quote. OK, it is only a single cab whereas I had a dual cab in mind (don't know why as there are only two of us). It has a lockable canopy on the back and comes with a free second driver.

I have my own travel insurance which covers rental vehicle excess however the Mazda includes compulsory "super cover" which is a nil excess policy. All for under NAD 7,500 including tax for 14 days. That's around $A54 per day (works for us).

Some downsides:

1. Britz have limited office/depot hours (8-4 M-F, not sure about weekends), so could be a problem if a flight is delayed, etc.
2. Minimun rental is 3 days;
3. Britz charge by the day, not by 24 hours. This means if you pick the car up at 1530 and drop it back at 0900 you still get charged for both the day you pick up and the day you drop off (not such an issue if spread over a longer rental period);
4. The Mazda is petrol, not diesel, some will likely use a bit more fuel;
5. Some of the conditions on the insurance policy are more restrictive than other operators; the worst is that the vehicle is not covered if driven before sunrise or after sunset. (This is probably to avoid the animals at night but it also includes driving in towns including Windhoek and Swakopmund).

So our plan will be to drive to our next accommodation in the mornings: it should be cooler, allows us extra time should we encounter rain (and for sightseeing). And of course, sunset is for sundowners!

Only four weeks to go now and looking forward to posting more of +1's wonderful photos.

 

[LadyC]

Glad you found something. Looking forward to seeing some wonderful photos! It is an amazing part of the world.

 

[Jacques Vert]

So Monday 6 February we boarded QL2019 to Sydney to commence the last part of our three part classic award. I remembered to take a photo of our Q400 on my (relatively) new phone so I could add it here. Unfortunately I think our trip will be over before I figure our how to download/email/attach it.

I guess most of you know what a Q400 looks like by now.

Some obsevations on Sydney Airport transport options:

1 Staying at Rydges Sydney Airport overnight so we took the train from Domestic to International (Opal Senior card - $3.08)
2 Q400 bus back to Mascot station as we were meeting a friend in the city (Opal Senior charge - $0.05)
3 Train to Central (Opal Senior - 0.18)
4 Train back to International (Opal Senior - $13.49)

 

[Major]

Rydges offer a free transfer to and from the Domestic. We have used it a few times

https://www.rydges.com/accommodation/sydney-nsw/sydney-airport/free-domestic-airport-transfer/

 

[Jacques Vert]

Rydges offer a free transfer to and from the Domestic. We have used it a few times

https://www.rydges.com/accommodation/sydney-nsw/sydney-airport/free-domestic-airport-transfer/

Yes, we have used the shuttle a few times as well; on this occasion we didn't want to wait until the next shuttle as we had to meet our friend in the city.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our night at Rydges was on points. They recently took 15 points off me because they had expired, however I contacted them, advised I had missed the change in T & C's and had intended using those points soon. To their credit they gave the points back within 24 hours.

Apart from that, the Rydges program has really gone downhill in recent years. OK, I still get free nights and as a Black member I get 50% off meals and drinks. But now only if I buy a meal. If I only go to the bar then no discount I am told. Compare that to a few years ago when you didn't even have to be staying at a Rydges to get your 50% off and could take a group of friends with you.

Also, at check-in I was offered an upgrade for an additional $30. I suggested that I was entitled to a free upgrade as a top-tier member and was promptly told that the hotel was full.

I still got a free breakfast and a drink voucher.

When my new card arrives I will have lost my status with Rydges. Given the continuing enhancements I won't be shedding too many tears.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Tuesday morning and we walk across the road to check in for the flight to JNB. Our points upgrade to J was confirmed the previous day so looking forward to the 13+ hour flight a little more than a few days ago.

There's a long queue for the Business Class check-in. After about 30 minutes it's off to security and immigration (another 30 minutes) and then while making our way to the J lounge we can hear thunder outside. An announcement comes over advising the airport is closed. Oh well, extra time in the lounge.

Boarding is an hour late. Then we push back and join the queue of aircraft waiting their turn. Two hours on the tarmac before we get the go ahead to take off, three hours behind schedule.:shock: So glad I decided to apply for the upgrade and feeling very sorry for those poor souls jammed in down the back and not able to move.

 

[Jacques Vert]

QF63

Given our late departure I was a little surprised that the drinks cart didn't arrive until about an hour into the flight along with lunch.

Here is the menu:



We both had the Mezze plate for entrees.

+1 had a second entrée/small plate for her main: Vietnamese prawn salad with green mango, lemongrass and vermicelli noodles.



I had the stir fry beef with garlic, soy, bok choy, ginger pickles and steamed rice; very tasty.



Unfortunately by the time they got to us they only had one serve of cheesecake left. Third QF flight in a row that the choices have run out; I’ll have to sit further forward in future.

We were originally hoping to get a view of the ice but there were too many clouds so instead we both managed to get a couple of hours sleep, even on the angled skybed. I think the liquor muscat helped.

For dinner +1 had the Quinoa salad and I had the Mexican roasted lamb with steamed rice, tomatillo salsa, lime and coriander.



Again, the meals were quite tasty.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our Captain managed to catch up an hour on route so we arrived in Johannesburg only two hours late, but we were allocated an outside stand so onto the bus to the terminal. Immigration was quite slow and the bags were even slower, so by the time we were free to leave the terminal it was around 8PM local time or 5AM Sydney time.:shock:

Fortunately I had decided to book our first night at the Intercontinental O.R. Tambo, about a minute’s walk from the terminal building, just on the off chance that our flight was delayed (never considering we would be this late).

The IC is a nice hotel but expensive if you pay cash (around $450) but quite reasonable on points (30,000). We used points and pay. No lounge access even though we were upgraded to an executive room but we found this when we opened the door:



Yep; a carafe of port and glasses!

We were also advised that as a platinum ambassador we were entitled to an “amenity”. So shortly after settling into our room this arrived:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our room at the IC:




And the breakfast area next morning:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Prior to leaving home we looked into booking a tour to Soweto and a visit to the Apartheid Museum. Normally we make our own way and use public transport but decided that this probably wasn't the right place to be going it alone.

A search on the Internet showed a number of options ranging from R700 to R1,100 per person (depending on whether full or half day, lunch included or not). I also emailed our hotel (IC O.R.Tambo) and asked their suggestions. They offered a chauffeur driven car for 3 hours (R1,311), 5 hours (R1,657) or 9 hours (R2,225) for the vehicle; same price irrespective of the number of passengers. Additional hours are charged at 150 per hour.

So we chose the chauffeur for 5 hours. He picked us up from the IC with our bags, drove us around for the day and dropped us off at our next hotel at the end of the day. We ended up with him for 8 hours all up. Total price 1,657 + 450 = ZAR2,107. Much better deal than the organised tours IMHO.

Our driver, Gabriel, is the one in the suit:

 

[Gem56]

WOW... what an interesting day. As JV mentioned, Gabriel was assigned to be our driver for the day and he was very informative.

We all know what a great man Mandela was, however after hearing these people talk about him, my regard for him has now strengthened. What these people have been through is heartbreaking. Gabriel took us to the prison area where both Nelson and Winnie were incarcerated. This area also consists of the court room. The whole court room area has been transformed into a memorial with many items included to ensure that what has happened in the past is not forgotten and also that they never go back there, ever!



A number of prisoners faces are painted to the footpath wall alongside the court house building.




In many areas the symbol of trees are seen, these represent the "Tree of Justice" where everything is transparent and open to everyone. Also the little windows around the room show that only feet can be seen so no racism can occur. There is also a chair for every language spoken in the country of which there are 11.



This ladder shows the struggle with oppression and future in Sth Africa. The bottom rungs relate to the imprisonment and 3rd rung from the top is an elephant bone showing that the history won't be forgotten (elephants don't forget anything); the 2nd, although it's not that easy to see in photograph, is a snake. This shows that the country and its people will always be moving forward,- snakes are unable to reverse and neither should Sth Africa; and the top rung depicts the many different people that make up the country. I can't remember what the red and white rung represents, however I'm sure someone on here will be able to fill in the missing parts.



This is the foyer in the Court House - the poles representing the tree trunks and the leaves hanging from the ceiling represent the branches on the "tree of justice".

It is interesting to note that having spoken to some of the younger generation, although they know of the oppression, they don't really know too much about what has happened in the past.

 

[Gem56]

A drive through Johannesburg past Nelson Mandela's house in Houghton prior to his death.



There are 3 of these gardens out the front of his house laden with these rocks – all painted with sentiments from his followers.




There are a number of houses in Jnb that have been hijacked (taken over by squatters). This is then the opening for a criminal minded person to come in and start collecting rent from the squatters. The government is slowly stepping in and evicting the squatters, giving them 2 weeks notice. The tall building here with the red top has been completely hijacked. It will just be a matter of time before they are given their marching orders.



Of course, one cannot go to Johannesburg without going into Soweto. This is where the real history of apartheid began. The famous Orlando Towers which once housed the water to cool a power station. They are now used as a Bungee Jumping site.

 

[Gem56]

Gabriel stopped outside one of the shanty towns and asked if we would like to take a tour through the village. I felt quite uncomfortable, thinking that we would be intruding, however Gabriel said that they welcome strangers, so that others can see how they are living. I think the pictures tell the story sufficiently.




Long drop toilets













The numbers on these shacks indicate their place in the queue for a government house.

This living area is just one of hundreds in South Africa.

 

[Gem56]

More photos from Soweto








Whole families live in one of these rooms each measuring approx. 3m x 3m. One bed that I guess many shared and the rest on the floor.

 

[Gem56]

Then onto the street where Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived and his daughter and grandchildren still reside. This street also has the house that Nelson shared with Winnie, certainly prior to his arrest. I'm not sure if he returned to this place following his release from prison. They claim that this is the only street in the world that has accommodated 2 Nobel Peace Prize winners.






Archbishop Desmond Tutu's house in Soweto



Nelson and Winnie Mandela's former house in Soweto



Winnie Mandela's current house where she still resides

 

[Gem56]

A buffet lunch at the restaurant Sakhumzi next door to Desmond Tutu’s house for approx. R410 for 2 of us which included a glass of wine each. Food was good. The restaurant next door to that is apparently also good. It’s called, of course... Nex Dor!

 

[Gem56]

The Apartheid Museum












Short on photos as the camera is not allowed inside.

Visiting this place is quite an emotional experience. When you purchase your tickets another ticket is issued stating whether you are black or white and each card has a separate entrance depicting the segregation that was experienced at that time. Along with lots of photos and stories of what was experienced, there are recordings of Mandela as a young man before he was jailed, and recordings of Mandela and F W de Klerk speaking at various times following Mandela’s release.