TR: Namibia, South Africa and Israel - A lengthy journey

[Daver6]

 

[Daver6]

And spending one night at the Windhoek Hilton which has a stunning roof top pool and bar area. Great for watching the sunset.

 

[RooFlyer]

That SLOW lounge looks really good.

Nice pics rest of thread, too.

 

[Daver6]

It's been a long time between updates and a lot has happened.

I find myself sitting in the Perth international QP awaiting my next flight.

In short, MrsDaver6 has a really bad quad bike accident in Swakopmund on Friday 5th June. A really really long story which will be told, as with all the good bits leading up to her accident. In short, she fractured her L1 vertebra and is incredibly lucky, for a few reasons, to not be paralysed and will make a full recovery. She was operated on the following day in Windhoek, released from hospital on Thursday and made our way back to PER arriving here Saturday mid-afternoon. Her mother is staying with us and looking after her now and I'm making the mad dash to TLV to make it to my brother's wedding on Friday.

The main thing is, MrsDaver6 will make a full recovery and is up and walking.

The last week or so since then has been an absolute nightmare. On the positive side, the people of Namibia are amazing. I will go into more depth when I have the time, post some photos of the amazing things we did get to see and update on some hotels, airlines, lounges and travel insurance.

In the mean time its QR to DOH, then QR to LCA and finally Aegean to TLV all in Y. I'm exhausted like you wouldn't believe!

 

[Flying mermaid]

So sorry to hear that - best wishes for a full recovery.

 

[drron]

All the best to MrsDaver6.You really don't know what the future holds.Our baggage problems pale into insignifigance with the problems on your trip.

 

[Imw]

How awful, not the update we were anticipating! Thoughts and prayers to you and family.

 

[JohnM]

Really sorry to hear about this, Daver6 but good to hear that it will be a full recovery. All the best to MrsD6.

 

[LadyC]

How awful! Glad to hear that things will be okay and that she got home safely.

 

[Major]

Not good...but good that she will make a full recovery

 

[RooFlyer]

Thoughts are with you both. Swift recovery and that you make the wedding OK.

 

[tgh]

Sorry to hear this and my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I tend towards adventures when abroad and last month had a little heart starter that reminded me of the risks involved.
A tad impatient , I was too close to a line of traffic on a one lane mountain road coming out of Imlil, Morocco.
The rented trail bike had abysmal brakes and the subsequent avoidance process saw me have a little slide, put my foot out instinctively, and catch it on the broken bitumen edge.
Riding along with a very sore foot I was pondering just how long and what quality of retrieval may have ensued if I had indeed slipped under the back of the van.
#2 son burbled up and with a huge grin made some pithy comment about me receiving an unsolicited infusion of fear of the lord.. kids are sweet …….
Anyway , I have reprogrammed my risk cache and hope it has some effect.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We also do more risky things when overseas - it is part of the experience. In the last year we have had a wild lion walk 2 cm away from us in an open vehicle, swum nearly to the edge of Victoria Falls, gone on a balloon ride in Cappadocia and been driven on a private tour to Aphrodesias where the driver was going way over the speed limit and ignoring solid lines. Wouldn't dream of doing anything like that in safe old Canberra where it is safety first.....

 

[Daver6]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

We don't feel sad that our trip ended badly. We feel happy and thankful that in the end, everything will be ok, other than a bit (perhaps a lot) poorer. Something like this really drives home that health is all we really care about in the end. The rest is just nice.

The lessons we learnt though. If its not covered by travel insurance, don't do it. If your gut tells you something isn't right, go with your instinct. The quad bike tour was marketed as a way to see the dunes and nature...not the crazy experience it actually turned out to be. Our gut told us something was off with the guide we had, but neither said anything to the other until after.

Now to travel stuff. I'm sitting in the Qatar Al Mourjan Business Lounge drinking Krug. Going back to Y was just barbaric for the flight from PER. I'm a lowly QF PS, but got the AB status match to PG. I stuck the AB FF number on my booking and changed in the QP back to credit to QF. I actually suspect I'm meant to be in the Oryx lounge given I'm travelling in Y. Not sure why they let me in here and I don't plan to find out either

I had selected a centre aisle seat in the forward cabin. At check-in I was told the middle seat had been blocked. I didn't take notice of my seat number. On boarding I realised the seat wasn't the originally selected one. Was the back row of the front cabin, centre aisle. Over my left shoulder was the toilet. I made mention of my displeasure at this move to a member of the crew who said she would see what she could do. I knew the flight was at near capacity. Once everyone was on board I was moved a cabin backward, about 6 rows from the front of it to a centre aisle seat with no one in the middle. Good work at resolving the problem.

Flight was uneventful. Managed about 7 hours sleep. Dinner was served just after departure. Jacquart champagne was available and I had some...in a plastic cup and a bit warm. About an hour from landing breakfast was served. A nice touch was a little refresher towel handed up prior to departure. Seat pitch is advertised as 33". For Y, it was alright.

 

[love_the_life]

I second all the thoughts for a good recovery for MrsD. Such a shame but as you say, she is so very lucky and it could have been much worse. Hope the wedding goes off well and you have a good trip home.

 

[tgh]

P'rhaps Daver6 might like start a thread about the ins and outs of travel insurance when the dust settles

 

[Daver6]

P'rhaps Daver6 might like start a thread about the ins and outs of travel insurance when the dust settles

Good idea! Remind me if in 3 weeks or so if I haven't yet.

Just arrived in Larnaca and boarding my next flight shortly. No lounge, but airport is nice enough and free wifi.

 

[Daver6]

Time for an update.

I'm back in Australia. Importantly, MrsDaver6 is doing well and recovering. She still has pain but everything is progressing as expected and a full recovery is in order.

I made it to my brother's wedding. It was excellent, but still sad that MrsDaver6 wasn't there.

I plan to complete this TR and will go back to where I left off and go in chronological order. This may take a few weeks and come in dribs and drabs. I haven't really had a chance to even look through all the pictures.

The last post was on landing in Windhoek after the BA (Comair) flight. Next post will continue with our first night at the Hilton in Windhoek and airport/car rental experience.

 

[love_the_life]

Pleased to hear that MrsDaver6 is well on the road to recovery and that things are going well. Look forward to reading the rest of the TR when you manage it.

 

[Daver6]

Apologies for the delay in writing some more.

So upon arrival at Windhoek airport we collected our rental car. We had booked a Corolla hatch through Europcar. MrsDaver6 has top level status with them thanks for VA WP status. This promises a two category upgrade based on availability. Our "upgrade" was to a Ford Ikon as shown below. Not convinced this was much of an upgrade but saw us through the trip.



The other thing that struck me as strange was the airport was 40km from Windhoek. I couldn't understand why it was so far away. One the ground it became obvious. Around Windhoek is quite hilly...so this must have been the closest flat area.

Our first night was at the Hilton. Basic room booked. MrsDaver6 is diamond and we were upgraded to an executive room. I think its the usual Hilton trick where its a regular room on a higher level with bigger bottles of toiletries etc. Room was nice enough. The executive lounge is pretty small, but never felt crowded. I'll write more about this hotel later as I landed up staying here for six night later on while MrsDaver6 was in hospital. However, in summary, if you can get a good rate here, its worth it. Super easy to find as well driving from the airport.

Breakfast is available in either the EL or main restaurant. We went the restaurant for more variety. All coffees included for free

After breakfast we set off for our accommodation near Etosha game reserve. We stayed at Epacha Lodge, which is about an hours driver from the Anderson Gate. Epacha is a private reserve with same animals, mainly buck, giraffe etc.