I didn’t think I’d be writing today but there are some important things to talk about. First of all, the weather was sunny and warming up quickly. When we arrived at our hotel, the lovely welcoming host grabbed our suitcases and immediately took them to our rooms. ( a small cabin that house 2 separate rooms and was about a 3 Storey outside staircase from the reception area.He was wearing a winter car coat length jacket, and a toque! it was 16C!

We got to our room, and to be honest, it was a little tired. However, when we went to dinner the meal was outstanding. Not sure if there was a challenge during Covid, but the service and food was exceptional. They had fireplaces and gas heaters going in the dining room so we were very comfortable. And we certainly felt very safe.

In the morning we got up regular time and finished our packing, including an extra outfit of clothes in our carry on in case our suitcases don’t make the transfer through Dar es Salaam to Arusha. All packed up, we were ready to head to breakfast. What a selection! Although there was no cold buffet, they offered a fruit and muesli option along with a couple of shashukas, scrambled egg carbonara, a smoked salmon or rock lobster eggs Benedict and more. I must say, I had the best cup of coffee I’ve tasted in South Africa ( decaf, apparently Arabica beans). So delicious and chocolately!

After breakfast we packed up and met our driver, Justin who would take us to the airport. Johannesburg is a thriving 8M plus city that looks fairly clean and organized. ( she says for a car ride from a predominately white upper class area in Melville)

Justin was quite into wine and his sommelier training and was excited about our impressions of South African wines. Quite frankly they are the highest quality for value of any wines I have tasted! We had a great conversation and I’m hoping he can convince more wineries to try get into the LCBO! Great opportunity right now!

We were soon at the airport and checked into our flight. When we were checking in, one of the attendants asked if we needed assistance. I asked him how feeble he thought we were??? Wrong question! We should have said yes sir! Apparently, the “assisted” went through the “diplomat” line through security… super fast tracked! Last time I open my stupid mouth!!!

We got through just fine and entered into a shopping Mecca! Unfortunately, we couldn’t buy any whisky (we already had some in our suitcase). Best selection and best prices that we’ve seen! A number of African Shops with things you could buy to support a) animal extinction programs b) malaria net support for children c) Jane Goodall foundation d) crafters suffering from HIV/AIDS… all great and virtuous causes!

When I got back to Dan ( who prefers reading to shopping) he had a young woman doing a survey on tourists visits to South Africa. Looking to see how safe tourists felt and the financial impact they had on the country… very smart! Johannesburg Airport is an impressive cosmopolitan hub for South Africa. A joy to travel through!

We finally boarded our flight to Tanzania. We would travel through Dar es Salaam, buy our Tanzanian visas there, collect our bags and recheck in for our domestic flight to Arusha. All in 2.5 hours! I think “assistance” may be necessary!

Darn it! They didn’t offer assistance this time. Quite the process… first we get off our flight and enter the international terminal. We bought our visas and collected our bags. We then had to leave that hall ( of course our bags are X-rayed we leave!)

Once clear of customs, and out in the main hall with our bags we needed to find our checking for Arusha (even though we were traveling the same airline, they could not check us trough and give us boarding passes for both flights.). We managed to chat with someone who told us we needed to go to the domestic terminal… just a .5 k walk through 30C with all our luggage! We made it, everything got X rayed on the way into the terminal and then we got our boarding passes. Once again through security, and finally to our gate with 1.5 hours to spare!!!

Our flight is on time, but curiously it shares the same flight number with Zanzibar! perhaps we have an exotic detour enroute to Arusha!!

We finally made it to our destination, Kilimanjaro at around 11:20 pm with and hour drive left to our hotel! Needless to say to say we are looking forward to our beds! Until next time!