The Night Before Departure

I'm all packed and ready to go. My flight leaves at 6:20 am, so I will be up early. This may be my last post until I get internet access in either the Atlanta airport or in Paris. The next chance for internet access will be when we get to the rental house in Cape Town around Dec. 6.

Last Minute Shopping

I must battle the Black Friday Christmas shoppers to pick up some last minute items.

• Insect repellent with 33 - 55% DEET.
• Permethrin Clothing Spray (insect repellent).
• Small back pack for carry on.
  
• Boots for safari, exploring, and the rain/snow forecast for Paris.

I want to bring the laptop and camera(s) with me on the plane, but I don't want too much stuff since I'll have to carry it with me site seeing in Paris. But with the rain/snow forecast for Paris and mid 80's in Johannesburg, this should prove to be a packing challenge; what to check in, what to carry on. Good thing I like challenges.

Rey's Blog

Here's the link to Rey's blog for anyone who's interested. I cut and pasted some of the itinerary from his blog.

40insouthafrica.blogspot.com

Requested Souvenirs

Levon: A slice of BBQ Zebra with a side of hoof.

Stan: Two sets of elephant tusks.

Erik: "Bring me back Nelson Mandela, but try and wash off that 'old people' smell first, if ya know what I mean."

Timmie: Snow for Tahoe

Itinerary

Monday December 1
6:30 am: Fly from San Jose to Paris (lay over in Atlanta, Georgia).

Tuesday December 2
6:15 am: Arrive in Paris.

I plan to do some site seeing in Paris since I have a 16 hour lay over. The current forecast calls for rain or snow. I'll try to take photos regardless.

Rey and Liza arrive in the Paris Charles de Galle airport around 5:30 pm. I'll meet them in the airport some time before 9 pm.

11:15 pm: Fly from Paris to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Wednesday December 3
10:40 am: Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa.
1:10 - 2:05 pm: Fly to Nelspruit Kruger Airport.
Upon arrival: Transfer to Jock Safari Main Camp. About an hours drive.
That evening: night safari.

Thursday December 4

Early morning safari.

Afternoon safari.

Friday December 5
10:30 am: Transfer to Nelspruit Kruger Airport. About an hours drive.
1:35 - 2:30 pm: Fly to Johannesburg.
6:30 - 8:40 pm: Fly to Cape Town.
Meet up with Gareth, Rey's South African friend.
Pick up rental car and drive to Camps Bay.
About 11 pm: Arrive at 3 bedroom villa in Camps Bay (19 Fiskaal Road, Camps Bay).

Saturday December 6
Rey's 40th birthday.
We should have internet access in Cape Town and will post pictures, update blog entries, and check email.
Dinner at one of the best restaurants in South Africa, The Showroom.

Sunday December 7

No plans. We'll probably hang by the pool and explore our immediate surroundings. I'll try a traveler's workout program. I'm sure I'll be having withdrawals by this time. There aren't any 24 Hour Fitness centers in South Africa. (I looked.)

Monday December 8

Tentative plans: Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

Tuesday December 9

No plans. We might go shopping, hiking, etc.

Wednesday December 10

Tentative plans: Kayaking on the ocean to see the penguins in Simon's Town.

Thursday December 11

Drive the Garden Route and go wine tasting. South African wine has become internationally recognized in the past few years. This international contingent must determine that for our ourselves. Wine tastings require full pours, correct?

Friday December 12

Gareth returns to Johannesburg, while we recover from all the wine the day before. We may do this by eating, exploring, and more shopping. (and more wine?)

December 13 - 14

No plans yet. We do need to go volunteer at a township for at least a day, and do more hiking, eating, and exploring. I'll have to try some of the local beers as well.

Monday December 15
12:20 - 2:20 pm: Fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

We might meet up with Gareth and get a tour of the city and have dinner.

Stay at a 4-star hotel (why not?) Protea Hotel Balalaika
20 Maude Street, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg +27 11 3225000

Tuesday December 16
7:20 pm: Fly from Johannesburg to Dakar.

Wednesday December 17
1:45 am: Arrive in Dakar.
3:25 - 8:30 am: Fly to Atlanta, Georgia.
10:46 am - 1:05 pm: Fly to Salt Lake City.
3:00 - 4:02 pm: Fly to San Jose.

Thursday December 18
8:00 am: Back to work and the real world.

Preparation

Our trip to South Africa is rapidly approaching, and still so much to do. I wanted to set up a blog site to upload a daily journal and pictures of the trip to share with friends and family.

I fly out of San Jose the morning of December 1 and arrive in Paris at 6:30am on Tuesday. I will meet up with Rey and Liza later that day in the Paris de Gaulle airport for our flight to Johannesburg. That flight does not leave until 11:15pm, so I plan to do some site seeing in Paris. I hope to see at least the Musee d'Orsay (since the Louvre is closed on Tuesday's) and the Eiffel Tower. I am still looking into tours and other options.

We will arrive in Johannesburg at 10:40 am on Wednesday December 3, and catch another flight followed by a shuttle to the Jock Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park. Upon arriving, we set out on a night safari. Early the next morning, we will go on another safari. I hope that we won't be too jet lagged. With the excitement of the trip, I don't think it will be a problem, at least for me.

On Friday, December 5, we leave the park and head for Cape Town, where we will stay most of our trip. We should have internet access and laptops, so we hope to post daily journals and pictures.

On Monday December 15, we fly back to Johannesburg. On Tuesday December 16, we leave South Africa, returning home in the afternoon on Wednesday, December 17, and back to work on Thursday, December 18.

I will post more as I prepare for the trip, and once in Cape Town, internet access permitting.