We basically had to run (not ea
sy with 2 x 80+ members of the group) from where we landed to where we had to board . . . Schipol is a big airport - and along the way I tried to get a golf cart for my Mum & Cathie - but to no avail - these things have to be booked in advance - they do not believe in responding reactively . . . We eventually made it and we were not that late - as we approached we were ushered into a shorter queue - we made it on board and Maureen; Mum & Cathie were together - whereas I was miles away - that cost me a lot of money . . . lol - not at all - they have 3 seats next to each other - so I was excess baggage really - they were in 3 D, E & F or something like that - I was 41 B - yes the sought after middle seat (not) . . . ended up sitting next to an Opera singer - Edmondo - quite an interesting character - whenever the trolley came past he would ask "Cognac Andrew" and I would smile and nod my head . . .It was a day flight - we left early morning and arrived in Cape Town at about 22h30 . . . It wasn't bad at all actually - found the return flight (a night flight) was a lot worse . . . .
We arrived on time and because of my permanent residence in South Africa - I am allowed to stand in the SA passport holders queue - which was much shorter than all those tourist types . . lol (like me) - so I was through in no time . . . however, I was no sooner through than I heard my name being announced and being told to report to lost property - and I thought I know what this is about - it will be the luggage - we just made it in time for the plane but guaranteed our luggage did not make it - and true enough it was the luggage - we were told they would be on the next KLM flight . . but that was only the following evening - and of course they would only be delivered the following day - so we landed Monday evening - all going well - we should get it on Wednesday morning . . . . Now I don't know about you, but, I consider myself to be a fairly seasoned traveller, however, I do not carry spare speedo's in my hand luggage - a laptop yes . . . and I had had toothpaste / deodorant confiscated - anything over 100ml - not allowed / verboten in your hand luggage . . . . We were told we could spend up to 100 Euro's on basic toiletries and some clothes etc., We had a taxi / shuttle service waiting to take Mum; Cathie & myself through to Milnerton - we left Maureen with Graeme as she was staying with him. We arrived at our accommodation at approximately 00h15
I was in the pool first thing the following morning . . . . shortly afterwards we hit Centre Point (local shopping centre) and bought a number of things - I went to Mr Price (SA Primark) and bought some shorts / t-shirts / sandals and then went to Clicks and stocked up on the toiletries
as did Mum & Cathie. On way back to 12 Bells - our accommodation - I was describing Stoffel's jeep and lo and behold I saw a jeep parked nearby and I said just like that one - with that I saw Stoffel crossing the road . . . I shouted but he never heard me - I stood next his jeep and waited for him . . . met him and went home with him to pick up the BMW - which he gave me for the duration of my stay . . . .
Had a braai the first evening (Tuesday) Jessila, Arran and Elaine popped round . . . visited Graeme and Maureen / Kyra-Lee; went to Spur; had some more braai's - generally just chilled - weather was absolutely stunning ; could not have asked for more; wind blew a bit - the old Cape Doctor - the South Easter was blowing by the time Samantha arrived on the following Monday morning. The Sunday went to 'Riverside' in Franschoek on the Sunday for lunch - they had a musician playing popular songs - food was good - service was terrible . . . . and loads of flies all over the place - an idyllic setting.
Sam and Hud arrived early Monday morning - and Tuesday we left for Aquila - privat
e game reserve . . . I had my reservations as I didn't quite know what to expect . . . was also not sure that they would have what one normally associates with a safari . . . . I was soon to realise it was the real thing - it is about 100km from Cape Town - 10km before Touwsrivier - take the R46 for Ceres and it is about 2km down that road - all very well organised and a success story as Touwsrivier has no real industry and this employs most of its staff from here . . . it has identified a niche market as a lot of people only come to Cape Town and do not venture inland in South Africa. Now I am not saying this is a mini Kruger national park - but it does have everything you are looking for . . . the big five: Lions; Elephant; Rhino; Buffalo; Hippo; Giraffe etc., - so it was very impressive. The accommodation was outstanding as was the catering . . . .
We went on an evening game drive and then 06h00 the next morning - I have to safe it was freezing the evening - and I am talking about 17h00 - Sam sat with 2 blankets around her - I even had a blanket for the morning 06h00 game drive and that was the better of the two as most of the animals seemed more active at this time . . . .We had dinner; breakfast and lunch - all a buffet and the selection was outstanding and the food exquisite - a sea food potjie; meats everything you could dream of - and lovely dessert . . . my only regret - I didn't have a swim . . .
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