The Journey Home

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We start the long trek home today.  Thankfully no 5 am alarm this morning.  We were able to sleep a bit later.  Our driver wasn't coming till 8:30.  We grabbed a quick breakfast, did our last minute packing, and met the jeep at reception.  Retraced out way back to the Botswana border crossing, got our passports stamped and the onto the ferry crossing and there was no ferry.  Actually there was, but he took off as soon as he saw us.  I asked Lance, the driver, why didn't that guy take us across - "Oh, he's with another company".  I wasn't really buying that considering he is the only game in town, or rather, on the water.  Lance made a phone call or two and guess what, here comes Mr. Ferry Guy again. The same guy that took us across four days ago and said we weren't on his list.  Guess he really loves screwing with the tourists.  Finally boarded the boat, said goodbye to Lance and said hello again to Clive who was waiting on the other side.

While driving to the Zambia border crossing, Clive happens to mention that our univisa does not cover our re-entry into Zambia.  It was going to cost us another $100 to get back into the country. This is the first we had heard of this fee.  Nowhere in all the literature we received does it say we have to pay another $100 to get back into Zambia.  In fact, it was made very explicit that we make sure we get a univisa that covers Zambia, Zimbabwe, and we thought, Botswana.  Clive said the problem was that we stayed overnight.  If you just go over for a day, you don't have to pay.  The univisa cost us $100.  We paid the fee and as soon as I could, I emailed Elmor and explained the situation.  Clive says it is all part of the African experience - thanks a lot!


The drive to the airport took about an hour. Clive went through his neighborhood and showed us where he lives and where his son goes to school.  Of course, we arrived here early and we are now sitting with a cup of coffee waiting to board.  This flight is only about an hour and a half - should be in Jo'berg by around 3.  Hope there's time for a dip in the pool.

It was a pretty smooth flight to Jo'berg.  We flew over the Falls and I couldn't resist getting a few more shots.  It is something to see. Landed on time, went through customs, and we were able to walk straight through to the hotel. Checked in but the room was like a sauna with the sun pouring in.  We were told they could change it a bit later.  So we got our suits out and hung by the pool. The water was ice cold but felt very refreshing.  After a while we went back to the desk and they gave us a new room on the shady side.  Quite comfortable with all the usual fixings.  I have to say this place is better than I expected for an airport hotel.

We will eat at the hotel tonight.  Maybe I'll get my African cocktail as a farewell to Africa.  Up early for a 7:40 flight back to London and then on to Boston.  Should get in the house somewhere around midnight if we are lucky.  Big thanks to Diane and Tim, our friends who watch our house every year. The heat is back on and there's milk in fridge!

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Next time... Home, Sweet, Home