Melbourne to Sydney then to the Hilton and flight Saturday to Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

We departed Wheeelers hill after Gavin picked us up and transferred us to Melbourne airport (Domestic Termoinal) for our flight to Sydney. This was a mid afternoon with a snack and drinks in business class. flight departed on time and we enjoyed a comfortable excellent flight. Arrived in Sydney on schedule, collected our luggage and three we were met by our driver from Black bow tie who transferred us to Hilton Sydney in George Street.

Our check in was quick and easy, ther room a King Deluxe was excellent. We unpacked all required gear for tonight and with an early morning pick up , determined to get out and about.

The Tram down George Street wasn’t working due to an electrical problem and we took the underground train from Town Hall to Circular Quay. We then walked around the ferries area and then down to the Opera House, took some photos and watched the cruise ship in port. Then we walked back through George Street, caught the train back to Town Hall and purchased sandwiches and a drink at Woolworths as we both felt that we didn’t need dinner.

Into bed at 10.00pm and both slept well and had an early wake up call, packed and met our driver who transferred us to Sydney International Terminal where we were checked in within 10 minutes, through immigration and security within another 20 minutes and then to the Qantas Lounge for breakfast. All had gone smoothly, we enjoyed our time in Sydney and the transfer to the airport was smooth.

Boarded at 8.50am for the planned departure at 9.30pm for our flight QF 63 Sydney to Johannesburg.

We are sitting together in the middle of Busioness Class seats 9. Departed almost on time for our planned 14 hour flight. Shortly after we were served a meal for lunch which was pretty good. Whereas we were disappointed with the food on the domestic leg, this international meal was of good quality. We then went to sleep and Ken had almost 7 hours of good sleep, whilst Jeanette has less.

Breakfast was served some 2 hours plus prior to scheduled landing and was enjoyable.

We arrived some 20 minutes early/ ahead of schedule and we were surprised as to our flight path that took us down to %5 degrees south before turning northerly and into Johannesburg.

Our flight steward, Damian then presented Jeanette and I with a complimentrarey bottle of champagne in celebration of our forthcoming 50th Wedding Anniversary. A nice gesture.

We exited the flight and then collected our luggage following immigration and customs. A short walk through the terminals brought back previous memories of the airport and we were quickly checked in to the Safair flight following our use of a porter. The tip was well worth the thought, he guided us to the correct area, helped check us in.

The following photos of Sydney and our arrival in South Africa reflect what we hope will be a wonderful holiday over the next 5 weeks.

We have a lengthy wait of over 3 hours for our flight to Port Elizabeth. The flight time approaches, we begin boarding and take our green Tauck bag onto the aircraft. The flight is full and departs on time and we have a pleasant flight from OR Tambo , Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth airport.

We disembark and proceed to the baggage area. One of the bags arrives and we then have a period of concern as Jeanette’s bag is one othe last to come off the plane. However, all is well we collect and go through the exit, meet our guide , Andrew, who will drive us to Addo Elephant Camp and then chaperone us for the next 4 days.

Unbeknown to us it is about 50 minutes drive from Port Elizabeth to the camp and we experience “Load Sharing” for the first time. this is when power is cut off for a period and the lights go opuit. There are no traffic lights in certain areas.

We It is a relatively quick trip apart from having to pass several of the regular manganese trucks.

Arrival is at approximately 9.00pm and we check in and then are shown our comfortable Chatreau, but are again informed that there will be periods of “load sharing” through out the night. We are both very tired it has been about 25 hours of travel. We fall into bed aware that we have a 5.30am early morning game drive meaning that we are out of bed at 5.00am. We sleep very well. Morning comes quickly.

The first game drive is a little disappointing with little wildlife activity.

See the photos below.