In To Africa
Francine found a novel way to get from the UK to Namibia, but it had good and bad features. The good – a business class flight that cost less than an economy ticket (on the same flight!). The bad – it involved a slight detour via Istanbul and catching the Frankfurt/Windhoek flight the following day. So far so good – but the travel gremlins decided to have some fun with us along the way…
The first gremlin appeared when we arrived at Istanbul airport. Turkey had done such a good job of promoting itself as a candidate for entry into the European Union, that we had forgotten we still needed to get a visa! After a bit of a panic and back-tracking past the snaking queue leading to the immigration desk, we bought our visa from a booth and through we went.
The hotel was fine, but upon checking out, the credit card machine didn’t work. Whilst we were finalising how to pay in pounds (not a preferred currency in Turkey!), Dave noticed that the shuttle bus to the airport had just pulled away! After a bit of frantic ringing, the driver returned for us and deposited us at the airport.
There began the third gremlin’s challenge! We had postponed our flight by a week (as Bertha’s shipping date had slipped). Air Namibia had re-booked both legs and issued a new ticket number, but the Turkish Airlines system had no record of the new booking. We spent the next two hours, NOT relaxing in the very pleasant Istanbul lounge, but at the check in desk, where we were alternatively on the phone to Air Namibia (in Namibia) or pleading with the check in staff, trying to persuade them that we should be allowed to fly. The airport WiFi didn’t work and our mobiles ran out of credit (at which point, Yasmin, the very kind check-in lady, let us use her personal mobile). At the eleventh hour, Air Namibia agreed to issue a new ticket number; it appeared in the Turkish system and – Hooray! – we had boarding cards! But the flight status was “Final Call” – so we ran all the way (accompanied by Yasmin!) to the furthest gate (naturally!) of the airport and arrived just as the gate was closing!
Surely everything would be fine at Frankfurt? WiFi worked and we pootled about in the lounge until our flight was called. But Herr Gremlin had other ideas! “Where is your onward ticket from Namibia?”, asked the guy at the gate. We didn’t have one. We would be leaving in our truck, so didn’t need a ticket out? Not so, apparently. Cue some frantic booking of a (mostly refundable) bus ticket from Windhoek to Cape Town, which satisfied requirements. So again, with moments to spare, we made the flight. We flopped down into our seats to hear the pre-flight muzak system play a bugle solo of the ‘Last Post’. A strange choice – but fortunately, the flight was without incident (perhaps the gremlins hadn’t booked their onward ticket!?) and we have arrived safely in beautiful Namibia. Let the adventure continue!..
It all sounds very stressful! Better luck for the rest of your trip. Betty.
Thanks Betty.x
Safe travels guys. I am sure that without the gremlins it would not have been so memorable-:). Be safe and good luck.
Thanks Ahmad!
Phew!
My goodness, I would have been in tears!
Thank goodness everyone was safe and sound, and you arrived EVENTUALLY, hope that was all the gremlin stuff out of the way, and you have a smooth ride from now on.
We would have been in tears if we had missed our flight(s). But in the end, it all came good.
Wow that will be a trip you won’t forget in a hurry! So it should be smooth “sailing” from now on as you have had your quota now. Happy travels. When will the Book be released next year???
That was your starter for ten points
Now comes the real challenge!
Have a great time!
Hope so, Helen! No plans for a book … yet! 🙂
What a hoot ! Let’s hope those gremlins didn’t get near water and the rest of your trip will be smooth sailing?! Ha! That would be a boring life anyway so here’s to rolling with the punches life throws along the way!! Onward !
Yes, I am sure there will be more punches!
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all these postings ….. I assume I will have given up after so many month to post updates….. you have a great discipline with the blog / postings – respect!
Have a pleasant tour in the southern part of Africa. Hope you don’t think – as many posted here – this was stressful. Just wait when you cross some borders between South Africa and their neighbor states….. you could wait days to get a visa.
But the good news…… there is always a good hoppy brew around in these countries to kill the time.
All the best
Robert
Thanks Robert, yes, no matter what, there is always beer!!
Gosh it must have been awfully stresfull ! . You will still have plenty of fantastic and lovely surprises but it can not go without a few hitches.. As long as you are both safe, it will be stores to tell
Absolutely! We have already had many nice surprises. 🙂
OMG! What an adventure! Hope those gremlins take a long break now.
So do I! We are firmly on the ground now – and in the right country, so fingers crossed! 🙂