[Worldtrippers home] [Crystal home]
We stepped off of Crystal Symphony for the last time at 6:20 am this morning. Crystal was originally not going to provide an airport transfer, as only four of us had morning flights. But when they realized we were lecturers, they also realized that airport transfers are included in our contract. It was only about a five-minute drive to the airport.
When we went to the counter to check in, we were informed that our 9:30 flight was delayed until 10:15. During the course of checking in, we were informed that our flight was even further delayed until noon. The good news is that we were provided with meal coupons due to the delay. The bad news is that we sat in the airport for the next four hours. (Had we known, we could have stayed aboard Crystal Symphony longer, sleeping in, enjoying a leisurely breakfast, and saying “good bye” to guests.)
The plane was only half full, so each of us had an entire row of seats. The five-hour flight was uneventful. The lunch provided by Air Seychelles was delicious.
We arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa at 3:45 pm, having gained two hours by flying west. It took a long time to get through passport immigration. All of our luggage arrived, though it took some effort to track down Gail’s cardboard box. (It had arrived separately in the “Fragile and Oversized” area.)
The safari that Gail purchased literally provides door-to-door service. We were met in the terminal by Magda, who accompanied us on the hotel shuttle and made sure we were checked in. We are staying at the Southern Sun airport hotel for one night before we get on another plane tomorrow.
Johannesburg is South Africa’s most populous city – in fact, it is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. It is also considered the third most dangerous city in the world, especially for women. After the long flight, Gail was content simply to stay in our room for the evening.
Our Crystal Cruise adventure has ended, but tomorrow we will begin a new adventure… an African safari!
