Transfer Day
This morning is our road trip to Maun and the flight out to Joburg for the next part of the adventure.
Saying goodbye to the team after breakfast and we are on our way.
It is a four hour drive to Maun and we stop to see the Baobab’s and the requisite photo session.
I have been wanting to see one of these trees since I was a little kid. Well worth the stop for me.
How many people have carved into this tree over the hundreds of years I can not imagine.
It was so tempting to grab some fruit and maybe grow one at home.
The “Kalahari Ferrari’s” are numerous along the highway. Donkeys are everywhere. Skinny cattle and there is very little grass. Although there is plenty of dust.
We cross the red line partition disease fence that keeps the buffalo and bad stuff on the north side.
It was surreal to see fish being sold beside a highway when there is nothing but dust and heat. Where are the fish coming from? Apparently there is a lake relatively close by.
We get to the Maun airport safe and sound. We discover a new charge to get your firearm onto a plane. You get an official receipt but I think someone has a holiday fund building.
You have to pay in cash: Euros, etc. Glad I had some in my wallet from the Frankfurt leg of my trip. There is a moneychanger in the airport. You’ll love the rates!!!
Jason has a fixer present to help us get through the gun exit process. It helped to have someone point the way in a small very busy airport. It is a collision of hunters, tourists, outfitters, PH's, tour guides and regular folks.
The process, once you part with your money, is straightforward and they have dealt with guns so much that the staff can do it blindfolded.
We line up to get checked in and discover that Air Botswana has combined a flight and will be rerouting our travel up through Kasane instead of straight to Joburg. This is after already cancelling an earlier flight we were booked on. These earlier flights were to ensure we were in Joburg in daylight!
Now I’ll be driving in the dark for certain. Not something that your average tourist should be doing in South Africa. My friends notice that look only face. !!@#$%^&*
It takes a few moments to chill and accept TIA! Always plan for more time to do things than you might normally think is required.
On to the plane for our air tour of northern Botswana.
Got my first look at Zambia and Zimbabwe from the air and flew past Livingstone.
Maybe one of these days.
