Blogs from Africa - page 2738

Electronic ticketing is supposed to make the check-in process that much easier. Inevitably, Gene and I would learn otherwise. After being advised by our travel agent that postponing our flight from Egypt to Morocco by two days would incur no additional change fees, we decided to extend our stay in Egypt so that we could take the opportunity to explore Luxor. We were less than surprised, however, when the desk agent informed us at the time of check-in that we would have to pay an additional 500 Egyptian Pounds per person to change our tickets. “I don’t understand,” Gene countered. “We were told by our travel agent that there wouldn’t be a change fee.” A puzzled silence ensued. After several minutes of ticking away at her keyboard, the ticket agent confirmed, “I’m sorry, Sir. You can ... read more

Life in the village as the Ghanians say is 'sweeeeeeeeeeet'. My family is really great. My mum Mary is the funniest woman. She can't speak english very well but she laughs all the time with this deep shrill laugh. She finds us hilarious and is always saying 'my daughters i am your ghana mummy. I will cry when you leave. The 5 kids are all great too. They are so helpful and good most of the time. School starts at 8.00 and goes until 1.30pm. I am often escorted so school by a squealing mob consisting of the majority of the villages children. There are occasionally fights over who will carry my stuff and who will hold my hand. After school we arrive home to cooked lunch. Mary loves us to eat and gets very upset ... read more

Hey everyone!! Not much internet access here, so this will be short and sweet - the pics will speak for themselves. Left Hali June 3rd after writing our last final and moving apartments. Missed a flight to Qatar. Spend a day in London because of it. Got to Johannesburg June 5th with my travel buddies, Chris Nash and Erin Palmer. Went on safari to Kruger National Park. It was freezing (we slept in treehouses), but beautiful - saw lots of animals, ate delicious meals, hung out with the South Africans, good times. June 9th we had an intense day in Jo'burg - google apartheid if you want to understand why we visited these places. First went to top of Africa (tallest building in continent - apparently). Then went to Soweto (South Western Townships), largest township in ... read more

Not much to report so far, but just thought I'd let everyone know that I've arrived! After a smooth and uneventful flight I landed in Nairobi airport this morning at 6.30am local time. A taxi picked me and two other members from my group up, and took us back to the Heron Hotel, where I am spending my first night - the rooms are pretty basic, but absolutely fine for what I need - sleep! I am feeling very lucky at the moment because I was the only one out of the three of us picked up at the airport whose bags turned up! The bags belonging to the other two are still in London for some unknown reason, and they may not receive them in time for the start of the safari (8am tomorrow morning). ... read more

. Leaving Dahab. It wasn't easy, having spent more time then I allotted for, and especially after a failed attempt to extend it by a day, cutting off one day in Luxor. During the lazy days of Dahab I toyed with the idea of just skipping Luxor all together, avoiding the heat, and the crowds of packaged tourist. My logic was, the ruins have been there for a few thousands years, probably not going to go anywhere in my life time, unlike the Red Sea and it's coral and aquatic life. I had received mixed reviews on Luxor. Hot. Touristy. Hot. Tons of street hustlers, but figured to come all the way to Egypt and not pay it a couple of days visit wouldn't be wise. I figured I'd kick myself in the end. As far ... read more