Today in Trust member Kate Thompson’s South Africa diary, gets over England’s exit by organising a trip to Victoria Falls
Day 20: Monday, 28 June 2010
I had set my alarm for 8.45 as breakfast finishes at 9.30 but as it was I woke before then, so had a shower and a very nice breakfast. There was a good choice of juices, cereals, fruit and breads, plus cooked food; I particularly appreciate the selection of fruit. I had my favourite, poached egg on toast. I had to start taking the anti-malaria tablets today but no side effects yet, thank goodness. After lazing about for the rest of the morning, I walked over to the little shopping mall near here and bought a sandwich for lunch, plus some milk and my favourite chocolate-flavoured soya milk which I hadn’t seen here before.
I also went to enquire about trips at one of the travel agents but met some of the others who had picked up a leaflet from the hotel. I’m particularly interested in a horse riding trip in a game reserve which I might do provided they supply a riding helmet. I would also like to go to the elephant sanctuary. Inevitably, the price is more for just one person but it became clear when I met some of the others later that there are several of us interested in doing various tours so something might transpire. None of us is particularly impressed with Thomson Sport in this regard.
I watched the first half of the Netherlands v Slovakia game with a father and son on the big screen in one of the conference suites, but the picture kept breaking up so we watched the second half in the bar, along with several others. A few left at 5.00 to go and watch Brazil v Chile which is taking place this evening at Ellis Park in Johannesburg…..
I was going to use room service but in the end decided to go to the dining room where I got into conversation with a couple from Burnley who take the same view as me: that the football was a disgrace but that we were still glad we had come and had thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I had heard that the returning English police officers said that not a single English fan had been arrested, which is great news.
I watched the Brazil v Chile game in my room and had a bath at half-time. My shoulder is considerably better (although not perfect) and a soak in a bath has helped it. Just as well, as I can’t remember the exercises that the Cape Town chiropractor gave me! He gave me the name of a colleague in Sandton but as every journey appears to involve a taxi I’m hoping that I can avoid having to see her. I also learnt that it is perfectly possible to walk to the big shopping centre here, Sandton City, which is about a mile away. The couple who I sat next to on the flight from the UK have suggested we walk there together when I return from the Victoria Falls. I won’t take my laptop to Livingstone so just hope I can remember everything! I’ve charged the camera battery, so hope that lasts out as I don’t know if my South African adapter will work in Zambia.
Day 21: Tuesday, 29 June 2010
The day I started my side trip to the Victoria Falls. As I didn’t know how long it would take to get a ticket at the railway station, I ordered a taxi for 8.00; the traffic was quite heavy but we arrived in good time. At the station there were masses of staff around to help and I just handed over my money and was given my ticket, which is like a credit card. The Gautrain (pronounced ‘Howtrain’) is very new, only opening on 8 June, and at the moment there are only three stops, from Sandton to the airport. I realised later on that the name comes from that of the province (Gauteng).
Visitors are advised not to use the trains here but the Gautrain is quite different; it is smart, comfortable and fast – only 15 minutes to the airport, so not only cheaper than a taxi but considerably quicker. It appeared to be well used, but I suspect it is probably too expensive for a lot of locals. As I came out of the station a steel band was playing and I couldn’t resist photographing (with their permission) two lady cleaners who were dancing to the music with their mops and buckets!
The Gautrain
Having checked in I put some more airtime on my South African phone and wandered round the shops; I bought a cheap floppy hat but in fact didn’t wear it. I also enquired about whether I needed any Zambian currency, as I had rand, US dollars and sterling, and was told that this would be fine. The counter for reclaiming VAT was right next door to the bureau de change and people were obviously being given a cheque and changing it into their own currency. I’d forgotten to save some of my receipts when I’d paid in cash but I’m sure I will still have enough to make it worthwhile reclaiming the tax. The flight to Livingstone was on time and I had asked for a window seat on the left-hand side in order to get a view of the Falls; I could see the ‘smoke’ (the spray from the water) but it wasn’t a very good view.
Livingstone airport must be the smallest in the world! The queue for customs and immigration went out of the door. I was the last one to go through and had my $50 note ready for the visa. I was asked if I had been to the football and although I didn’t have any proof, they must have believed me and gave me a discount of $25! I was collected from the airport and taken to the Zambesi Sun for my two night stay, the nearest hotel to the Falls.
Part twelve of Kate’s diary will appear tomorrow