I’m sitting in the Gaborone departure lounge. My flight has been delayed almost an hour, slightly longer I think. No reason has been given and the only explanation is “Not boarding yet”. The flight has disappeared from the monitor, but this all appears to be usual.

I left Nitani yesterday morning at around 9:30am. Callie and Lovemore seemed determined to delay my departure as long as possible. When there are no guests they have to do other tasks like fix the roads in the Nitani concession.

My average speed back to Gabs was about 160km/h. I wanted to get back in time to borrow the internet and printer at the SMEC office to check-in for my Singapore flights, thereby avoiding the transit counter at Jo’burg airport. I got back in time but the internet was out. I hate to think how long I’ll be standing in line to check-in now.

Flight has finally been called to board.


Update:
Typing this in Changi airport, Singapore.
I had to stand inline for over an hour in Jo’burg to check-in, and there were only about 30 people in front of me. All the time the check-in counter staff are merrily chatting and joking with one another. Everyone except the Africans are getting impatient, they know how it works and so they expect the delay. Nothing has changed in nearly 10 years.. except for getting worse.
My flight was boarding by the time I got through the transit area so souvenir shopping will have to wait till the next trip.

Three weeks have gone so fast and it feels like I’ve hardly done or seen anything. Botswana has been everything I’d hoped it would be and I really don’t want to be heading back to Australia.

My next trip has already been half arranged for February 2010 and will be for at least 4 weeks, hopefully 5.

Now comes the processing of all the photos. All digital this time. Go here to see them:

http://www.pbase.com/johnstob/botswana2009

Tags: travel