Preparation

April 15, 2008 - Petaluma, California, United States

Only 3 weeks to go…almost there.   It seems as though we have thought or planned this trip for years.  Other travel locations always popped up, but finally…Africa. 

 

Shots – yep…all 6 of them, (couldn’t lift my arm for 2 days)

Malaria drugs – yep…2 big bottles full (remember to pack them in carry on baggage, so they don’t get lost)

Antibiotics – yep…2 big bottles full (again, pack in carry on baggage)

Check Passport for 5 empty pages (yes 5 empty pages)…not sure why, but apparently every time we go through immigration/customs in South Africa they must have an empty page to stamp.  We keep coming back to Johannesburg before we leave for Namibia and Mozambique so we will be going through South Africa immigration/customs multiple times, and then add the stamps for Namibia and Mozambique.  David can’t wait…he is always so disappointed when we go to Europe and we travel freely between countries without going through immigration/customs. 

 

All that is left, is pack, create the user guide (with pictures) for all the remotes for our housesitter, so he can turn on the TV, watch, listen and change channels.  (4 remotes in all) and heaven help him if he wants to watch a DVD, that requires another remote.   He may have to call Erik my nephew for instructions (Erik is 10). 

 

Joe has agreed to drive us to the airport when we leave.   I adore him, when he offers, but do wonder about his motives…is he really checking to make sure we leave town?  Our flight leaves San Francisco at 6:00 am, so we have to be at the airport at 4:30 am, so we will have to leave Petaluma at 3:00.  (already starting that adjustment for another time zone).   The travel day is going to be long,  6 hours to Atlanta, 9 hours to Dakar and 9 hours to Johannesburg.  The stop in Dakar is only for fuel…thank goodness, otherwise David would have us off in some kind of Dakar rally race.  


11 Comments

Julie Stedman:
April 23, 2008
This is really fab, I can't wait to see the pictures and it's quite informative to me in my prep for Africa in 2010! Safe journeys. Julie
Tom Wettlaufer:
April 23, 2008
You and David have a wonderful time!!! I can't get Susan out of the state in a car, let alone half-way around the globe in a plane. Again, have a wonderful trip. Tom
Denise Weingand:
April 24, 2008
Now I seriously doubt that your house sitter will want to watch a DVD. Any movie he or she may want to watch should be available on the 500+ channels that you subscribe to...right?

Anyways, have a great trip and please give Terry our best. Remind Terry that he needs to log off EFT190S since he is not longer a solutions provider!!
David Paslay:
April 26, 2008
Denise,

Your seriously behind the times, we have closer to a thousand channel options now..........:)
Kay:
April 26, 2008
From Melba you can go anywhere! Who would guess we'd reconnect through travel blogs?!

Have a blast!
WilliamWiggins (Wiggie):
April 29, 2008
you guys are going to have the experience of a lifetime. it has been awhile since my pilgrimage to Africa these are the places that most stand out:
Chobe National Park, The town of Jeffrey's bay in the Eastern Cape; Vicotria Falls and the Palace of the Lost City, It was resorty yes, but very nice. We also went to a Camp in Namib Naukluft Park (I hope I spelled that right) the place was called Kulala Camp and was probably the most beautify place I've ever been. Soweto had historical significance to me but not a tourist destination. Enjoy!
Denise Weingand:
April 29, 2008
Oh...well thank goodness for that. Glad to hear your cable company continues to acquire ALL the possible available channels on earth. I'll bet you earn a LOT of miles when you pay that bill each month. You did use miles for your airplane tickets....didn't you? Probably didn't take long to earn the required amount....ha ha!
David Paslay:
May 1, 2008
You know the old saying "You can never be to rich, to thin, or have to many TV channels"........
Jenny:
May 2, 2008
Shots? Malaria and antibiotics juice to go? Yikes! I better call my doctor for my upcoming trip too. Thanks for the reminder. Have a great time. Will visit your blog often!
Alan R:
May 2, 2008
Dave/Mindy - you guys are going to have a tremendous time. Word to the wise though... figure out what a day's wage is worth before you visit. When Rosa and I went to Tanzania, the customs guy let Rosa on into the country, and told me that if I made a "little tip", he was sure I'd have no problems with my passport. Not knowing how much the dollar was worth in Tanzania, I put $50 in my passport and handed it over. Turns out $50 was a king's ransom! :)

Alan
nickie frisch taylor:
May 6, 2008
Glad you are there safely. Have a great time. Mom has already started the daily emails.

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