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Phyllis - African Tour
by Phyllis Van Arsdale on Sunday 09 April 2006
My South African Experience
From the moment I lifted my head from the inside of a 777 which had transported me for the last 11 hours from Zurich, I felt a sense of coming home. I can’t explain it, it was just something felt. The breeze was faint, like the breath of some spiritual idol. It was neither hot nor cool, sort of lukewarm. It was a very safe and comfortable feeling.
I felt back in another time, yet all was modern. Workers in the airport, while working on the torn-up tarmac, had smiles and spoke English.
We arrived a day early and had the treat of a South African Hanger BBQ Party given by Estelle and Lorrie Raath. We had lots to eat, drink and cheer about. We had an Air show with a T6 and a 1943 Stearman. The best part? We were in the show. They give rides while flying in formation and doing 8 point barrel roll. How could this trip top that?
It did… I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable vacations I have ever been on. Flying in the DC-3, ZS-Golf Pappa Lima, was the wonderful unexpected joy of the journey. Piloted and owned by Flippie Vermulen and Lorrie Raath and later Johann Vandenberg, I felt extremely safe and they were most professional as you would see on any airline. And why not? Because they each have an average of 35 years flying for South African Airways.
We stayed in 3 reserves. Khawi River Lodge in the Okawanga Delta. Northwest of Johannesburg about 3 hours, plus a puddle jumper ride to the Lodge air strip.
Mfwue in the Luangwa Valley Park. This was northeast of Livingstone, the home of Victoria Falls-which in a couple of words – wet, and awesome. The last, and best for viewing lots of animals, was Phinda. This was located just southeast of Johannesburg just off of Santa Lucia.
Every place we stayed was so top notch I felt spoiled and pampered. With the exceptions of The Farm Inn and Royal Livingstone. I could have skipped these two places and stayed one more day at Matemo Island Resort on the Indian Ocean. I could have opted for another day at Mfwue and gaze again on the Boabob tree, catch another glimpse of the leopard and porcupine.
After I got home I felt very lonely. For the last 18 days I have been on a dream vacation with 19 new friends. I had new friends with all the same love and passion for nature, flying of old planes and most of all, a desire to visit Africa.
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