Perth To Africa

Perth To Africa

27^th to 28^th of November 2018.

The best laid plans don’t always work out as you envisage, but they still work out okay. I guess that’s why we call it an adventure.

So for those of you who don’t know I’m a really cranky flier, it is by far least favourite thing is flying and everything you have to go through to get on what is effectively just a big bus. So when things don’t work out like I plan I get even crankier…

So we finally got out of the house after much faffing about… Jumped in our Uber, went to the wrong terminal, (crankiness level rising) finally arrived at the Qantas International (T4) only to see that there was a massive traffic jam for the drop off area. Its at about this point I start getting concerned that we were going to miss our check in time, so we headed into the short term parking area near the terminal, (crankiness level almost at head exploding levels) problem solved.

Once we were inside the terminal, we discovered that there are no bag wrapping facilities, which when you’re heading to Africa with a backpack is a problem. Next the Qantas check in and bag drop wasn’t working so off to the counter we go. Turns out we also jumped in the domestic que not the international que, but the lady was kind enough to check us in etc. At the departure gate I left Lisa in the peasant que whilst I went the business que. From there it was pretty uneventful.

We had to transferred from Qantas to Ethiopian Air, which meant we had to go from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 and show the staff at the Ethiopian Air our luggage receipt so they could go collect our luggage from the good folks at Qantas. To say I was slightly concerned that we would lose or luggage was an understatement.

The layover in Singapore was an 8-hour layover, so Lisa booked the airport hotel which charges in 6 hours time slots. It’s a pretty good setup if you have a 6+ hour delay. We got a meal (included in the price), went up to the rooftop pool for a drink, watched some planes take off and land then went and had a nap.

Our flight from Singapore to Addis Ababa left at 2am and was about 9 hours and I have to say was pleasantly surprised. Whilst the plane was full, I had plenty of leg and elbow room (more than the Qantas flight). Apparently, there was a baby that was a little upset during the flight, I say apparently because my noise cancelling headphones work a treat. The food was edible but the highlight of the flight for me was a toss up between watching Deadpool 2 and seeing Lisa crying when they saved Matt Damon in the Martian.

Going through the airport at Addis Ababa we had to walk past the heat sensing camera, they have a sign attached to the camera basically saying that its for the detection of the Ebola virus.

Next Addis Ababa to Entebee, Uganda. Its about a 2 hour flight and we got second breakfast. Again lots of leg and elbow room. Winning.

And at the new Entebbe Airport they had the same camera setup screening for Ebola but this time we had to fill out a form, paid for our East Africa visa which covers Uganda & Kenya (it costs $100USD each).

But the really big news is our bags arrived, truly Winning.

Most importantly Lisa has finally figured out its best to follow me when there’s a que.